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Game Day Open Thread: Day 6

Team USA can't afford another post-game heartbreak. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Martin Rose - Bongarts/Getty Images

Team USA can't afford another post-game heartbreak. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Time to seperate the wheat from the chaff.  Three teams playing today already know they'll be in the qualification round starting Friday, but for the other five, it's a big day.  Denmark, leaders of Group D, take on the host German squad who currently occupy the 3rd place spot as a result of their overtime win over the USA to start the tournament.  That might be good enough to get in, but a win over Denmark would put them through.  In early Group B action, Italy and Latvia battle, with the winner placing 3rd and moving into qualification, while the loser goes into the relegation round.  To watch either of these games, you'll have to head over to the IIHF website.  

Later on (2:15 PM EST), we have Team USA play Finland.  Finland sits second in Group D with three points, while the USA sits last with two points (and no wins).  The Americans will definitely need some points out of this game, and preferably not another OT loss, though they could get through with another one of those.  Both teams control their own destiny:  a win would put them through.  Both teams could also use some goal support...  based on the games so far, this might be quite low scoring.  Universal Sports will be broadcasting this game online.  

At the same time, Canada takes on Switzerland in the battle for 1st in Group B.  The result will carry forward into the qualification round, so in a way, it's like the second phase of the tournament has already begun for these two. Switzerland is known to play Canada quite tight, most recently forcing Canada into a shootout at the 2010 Olympics, so this should be a tightly contested game.  TSN will be broadcasting this game online.  

Stick around to chat about the games.  The early ones start at 10:15 AM EST.  

UPDATE:  Germany wins and advances, Latvia knocks Italy to relegation

Germany 3, Denmark 1:  Despite Denmark's recent accomplishments, this isn't really a surprising result.  That both teams have advanced and one of Finland or the USA will not is the more surprising result.  This means the winner of USA/Finland will advance.  Tiebreaking scenarios will be needed to determine the final Group D standings, with many possibilities as of right now.

Latvia 5, Italy 2:  No surprises here in Group B.  Latvia moves on to the qualification round, but they won't have any points carry forward since their only win was against Italy, who is now in the relegation round.  Latvia will be in tough to make the playoffs, but they still have a chance.  Latvia will play the winner of Group C (likely Sweden) Friday at 2:15 PM EST.  Italy has some time off now, they won't play until Saturday. 

UPDATE 2:  Europe 2, North America 0; Finland sends USA to relegation round, Swiss tops Canada

Finland 3, USA 2:  Sami Kapanen scored the winner with just over 2 minutes remaining, and despite a frantic finish by the Americans that saw T.J. Oshie score with 17 seconds to play, the Finns held on and finish first in Group D.  The result sends the Americans to the relegation round, an embarassing outcome for a program that recently produced an Olympic silver medal.  The Americans most recently were in the relegation round in 2003, when they finished 13th. 

Switzerland 4, Canada 1:  Steven Stamkos was knocked out on a headshot in the first period, and the Swiss captialized early and often on Canadian goalie Chris Mason.  Early in the 2nd, it was 3-1 Swiss and by then the Swiss employed their renowned lead protection defence, capitalizing on Canadian turnovers and finishing their checks.  Switzerland carries six points over to the qualification round as the first place team from Group B, while Canada settles for three points in the prelims and second place overall. 

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Comments

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Finally I found a great site to blog about the games that recognizes the NHL players.

Thanks SB Nation for having this site. I accidently found it at CanesCountry, a great find.
I look forward to blogging with some Worldly hockey fans-lol. Where is thisSB Nation site located? Just Curious. CanesCountry is obviously in Raleigh, NC for the Carolina Hurricanes.

I miss hockey so much it’s great to have this site to read blogs and info regarding all our NHL players from all the World. It’s also good to read about some European players I may have not known about that will leave an impact on these games.

