International TournamentsDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I don't see it... favorite to win? Yes! Dominate? No. Remember, the 1995 team was in Canada...and if it weren't for a miracle comeback in the 3rd against the Czechs... I don't think the 1995 tournament was all that easy... in fact none of the 15 gold medals have ever been easy except for 2005.
Much tougher to do in Ufa... And my prediction is Canada-Sweden gold medal game..will be a toss up... bronze medal game US-Russia. US wins.
The 1995 win wasn't easy I agree, but it was apparent that the Canadian team was still a step above everyone else. That was without the full roster too; everyone forgets that Gratton and Witt didn't play in 1995.
I don't really see any reason to expect anything but domination. Canada should have the best defence this tournament has seen in years, the best player the tournament has seen in years, one of the best goaltenders in the tournament and an elite collection of forwards. They can still lose, but I wouldn't put any other team all that close as of right now.
according to bob mckenzie, most of the games will be starting at 4 am EST
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Just looked at 2013 WJC schedule in Ufa, Russia. Mostly 4:30 am ET starts for Team Canada altho CAN-RUS on Dec. 31 is 9 am ET.
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Which means Easterners will be waking up early and Westerners will just be coming in and having to stay up later. Gold medal game is 8 am ET
Bob McKenzie Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
CAN-USA is 4:30 am ET on Sunday Dec. 30.
according to bob mckenzie, most of the games will be starting at 4 am EST
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Just looked at 2013 WJC schedule in Ufa, Russia. Mostly 4:30 am ET starts for Team Canada altho CAN-RUS on Dec. 31 is 9 am ET.
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Which means Easterners will be waking up early and Westerners will just be coming in and having to stay up later. Gold medal game is 8 am ET
Bob McKenzie Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
CAN-USA is 4:30 am ET on Sunday Dec. 30.
Honestly not that bad for those of us in Atlantic Canada. Besides, it'll be fun to experience the tournament like many of our European friends.
Based on what I saw in that recently played 40th anniversary series against Russia i'd have to disagree with you here, I didn't see a dominant ability team. sure, Hopkins would really help but he's just one guy and though he would/should be the best player there I don't think he's so all world yet his mere presence makes that team dominant.
The defense on paper is stacked yes,.............. on paper. As a UNIT in that series however they didn't blow me away with their collective play.
As for having one of the best goaltenders, I guess you are talking about Subban. I'll believe that when he shows me in the tournament, far too many letdowns on that front for far too long to just go on potential or OHL rep.
I agree they will be the fave going in and should be but I really question just how dominant they will be at all. Wouldn't in the least be surprised if this team falls short.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JackSlater
The 1995 win wasn't easy I agree, but it was apparent that the Canadian team was still a step above everyone else. That was without the full roster too; everyone forgets that Gratton and Witt didn't play in 1995.
I don't really see any reason to expect anything but domination. Canada should have the best defence this tournament has seen in years, the best player the tournament has seen in years, one of the best goaltenders in the tournament and an elite collection of forwards. They can still lose, but I wouldn't put any other team all that close as of right now.
Lessio and Griffith really have to shine before December in my opinion to get a crack at making this team. Out of all of my picks those two I'm not real sure about.
Based on what I saw in that recently played 40th anniversary series against Russia i'd have to disagree with you here, I didn't see a dominant ability team. sure, Hopkins would really help but he's just one guy and though he would/should be the best player there I don't think he's so all world yet his mere presence makes that team dominant.
The defense on paper is stacked yes,.............. on paper. As a UNIT in that series however they didn't blow me away with their collective play.
You're putting a lot of stock into the results of a small series from the summer. I recall Canada clearly outplaying Russia when they received halfway decent goaltending, the defencemen included. That team was also without Nugent-Hopkins as you said, without Reinhart and MacKinnon and also made a concerted effort to make sure that all of the players brought for the team got some playing time, even when it meant sitting out the best players.
Quote:
Originally Posted by espo
As for having one of the best goaltenders, I guess you are talking about Subban. I'll believe that when he shows me in the tournament, far too many letdowns on that front for far too long to just go on potential or OHL rep.
So you aren't going to believe in Subban until he actually does it, just because some other goaltenders have failed for Canada? The way Subban has been playing he has more similarities to Price and Mason than he does to the more recent goaltenders. You use the Summit against the skaters, but you don't care that Subban also played and did quite well? That is overly pessimistic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by espo
I agree they will be the fave going in and should be but I really question just how dominant they will be at all. Wouldn't in the least be surprised if this team falls short.
Well if the lockout continues we will get the chance to see, my friend.
Nice line up...but there is no way HC brings along 3 underage players...Monahan was great at the super series...and Mackinnon is a future 1st overall pick...i see both, but not Shinkaruk...
what are some dark horses on d that have a chance to make the camp and maybe the team if they impress enough?
The first one that jumps out at me is Ceci. I say this mainly because last year at camp he really wasn't on anyone's radar, was the last defenseman cut, and at the time there was more than a few people believing he should have been on the team over Oleksiak and (pre tournament) Harrington.
Will he make the team this year? I don't know....I'm leaning towards no, but at this point it wouldn't be a huge shock if he played his way onto the team.
Hamilton - Harrington
Reinhart - Murphy
Dumba - Murray
Reilly
Subban
Brossoit
Fucale
Young, Talented, but also has veteran presence, size and strength.
I know HC hasn't been very willing to bring in under-agers but after the last 3 years of results that we've had, it's time to mix things up.
Points taken but I still say this possible lockout team doesn't quite dominate on the level of those last 2 lockout clubs.
Let's wait and see, I figure the players cave before this happens anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JackSlater
You're putting a lot of stock into the results of a small series from the summer. I recall Canada clearly outplaying Russia when they received halfway decent goaltending, the defencemen included. That team was also without Nugent-Hopkins as you said, without Reinhart and MacKinnon and also made a concerted effort to make sure that all of the players brought for the team got some playing time, even when it meant sitting out the best players.
So you aren't going to believe in Subban until he actually does it, just because some other goaltenders have failed for Canada? The way Subban has been playing he has more similarities to Price and Mason than he does to the more recent goaltenders. You use the Summit against the skaters, but you don't care that Subban also played and did quite well? That is overly pessimistic.
Well if the lockout continues we will get the chance to see, my friend.
Is Ryan Murphy playing with an injury? A single assist and no goals in eight games is pretty shocking for him.
He's actually playing pretty great, the numbers just aren't coming. Kitchener has only beeing scoring on the powerplay and every team so far has kept one man on Murphy, which usually mean's Murphy's getting, "the third assist".
For defensemen in the CHL it's all about how your team is scoring. That's why a guy like Hamilton can have 70+ points in 50 games last year and still not be the best offensive defensemen in the league.
