GDT: SF Finland vs. Russia - Feb. 24, 21.05 CET, 3.05pm EST

SEMIFINAL

FINLAND VS. RUSSIA

Previous notable meetings:

NAGANO 98

Round robin: Russia 4, Finland 3 (Lehtinen: 2 goals, 1 assist; Selanne: 3 assists; Koivu: 1 goal, 1 assist)

Semifinal: Russia 7, Finland 4 (Selanne & Koivu: 1 goal, 1 assist each)

SALT LAKE 2002

Round robin: Finland 3, Russia 1 (Lehtinen & Selanne: 1 goal each)

Aki Berg > Team Russia ;)

Go Finland!

I wonder what jerseys they'll be wearing. Anyone knows?

2-1 Finland...


One can at least dream...

Anyone know if Salo is back?

If not...

9-2 Russia.

I wonder what jerseys they'll be wearing. Anyone knows?
I heard it was going to be a Shirts vs. Skins game.

The Malkin lost is huge. Russia will need Kovalchuk to score some goals tomorrow. What will the 3rd and 4thline look like? Also big loss= Korolyuk he was awesome. So it's a 50/50 match. Great memories from 1998 !!!

If Finland's first line is as lack-lustre as against Germany and the US... Finland will have to count on Ville Peltonen to score... So Russians shouldn't be complaining about lacking scorers ;)

2-1 Finland...


One can at least dream...

Anyone know if Salo is back?


It's very unlikely that he is playing. Our head coach told that he has problem with his shoulder muscle and they are still trying to work it out, but looks bad. Changes are 90/10 and 10% is for "he is playing".

It's very unlikely that he is playing. Our head coach told that he has problem with his shoulder muscle and they are still trying to work it out, but looks bad. Changes are 90/10 and 10% is for "he is playing".
Our defense is then horrible :cry:


Numminen - Timonen
Niemi - Lydman
Nummelin - Berg

Or am I forgetting someone?

:cry:

The Malkin lost is huge. Russia will need Kovalchuk to score some goals tomorrow. What will the 3rd and 4thline look like? Also big loss= Korolyuk he was awesome. So it's a 50/50 match. Great memories from 1998 !!!

If you mean Korky was usefull, then so will be Nepryaev. If you mean he scored, he had 1 G and 4 shots at goal. Hardly a scoring loss.

I have to work during Sweden/Czech game :cry:

But will be off in time to catch the Russia/Finn game :banana:

Should be awesome!

I wonder what jerseys they'll be wearing. Anyone knows?

As long as they don't wear those tacky paisley jackets, I could care less....

Scoring Loss= Malkin /// Korolyuk was very good on the PK and with his linemates.
Can you describe me Neprayev. How does he play?

3-1 Finns.

Too much grit.

Too much character.

Unlike the Canadians, the Russians will be facing a team that plays a defensive system to perfection.

Also, Koivu and Selanne can put the puck in the net too.

2-1 Finland...


One can at least dream...

Anyone know if Salo is back?

If not...

9-2 Russia.

"There are also reports that Sami Salo, also of the Vancouver Canucks, has a dislocated shoulder. His status for Finland's semi-final encounter with Russia is in question."

http://www.iihf.com/news/iihfpr1306.htm

Scoring Loss= Malkin /// Korolyuk was very good on the PK and with his linemates.
Can you describe me Neprayev. How does he play?

Here you go:

http://www.russianprospects.com/public/profile.php?player_id=172

If the guy performs well in Turin, he'll be likely playing in Washington next year

Great memories from 1998 !!!

Well, u know, Team Russia has Pasha's clone :) i believe his name is Max AfinoBurov:)

As a Finn, i obviously hope for a win for Fin but one needs to be realistic. And realism says that our defence has been compromised too much by injuries and players declining. Solid team effort will give us a tight loss but not a W.

Before the tourney our D was considered one of the better ones looking like this:

Pitkänen-Timonen
Numminen-Salo
Väänänen-Lydman
Berg

Now, it looks like a World Championship tourney D rather than Olympic D. Sad, but can't be helped. As long as there is life, there is HOPE!

Anywhere to follow the game per text/finnish or swedish or english audio/video stream online?

3-1 Finns.

Too much grit.

Too much character.

Unlike the Canadians, the Russians will be facing a team that plays a defensive system to perfection.

Also, Koivu and Selanne can put the puck in the net too.
:eek:

NOT A WORD ABOUT AKI!!

:eek:

NOT A WORD ABOUT AKI!!

Grit.

Character.

Aren't those synonyms for Aki?

Grit.

Character.

Goofy is a character.

I heard it was going to be a Shirts vs. Skins game.

The one instance where women's hockey would be more exciting.... :D

Anywhere to follow the game per text/finnish or swedish or english audio/video stream online?


Ask the european posters... I beleive Yle(24?) has live video broadcasts but are limited within EU so I never got them to work. I know there are plenty of posters here that know better.

At least we'll be able to post on this forum during the game with all the Canadians and Americans who don't give a thing about these games!!! No more overloads! :D

Except that I might not be able to type anything let alone click on my mouse with my shaky fingers!

IS Neprayev a very good player or just a good player?? Where do you think he will play and with who?

"There are also reports that Sami Salo, also of the Vancouver Canucks, has a dislocated shoulder. His status for Finland's semi-final encounter with Russia is in question."

http://www.iihf.com/news/iihfpr1306.htm
What Team Finland GM Jari Kurri said is that Salo doesn't have a shoulder injury but a small rupture in his pectoralis major (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pectoralis_Major) and there's a small chance he'll play but the prognosis isn't a good one.