I found this site over at IIHF’s website that I go to daily to get stat and summary details that is on one page, I hope it’s OK for me to share this link.
Detailed Game Stats/Summary All Countries

by c59 on May 12, 2010 10:18 AM EDT reply actions  

Thank you for coming by!

My location isn’t all that exotic or far reaching of a place, although it’s still quite a way’s from Raleigh… I’m from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. :) But it covers the world, it’s not as concerned about the local.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

1-0 Denmark over Germany

Dallas Stars prospect Philip Larsen opens the scoring on a two man advantage, from Peter Regin and Jesper Damgaard.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions  

1-0 Latvia over Italy

Just 50 seconds in, Kaspars Daugavins opens the scoring from Janis Sprukts.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 10:30 AM EDT reply actions  

1-1 DEN/GER

The Nashville Predators connection ties the game up on the PP: Marcel Goc from Alexander Sulzer.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 10:34 AM EDT reply actions  

Shots are now 11-4 Germany after 1. I know that Denmark didn’t want to take this game lightly, but Germany is definitely a desperate team and it’s tough to match that level of desperation. Denmark is improving greatly but they’re still more comparable to Germany than they are to Finland or the USA.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions  

1-1 ITA/LAT

Hey, we’ve got a game over there! Alexander Egger scores from Michael Souza. Tied after 1.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 10:54 AM EDT reply actions  

2-1 Latvia

Aleksandrs Nizivijs from Herberts Valsilievs.

If I ever decide to name a kid with an alternative spelling, it’ll be a Latvian one.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 11:19 AM EDT reply actions  

This score holds up to the end of the 2nd period.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

Whoa, 3-1 Germany

Felix Schutz from Justin Krueger, followed by Nikolai Goc unassisted. Oddly enough, Denmark is playing this period much better than the first. Those two goals came 1:41 apart.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions  

This score also holds up to the end of period 2. Denmark has 1:39 of PP time to start the 3rd, with Alexander Sulzer off for delay of game.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

3-2 Latvia

Latvia pulled ahead 3-1 on a PPG by Arvids Rekis (from Valsilievs and Georgjis Pujacs), got awarded a penalty shot (Nizvijs) and missed, and then Italy scored (Giulio Scandella, brother of Canadian WJC player Marco, unassisted).

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 12:02 PM EDT reply actions  

Latvia wins 5-2

A late goal, followed by an empty netter. Latvia will move on to the qualification round with zero counting points, Italy to the relegation round.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 12:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Germany wins 3-1

Germany and Denmark are through from the Group of Death. Winner of Finland/USA will move on. Even if USA wins that game, they’ll only have 2 points carried through to the qualification round and be ranked as the 3rd place team. Germany will have won this group in that scenario, I believe.

I don’t quite have the scenarios worked out. This group is a mess. But thi one thing is for sure: Finland/USA: Winner moves on, loser goes to relegation.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 12:32 PM EDT reply actions  

That was a tough game. Germany definitely played with greater desperation. Denmark started to regain momentum in the first but then took 3 stupid penalties immediately after each other. The bounces didn’t quite go our way either. Overall a solid and deserved win for Germany, though I definitely didn’t like the knee-on-knee hit on Regin, which wasn’t called. That was ugly.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on May 12, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Is Regin OK?

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

I believe so, thankfully. He limped off but returned in the next shift and I’ve not heard otherwise.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on May 12, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Finland-USA ...

… is now a battle to stay alive. The winner moves on, the loser goes to the relegation round. Who would have guessed.
 
Doesn’t matter if it’s regulation, OT or the shootout. If USA were to win in OT, the 2-1 split would give each team 4 points with the Yanks taking the tie-breaker on account of winning this game. So despite Finland’s 1-point lead, in effect the two teams are tied going in, and it all comes down to the one game.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 12:49 PM EDT reply actions  

How do the 1-3 rankings work after that? You throw out the games vs. Finland or the USA and then go from there?

So… if Finland wins in regulation, they lose the 3 points going forward from beat the USA, the Germans and Danes lose the two points from beating USA, and they all are tied at 3 points? Same thing if Finland wins in OT, I suppose.

