IIHF World Championships - coming this week!!!

[Adria]

I usually only follow the WC if/when the Canucks are done. I might watch the semis and the finals, but most of my TV time is set aside for NHL playoffs at this time of year.

Here is why it's a stupid tournament. Look at Canada's starting goaltenders:
James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Devan Dubnyk, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

I think they still have some room for invites for players on teams booted in the first round of playoffs. Price has already declined an invite (played 72 regular season games) but Fleury's available. Crawford is another option, if he can keep up his recent play.

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

I remember when we used to be good! Heck, "Blades of Steel" for the NES (I think it was blades of steel) had Poland as one of the 8 countries you could play as, along with the traditional 7 powers (us, canada, sweden, finland, russia, czech, uhhh.. maybe there were just 7 total)

One day.. Polish hockey will rise again

Yeah, back in the 70`s and 80`s Poland spent some time up in the top group. And considering the last NHL level players Poland produced were Mariusz Czerkawski and Krzysztof Oliwa who have both retired, with no one to replace them, not looking good for them.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Germans beat powerhouse Russians for first time in 33 tries!

Russia vs. Germany 0 : 2


http://www.iihf.com/en/channels-11/iihf-world-championship-wc11/statistics.html

 

[sophie]

People actually care about Hockey that doesn't involve the NHL or the Winter Olympics? I mean come on, the NHL is the draw for all the best hockey players from around the world, I feel like watching the IIHFWC thingie would be a bit like watching the US Olympic Baseball team...

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

People actually care about Hockey that doesn't involve the NHL or the Winter Olympics? I mean come on, the NHL is the draw for all the best hockey players from around the world, I feel like watching the IIHFWC thingie would be a bit like watching the US Olympic Baseball team...

You must be kidding... Here in Europe we care for NHL becouse there are some of ours best hockey players over there but that number is decreasing.
As for World Masters Canadians are doing pretty good, US not so good and it is actualy Russians who are best over all (see the OP)

 

[sophie]

You must be kidding... Here in Europe we care for NHL becouse there are some of ours best hockey players over there but that number is decreasing.
As for World Masters Canadians are doing pretty good, US not so good and it is actualy Russians who are best over all (see the OP)

That's because the US doesn't give a crap about IIHF. To watch it would be just like watching the US Olympic Baseball team - it's fine...so long as you don't mind watching a bunch of college boys who will probably never make it to the big leagues. But honestly, why watch that when you can be watching the Dream Team?

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

That's because the US doesn't give a crap about IIHF. To watch it would be just like watching the US Olympic Baseball team - it's fine...so long as you don't mind watching a bunch of college boys who will probably never make it to the big leagues. But honestly, why watch that when you can be watching the Dream Team?

It is about quality. I think the NHL has quality and so does IIHF. Believe me I have seen some fantastic matches...

I find this realy funny:http://www.iihf.com/en/channels-11/iihf-world-championship-wc11/homeiihf/power-ranking.html

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

Germans beat powerhouse Russians for first time in 33 tries!

Russia vs. Germany 0 : 2


http://www.iihf.com/en/channels-11/iihf-world-championship-wc11/statistics.html

And on that note, Norway beat Sweden 5-4!

 

[Jouzou]

And on that note, Norway beat Sweden 5-4!

That was awesome. I do hope that Sweden to advances to the playoffs, though. The reason, of course, is that I'd like to see Finland vs. Sweden.

Edit: Laughed out loud at the unofficial IIHF ratings and the comments.

 

[Grisu]

looks better for switzerland now that they've beaten Belarus...the first game against France was painful to watch :/

 

[JJP]

Germany beat Slovakia 4-3. I guess this is no surprise because they beat also Russia.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Germany beat Slovakia 4-3. I guess this is no surprise because they beat also Russia.

Right. Another good day for Germany. And they have won their group!

Another surprise was Russia strugling with Slovenia...
http://www.iihf.com/channels-11/iih...article/slovenia-shocks-russia.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=3650&cHash=7d74066e8f

I am looking forward USA vs. Norway next.

 

[Orange Seeds]

All of these upsets are just evidence of the silliness of this tournament.

 

[Grisu]

apperently, upsets don't happen when top teams meet

for all your constant claims of not caring, you apparently care enough to ridicule the IIHF world cup at every occasion

 

[Jouzou]

Great match yesterday. Made all the better by the fact that I was rooting for Germany. Latvia - Finland is on tonight. I hope the Finns don't underestimate their opponent. Also, Norway may be a huge pain in the USA's butt, if the victory against Sweden wasn't a fluke.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

All of these upsets are just evidence of the silliness of this tournament.

C´mon this tournament is great fun and thats what counts. If anything these upsets shows that to be succesful you cant underestimate anybody and you have to give it 100%.
Another great thing about these national teams is that there is a special flawor in different matches and everybody got some extra motivation.
Like Czechs for example. Anytime they fight the Russians they feel they have "moral right" to win as a vendeta for Russian occupation in 1968.(Jagrs dress no. is 68)

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

Wake up, turn on TV, happens to be on TSN, Norway is up 2-0 on the US at the end of the first

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Wake up, turn on TV, happens to be on TSN, Norway is up 2-0 on the US at the end of the first

USA vs. Norway 4:2, but if the States beats Sweden Norway still has good chance...

Also if Latvia wants to keep some hope they better beat Finland tonight

 

[SuperBeaverInc.]

Wow Norway, way to implode

 

[Orange Seeds]

for all your constant claims of not caring, you apparently care enough to ridicule the IIHF world cup at every occasion

And I will continue to do so, thank you very much! Silly tournament...