What channel is this game on??

IS Neprayev a very good player or just a good player?? Where do you think he will play and with who?

He's the Russian Aki Berg! :bow:

At least we'll be able to post on this forum during the game with all the Canadians and Americans who don't give a thing about these games!!! No more overloads! :D

Except that I might not be able to type anything let alone click on my mouse with my shaky fingers!

Not to fear, I'll be here to keep you company :D

What time does it start?

Anywhere to follow the game per text/finnish or swedish or english audio/video stream online?

Finnish audio:
http://lotta.yle.fi/ijulkaisu.nsf/sivut/olympiaradio

Swedish audio:
http://www.sr.se/

If our

1st line plays as in the round robin
+ 2nd line plays as yesterday
+ 3rd line continues where they left against CAN
+ 4th line stays solid and grinds, grinds, grinds

+ offense works with the defense as a team

+ Saku stays out of the box
+ Niittymaki plays as he's done so far

+ the agreed gameplan can be met better than in any game so far

= we play on Sunday.

If we play on Sunday, I think we go all the way.

What time does it start?

Is this a joke? It's in the thread title! :biglaugh:

7-4 Russia. 5 goals for AO.

If our

1st line plays as in the round robin
+ 2nd line plays as yesterday
+ 3rd line continues where they left against CAN
+ 4th line stays solid and grinds, grinds, grinds
+ Aki continues to shut the door on the defensive end

+ offense works with the defense as a team

+ Saku stays out of the box
+ Niittymaki plays as he's done so far

+ the agreed gameplan can be met better than in any game so far

= we play on Sunday.

If we play on Sunday, I think we go all the way.

Agreed.

Russians are flying high right now, but Finland will be too much for them. 5-3 to Finland.

acording to the NBC website ( among the worst I have seen.... EVER!) those of us in the PST WILL NOT see this live


W...T...F?

Whoever wins this game wins the Gold.

It's gonna be a tight one, I hope that Finland can defend well against skilled Russian attackers. Hopefully our 1st line will play better than they did against USA and score couple of goals. But Nabokov has been great in this tournament, so Russia won't go down because of him.

.. I hope that Finland can defend well against skilled Russian attackers. .

If Nagano repeats, you can throw all defence systems out of the window. End-to-end action for 60 minutes..

I'm rooting for Russia...this would be a great game for Pasha to step up and show his stuff. He's been quietly stacking up the assists and points, and what better time to come out of the shadows and let the world see just how good he really is.

Russia will take this one.

Our winning streak has to come to an end at some point.

Malkin is out, but that is like taking a bucket of sand out of the Sahara desert --> Russia is still scary as hell in the offensive department. Salo is a graeter loss to us than Malkin to team Russia.

Russia has a better goalie too from what we have seen up until now, and tomorrow I believe the team with the better goalie is going to win.

And then there is AO. What can you say about him that hasn't already been said, simply put: the best player in the world right now. :clap:
Oh man, I like this kid so much I actually won't mind him having a chance for the gold. :bow:

Like a previous guy posted here; the team that wins this game goes atw. Right now my 10th sense tells me that Russia wins with 4-2.

Damn it, I'm scared. Scared. Scarrrrrreeed!

My fingers are starting to shake a little.

Damn it, I'm scared. Scared. Scarrrrrreeed!

My fingers are starting to shake a little.

Don't be. According to this

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/shownews.jsp?content=o022349A

Russia is heavily :biglaugh: :biglaugh: favored. The CP ppl know what they are saying :teach:

Don't be. According to this

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/shownews.jsp?content=o022349A

Russia is heavily :biglaugh: :biglaugh: favored. The CP ppl know what they are saying :teach:

that's ridiculous. they're saying that because Russia took out Canada, and since they took out super ultra mighty Canada, it means that Russia is like 10 times better than Finland.

They don't understand a thing about hockey. :shakehead

Damn it, I'm scared. Scared. Scarrrrrreeed!

My fingers are starting to shake a little.
I'm not yet. But after 20 hours I will be very, very nervous. :help:

Don't be. According to this

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/shownews.jsp?content=o022349A

Russia is heavily :biglaugh: :biglaugh: favored. The CP ppl know what they are saying :teach:


"Finland's cinderella run"


What a slap in the face.

I'm Finnish and I think Russia is clearly the favourite. :dunno:

Doesn't mean that Finland doesn't have a chance, of course.

Woohoo! The Vodka Cup! This will once and for all decide which nation has the best Vodka.

I'm Finnish and I think Russia is clearly the favourite. :dunno:

Doesn't mean that Finland doesn't have a chance, of course.

How is that? Finland has the best scoring line in the world in the past 20 years, flawless defense, grit, determination, a 6-0 record which includes 3 shutouts!

:eek:

How is that? Finland has the best scoring line in the world in the past 20 years, flawless defense, grit, determination, a 5-0 record which includes 3 shutouts!

:eek:


Wicked line changes too!

How is that? Finland has the best scoring line in the world in the past 20 years, flawless defense, grit, determination, a 5-0 record which includes 3 shutouts!

:eek:

Finland's game against the USA was pretty bad apart from the start and the 5 on 3 powerplays. We were lucky DiPietro had a bad game and Niittymäki was solid for us. Our first line was goalless in the most important game of tournament so far and we lost Salo to injury. And in any case, the round robin games are irrelevant at this stage as the Czechs showed the Slovaks.