If USA wins, the points against Finland don’t count. So I think Germany ends up first, Denmark 2nd and USA 3rd… I think.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

IIHF can say it better than me, so this is from their site

Should three or more teams be tied on points, then a tie breaking formula will be applied as follows, creating a sub-group amongst the tied teams. This process will continue until only two teams remain tied. The game between the two remaining tied teams would then be the determining tie-breaker as the game between these two teams could not end as a tie.

Step 1:
Taking into consideration the games between each of the tied teams, a sub-group is created applying the points awarded in the direct games amongst the tied teams from which the teams are then ranked accordingly.

Step 2:
Should the teams still remain tied then the better goal difference in the direct games amongst the tied teams will be decisive.

Step 3:
Should the teams still remain tied then the highest number of goals scored by these teams in their direct games will be decisive

Step 4:
Should three or more teams still remain tied then the results between each of the three teams and the closest best-ranked team outside the sub-group will be applied. In this case the tied team with the best result (1. points, 2. goal difference, 3. more goals scored) against the closest best ranked-team will take precedence
 
Step 5:
Should the teams still remain tied, then the results between each of the three teams and the next highest best-ranked team outside the sub-group will be applied.

Step 6:
Should the teams still remain tied after these five steps have been exercised then Sport considerations will be applied and the tied teams will be ranked following their 2009 IIHF World Ranking Positions.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

By reading that, the order is first determined by the total points earned in the group. So if USA wins in OT, then it’s:

1. Germany: 5 points, beat Denmark
2. Denmark: 5 points, lost to Germany
3. USA, 4 points

If Finland wins in regulation, it’s:

1. Finland: 6 points
2. Germany
3. Denmark

If Finland wins in OT, it’s a 3 way tie with 5 points. Then you throw out the USA games (oddly enough, all will lose 2 points). So then it goes to goal differential. Finland would get knocked out, they were a -2 in those games. Denmark and Germany were both +1. Then does it go back to the first one, and Germany gets first for beating Denmark?

So confusing. I guess it’ll be sorted out in three hours or so.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

If Finland wins in OT, there’s defintely going to be a lot of head-scratching involved

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on May 12, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

From my guess, there is no way Denmark finishes 1st (and with the scenario just below). This is the only one where they might do so in some weird random way. But I still think Germany gets 1st in this one.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Actually they just had an analyst on,who said we still have a chance to win the group. For this to happen Finland needs to beat the US in OT, at which point Denmark, Germany and Finland will have 3 points. Denmark will then win the group based on goal differential/goals scored in direct games.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on May 12, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Then does it go back to the first one, and Germany gets first for beating Denmark?

a tie breaking formula will be applied as follows, creating a sub-group amongst the tied teams. This process will continue until only two teams remain tied. The game between the two remaining tied teams would then be the determining tie-breaker as the game between these two teams could not end as a tie.

After goal differential is applied, the “sub group” is reduced to Germany and Denmark, and as you say, the outcome of their game will break that tie.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

In the event of a USA regulation win over Finland ...

… there will also be a 3-way tie with 5 points. Throwing out the games involving Finland, Step 1 will create the following sub-groups:

Denmark 1-1-0-0 = 5 points
Germany 0-1-0-1 = 2 points
USA ……. 0-0-2-0 = 2 points

So Denmark should be seeded first. Curiously the USA and Germany are tied despite one having won a game and the other not. Or as I like to put it, one team “won” and the other “lost”.

To break the two-way tie I’m not sure if they then repeat Step 1 between the still-tied squads, in which case it’s Germany 2 points, USA 1 in that memorable tournament opener. But if they jump to Step 2, it’s the same thing, Germany had a better goal difference in the game involving the tied teams.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 2:07 PM EDT reply actions  

My bad

Germany and Denmark reversed above. Germany would be seeded first on the basis of having beaten both the Americans on the first day and the Danes today. Denmark would be ranked second because they beat USA.

