Forecaster's predictions.

http://www.forecaster.ca/hockeynews/hockey/extras.cgi?wjc2005-preview :eek:

I know what they're doing - they are trying to reverse the jinx imposed by rest of the Canadian media.

Forecaster is smarter than I gave them credit.

If Russia won two golds with fat Medvedev in net, i dont see why Glass couldnt do it especially with this strong line up.

I know what they're doing - they are trying to reverse the jinx imposed by rest of the Canadian media.

Forecaster is smarter than I gave them credit.


Keep thinking that. ;)

Weren't Kindl cut and Seydoux injured = cut too ?

I think their analysis of the U.S. team is spot on. It's unknown (of course) whether we'll actually win or not, but the strengths and weaknesses of the team are spelled out in great deal.

Bold predictions.

anyone know what the crazy people at forecaster's track record is on predictions for the WJC? I'm just curious.....

USA with gold :dunno: yeah, right....that's just whacked, man.

USA with gold :dunno: yeah, right....that's just whacked, man.

USA has the best goaltending in the tournament, so I'd say they have at least as good a chance to win it as any other team.

Mr. Schwarz might have something to say about that. He has a lot to prove and the Czechs could go along way, there better then what people give them credit for. After Montoyas performance against Germany, the tourneys top goalie could get interesting.

Mr. Schwarz might have something to say about that. He has a lot to prove and the Czechs could go along way, there better then what people give them credit for. After Montoyas performance against Germany, the tourneys top goalie could get interesting.


Oh come on, he gave up three goals in an exhibition game! Big deal. Besides, unless you saw the game, you don't know the context those goals were scored, he could have been hung out to dry for all we know.

Oh come on, he gave up three goals in an exhibition game! Big deal. Besides, unless you saw the game, you don't know the context those goals were scored, he could have been hung out to dry for all we know.

That is true, but against Germany? Anyways, your right, it was just exhibition and different line combos could be put into play. I still think Schwarz could have a better tournament than Montoya.

lol, the US has to win 3 or 4 more gold medals in a row to get any respect around here. Why bother arguing.

http://www.forecaster.ca/hockeynews/hockey/extras.cgi?wjc2005-preview :eek:


what exactly is so shocking?

lol, the US has to win 3 or 4 more gold medals in a row to get any respect around here. Why bother arguing.

Do you have anything else to say? :dunno:

I don't care who they predict to win, I'm just hoping Canada wins.

Not many people think Canada can be matched (and rightly so), but good for Forecaster for going out on a limb.

Also, after what I have seen I think Finland might be flirting with relagation. I think they are in for a tough year. Next year they should be a favourite though.

Montoya doesn't always show up for the games he should have no trouble winning. OTOH, he usually does show up for the big games which is part of why he went as high as he did in the draft.

I've kept pretty quiet about my feelings but I've felt for a while now that Canada is going to win the whole thing. In fact, I think there's a very good chance they could steamroll the opposition.

The US team looks pretty good but I don't have the same confidence in them that I had in last years team. Last year I was very confident that Parise would be excellent but I am not sure any of the forwards on this years team can do what he did. I want to say O'Sullivan but with the exception of the gold medal game last year he hasn't been that impressive in the WJC's.

Ovechkin could be a force this year but I don't think the Russian team as a whole is that amazing. I thought they were overrated last year and their results proved me correct. I think they're stronger this year but not as strong as the teams that won gold for them in '02 and '03, particularly on defense. Khudobin seems to have gotten a lot of hype from his REmax performance but so did Barulin last year and look at how that ended up. I don't think they'll be able to match Canada.

The Czechs aren't that intimidating to me. I expected more production from a number of their players in their respective leagues this year.

I think the Finns will have an off year after three straight bronze medals. They'll be better next year though.

I think both Sweden and Slovakia could surprise people. Sweden in particular has played well in the tournaments they have participated in so far this year.

If the US doesn't win then I hope Canada does, even if it has to be on our own soil. I'm hoping for another hard fought North American final.

Montoya doesn't always show up for the games he should have no trouble winning. OTOH, he usually does show up for the big games which is part of why he went as high as he did in the draft.

I've kept pretty quiet about my feelings but I've felt for a while now that Canada is going to win the whole thing. In fact, I think there's a very good chance they could steamroll the opposition.

The US team looks pretty good but I don't have the same confidence in them that I had in last years team. Last year I was very confident that Parise would be excellent but I am not sure any of the forwards on this years team can do what he did. I want to say O'Sullivan but with the exception of the gold medal game last year he hasn't been that impressive in the WJC's.

Ovechkin could be a force this year but I don't think the Russian team as a whole is that amazing. I thought they were overrated last year and their results proved me correct. I think they're stronger this year but not as strong as the teams that won gold for them in '02 and '03, particularly on defense. Khudobin seems to have gotten a lot of hype from his REmax performance but so did Barulin last year and look at how that ended up. I don't think they'll be able to match Canada.

The Czechs aren't that intimidating to me. I expected more production from a number of their players in their respective leagues this year.

I think the Finns will have an off year after three straight bronze medals. They'll be better next year though.

I think both Sweden and Slovakia could surprise people. Sweden in particular has played well in the tournaments they have participated in so far this year.

If the US doesn't win then I hope Canada does, even if it has to be on our own soil. I'm hoping for another hard fought North American final.