Malkin won't play! Enough said!

I agree with Random Oracle here. Russia is the favourite, maybe not "heavily" but I think they are pretty clear favourite.

How is that? Finland has the best scoring line in the world in the past 20 years, flawless defense, grit, determination, a 6-0 record which includes 3 shutouts!

:eek:
Four. Switzerland, Italy, Canada and Germany. But still Russia is the favourite, no doubt about that.

Just my opinion.

Russia is the favorite... a lot more weapons.. but we have to stay patient.

I am counting on the Ovy-Yashin-Kozlov line to spend a lot of time in the Finnish zone. If Canucks could not move them, they should have success against the Finns. Thats about 660 pounds of skill, accurate wristers and Ovechkin's will to score.

But patience is everything, just like with Canada. Stay out of the box, wait for our chances, wait for space and 1-on-1 situations, and let our guys go to work.

Four. Switzerland, Italy, Canada and Germany.

Well, you see. I was afraid to say that, but it's 4 shutouts! FOUR! :eek: :help:

Assuming both Salo and Malkin (of course) are out, which team loses more?

Well, you see. I was afraid to say that, but it's 4 shutouts! FOUR! :eek: :help:
Irrelevant at this point. :teach:

Assuming both Salo and Malkin (of course) are out, which team loses more?

I'd say Malkin is the better player, but Finland will miss Salo more than Russia Malkin.

There's no answer to A.O greatness.... Russia 5-1

Assuming both Salo and Malkin (of course) are out, which team loses more?

Finland. They're already depleted on quality defensemen.

I'd say Malkin is the better player, but Finland will miss Salo more than Russia Malkin.

Thanks, that's the impression I got but no one actually came out and said it.

As a Finn, i obviously hope for a win for Fin but one needs to be realistic. And realism says that our defence has been compromised too much by injuries and players declining. Solid team effort will give us a tight loss but not a W.

Before the tourney our D was considered one of the better ones looking like this:

Pitkänen-Timonen
Numminen-Salo
Väänänen-Lydman
Berg

Now, it looks like a World Championship tourney D rather than Olympic D. Sad, but can't be helped. As long as there is life, there is HOPE!
Sweden has had the same problem as Finland with injuries on the best defensemen (and stupid bans), but also lost Näslund on the offense. It truly sucks, doesn't it?

As for the game, I don't see how Finland can stop the Russian machine, working as a grinding team but still letting their stars shine. Nabokov has also been unquestionable in the Russian net.

Both teams have a good team of course, but Russia has the edge.

Russia is the favorite... a lot more weapons.. but we have to stay patient.

I am counting on the Ovy-Yashin-Kozlov line to spend a lot of time in the Finnish zone. If Canucks could not move them, they should have success against the Finns. Thats about 660 pounds of skill, accurate wristers and Ovechkin's will to score.

But patience is everything, just like with Canada. Stay out of the box, wait for our chances, wait for space and 1-on-1 situations, and let our guys go to work.

Kozlov sure can cause a lot of troubles, that man is like a bull! And skilled too.
On the other hand finland-russia games have not usually been like that. I expect more like "hawaii-hockey" game where transition game is important. In that game players like Timonen and Nummelin can be very important.

Finland will lose just by seeing Bure in the stands, 5 own goals garunteed right there. Other than that, I have a bad feeling about this game in combination with Finland's hottness and Korolyuk + Malkin... not to mention Frolov + Zhitnik getting hurt.

Finland will lose just by seeing Bure in the stands, 5 own goals garunteed right there. Other than that, I have a bad feeling about this game in combination with Finland's hottness and Korolyuk + Malkin... not to mention Frolov + Zhitnik getting hurt.
See my prediction. :snide:
7-4 Russia. 5 goals for AO.

Finland will lose just by seeing Bure in the stands, 5 own goals garunteed right there.

oh please, this is embarrassing. :shakehead

Don't be. According to this

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/shownews.jsp?content=o022349A

Russia is heavily :biglaugh: :biglaugh: favored. The CP ppl know what they are saying :teach:

Heavily favored? Have these people been watching Finland?

Finland wins easy. Russia doesnt have the character the Fins have.

Wow, Korky says that he wil try to skate tomorrow and see if he can play :yo:

http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?117319

Wow, Korky says that he wil try to skate tomorrow and see if he can play :yo:

http://www.sport-express.ru/art.shtml?117319

thank God they finally updated their site! thanks ;)

edit : this is the best article ever. I've never read something so objective, in other words that's exactly what I witnessed!

Go Finland Go!

...Our winning streak has to come to an end at some point...

Well,

How about agreeing on that team FIN
looses a game in the World Champs later
this spring, just to end the streak...

:propeller

If Sweden beats Czech then I'll be cheering for Finland just as much as Juha and Pekka :). Man, this will be one awesome hockey evening tomorrow.

I predict a lot of nervosity, fear and panic.

I predict a lot of nervosity, fear and panic.
Good prediction. I can't get to sleep. :help:

Good prediction. I can't get to sleep. :help:

Same here.

I think the Sandman is in a Metallica
concert somewhere, as he hasn't paid
me a visit tonight. :cry:

Finland is scaring the crap out of me. They are like a machine. They have quick forwards that forecheck hard, trap in the middle of the ice and disciplined defensive play in their own zone. And after a turnover, which happens all the time, they counterattack. Not to mention the hot Niitymaki. They'll miss Salo - he is their biggest defenseman and has a cannon of a shot, but in the system that they have, a loss of one player is not that really important.

