Jeez, when did Sweden get so dominate. I didn't expect them to get over 50 shots on Russia.In the end, Mika Zibanejad had a nice breakaway and was able to capitalize (Ottawa could really use a guy like him). Congrats Sweden.
World Junior Standings
1 (Gold) - Sweden
2 (Silver) - Russia
3 (Bronze) - Canada
4 - Finland
5 - Czech Republic
6 - Slovakia
7 - USA
8 - Switzerland
9 - Latvia
10 (Relegated) - Denmark
Thursday, January 5, 2012
World Juniors: Medal Games
Working tonight so no game summaries. I'll do a final standings thought. Here are my picks for tonight.
Bronze Medal Game - Canada vs. Finland
The key word here is motivation. Finland will be motivated to try and get revenge, so it all depends on how motivated Canada will be. They will either be down and not be up for the game or will be playing for pride. Either way, they won't be as dominate as they were in the first match-up between these teams. I think Canada just wants to medal out.
Prediction: Canada 4 - Finland 3
Gold Medal Game - Sweden vs. Russia
In their first meeting of the tournament, Sweden won in overtime 4-3. What the score doesn't say is that Russia had a 3-0 lead going into the third period before blowing it. In the tornament, Russia has been able to score at will compared to Sweden, so the problem is will Russia be able to not blow the lead. Tonight I think this game will be more back-and-forth with Russia being able to hold the lead and not give it up.
Prediction: Sweden 2 - Russia 4
Bronze Medal Game - Canada vs. Finland
The key word here is motivation. Finland will be motivated to try and get revenge, so it all depends on how motivated Canada will be. They will either be down and not be up for the game or will be playing for pride. Either way, they won't be as dominate as they were in the first match-up between these teams. I think Canada just wants to medal out.
Prediction: Canada 4 - Finland 3
Gold Medal Game - Sweden vs. Russia
In their first meeting of the tournament, Sweden won in overtime 4-3. What the score doesn't say is that Russia had a 3-0 lead going into the third period before blowing it. In the tornament, Russia has been able to score at will compared to Sweden, so the problem is will Russia be able to not blow the lead. Tonight I think this game will be more back-and-forth with Russia being able to hold the lead and not give it up.
Prediction: Sweden 2 - Russia 4
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
World Juniors: Semi-Finals
Earlier today, the US avoided relegation with a 12-2 whipping of Latvia. All 10 American fans of this tournament rejoiced. Later tonight is the semi-finals, here is my take on the two games.
Finland vs. Sweden
This seems like a close game (and it could be) but I doubt it. Finland does have the top two scorers in the tournament and more name recognition (Granlunds) but Sweden is usually a better overall team. It also doesn't help that Finland had to play yesterday while Sweden got the extra day rest. If Finland gets a quick start, then they'll be able to control the game. Otherwise, Sweden dominates the play.
Prediction: Finland 2 - Sweden 5
Russia vs. Canada
Well look at what we have here. Last years finalists face each other for a chance at gold. This time, Mark Visentin is benched, meaning Canada's chance in blowing it in the third is lessened. This game has the potential of a high-scoring game, with possible late-game heroics...or it might be a dud. I'll chose the former option.
Prediction: Russia 5 - Canada 6
Finland vs. Sweden
This seems like a close game (and it could be) but I doubt it. Finland does have the top two scorers in the tournament and more name recognition (Granlunds) but Sweden is usually a better overall team. It also doesn't help that Finland had to play yesterday while Sweden got the extra day rest. If Finland gets a quick start, then they'll be able to control the game. Otherwise, Sweden dominates the play.
Prediction: Finland 2 - Sweden 5
Russia vs. Canada
Well look at what we have here. Last years finalists face each other for a chance at gold. This time, Mark Visentin is benched, meaning Canada's chance in blowing it in the third is lessened. This game has the potential of a high-scoring game, with possible late-game heroics...or it might be a dud. I'll chose the former option.
Prediction: Russia 5 - Canada 6
Monday, January 2, 2012
Odds And Ends Before The Winter Classic
Monthly Division Standings
Apologies for the graininess of the picture. As usual, the 6 thoughts:
- Again, no surprise in the Atlantic.
- Ottawa 2nd? Who are they paying off to be that high?
- Winnipeg 2nd? Same question as above. Also, can't believe Washington is 3rd.
- Columbus is last, nothing to see here.
- Hey look, Edmonton regressed to their mean.
- It's Sutter Time in the Pacific, YEE-HAW!
Thank you time change. As reported by Bryzgalov, he's not starting. Instead, he'll be enjoying tea from a thermos while Sergei Bobrovsky faces the Rangers. On the other side, Henrik Lundqvist starts for the Rangers.
World Junior Action
In the World Juniors, we have Switzerland and Denmark fighting off relegation. As I'm typing this, Switzerland is just ahead of Denmark 3-2 (definitly would have thought the Swiss would be killing them, not a close game). The quaterfinal games later on have Finland-Slovakia and Russia-Czech Republic. The Finns probably win by 2-3 goal while the Russians are kept in Czech (yaya) in a close game, possibly overtime?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday Night Hockey: Happy New Year
Well hello 2012, your looking good...until December when you realized it's 60 years out and been through a dozen plastic surgery's just to look 20 again.
As you can tell, there have been a few changes to the blog. The new layout to make the blog not look so cramped, and the addition of our twitter accounts to the sidebar.
Only one game tonight, which is the smart move considering today is a full sked with the NFL. Usually the NHL makes the right decision when it goes against the NFL in the schedule (scheduling only a few games at most). What they should do is during heavy football days (especially American Thanksgiving) is to get all-Canadian matchups. I know that schedule malers can't predict the future any better than the rest of us, but usually it's best to be safe about scheduling matches then not have any games playing at all.
Lineup NOTables
Calgary Flames vs. Nashville Predators
Calgary: David Moss (ankle), Alex Tanguay (upper body), Matt Stajan (ankle), Brett Carson (back), Mark Giodano (leg), Derek Smith (leg), and Henrik Karlsson (sprained MCL) are out. Miikka Kiprusoff starts today.
Nashville: Colin Wilson (upper body) and Shea Weber (concussion) are out. Pekke Rinne is expected to start.
As you can tell, there have been a few changes to the blog. The new layout to make the blog not look so cramped, and the addition of our twitter accounts to the sidebar.
Only one game tonight, which is the smart move considering today is a full sked with the NFL. Usually the NHL makes the right decision when it goes against the NFL in the schedule (scheduling only a few games at most). What they should do is during heavy football days (especially American Thanksgiving) is to get all-Canadian matchups. I know that schedule malers can't predict the future any better than the rest of us, but usually it's best to be safe about scheduling matches then not have any games playing at all.
Lineup NOTables
Calgary Flames vs. Nashville Predators
Calgary: David Moss (ankle), Alex Tanguay (upper body), Matt Stajan (ankle), Brett Carson (back), Mark Giodano (leg), Derek Smith (leg), and Henrik Karlsson (sprained MCL) are out. Miikka Kiprusoff starts today.
Nashville: Colin Wilson (upper body) and Shea Weber (concussion) are out. Pekke Rinne is expected to start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)