Germany wants Finland to lose cuz then their own 1-0 loss to the Finns wouldn’t be carried forward, but they’d get to keep the 2 points they earned against USA.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

If the US beats Finland in regulation, Denmark would be reduced to 2 points as well, since 3 of our points came against Finland and they would be discarded.Germany would have 5 points though, since they got 2 against the US and 3 against us.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on May 12, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yup, Germany wants USA to win, Denmark wants Finland to win. Doesn’t much matter if it’s in regulation in either case, the result of the game will determine who – and whose games – get dropped.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

3-1 Swiss early 2nd

Crazy. Goals: Ivo Ruthemann, Martin Pluss, Andreas Ambuhl for Switzerland, Tavares for Canada.

Canada is outshooting the Swiss 14-8.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:04 PM EDT reply actions  

That lead isn’t a fluke, shots notwithstanding. The Swiss have been very impressive.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

3rd goal looked a bit fortunate for Swiss from what I saw, though.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ambuhl 1, Mason 0

… with both earning their side of the scoreboard. A goal scorer’s goal.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ambuhl just laid a nice hit on Bourque, too.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’ve seen quite a bit of that guy in the Spengler Cup, Worlds, and Olympics, and he always seems to stand out. He’s been pure dynamite today.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed. Ambuhl’s goal was pure skill.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ambuhl is single-handedly making me want to get to this tournament. Koln is only three hours by train. Hmmmm…

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

What are you waiting for? Make a day trip if nothing else.

If you go, I’ll bet BruceP would appreciate you filing a FanPost!

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ah, sadly I’m only here until Friday morning. I also don’t think my mother’s idea of rare mother/son time is going to a hockey game.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

She’d love the train ride, and the one-on-one time that goes with it.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hah.

I should probably just go next year. Heck, I was only a week too late to hit up the Division I championship, which was held by the Dutch this year. If I find I have (wild amounts of) disposable income, I might very well file a few reports from Div I.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

They had tons of trouble getting the teams to the lower tourneys this year due to the Icelandic volcano that takes 10 years to pronounce. I’d love to go to one of those tourneys out of sheer curiousity.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

The one in Tilburg had great attendance, apparently. Would have loved to root on my mother’s side (G.B.) and my father’s side (Poland).

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

Both those teams didn’t play in the Tibourg tourney, actually. They were at the one in Slovenia. Tibourg had Austria (who won, and technically should have been at the main one, but Germany finished in relegation spot in 2009 and couldn’t get relegated because they were hosts), Japan, Ukraine, Lithuania, the Dutch and Serbia.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Colour me corrected. They were both pretty exciting tournaments, at any rate, what with the British side arriving in Slovenia four hours prior to their first match (and winning!), and the Dutch actually nearly contending for a medal this year.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Swiss have had this game circled on their calendar since mid-February, methinks.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

1-0 USA

Americans up in early 2nd period thanks to 1st period goal from David Moss.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions  

Finland outshooting the Americans badly. Typical Finnish hockey. 21-11.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Moss goal was something of a fluke. They showed a replay on TSN.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Canadian PP. Big chance here.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:17 PM EDT reply actions  

Swiss are very aggressive on the PK. That’s nice to see on big ice.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Stephan standing tall. How typically Swiss.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Swiss always have excellent goaltending. Always.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

And another one

Canada can’t ask for more. They’re built to dominante the special teams.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Clemmensen

Stopped the first 30 shots so far. Still 1-0 USA.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:22 PM EDT reply actions  

1-1. Finns just tied it.

"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus

by Madelle on May 12, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

I jinxed him!

