IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Well, that's it. Good job, Russians. Still surprised it was as close as it was.
Why are you surprised? I know Ray Ferraro set himself up a story line by implying that the Russians were going to disembowel the Slovaks before the opening whistle, but what does Ferraro know about the Slovaks? The Slovaks have typically been tough and competitive in the WJC, and this year is no exception. The US and Canada better be careful with them.
Surprised so many were shocked? After the Russia Vs USA and Canada matches I will make my assessment on where this team stands.
I'm not surprised and actually quite pleased with the result. The game showed several ussues that Varnakov has to fix before the playoffs. Another point is that our guys often underestimate the opponents. And I really hope that some of the Russian fans start thinking respectfully about the oposing teams before opening their mouth.
Why are you surprised? I know Ray Ferraro set himself up a story line by implying that the Russians were going to disembowel the Slovaks before the opening whistle, but what does Ferraro know about the Slovaks? The Slovaks have typically been tough and competitive in the WJC, and this year is no exception. The US and Canada better be careful with them.
Which part was stupid? The guy trying to hit a guy without the puck or the guy protecting himself with his stick?
That's true. If you watch the replay, it was clear cut interference by the Slovak player. At the same time, he dipped his head and got hit by Shalunov, who was holding his stick just above waist-high. He bled a little for the team on that one!
The same way the crushed them in 2010 Vancouver? Gosh. Some people never learn.
That has to do with this how?
The mighty Russian Bear took a big dump in the woods today. They were lucky to win the game. Horrible opening performance and much, much more was expected of them from this game.
Unless of course you thought they would only score 2 goals in regulation?
That's true. If you watch the replay, it was clear cut interference by the Slovak player. At the same time, he dipped his head and got hit by Shalunov, who was holding his stick just above waist-high. He bled a little for the team on that one!
The guy hit the stick, which was being held normally, with his face, drawing a penalty.
The mighty Russian Bear took a big dump in the woods today. They were lucky to win the game. Horrible opening performance and much, much more was expected of them from this game.
Unless of course you thought they would only score 2 goals in regulation?
I thought they wouldn't score much. But that's because unlike many here, I realize what this coaching staff is trying to do. Defense first, counter hockey. And that is how the goals came today.
And the truth is they had enough scoring chances to blow the game open, but didn't convert. Obviously nerves got in the way.
I wouldn't call it Horrible performance, just a normal way for Russia to ease into the tournament with a couple of screw ups here and there.
What's unusual is that this team, defensively is harder to breakdown than a lot of previous U20 iterations. I think 2001 is the last time we had such a strong defensively minded team.
I thought they wouldn't score much. But that's because unlike many here, I realize what this coaching staff is trying to do. Defense first, counter hockey. And that is how the goals came today.
And the truth is they had enough scoring chances to blow the game open, but didn't convert. Obviously nerves got in the way.
I wouldn't call it Horrible performance, just a normal way for Russia to ease into the tournament with a couple of screw ups here and there.
What's unusual is that this team, defensively is harder to breakdown than a lot of previous U20 iterations. I think 2001 is the last time we had such a strong defensively minded team.
Or perhaps, the Russian team is not as great as the Russian fans would lead us to believe.
I thought they wouldn't score much. But that's because unlike many here, I realize what this coaching staff is trying to do. Defense first, counter hockey. And that is how the goals came today.
And the truth is they had enough scoring chances to blow the game open, but didn't convert. Obviously nerves got in the way.
I wouldn't call it Horrible performance, just a normal way for Russia to ease into the tournament with a couple of screw ups here and there.
What's unusual is that this team, defensively is harder to breakdown than a lot of previous U20 iterations. I think 2001 is the last time we had such a strong defensively minded team.
Their defensive coverage was a joke. If it werent for Vasilevski they would have lost the game. Period.
They gave up 34 SOG. Against Slovakia. Defensemen were routinely losing puck battles down low. If that was a strong defensive minded team, I would shudder to think what a weak one is.
The strength of the Russian team is firepower. Plain and simple. With some great goaltending thrown in for good measure.
i dont get it , all this canadien fans complaining about our team. Just wait until we play against the US and mighty canada and than we see what this russian team is all about !!!!
Their defensive coverage was a joke. If it werent for Vasilevski they would have lost the game. Period.
They gave up 34 SOG. Against Slovakia. Defensemen were routinely losing puck battles down low. If that was a strong defensive minded team, I would shudder to think what a weak one is.
The strength of the Russian team is firepower. Plain and simple. With some great goaltending thrown in for good measure.
The 34 SOG from Slovakia were a joke, not the defense. Shots were weak, from the outside, no traffic and no rebounds. Defense lost a few puck battles, but no one wins a 100%. Nothing like Russia created on the other end.
Until approx. mid 2nd period Slovakia had like 0 proper scoring chances.
Strength is firepower, but the coaching accent is on team defense. And this is a vastly different style than previous years under Bragin. Anyone who knows Varnakov and the coaching staff will tell you that.
i dont get it , all this canadien fans complaining about our team. Just wait until we play against the US and mighty canada and than we see what this russian team is all about !!!!
Or perhaps, the Russian team is not as great as the Russian fans would lead us to believe.
lol I haven't seen anyone leading you to believe that. Great or not great, I don't think other teams are writing off this Russian team as an easy pass game in the next few days.
I don't understand why people are basing their judgement on a team based on one game. Recently, Russia has struggled against weaker teams in this tournament. They start slow but finish strong.
I don't understand why people are basing their judgement on a team based on one game. Recently, Russia has struggled against weaker teams in this tournament. They start slow but finish strong.
I dont see too many people saying otherwise. But the fact of the matter is that they DID stink it up today. Bad.
It is amusing watching the spin though.
They barely hung on to win in OT. Slovakia had all the momentum at the end and Vasilevski saved their butts, and kept them in the game and gave them an opportunity to win.
Winning or losing this game wouldnt matter much in the grand scheme of things. The important games are next week.
i dont get it , all this canadien fans complaining about our team. Just wait until we play against the US and mighty canada and than we see what this russian team is all about !!!!
Some of you canadiens are really fu.....annoying
Canadian hockey fans have high expectations for not only our team but for our opponents. We saw what this Russian team is capable of in the super series in Halifax and Yaroslavl this summer and in the subway series this fall.
I dont see too many people saying otherwise. But the fact of the matter is that they DID stink it up today. Bad.
It is amusing watching the spin though.
They barely hung on to win in OT. Slovakia had all the momentum at the end and Vasilevski saved their butts, and kept them in the game and gave them an opportunity to win.
Winning or losing this game wouldnt matter much in the grand scheme of things. The important games are next week.
The spin is justified. This is a typical Russian start.
Russia didn't play good today. I doubt they play like that against the USA or Canada. We will see though.
i dont get it , all this canadien fans complaining about our team. Just wait until we play against the US and mighty canada and than we see what this russian team is all about !!!!
Some of you canadiens are really fu.....annoying
if russia doesn't make it from the group stage to the medal rounds i'm going to laugh so hard