At the same time, Malkin gets suspended for one game, Korky is going to try to play through injury. These are 2 of our 3 best defensive forwards, and Korky with Malkin are our top PK forwards. Speaking of Korky's groin - he's a player that relies on speed more than anything else. A groin injury will not let him use all his wheels. I say sit him for whoever we have. Nepryaev should pick up some of the defensive slack left by Malkin, but who is going to replace Malkin's offensive creativity and vision? Got to stay out of the box. I don't want to see Selanne-Koivu-Lehtinen on PP, much less with our top PK forwards out. Defense will have its hands full with quick Finnish forwards. They're not as big as Canadian forwards, but they're not as lumbersome either. Finns are also the worst trash talkers in hockey. See Nieminen, Jarkko Ruutu. Speaking of Ruutu, as a Ranger fan, I hope that Ranger Kaspar will hip check the brains out of that dirty piece of **** Jarkko Ruutu who tattoed another Ranger Jagr.

This is going to be a harder game than the one against the Canucks.

should be a good game. can't wait to see it. sucks that these two teams play in the semis. it would make for a great final. I will be cheering for Finland since Canada is out, but best of luck to both sides!

Who is that Korky dude? :sarcasm:

He's not on the roster! :teach:

If Krikunov forgot to put him on the official lineup card, then we can be disqualified :cry:

[Darth Vader Mode ON] NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.[OFF]

:sarcasm:

Who is that Korky dude? :sarcasm:

He's not on the roster! :teach:

If Krikunov forgot to put him on the official lineup card, then we can be disqualified :cry:

[Darth Vader Mode ON] NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.[OFF]

:sarcasm:
Dude, where's the official roster?

Edit: who is on the official roster? Who's replacing Korky and Malkin?

It's not even the 24th yet and this thread is already 4 pages long. What's wrong with you people?

...that dirty piece of **** Jarkko Ruutu who tattoed another Ranger Jagr. This is going to be a harder game than the one against
the Canucks.

You know, we have a sarcastic expression in my region
that freely translates to English as:
'The honor is gone, but the reputation just keeps on growing.'

Ruutu must be a sensitive guy, as so many people have
feelings for him. Personally, I don't even think that his honor
is gone in any way. But his reputation is definitively growing. :yo:


As for your prediction about 'a harder game than against CAN'
I really REALLY hope so too :handclap:

It's not even the 24th yet and this thread is already 4 pages long. What's wrong with you people?

Hockey nuts? :biglaugh:

To all Russians: Happy Red Army day!

To Team Russia: Let's show Finland that even Mannerheim's line can fall! :p:

To all Russians: Happy Red Army day!

To Team Russia: Let's show Finland that even Mannerheim's line can fall! :p:


We might bend, but we don't brake. :madfire:

Dude, where's the official roster?

Edit: who is on the official roster? Who's replacing Korky and Malkin?

A DQed player can not be replaced. If Korky can't play, Nepryaev will sub

Same here.

I think the Sandman is in a Metallica
concert somewhere, as he hasn't paid
me a visit tonight. :cry:
I think I'll stay up all night but I'm afraid that I can't stay awake until the game starts and I will miss it. :cry:

Maybe it's better to get some sleep in the afternoon.

You know, we have a sarcastic expression in my region
that freely translates to English as:
'The honor is gone, but the reputation just keeps on growing.'

Ruutu must be a sensitive guy, as so many people have
feelings for him. Personally, I don't even think that his honor
is gone in any way. But his reputation is definitively growing. :yo:


As for your prediction about 'a harder game than against CAN'
I really REALLY hope so too :handclap:
It's just that the way Jarkko Ruutu is playing (and he has a reputation of a dirty guy in NHL for a good reason), I can easily imagine him not only knocking a guy down in a dark alley, but also kicking him to death and at the same time mocking him. I may be wrong about my assessment of him, but that's the perception I get. Vancouver played in NY and Ruutu was outmuscling our little guys - Prucha, Straka... and talking **** to them at the same time. God, I wanted to get down on ice and just shoot him execution style without any comments.

We might bend, but we don't brake. :madfire:
We don't need to conquer the entire Finland, all we need to do is to put more pucks into Niitymaki's goal than Finland can put in ours. :D

We might bend, but we don't brake. :madfire:

Bending would do :innocent:

A DQed player can not be replaced. If Korky can't play, Nepryaev will sub
What? We're shorthanded? We're gonna have only 11 forwards? This sucks! Who is going to be double-shifted? AO?

I think I'll stay up all night but I'm afraid that I can't stay awake until the game starts and I will miss it. :cry:

Maybe it's better to get some sleep in the afternoon.

Yupp. Afternoon nap sounds good.

But only sleep for 2hrs and the beer in the
match pub suddenly seems more effective.

Team RUS is strong, so there is a possibility
that a few beers are needed during the game.
If we win, we have some beers to celebrate,
if we lose, we have a beers to drown our sorrows.
I'd say a pretty good chance for having some
beers tomorrow.

Bending would do :innocent:

I think there will be a bit of bending from us.
Just like yesterday against USA. They almost
caught us. :D

Bending would do :innocent:
Yeah, I'll take bending. No need to break anything. :innocent:

Yupp. Afternoon nap sounds good.

But only sleep for 2hrs and the beer in the
match pub suddenly seems more effective.

Team RUS is strong, so there is a possibility
that a few beers are needed during the game.
If we win, we have some beers to celebrate,
if we lose, we have a beers to drown our sorrows.
I'd say a pretty good chance for having some
beers tomorrow.
It's a win-win situation! :clap: :clap: :clap:

It's not even the 24th yet and this thread is already 4 pages long. What's wrong with you people?

