And this game was another one where the team would win without him giving his all so he didn't. Then when the team plays against tougher opponents when his effort is needed, Armia shows up. Doesn't care about winning the scoring title, but does care about winning something as a team and being a big part of that.
If he brings the effort and gets the confidence he will definitely be a guy who you love to have on your team (at least most nights). We can only hope that Armia realizes that he won't have success in the big league with just his talent and doesn't become one of those "what if"-guys.
Such a dominant effort against Canada to two average efforts against the other teams and he still manages to be productive, if only he could play with the intensity he played with against Canada all the time.
Such a dominant effort against Canada to two average efforts against the other teams and he still manages to be productive, if only he could play with the intensity he played with against Canada all the time.
Asking him to play with that intensity all the time might be a tad much, but I think that Armia will figure out how much effort he needs (answer: a lot) in order to climb his way from the AHL up to the big league. At the same time should develop his game to be a tad more straighforward, but we will see.
The raw skill in Nichushkin is blatantly obvious, incredibly quick and talented for a guy his size and uses his reach well. Just needs to maintain consistency and he seemed to be noticeable around the perimeter a lot but didn't notice him much in dangerous scoring areas.
Only 17 too, has the potential to become an elite player IMO.
Nice to get a head start on the goal differential race with Canada.
Eh, they've got to take one of the Russia or Canada games. I suspect the Russians shake off their slow start against the Slovaks and hand the US all they can handle.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle
Just like in the U18-tournament a while back Armia has to be the playmaker when Markus Granlund can't do that and Miikka Salomäki not playing well either. Armia creating some chances for the linemates, the couple of times he actually got the puck while being at a decent speed there was also chance for him, but overall seemed pretty frustrated out there and has also been losing the puck way too much. Hopefully wakes up with the team after this 3-1 loss to the Czechs.
McCabe with a real strong check on Khokhlachev. Grigo looking generally good. Even though he hasn't scored, none of his shots have been handled cleanly, and his passing is refreshingly crisp.
McCabe with a real strong check on Khokhlachev. Grigo looking generally good. Even though he hasn't scored, none of his shots have been handled cleanly, and his passing is refreshingly crisp.
Agreed on both counts. Liking McCabe's energy on the PK and Grigorenko just keeps finding those seems.