Shot #31 is the charm.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

And the goal, BTW, was to the least Finnish sounding guy on the roster: Leo Komarov.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hits 25-18 Switzerland. Not often you see a Team Canada on the receiving end so often

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:25 PM EDT reply actions  

That’s a lot of hits by the 2nd period of an international game.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Bruce, do you know if they record hits anywhere, or is that just kept by the broadcast crew? If done formally I’d expect the IIHF to have a lot better handle on it than the NHL, and for the numbers to be more meaningful as a result.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

I just recently recycled all those stat sheets the IIHF gave me for the World Juniors. I don’t think there was a hit count on any of them that I recall, but my memory might be a bit hazy. At the World Juniors, it wasn’t all that relevant of a stat anyways.

But the IIHF controls what you see on the broadcast, TSN doesn’t put anything on there. So I suspsect they have assigned someone to do the count, at least for the benefit of the broadcast.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Especially against Switzerland

by Kaonashi on May 12, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

They were wildly physical against Canada in February. I don’t think any team, during any tournament, is as adaptive as the Swiss. They slowed down the game against Canada during the Olympics, and they were just as happy to play a high-tempo offensive duel with Norway.

I’m hoping the Swiss can take a medal this year. They’ve made the strides to end this ‘big seven’ garbage.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m saying this because Swiss have been very soft until recently. So historically, they rather tend to be run over by the Canadians.

Former national coach Ralph Krueger initiated the change in this area. With Canadian coaches’ success in Switzerland (Sean Simpson, Chris McSorley, Larry Huras, Doug Shedden) and the fact that more and more Swiss players cross the pond, it’s now muuuch better, I agree.

As for the medals, I’ve seen too many brilliant tournament starts and quarterfinals meltdown to believe right now. But I sure hope, too.

by Kaonashi on May 12, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

I like the Swiss approach to hockey. They’ve found an appropriate balance between physicality and skill. I find that the Canadian game favours the physical side to an almost obsessive point at which it’s like watching a bunch of bullies playing for the same team. Gross.

If there’s a year for Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland to budge higher into the top eight, it’s this one.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Crossing my fingers.

by Kaonashi on May 12, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

Certain Canadian fans and aspects of the Canadian system do tend to overemphasize physicality, but I’d argue that it isn’t universal. And clearly we have plenty of skilled players, so it’s not exactly like we give that area short shrift.

That being said, you are right that there is plenty to admire in teams like Denmark, Norway and Switzerland. Skill-wise they can’t match up to the established powers, but they are getting better all the time, and they play true team games and really seem to play well for their country, like it brings out the best in them.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on May 12, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agree. This Canadian team has a lot of very talented players, and I saw nary a sign of the team trying to dominate physically, as one might expect in a game that was going south.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Spengler Cup just broke out

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions  

That was close. Was that a 3 on 1 for the Swiss? Missed the net on the finish.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:26 PM EDT reply actions  

And it was Ambuhl who missed it!

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Terrific powerplay, but no dice. It’s not feeling like our day.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:32 PM EDT reply actions  

After 2...

Swiss up 3-1 over Canada, USA and Finland tied at 1. That “Finland in OT” scenario seems plausible.

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by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Seems the Swiss play well against Canada every time they meet now, it’s really quite remarkable. The Swiss do have some good players, but for the most part I’d guess they match up well with Canada either due to good defensive systems, good goaltending, or a combination of the two.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on May 12, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

They also rarely meet in a tournament’s 2nd week. I think they take advantage of Canada before they’ve really come together as a team.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Excellent point. It always takes Canada a while to come together and get going, but when it happens (if it happens, of course, but it usually does), look out.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on May 12, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think that’s a valid excuse, though. Every team (minus Latvia and Kazakhstan, whom are having terrible tournaments) has a learning curve of playing with new teammates. I don’t understand how it’s somehow acceptable for the Canadian team to take ages to ‘get together’ when most other national sides can find enough desire to play their best for their country.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

There is a year to year familiarity with this. There is also the time zone factor at these tourneys (obviously not the Olympics). Swiss players don’t play for 6 months of the year on the same team, but they have brought a similar roster of players to this tourney every year. Everyone knows what’s expected of them, etc. It does exist… Canada sends a completely random group of guys over. The Swiss generally know their roster for months.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

There’s a time zone factor for every team at the Olympics, though. A lot of Swedes, Russians, and Finns play in the KHL or the NHL, which are huge time zone differences.