It's 3.26 am, and obviously I can't go to sleep. Tomorrow's game is too important and I have to stay online to dicuss hockey, read interviews, post some irrelevant useless crap here and there, and so on. Of course I get a look at some porn site once in a while too. :D

Yupp. Afternoon nap sounds good.

But only sleep for 2hrs and the beer in the
match pub suddenly seems more effective.

Team RUS is strong, so there is a possibility
that a few beers are needed during the game.
If we win, we have some beers to celebrate,
if we lose, we have a beers to drown our sorrows.
I'd say a pretty good chance for having some
beers tomorrow.
You made some valid points there. :teach:

But I've planned to watch the game at home, I can't enjoy the game in the pub.

Russians will win. too fast, too skilled. too good.

It's 3.26 am, and obviously I can't go to sleep. Tomorrow's game is too important and I have to stay online to dicuss hockey, read interviews, post some irrelevant useless crap here and there, and so on. Of course I get a look at some porn site once in a while too. :D
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

I have an exam to prepare for and I'm here doing exactly that- posting useless crap, or in other words - NOTHING. :help:

I'm going to miss the start of the game tomorrow. I'll probably miss half the game if not the first 2 periods entirely. So, before I sign off,

VPERED ROSSIYA!!! DAESH FINAL!!! DAESH LINIYU MANNERHEIMA!!! Pehote vodku i vsem VPERED!!!

Russians will win. too fast, too skilled. too good.

Go away, please! :cry:

:sarcasm:

Russians will win. too fast, too skilled. too good.

Say again?

Did you listen to an old speech of Stalin or smthng? :D

You made some valid points there. :teach:

But I've planned to watch the game at home, I can't enjoy the game in the pub.

I guess you need to buy KOFF instead of Karjala then :biglaugh:

Say again?

Did you listen to an old speech of Stalin or smthng? :D

I love your avatar! It's awesome! :handclap: :D :bow:

I love your avatar! It's awesome! :handclap: :D :bow:

Thanks :)

I know I'm not supposed to play with the Coat of Arms,
but what can you do when you're a hockey nut?

I call for temporary insanity if they sue me for it :biglaugh:

But I've planned to watch the game at home, I can't enjoy the game in the pub.

Same here. I enjoy watching the games at home, alone, without commentators!!!

And I can't believe a friend of mine (he's French so he doesn't know what hockey is) called me today to invite me to his place, and when I told him that tomorrow was the most important day of my life, he said "oh come on, you'll watch the game at my place" .................... I almost hung up the phone.

THOSE IGNORANT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! :shakehead :madfire:

:sarcasm:

I guess you need to buy KOFF instead of Karjala then :biglaugh:
Coffee is good enough. How can you enjoy the game when you're drunk? I couldn't even remember the result afterwards. :sarcasm:

I call for temporary insanity if they sue me for it :biglaugh:

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

I bet this is a crime in Finland's criminal code. :teach: :sarcasm:

But you live in Belgium, so there's no risk! :D

Same here. I enjoy watching the games at home, alone, without commentators!!!

And I can't believe a friend of mine (he's French so he doesn't know what hockey is) called me today to invite me to his place, and when I told him that tomorrow was the most important day of my life, he said "oh come on, you'll watch the game at my place" .................... I almost hung up the phone.

THOSE IGNORANT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND!!! :shakehead :madfire:

:sarcasm:
:biglaugh: That's just me.

Coffee is good enough. How can you enjoy the game when you're drunk? I couldn't even remember the result afterwards. :sarcasm:

I said only a few beers during the game.
After game we actually might want to
forget the result.

Now someone shoot me before I become
a pessimist. :shakehead

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

I bet this is a crime in Finland's criminal code. :teach: :sarcasm:

But you live in Belgium, so there's no risk! :D

I think crimes of passion are dealt milder with.
I hope so.

But yes, I guess I should be punished.
You know, being a hockey fan and living
in Belgium is quite a punishment.

It's difficult to see the games and it's always
a struggle to find a place that shows them.
I travel 50kms one way each time I go watch
these matches. Not to talk about all the anxiety
of not knowing if you'll find a place at all, or is
the place open, or are they watching a live
game of Belgian 2nd league football when there
would be an Olympic QF game.

Passion, eih?

I wish I could anticipate the game as much as some of you guys are! The lead up and adrenaline rush is the best part to a hockey game. Alas, CAN is out. This will still be a stellar game and may the best team win... however i'm biased so SHAIBU! SHAIBU! :bow:;)

:biglaugh: That's just me.

I'm gonna tell you a personal, but still a funny story.

My dad is Czech and lives in Prague. I went there in August-September 2004 so I'd be able to watch the World Cup of Hockey on TV because they weren't showing a single game in France (where I usually live).

But since my dad can't enjoy a game while someone else is watching with him, and me neither, each one of us put a TV in his room, and we were watching the same game in 2 different rooms! :biglaugh:

The best part : we had those "meetings" in the living room during the intermission time to discuss each period. :sarcasm:

And sometimes, when the Czechs scored a goal, he'd run into my room screaming "did you see that??????? DID YOU SEE THAAAAAAAT?" :biglaugh:

:propeller

I said only a few beers during the game.
After game we actually might want to
forget the result.

Now someone shoot me before I become
a pessimist. :shakehead
pfffffft. If you drink you drink like a man. ;)

You know, being a hockey fan and living
in Belgium is quite a punishment.


