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Canada earns date with the Finns

TIM WHARNSBY

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:25 PM EST 03/01/08

Lacklustre 4-1 win over Denmark sets up quarter-final game against Finland Wednesday ...Read the full article

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  1. Jeff Taylor from Canada writes: This is the first time in several years that the Team Canada coaching staff has had to work with a team with serious flaws. Obviously this team is struggling to score. Can they make the necessary adjustments to turn it around? Not as much fun to be a Canadian fan this year, but far more intriguing.
  2. brad maddigan from Canada writes: Start playing Tavares and Stamkos and the goal scoring drought will end. Go figure. Hartsburg, you are not real bright, but at least you are smart enough to listen when people are screaming to put Tavares on a regular shift. So now we have to beat the Finns, the Americans, and either the Swedes/Russians. Let the games begin. I still like our chances.
  3. David P from stuck in Calgary, Canada writes: The only reason Tavares remotely looked like he belonged on the ice is because he was playing Denmark - the few times he was on the ice against the Swedes he looked lost, made some really stupid turnovers and was at best mediocre...pretty easy to look good against a team in a nothing game when the team you're playing is in danger of losing in the relegation round!

    He still can't play in the last 5 minutes of the game because he's inept in his own end, can't win faceoffs and gets knocked off of the puck too easily (again, see the game vs Sweden)...So Brad Maddigan, there's a reason why Sutter cut him last year, why he was benched during stretches of the 'super series' and why Hartsburg is trying to ease him into the line up - he's one dimensional and against even or superior opposition, he's just not effective...I'll take Kyle Turris any day over John Tavares!

    I think they'll take out the Fins, but the US is going great guns this year - that'll be the real game - good luck boys!!!!
  4. Oakville Curmudgeon from Canada writes: Good points Jeff and Dave. Now let's just wait for MK Euro (The Bad Czech) to tell us all about superior Czech hockey and inferior Canadian hockey. I'm sure he will be as articulate as ever.
  5. Jimmy Stewart from Big Smoke, Canada writes: But does it count as a "Bounce Back" when it's against the Danes?
  6. P McLean from Canada writes: You know, I am getting sick and tired of all the playing not to lose talk. This team's problem is scoring goals, right? Tavares does one thing particularly well, scoring goals, right? I'm glad you can get the DVD of the 87 Canada Cup, because the thought processes people bring to hokcey anymore would never send Gretzky, Lemieux and Hawerchuk to take a faceoff with less than 2 minutes to go. For pete's sake, if we're going to go around saying "We're Canada, this is our game", then let's stop playing scared. Get the other team on their heels. This "keep Tavares on th bench" mentality is the same one that keep Corey Perry off the junior team until his final year. Am I the only that thinks it is not a coincidence that they also broke their title drought the year they put him on the team? Was he their second or third best player? I don't think Derek Roy ever made the team either(although I could be mistaken there). Everyone seems too focused on a guy's skating, or this or that, but what kind of hockey player he is is secondary. If Tavares had no production, then you have a case for keeping him out. But he is producing in limited time, and production has been a problem. Do we really need to draw the conclusion for the coach?
  7. Proud Canadian from canada, Canada writes: Love these guys from Harper country that know everythihng about hockey. Tavares leads the OHL in scoring, what is your problem out there in Calgary. U think you have all the hockey out west. Sorry, there is hockey in Ontario and in the QMHL. Tavares is a great player, why Hartsburg hasnt got him out there more is his idea, after all, he coaches SSM Greyhounds, that might explain it. Go Canada Go, get em. Go Canada Go.
  8. John Stanton from Not a Leaf fan, Canada writes: Proud Canadian, being from Ottawa, you get confused about sports and politics I guess which explains your Harper reference....you are forgiven. :-)

    I agree with some of the Tavares comments that against Sweden he got outmuscled more than once but the boy has zip and is playing inspired hockey.

    Marchand seems way over confident out there and I would seriously look at taking him down a notch and off the first line. I might have thought of resting Sutter for this game as he seems hurt. Glad the boys settled down. This team will win on hearts and guts only. They dont have the abundance of talent last year's team did.

    GO CANADA GO!
  9. mark buchta from boston, United States writes: so when does the match-up with the US look like it'll happen - semi's or finals?
  10. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: You guys are actually pretty stupid just proving my point....

    I never said that Canada is inferior to Czechs or anybody else...

    You are so brainwashed that unless everybody will cheer you on saying how great you are,you consider it as an insult...

    The 5th time repeating...Canada belongs to the top 5 in the World and to hockey elite...{nothing more and nothing less}...

    If you considering that calling Canadian hockey "inferior" then there is something seriously wrong with you...

    They,both Czechs and Canada, are boxed into a tough corner now...One game from make it or break it....If Czech don't win vs Russia and Canada vs Finland...They might actually meet playing for the 5th spot and then everybody can go home and happy,wright?

    Let's wait for the Senior World Cup in Canada next spring,first time played in Canada,so no excuses that you don't have your best players etc...First time in 100 years,just to illustrate your support to international hockey???

    The NHL players will be there for every country,so then we will talk who is where......