I agree with everything you've said here. I'd love for the U.S. to win gold again, but I have to tip my hat to Canada, and acknowledge by all accounts they have not only the best team in the tournament, but a team capable of destroying the competition. I think the Russia game is going to (obviously) set the tone for the U.S. If we can win that game, and Montoya in particular is on top of his game, we can go far.

I think the Russia game is going to (obviously) set the tone for the U.S. If we can win that game, and Montoya in particular is on top of his game, we can go far.

People have different opinions on the matter but I'm always more nervous when the first game of a tournament is against one of the toughest competitors. I'd prefer to get a feel for how the team does against less powerful opposition (not including exhibition games). I think it's certainly the most important game of the preliminary round.

People have different opinions on the matter but I'm always more nervous when the first game of a tournament is against one of the toughest competitors. I'd prefer to get a feel for how the team does against less powerful opposition (not including exhibition games). I think it's certainly the most important game of the preliminary round.


I've been wondering if this year's squad might mirror the 2002/03 squad in Halifax. A younger team who got blitzed by Russia early in the tournament, rebounded to make the semis, only to lost a close game (score-wise) to Canada. A key differance is I don't think this year's Russian team is as good.

Since there is so much talk about USA-Russia game, I wonder if it will be possible to see that game somewhere online. If yes, what kind of programs do I need to see the game? Please, help me! I'm desperate!

Since there is so much talk about USA-Russia game, I wonder if it will be possible to see that game somewhere online. If yes, what kind of programs do I need to see the game? Please, help me! I'm desperate!


It will be on ESPN 2 in the states. Where do you live? ESPN might have it on broadband, not sure though. :dunno:

It will be on ESPN 2 in the states. Where do you live? ESPN might have it on broadband, not sure though. :dunno:

I'm in Croatia, south-eastern Europe. There should be a coverage of that game somewhere on internet! Right?

Not many people think Canada can be matched (and rightly so), but good for Forecaster for going out on a limb.

Also, after what I have seen I think Finland might be flirting with relagation. I think they are in for a tough year. Next year they should be a favourite though.

They're out on a twig!

Goaltending is huge in a short tourney. One or two soft goals at the wrong time and a team's going home.

I predict the Russians or Americans will take it all, partially because of superior goaltending.

I'm glad there's at least one realistic forecast.

ALL THE SICK "CANADA'S SOOOO DOMINANT" NAVEL-GAZING WAS NAUSEATING

I'm Canadian and proud of it, and when the puck drops I'll be cheering for Canada all the way.

But I'm a hockey fan too, and I can't just put on blinders and ignore what I see on the ice and hear about.

I agree with everything you've said here. I'd love for the U.S. to win gold again, but I have to tip my hat to Canada, and acknowledge by all accounts they have not only the best team in the tournament, but a team capable of destroying the competition. I think the Russia game is going to (obviously) set the tone for the U.S. If we can win that game, and Montoya in particular is on top of his game, we can go far.


Yeah, I said as much on another thread and I am sorry but Montoya does not have his head srcrewed on right this year. I expect Canada to simply destroy every team in their path and put on an even more dominating performance than their older brethern did during this year's World Cup.

I was talking to a well respected person who has a great deal of knowlegde about the WHL and he was getting a kick out of so many people (including the "experts") questioning Canada's goaltending. Glass, from what I hear, is the real deal and will quiet the critics. The only problem for him though is that he will not fact that many shots, limiting his chances of being named the top goaltender in the tourney.

Yeah, I said as much on another thread and I am sorry but Montoya does not have his head srcrewed on right this year. I expect Canada to simply destroy every team in their path and put on an even more dominating performance than their older brethern did during this year's World Cup.

I was talking to a well respected person who has a great deal of knowlegde about the WHL and he was getting a kick out of so many people (including the "experts") questioning Canada's goaltending. Glass, from what I hear, is the real deal and will quiet the critics. The only problem for him though is that he will not fact that many shots, limiting his chances of being named the top goaltender in the tourney.

I'm not really concerned about Montoya. Put another way, I don't think he'll be the reason the U.S. doesn't do well. The defense on the other hand might be another story.....

If Canada's goaltending is hot, they should no doubt win the tournament. They have the best defense, no question and the forwards are only compared by Russia and US. I can't see Finland being relegated, with Tukonen/Nokelainen/Korpikoski, I would be very surprised if teams like Belarus, Switzerland or Germany could beat them. Unlike many people, I think the Czech's have potential to go a long way. With Schwarz in net, Kindl and Smid (may have been cut, I haven't seen a finalized roster yet) and Petruzalek and Kaspar, who have unbelievable chemistry along with Olesz up front, I wouldn't want to play the Czechs in the medal round.

Goaltending is huge in a short tourney. One or two soft goals at the wrong time and a team's going home.

I predict the Russians or Americans will take it all, partially because of superior goaltending.

I'm glad there's at least one realistic forecast.

ALL THE SICK "CANADA'S SOOOO DOMINANT" NAVEL-GAZING WAS NAUSEATING

I'm Canadian and proud of it, and when the puck drops I'll be cheering for Canada all the way.

But I'm a hockey fan too, and I can't just put on blinders and ignore what I see on the ice and hear about.
I share the same concerns as you......the goaltending.....it isn't proven and until it is i hate to hear the press go on bally-hooing our team.They are strong for sure but i don't care how strong the forwards and defense are.......you have to get the goaltending becuse no matter how strong our skaters are the fact remains they are not from Mars or anything like that.....until i see we are going to get the goaltending then we are susceptible.....and in a very serious way.