Dude, I live in France, I know how it feels! ;) :D

:cry:

I'm gonna tell you a personal, but still a funny story.

My dad is Czech and lives in Prague. I went there in August-September 2004 so I'd be able to watch the World Cup of Hockey on TV because they weren't showing a single game in France (where I usually live).

But since my dad can't enjoy a game while someone else is watching with him, and me neither, each one of us put a TV in his room, and we were watching the same game in 2 different rooms! :biglaugh:

The best part : we had those "meetings" in the living room during the intermission time to discuss each period. :sarcasm:

:propeller


:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

You can come over and watch the games with
me anytime :) I just need to go buy a second TV.

And a satellite dish, to get the games in my place :(

I'm gonna tell you a personal, but still a funny story.

My dad is Czech and lives in Prague. I went there in August-September 2004 so I'd be able to watch the World Cup of Hockey on TV because they weren't showing a single game in France (where I usually live).

But since my dad can't enjoy a game while someone else is watching with him, and me neither, each one of us put a TV in his room, and we were watching the same game in 2 different rooms! :biglaugh:

The best part : we had those "meetings" in the living room during the intermission time to discuss each period. :sarcasm:

:propeller
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

That was the strangest and most hilarious story I've ever heard.

I don't have that bad "issues" though. I can watch a game with a friend or two if I have to, but it's definitely best to watch it alone when you can scream like a little girl.

So the Finns prefer to bend, eh? :)

..Should be a great game. If Ovechkin is going to get double shifted a lot, who knows, it might turn out OK. Datsyuk's line and Yashin's line have to come up huge tomorrow. Nothing is more important than staying out of the penalty box...

I think its going to help us a lot that we beat Brodeur in a game that was 0-0 for 40 minutes. This very recent memory should give our guys a good reason to stay patient. And if both teams stay patient, finishing ability on a couple of chances will decide the game. Somehow, I am much more confident in Nabokov shutting down Selanne when it matters, than I would be in Niittymaki shutting down Ovechkin.

It is all a mystery, though, let the best team win!

I'm gonna tell you a personal, but still a funny story.

My dad is Czech and lives in Prague. I went there in August-September 2004 so I'd be able to watch the World Cup of Hockey on TV because they weren't showing a single game in France (where I usually live).

But since my dad can't enjoy a game while someone else is watching with him, and me neither, each one of us put a TV in his room, and we were watching the same game in 2 different rooms! :biglaugh:

The best part : we had those "meetings" in the living room during the intermission time to discuss each period. :sarcasm:

And sometimes, when the Czechs scored a goal, he'd run into my room screaming "did you see that??????? DID YOU SEE THAAAAAAAT?" :biglaugh:

:propeller


That's a pretty funny story. :)

I am sure that it's a pain to live in a country with poor hockey TV coverage if you are a huge hockey fan, and that's why I think that the broadband internet is the biggest invention of the 21st century so far. :bow: For example, 2004 world cup was the first competition that I watched live via internet (through one of the espn sister websites). Then I also watched WC 2005 via mediazone.com The only problem that sometimes you have to use proxies to access those websites.

I am sure that it's a pain to live in a country with poor hockey TV coverage if you are a huge hockey fan, and that's why I think that the broadband internet is the biggest invention of the 21st century so far.

Unfortunately my Internet Service Provider is masking
their IP address (and mine too at the same time), so the
servers who provide a live stream over the internet cannot
determine if I am inside Eurovision area or not.

So no live coverage via the net for me. :madfire:

I'm thinking of going over to my ISP company and shoot
a few pucks around the office. :madfire:

well at least we can download games :D

You guys are getting me excited. I can't wait for the game and I have never set foot in either country! :handclap:

12-1 Russia. Ovechkin scores 9 goals, saves a cat from a tree, cures cancer between periods.

Niko Kapanen scores for Finland.

Ovechkin scores 9 goals, saves a cat from a tree, cures cancer between periods.


:biglaugh: :clap:

12-1 Russia. Ovechkin scores 9 goals, saves a cat from a tree, cures cancer between periods.

Niko Kapanen scores for Finland.
I was about to say the same thing. this ovechkin guy is freakin amazing.

12-1 Russia. Ovechkin scores 9 goals, saves a cat from a tree, cures cancer between periods.

Niko Kapanen scores for Finland.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

Ovechkin is almost as good as Aki :eek:

I'm thinking going over to my ISP company and shoot
a few pucks around the office. :madfire:

LOL! You should also bring Jarkko Ruutu with you if throwing the pucks around the offcie doesn't help. :)

well at least we can download games
Exactly! God bless internet :bow:

:jump: 12-1 Russia. Ovechkin scores 9 goals, saves a cat from a tree, cures cancer between periods.

Niko Kapanen scores for Finland.
you really underrate The Ovey One. :shakehead

Proshkin isn't on Team Russia, we stand no chance. He is the only player in the world that could hope of rivaling Aki Berg.

So Irina lost today. By the law of conservation of success, we have to win tomorrow :D

So Irina lost today. By the law of conservation of success, we have to win tomorrow :D



But even though Slutzkaya (I laugh whenever I say this name) only came in 3rd, Russia's womens biathalon team unexpectedly beat Germany in some relay :cry:

So Irina lost today. By the law of conservation of success, we have to win tomorrow :D
You know what, Den? Your law works. It worked on Wednesday. I'd say if this is going to work on Friday, then we should proclaim this law as Den's law.