And the roster isn’t similar at all for the Swiss as opposed to the Olympic roster. Only the Latvians and the Norwegians have rosters close to the ones we saw in February.

Also, the Swiss haven’t known their roster for months, only a few weeks. They’ve been training together for a few weeks, but that advantage is the product of the European leagues’ respect for the international game. If the NHL treated the IIHF seriously, then the game would be in a better state.

by Adam Nowek on May 12, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

I realize it’s not the same roster. But there definitely is some familiarity.

These aren’t excuses, really. I do wish the NHL and the IIHF could schedule this better. Starting the NHL season in September wouldn’t be too difficult IMO. The teams it really hurts are the ones that have only a handful (or literally one) NHL players and they aren’t represented at these things. Good on Slovenia for making it back to the top level, but I bet you they hope the Kings miss the playoffs next year.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes. You see this exact thing with Team Canada at the Spengler Cup. It always seems like 10 or a dozen of them have played together in prior Decembers, and some of the chemistry develops pretty quickly.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

"This Swiss team has been together for over five weeks...
… training, working on their system, working on their chemistry, and getting in shape"

- Mike Johnson, TSN commentator

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Disaster

Stamkos out. Took a head shot early. Concerning on a number of levels. From a tournament perspective, teams that pay an injured guy’s salary can and should have some say on his availability to finish the tournament. One would expect most erros to be made on the side of caution in such circumstances.

Rats.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:52 PM EDT reply actions  

Head shot, eh? How bad is it? Hope it’s not too serious and Stamkos is OK, if not for this tournament then for the longer term.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on May 12, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wow. I missed the hit. That’s terrible news for the team, Tampa Bay, and the tournament.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

It was an elbow late in the first. Tamkos came in hard on the forecheck and the defenceman brought his elblow up and got him right on the button. Stamkos missed about ten minutes of playing time, then came back to finish out the second.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

I had read about that on @reporterchris Twitter feed, but it sounded like he was okay so I assumed something else had happened.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

USA on the brink

2-1 Finland. First minute PP goal by Petteri Nummelin

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Thomas Deruns

Makes it 4-1 Swiss. Not a good day for North American hockey! Assists to Pluss and Ruthemann.

It was a soft goal by Mason.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 3:56 PM EDT reply actions  

From the sounds of it, this is the classic “wake-up” game for Canada. Let’s hope the guys learn their lessons and really improve their game when it starts to really matter.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on May 12, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is where losing Ryan Smyth hurts.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hear hear. There’s a reason they call him Captain Canada… well, besides the fact he’s played in this tournament so often.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on May 12, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

“Tyler Myers is having all kinds of trouble back there” describes not just that play, but this whole game.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 3:59 PM EDT reply actions  

See you in relegation, USA

3-1. Sami Kapanen scores late and this one is all but over.

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 12, 2010 4:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Would Streit be able to play in the next round?

Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.

by Smoboy41 on May 12, 2010 4:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Technically, he could be added

But he won’t. He declined his selection because of exhaustion after playing 82 games at 25 minutes per game on average, plus the Olympics.

In a way, it would be a little sad to at last make a big result just the year he isn’t there.

by Kaonashi on May 12, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Congratulations Switzerland

A well-earned win thorugh a solid team system and effort.

See you in the medal round!

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions  

Definitely. Good to see another country start to step it up.

Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.

by Smoboy41 on May 12, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Congrats also to Puck Worlds for its first 100-comment thread. :D

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on May 12, 2010 5:56 PM EDT reply actions  

I wouldn’t have guessed the Oilers fan would have wanted to take the comment count off of #99. :)

Puck Worlds: Chasing Pucks from here to Turku.

by Bruce Peter on May 13, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

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