Nice Article on Bryzgalov

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/worldcup04/columns/story?id=1873211

He played an impressive game today against the Americans, prompting a lot of people to ask Bryz-a-who?

I read it, I feel we have a future star in the crease if Jiggy continue to suck (hopefully not)

I'm confident Bryz will be a great asset on this team.

If Jiggy plays like he normally does Bryz will not be a star.

If Jiggy plays like he normally does Bryz will not be a star.

If Jiggy plays like he can, we'll have a valuable goaltender as trade bait...

If Jiggy won't play as he can, we'll have another franchise goaltender.

Right now we're in a win-win situation in the crease, but maybe I'm too optimistic.

If Jiggy plays like he can, we'll have a valuable goaltender as trade bait...

If Jiggy won't play as he can, we'll have another franchise goaltender.

Right now we're in a win-win situation in the crease, but maybe I'm too optimistic.

He reminds me of Shtalenkov.

He reminds me of Shtalenkov.
:dunno: They're both Russian...

*Prepares for smart ass response from CFOB*

Maxim Sokolov is starting tonight against Canada

Maxim Sokolov is starting tonight against Canada


:shakehead I think that may be a big mistake !!

Maxim Sokolov is starting tonight against Canada

:lol:

20-0 Canada

Sokolov was heralded as the best goalie in Russia. And he was named to the team before Bryzgalov. He is completely unknown to Team Canada and unlikely to have been scouted much by the Canadians.
Not taking anything away from Bryzgalov, but Sokolov is a strong goalie in his own right.

I don't know if he's getting better through the years but I remember him being pretty weak in net for Russia in the past World Championships.
Russia played good only one time (silver medal btw), but it was for Podomatsky (sp?) huge performance.

I'm starting to see why alot of people dropped out from Russia. Bad coaching descisions like this. Not taking anything away from Sokolov, but Bryzgalov was great against the Americans, so I'm not sure why they're changing things up now.

As for Bryz, he gets no attention here in Canada. All they talk about if Fedorov and Zhamnov dropping out, Kovalev's goal, and the fact that Nabby and Bulin aren't playing(he doesn't get any mentions there). While I didn't see the game, allowing only 1 goal against the Americans and posting around 25 shots usually would get you a star. I probably would've taken him over Afinigenov on the three star awards, but that's just judging by the box score.

Bryz was really good, but Afinogenov (apart from not scoring) was probably Russia's most effective player. I don't know why they'd start the other guy though. He better play at the level of Bryz on thursday. :mad:

I'm starting to see why alot of people dropped out from Russia. Bad coaching descisions like this. Not taking anything away from Sokolov, but Bryzgalov was great against the Americans, so I'm not sure why they're changing things up now.

It's just a preliminary round, no big deal. The Czechs made Hejduk a healthy scratch, as did Ron Wilson to Rolston and Hull. This isn't an elimination round - everyone ought to play.

It's just a preliminary round, no big deal. The Czechs made Hejduk a healthy scratch, as did Ron Wilson to Rolston and Hull. This isn't an elimination round - everyone ought to play.

Still, a Russian loss to Slovakia means the Russians could have worse position in the elimination round. Bryz is likely to start every game after now, as while it was against the high-powered Canadian offense, Sokolov allowed 3 goals, to Bryz' 1 against the USA.

Yeah, I would think Bryz would start each game from here on out. I didn't see the Russia/Canada game, so I can't comment on Sokolov's performance. But Bryz's performance against the USA was tough to beat.

Really though in Anaheim, I feel like we're in the same situation as when we had Giguere/Gerber. Bryzgalov probably will want to be a #1 at some point in the future, and I don't see that happening with Giguere in the mix.

Still, a Russian loss to Slovakia means the Russians could have worse position in the elimination round. Bryz is likely to start every game after now, as while it was against the high-powered Canadian offense, Sokolov allowed 3 goals, to Bryz' 1 against the USA.
If Russia loses to Slovakia, then it's a 3 way tie for 2nd place in North America...Slovakia, Russia and the USA. I know goal differential is the first tie-breaker. Slovakia lost 5-1 against Canada, so that works in the US favor.

I'm not sure who to root for in the Russia/Slovakia game. If Russia wins, US is assured of finishing 3rd and playing Russia. If Slovakia wins we could finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th. 4th we play Canada in Canada=tourney over for the USA.

Bob McKenzie said this in his column today
It's pretty much guaranteed that Slovakia will be Canada's opponent in the quarter-finals. If the Slovaks beat Russia by seven goals or more, then Canada would draw the Russians instead.

Bob McKenzie said this in his column today
Okay. So it looks like the USA will play Russia. Will that game be played in Minnesota or Canada?

Did anyone see the Russia/Slovakia game? How did Bryzgalov play? Vish?

Bryzgalov was excellent. He made himself a big wall and was in control of his game. The two goals he gave were no fault of his own.

Vish was ok but not great IMO. He didn't make gaffing mistakes like A Markov. But he didn't stand out either.

Although the Russians lost, Bryzgalov and Vishnevski played excellently. You couldn't blame any of the US goals on weak goaltending. Tkachuk was left all alone a few times in front and Bryzgalov had no chance on 3 of the 4 goals. The only one he could had stop was the Gomez goal but that was a 2-1 breakaway. Vish played pretty well and did his part. It was the other Dman that failed on their coverage. So good job Vitali and Ilja!

overall they both had a strong tournament and I think it might have helped them in their development.

I don't think Vish was out there for any goals was he?

Vish was real solid. He was the only Russian dman who didn't insist on turning the puck over. He never looked uncomofortable or out of control all tournament. (unlike many of his peers) Bryz was very good. I can't wait until he steals GIguere's job away. ;)

Bryzgalov was excellent. He made himself a big wall and was in control of his game. The two goals he gave were no fault of his own.

Vish was ok but not great IMO. He didn't make gaffing mistakes like A Markov. But he didn't stand out either.
For a defenseman thats a good trait IMO.

Bryzgalov looked good, the russian team didn't help him tonight, I was very encouraged by Vish's play though I have been hoping last year wasn't an abberation...I am very encouraged.