This is going to be FINTASTIC! ....at least i hope so....still I'm worried.

Salo's lost to Finland is worse than Malkin's lost to Russia...I'm worried how Kukkonen will get in to the game...

This will be a excitement game at least for my heart...I hope it won't stop beating. Well me and my mates will be checking this from bar and I guess more than few pints of beer will help. And to be certain I will record the game if it happens I don't remember nothing from the evening.

Bring it on! :yo:

I guess you need to buy KOFF instead of Karjala then :biglaugh:

No no no no no.

You cannot buy KOFF for this game. Koff = Sinebrychoff = Russian name = Russia winning

Karjala = red & black, two sword hands facing each other = heart of Finland = Finland winning

We fought them Soviets over Karjala, we fought the Tsarist Russians over Karjala.. besides..

Karjala sponsors the national team..

Today, I plan to buy 12 pack of Karjala, scream my lungs out and celebrate by demanding the return of Karjala or drown my sorrows and blame it all on the loss of Karjala.. :D

After that.. I won't buy Karjala until the next olympics.. (don't like the taste, but it is necessary to build up national feeling for occasion like this)

But even though Slutzkaya (I laugh whenever I say this name) only came in 3rd, Russia's womens biathalon team unexpectedly beat Germany in some relay :cry:

No, no, it was quite expected. They were clear favorites from the very beginnig. And you can't compare the public value of a biathlon gold to the freaking figure skating. :jump:

No no no no no.

You cannot buy KOFF for this game. Koff = Sinebrychoff = Russian name = Russia winning

Karjala = red & black, two sword hands facing each other = heart of Finland = Finland winning

We fought them Soviets over Karjala, we fought the Tsarist Russians over Karjala.. besides..

Karjala sponsors the national team..

Today, I plan to buy 12 pack of Karjala, scream my lungs out and celebrate by demanding the return of Karjala or drown my sorrows and blame it all on the loss of Karjala.. :D

After that.. I won't buy Karjala until the next olympics.. (don't like the taste, but it is necessary to build up national feeling for occasion like this)

That was good one Raimo, I guess I'm buying Karjala today too :) ... I'll also have to stop buying KOFF from now on for couple of months --> HIFK losing :sarcasm:

SHAIBU SUOMI!

Who is palying goalie for Finland ?

Who is palying goalie for Finland ?
Without any official confirmation, I guess it's safe to say, Niittymäki. Unless we're settling for bronzegame already.

Unless we're settling for bronzegame already.

That might be the case as Selanne says in his Russian interview that "if we loose to Russia - we can leave with that defeat"

That might be the case as Selanne says in his Russian interview that "if we loose to Russia - we can leave with that defeat"

Good comment by selänne.Good,we are clear underdogs and that is good for team spirit. :handclap:

This years Russian squad is awesome mix of skill, mental and physical toughness and team effort. :bow:

We have to counter skill with grit and effort, I'm sure every one will raise their level. Hopefully thats enough. 3-2 Finns.

Team Russia is, imo, the best team of the tournament. Their only possible flaw is that they might play with a lack of team effort. That doesn't happen in every game but it happens sometimes. I'm just going wish that to happen tonight. Team Finland is a clear underdog tonight. Team Russia has more skill but since this a team game, a team with less skill can win if they play more as a team. That's our only hope but I'm sticking to it.

I also hope this will be a great game.

Shame that these two don´t meet in the final, but they both are already WINNERS in my book. Not much was expected from them (especially Finland) and here they are.

Russia seems to have most of the advantages, especially in the skill department, but I think they are also more unpredictable. Of course this is slightly different Team Russia. Those young hungry guns have really brought new fire to the team (that Ovechkin truly LOVES to score!) and coaching & goaltending work very well too, as many times mentioned here. I still think that if someone is going to fail miserably, it will be Russia. The Finns are more reliable in that way...

Whoever wins, I´ll be cheering them in the final. But I have to say that Finland - Sweden final would give me the biggest goose-bumps! Then again, I have hoped success for Russia for many years now... This is tough!

I hope we see a great game.

Go Russia!!!

As far as I can understand both teams are approximate equal. But did have Finnland won olympia or world cup yet??? I know Russia did.

As far as I can understand both teams are approximate equal. But did have Finnland won olympia or world cup yet??? I know Russia did.

Russia has never won World Cup or Olympic Gold.
The Soviet Union has and so has the Commonwealth of Indepent States. But Russia, no.

So they too, will desperately want to win a "first".

Russia has never won World Cup or Olympic Gold.
The Soviet Union has and so has the Commonwealth of Indepent States. But Russia, no.

So they too, will desperately want to win a "first".

Pls..dan't talk ******** here...But if you want to differ Russia and SU. Here you go:

1993 RUSSIA won the world cup in Munich/Germany !!

Pls..dan't talk ******** here...But if you want to differ Russia and SU. Here you go:

1993 RUSSIA won the world cup in Munich/Germany !!

Canda Cup
1976 Canada Czechoslovakia USSR
1981 USSR Canada Czechoslovakia
1984 Canada Sweden USSR
1987 Canada USSR Sweden
1991 Canada USA Finland

World Cup of Hockey
1996 USA Canada Sweden
2004 Canada Finland Czech Republic & USA

Where praytell, do you see Russia?

do tidy up the language, and do check up your facts first.

kthnxbye

12-1 Russia. Ovechkin scores 9 goals, saves a cat from a tree, cures cancer between periods.

