The Official WJC Thread

[NDFlyer]

I could not have been more wrong in my thoughts about Team USA. If they continue to skate like they did against the russkies and play with that type of intensity they will contend for the gold. They did exactly what you need to do to go out and win hockey games.

The NHL could be as exciting as this except for a couple of small problems: way too many teams and a much too long schedule. Unfortunately there are guys skating a regular shift these days who, 20 years ago, could not have been a 4th liner for the Richmond Robins. Also, when you pay morons such as Tie Domi and Donald Brashear millions per year you are just wasting money. They might be worth a couple hundred grand, but not nearly what they currently earn.....or in light of the lockout I should say what they once earned.

[sagard]

The win against the Russians was in my opinion absolutely critical. This puts the US in control of their own destiny in the "A" pool and would likely setup a semi-final with either Finland/Sweden/Czech Rep.

The game with the Czech Rep will also be huge.

[siouxtatoo42]

I know there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people, but, you are allowed to take pictures at the games, correct???

[choyt3]

You should be able to. In fact, down in the corners they have put in glass with a larger hole to accomodate the media's large-lens cameras. This would be ideal to take close-up pictures without having to take them looking through the glass.

[schmidtdoggydog]

I know there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people,  but, you are allowed to take pictures at the games, correct???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A Canadian fan that sat in front of me on Saturday videotaped most of Slovakia/Canada game without any complaints or visits from security.

I also noticed many people using cameras on Saturday.

[siouxtatoo42]

thanks boys and girls. i went to the game last night with belarus and switzerland, but i did not notice anyone using camera's. thanks for the info, this afternoons game will go great with my sports photo collection.

[TinyTimmay]

Just a couple things I wanted to add after reading the entire thread up to this point. I felt the atmosphere at the game Sat. night initially was real quiet and even the early on USA chants were real weak. But I'll tell you what, after Stafford buried that first one, the place really got up. Nice pass by the way to set that one up too, can't remember who it was. Also, thought Montoya let in a couple of soft ones. But that first one was probably the best, hardest, and quickest one timer I have ever seen in person, from the blue line too. I havent ever attended an NHL game, so I'm sure those are probably a common thing, but Al had no shot at stopping that one. But yeah, 3 goals on 6 shots, yikes. The russian netminder sure seemed to give up alot of rebounds too in the first, but seemed to settle down as did Monty throughout the game. Didn't see Lee out there once and was kind of bummed about that, but was glad to see Stafford get 2 points and the game MVP for team USA. Agree with earlier post about him looking far quicker than when in green and white, but maybe it's a sign of things to come for the rest of the season. Was also surprised to see so many empty seats, and when not empty, saw alot of red mapleleafs around. Saw a guy wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey waving a US flag, not sure what that was all about, had the flag right at least. But all in all, we looked good, referring to the boys in white, yes the boys in white, yes I WAS AT THE GAME.

[farce poobah]

Thoughts after 3 games ... agree with most of what's been written so will try to add new thoughts.

1) Canada

2) USA

3) Russia

Canada is the real deal. If you're thinking of betting on the USA, save your money for the casinos where the odds are better. They play at tremendous pace and will put up as many goals as they want against most of their pool. Best hope for the USA is to get in the opposite bracket and not play the Canucks until the final. Only possible weakness is goaltending ... I can see a scenario where they may concede a soft goal and have to play catch up....

USA looked a bit shaky in their own zone, but the forwards played with tremendous creativity. Montoya will come back stronger. Expect to see Brian Lee tonight vs the Swiss.

Russia has exceptional forwards, not just Ovechkin and Maltin but Pestunov and #29 Wweireutsnov and about 5 others. While USA was able to expose their defensive weaknesses, none of the other teams in this pool have that kind of speed, so expect Russia to sail into the medal round for a match with Canada.

Last, if you are on the fence, GO! to the games. Or at least try one. It is hockey played at its finest by the best in the world. And it won't be back anytime soon, so make the most of this chance. Yes, the $40 to see USA or Canada is a bit pricey, but its only money.

I love this game.

[Sioux_Hab-it]

Final Score Canada 8 Sweden 1

[BigChief]

For those who want to listen to the USA games over the web, they added this webcast:

mms://mediaserver.nauticom.net/www-redzonemedia-com-8

Not sure if that link will work every night, so you might have to check for updates on the USA Hockey site.

[ZParisefan_11]

So far, if you are not watching the game, the score is 2-0 USA in the 2nd.

[thestateofhockey]

Come join TheStateofHockey.net's WJC Chats

Just posting a link for those that wish to check out the site because we have some photos and videos. Join if you want, but please check out the photos!

[farce poobah]

Post game thoughts 12/27

Canada looked awesome. Well actually, their forwards did. Puck wasn't in their own zone enough to tell if Canada's D is any good, and Glass wasn't tested much at all. Worth the price of admission to watch Crosby, Bergeron, Perry, Richards, Stewart, Dawes, Carter, .... WOW.

