Did anyone watch the Friday Canada/USA World Cup exhibition game?

[Por_sha911]

I watched the EU/North American game and it was very close to being a snoozefest.
The Canada/USA game? OMG it was incredible. Looked like playoff hockey!



They say Price is 100% but IMO he didn't look all that good to me.
Quick was awesome.

I was torn between the two as to who to root for since the #1 Line for Canada: Crosby/ Bergeron/MARCHAND
https://www.wch2016.com/news/team-canadas-brad-marchand-making-mark-at-world-cup/c-281693062?tid=281230894

[1990C4S]

Price said he feels 100%, he did not say he played 100%.

He made one decent save, a bunch of routine saves and gave up two easy goals.

There is no doubt who the best player on the ice was Friday. Saturday he was okay, maybe he missed Crosby.

[Cdnone1]

That was great hockey!

[Por_sha911]

Price had more rust on him than... (you fill in the blank). It will remain to be seen if he gets up to speed quickly or not.
Crosby only looked good because he had Marchand and Bergeron to help him...
Quick should have gotten MVP for that game.

If this is just the exhibition games then I can't wait until the 17th when the real action begins.

[MRM]

Like soccer on ice.

I hate soccer.

[1990C4S]

Team North America is going to put a lot of teams on their heels.

Team Europe looked like a bunch of old men against them. There will be no place to hide for slow defencemen.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by MRM

Like soccer on ice.

It is the very antithesis of soccer. A lot of scoring opportunities, players who appear to be hurt are actually hurt, and the fans are sober.

[1990C4S]

The USA needs a new strategy. Too many troglodytes running/selecting/coaching that team.

I hope the poor showing forces some new blood into the system.

There is enough talent available to do better than they have for the last ten years.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

The USA needs a new strategy.

Maybe USA could have used a few more speed & skill guys. I think "Team North America" used up a good portion of their available talent pool in those areas. They (IMO) are the team most fun to watch. Still some interesting hockey to be enjoyed.

Cheers
JB

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

I think "Team North America" used up a good portion of their available talent pool in those areas.

No doubt, but lots of 'large' players were selected over skilled players. Their entire plan was flawed from day one.

They were not fast enough to skate with Canada, they were not fast enough to hit Canada, they did not intimidate Canada in any way, and they were not skilled enough to play with Canada for 60 minutes.

Dubinsky was presumably picked to shut down Crosby, and then he is a healthy scratch last night? Tyler Johnson isn't good enough to play for USA? John Tortorella is some sort of genius tactician? Brian Burke is a Senior Advisor because? Mike Sullivan probably should have coached, but when they hired JT he was unemployed and had time on his hands.

Oh well, you put in a team that plays terrible and the questions start.

[Por_sha911]

USA has crashed and burned. They looked decent in the "pre-season" game against Canada but since then have had no scoring.
Sweden and NA have looked good in previous games. The game against each other is on right now and really good to watch.
The World Cup has been for the most part a snoozefest to me. Most the games are lopsided blow outs and no fun.

[Por_sha911]

I have enjoyed watching this guy play:

[Por_sha911]

Wow what an ending to the Sweden/NA game!
The OT winner was sick!

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Any of you gents are taking in the Canada vs. the Russkies later today? You gotta be good for a comment or two there Joe.

Cheers
JB

[1990C4S]

We will see if the Rooskie offence, weak D and a good goalie can give Canada problems.

Bobrovski has been outstanding, but none of the D on Russia are good enough to play for Canada. Lots of the Russian forwards could though....

It will be a ratings disaster if Canada loses tonight.

[Por_sha911]

Predictions:
Cindy/Bergie/March will carve through the Russian D like a hot knife through soft butter.
Ovi will be parked on the top of Offensive zone circle banging away.
If Canada loses, it will be Price letting in soft goals.
I'm looking forward to a hard hitting game.

p.s. JB: you know I'm often in error but never in doubt and always willing to speak up...

[Hawkeye's-911T]

If "Goalie Bob" stands on his head - it will make the game real interesting. I don't see a ton of scoring but then again, I am nearly always about 8 miles off in predicting these sorts of things in just about any sport. We haven't heard from our buddy 'Flatbutt' & his take on this series.

Cheers
JB

[Por_sha911]

Bob is playing MVP hockey and we have had incredible hockey. If it weren't for Bob it would be 5 or 6 to 2.
2-2 at the end of two and these guys are playing like its game 7 of the semis.

The 3rd may be a totally different game or it could bust loose with wide open action. The fans got their money's worth tonight.

Oh BTW, did you see March try to go after Malkin? I'm glad the ref stopped him...

[Hawkeye's-911T]

The play-by-play announcers (Hughson & Simpson) for yesterday's game noted that when your buddy Marchand scored, even the fans in Vancouver cheered. I have to grudgingly admit his were good, clean goals & the guy can "play a bit'. I actually found myself (later in the game) hoping he would get his "hat". He has played very well in this series & without any of the 'extracurricular' crap one usually associates with him. Good for him & this augurs well for your Broons

Cheers
JB

[1990C4S]

The dust up with Malkin showed just how huge Malkin is...

The Russians don't seem to care as much as they could. Malkin, underwhelming. OV, no show. Tarasenko, got a few shots off, never looked great. Etc.

Good luck to all the fans who want to argue Crosby isn't the greatest player in the world right now.

Today the Americans can say they lost two of their three games to the top two teams in the tournament.

I do not see Team Europe wining a game in the final.