    The above is teenager's hockey tournament......
  11. Babbleon ! from Canada writes: MK spring time is Stanley Cup time,a lot of the teams won't have their best players.
  12. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Hopefully,they will be all out of the "play-offs" by then......{the best players}...
  13. Mike Mike from Canada writes: I think that Canada will barely squick past the Finns (overtime, or maybe shootout) but will be promptly trounced by the Americans in the semi's. Just not a strong team this year, starting from coaching and ending in goal. I guess for a while any canadian junior team will be measured against Sutter's 2004 club with Richard, Carter, Getzlaf, Phaneuf and Co.
  14. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Let's not get too excited gang, the population of Denmark is 5 million ( same as Finland ). It is also interesting to note that Canada has 4 times the population of Sweden. This says a lot for these countries and their hockey programs.
  15. Stewart Mawdsley from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada writes: P McLean, great post! I agree that it seems like we're overanalyzing the players and substituting players with good qualities over those who put the puck in the net. God knows there's something wrong with the selection process when we get that embarassment of an Olympic team from Turin *shudder*. Tavares has earned a regular spot, has he not been the most productive offensive player on the team this far (4 goals by my count and some odd assists - please correct me if I'm off). He was hardly the only player on team Canada to break down against Sweden, esp. in the 3rd. He did, however, have two goals against the Czechs. As far as offence goes, remember, two years ago the super-offensive Russian team with Malkin etc. was expected to walk over Canada but we beat them 6-1 I think? That year there was no dominant offensive force but everyone contributed. That's what Sutter has had the ability to do, is coax a real team effort out of our guys. Hopefully Hartsburg can do the same. I'll be worried when we lose to Switzerland like at the Oympics. Swden is a power and it was a close game (and we did have that unlucky goal bouncing off Bernier's skate). Let's not lose faith! Keep up the discipline guys and you'll be hard to beat.
  16. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: In watching and listening to games filled with announcer hyperbole and hindsight bias, I really do find myself wondering what the fuss is all about and what this navel gazing really means!

    My conclusion: This is just another meaningless hockey tournament being played by a bunch of wantabees and those who have scouted them and want them to be for obvious economic reasons.

    There are far more important things going on in the world and we should all resist this "siren call" to buy in to the pre pro hockey hype.

    these kids and young adults are definitely not heroes or anything remotely approaching adulation status although that is what they get from the hockey fraternity. This is about marketing, a meat market actually, and nothing more...We should really be tuning out not tuning in.
  17. John Stanton from Leafs suck, Canada writes: RM - good advice. Tune out son. We will thoroughly enjoy the display these young men put on the ice after having the honour to play for their country. That is news. Happy New Year.
  18. A Leading Edge Boomer from Canada writes: "Hopefully,they will be all out of the "play-offs" by then......{the best players}... "

    Even when many of the best players are out of the NHL playoffs, they do not all play for their national teams at the World Championship. Many turn down an invitation to play because of a desire to allow nagging injuries time to heal or just because they want to have a longer off-season to spend with family or friends.

    Still, the world championships should be of more interest to Canadians this year , because it is finally being held in Canada, and Canada is the defending champion, having won the 2007 edition.
  19. Janis Miller from Canada writes: P Mclean: I'm pretty sure Roy played for the team, (02 or 03??).

    Tavares is going to tear up this tourney next year. Crosby didn't exactly shine at this tournament either (though he was definitely solid in '04). He's only 17. I think Stamkos looks better than him so far.
  20. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: John Stanton. First of all Im not from Ottawa, secondly, I was not responding to you. Therefore, maybe mind your own business and answer the people who respond to you. Otherwise, k y m s.
  21. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: I hope that Jagr,Prucha,Vrbata,Straka,Hasek,Vokoun,Rozsival,Michalik,Erat,Hamrlik,Havlat,Elias,Hejduk,Kaberle,Hemsky,Holik,Hudler,Klesla,Kotalik,Modry,Olesz,Plekanec,Tenkrat,Zidlicky,Malik,Fisher,Vyborny etc...and etc...

    ...Will accept to play{amongst another hundred Czechs in NHL} and put on a display for the Czechs at the next World Cup....
  22. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: And Tenkrat,Olesz,Hemsky,Havlat,Hamrlik,Holik,Klesla,Kotalik,Plekanes,Rachunek,Vyborny....

    Hopefully will accept as well,including players playing in czech League,Russia,Sweden etc...

    It should be some tournament if every country takes it seriously....
  23. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Mirek, regarding your last post in the Sweden thread: it's awfully stupid of you to think that the only skills I have to offer are my English skills. You make a lot of statements you know nothing about. As I asked before and you didn't answer, when was the last time you lived here?

    And also, as I said before, we already know that the Czech Republic has good hockey players. Quit trying to prove to us something that we already know.

    You are an extemely insecure man. Your personal statements about me and my girlfriend are both ill-informed and unappreciated. Seek help.

    Oh yeah, the Canadians just took the Spengler Cup...now tell us how we just played dirty to get it again (like the Czech Republic didn't produce the likes of Roman Vopat, Jiri Slegr, et al).
  24. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: I wonder why Tomas Kaberle didn't play in last year's World Championship?
  25. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: Or Pavel Kubina and Ales Hemsky? I guess Canada isn't the only country whose players sometimes turn down the invitation. Fancy that?!

    (by the way, you left Spacek and Nedved off of your list).
  26. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Unfortunetely,NHL,amongst other restrictions,contractualy dictates and has to approve any players' participation for their country,which NHL notoriously refuses to grant based on excuses such as the players are "tired" and/or recovering from injuries,while at the same time they are okay to play in the NHL....

    {by the way,I left off a lot of players,the few mentioned was for illustration,just before you jumped in}

    I am sure that your skills are way above just "ability to speak English"....

    Recent survey in Czech rep. just revealed that foreigners and foreign workers are moving to Czech republic in droves,because of the opportunities/jobs and prosperity.

    So,enjoy it.....
  27. MK Euro 2008 Czechs..... from Canada writes: Amongst others....Hanzal,Spacek,Hlavac,Nagy,Kotalik etc......

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