USA played without intensity, were half-step slow most of the night, and out of synch to boot. Only real effort came for about 8 minutes in the third, and only after the undermanned and hard-working Swiss tied it. Montoya really fighting the puck, not just the soft goals but a couple saves that should have been easy and still other shots that missed the net. USA will not medal unless the goaltending improves.

Tip of the chapeau to Switzerland, mounting a 3rd comeback despite playing back-to-back nights and playing a pretty short bench besides.

Brian Lee got some ice time tonight, and looked respectable. Didn't look ready for the speed of Russia Czech or Canada, but held his own vs. Swiss attackers.

Phil Kessel with a strong game, and I thought should have been the USA POTG, since he gave the most consistent effort on the USA squad. (IIHF gave it to Callahan.)

Stafford with another nice goal.

[#1siouxfan22]

Lee was a big plus 2 tonite. It was nice to see him get some time. Crosby is really fun to watch, anyone who hasnt see him should. Kessel has some nice moves to go along with all that hard work. One where he stickhandled around the d on a 1 on 2 but lost the puck in the end, i think that was the 3rd period. Overall us needs to pick up the pace alot. They didnt even come close to the Russia game intensity wise.

[ScottM]

I was very disappointed with USA last night. You can tell there are alot of high-caliber individuals out there, and they play like it. Little coordination, poor passing and no real concerted effort until the Swiss were nearly on top of them. I think Montoya needs to sit a game. He looked out of place, and really wasn't as crisp as the last time I saw him play with Michigan. Lee did look good, and I think that bodes well for his 2-3 years in a Sioux uniform. If Sandy doesn't get the team to work on the basics, some "surprise" team make take them down a peg.

[dagies]

I think the USA fell asleep in the middle part of the game. I only saw about the last half of the game. There was a USA PK in the second period where it appeared the USA was actually on the PP.

Also sticking out in my mind were the number of times that USA forwards on the backcheck were able to lift a Swiss stick and steal the puck, turn and began a rush in the opposite direction. Never remember seeing so much of that before.

USA seemed to wake up after the Swiss tied up the game. Who knew their goalie had been replaced in the 2nd intermission with a sieve.

I read in the Herald the ice was mushy last night. WHY is the Ralph still suffering bad ice?

Love the blue sweaters. Never had much desire to own other than a Sioux jersey, but if I did, I think it would be that nifty blue USA number.

[pentaxman46]

Because the Ralph ice crew had to replace the Sioux logo with the IIHF logo at center ice, they may have had to start with a fresh sheet of ice that wouldn't have had time to cure and would be a little slow. I don't understand why they didn't do this earlier in the season so the ice had time to set up for this tournament.

[Sioux_Hab-it]

I thought Lee looked alot better than at least three of the other D-Men. Keep in mind that he is a highschool player and he was up against quite a few Pro players from the Swiss League, a league that features many former NHLers even when there isn't a strike.

[NDFlyer]

Kessel just might be the most skilled youngest player in the tournament. He has shown much more than Brian Lee......although defense is a very difficult position to play when you make the immediate jump from high school to this level.

[dagies]

Because the Ralph ice crew had to replace the Sioux logo with the IIHF logo at center ice, they may have had to start with a fresh sheet of ice that wouldn't have had time to cure and would be a little slow.  I don't understand why they didn't do this earlier in the season so the ice had time to set up for this tournament.

Ok, that makes some sense.

[jloos]

Kessel just might be the most skilled youngest player in the tournament.  He has shown much more than Brian Lee......although defense is a very difficult position to play when you make the immediate jump from high school to this level.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After that kid named Crosby

I think Lee will probably see more ice time, not necessarily because of how great he played, but rather how poor some other played. Huntwick has been terrible in both games. So has Goligoski, which surprises me. Likens and Suter are the only D playing well.

Lets hope someone outside the WCHA gets Kessel, the kid is going to make an immediate impact in college. He looks a lot like Parise on the ice.

[Basil]

I have been watching the games - I get TSN so I am able to see Canada as well. The games are F***ing great! However - I do see quite a few empty seats. Is there any indication yet as to how the tournament is living up to the economic expectations?

[PCM]

I have been watching the games - I get TSN so I am able to see Canada as well. The games are F***ing great! However - I do see quite a few empty seats. Is there any indication yet as to how the tournament is living up to the economic expectations?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it's too early to know whether the tournament will live up to economic expectations. If the gold medal game is between Canada and the US, you can bet that Grand Forks will be flooded with Canadian and American fans. If it's between two other teams, all bets are off.

[Sioux Traveler]

Does anybody know where these ref's are from, they seem to be allowing them to play??

[PCM]

Does anybody know where these ref's are from, they seem to be allowing them to play??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They're IIHF licensed officials from all over the world.