Niko Kapanen scores for Finland.
You are severely underestimating AO. Do I smell a Crosby fan here?

Pls..dan't talk ******** here...But if you want to differ Russia and SU. Here you go:

1993 RUSSIA won the world cup in Munich/Germany !!

I think you might have a little mix up
with World Cup/World Championships.

Even if the World Champs in football are
called World Cup, in hockey the case is
not the same. :teach:

1993 RUSSIA won the world cup in Munich/Germany !!

World Championships, NOT World Cup.

What's the matter with Kipper, why isn't he pegged to start? If old Kipper isn't starting- what does that do for both teams morale?
Seeing how Russia (Kovalchuk in particular) talked crap about Slovak's goaltending being Russia's trump card, then losing the game, without scoring a goal....

What's the matter with Kipper, why isn't he pegged to start? If old Kipper isn't starting- what does that do for both teams morale?


Are you serious? Kipper isn't in this tournament.

Canda Cup
1976 Canada Czechoslovakia USSR
1981 USSR Canada Czechoslovakia
1984 Canada Sweden USSR
1987 Canada USSR Sweden
1991 Canada USA Finland

World Cup of Hockey
1996 USA Canada Sweden
2004 Canada Finland Czech Republic & USA

Where praytell, do you see Russia?

do tidy up the language, and do check up your facts first.

kthnxbye

Did you replaced your brain with wikipedia?? However, I would like to see you weeping tonight after Russia has won 10-0 :jump:

Are you serious? Kipper isn't in this tournament.

I think he meant to send his post to the Official Denial
thread someone opened after the QFs :biglaugh:

However, I would like to see you weeping tonight after Russia has won 10-0 :jump:

10-0 ?

Tell me this, if Russia coudn't beat Latvia 10-0 or Kazakstan 10-0, how will they do that against the World Cup silver medallists?

:jump: right back at you.

Did you replaced your brain with wikipedia??

Oh no, I only wanted you to point out that 1993 World Cup gold to me because I must be blind if I don't see it..

3-2 Finland

Championship, not Cup.

Nope, Finland won silver in the last World Cup. Finland won gold in the 1995 World Championships.

Edit: Except that I don't know if the players got any actual medals from the World Cup but the point still stands.

Are you serious? Kipper isn't in this tournament.
Im serious. But here are my excuses 1) Not a Finland fan. 2) Work during the times games are played. Someone tell me, please, how to program a VCR to start recording at a certain time.
Now I remeber reading something about Kipper recuperating in some sunny spot.

Hopefully 3-2 Russia.

However, we have a bad habit of taking useless penalties, and Finland have a sick powerplay, so I guess I'm hoping for the best while expecting the worst. Finland 4-2.

Damn, it's gonna be as hot as Russia vs. Canada GDT thread :)

Someone tell me, please, how to program a VCR to start recording at a certain time.

Press the ON button. Tell to the machine slowly: Record, Finland - Russia semifinal, and the time you want. And then press OFF.

Argh! nervous, so nervous! 8 looooooong hours. I just hope we can win and go to FINal. Sweden-Finland final on Sunday please :p: Would be WWIII hehe! SUOMI! In Antero We Trust!

Im serious. But here are my excuses 1) Not a Finland fan. 2) Work during the times games are played. Someone tell me, please, how to program a VCR to start recording at a certain time.
Now I remeber reading something about Kipper recuperating in some sunny spot.

Not a problem, I was just surprised someone had managed to avoid the whole Kipper- issue at these boards. Anyway, Antero Niittymäki will most likely play for Finland.

:D I get to get home early to watch this!

Damn, I woke up at 1 pm ... I was really hoping I could sleep until 8.30 pm :sarcasm:

Damn, I woke up at 1 pm ... I was really hoping I could sleep until 8.30 pm :sarcasm:

Grab ur stick and helmet an get back to bed :biglaugh:

Grab ur stick and helmet an get back to bed :biglaugh:

:biglaugh:

Nah, I think I'm just gonna watch some porn for 2 hours :sarcasm:

Oh wait, I must not forget to eat! :propeller

Nah, I think I'm just gonna watch some porn for 2 hours

Yeah, and recover from it for the resting 6 hrs :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

It's just that the way Jarkko Ruutu is playing (and he has a reputation of a dirty guy in NHL for a good reason), I can easily imagine him not only knocking a guy down in a dark alley, but also kicking him to death and at the same time mocking him. I may be wrong about my assessment of him, but that's the perception I get. Vancouver played in NY and Ruutu was outmuscling our little guys - Prucha, Straka... and talking **** to them at the same time. God, I wanted to get down on ice and just shoot him execution style without any comments.

:shakehead

Whaaa.. Jarkko Ruutu is probably the nicest and most soft spoken guy you could meet off the ice, he wouldn't even hurt a fly. What you see on ice is just Jarkkos on-ice personality where he agitates the opposing team with his constant smirk and verbal assaults. And that has worked for him so far.

Dirty or not he's no rat, but a guy who can stand up for himself and fight if he has to.

The Jagr hit was clean, just get over it.

... The Jagr hit was clean, just get over it.
... at least according to the Finns. ;)

... at least according to the Finns. ;)

And Sundin says they gave their all... ;)

... at least according to the Finns. ;)

According to people with eyesight, access to the videoclips and at least some sort of basic understanding of hockey rules.

To the blind and uninformed, or to those who have not even seen it, it still remains a dirty hit.

Finnish teletext page 661:

Salo is not playing tonight.
Kukkonen dresses up as the 7th D.

According to people with eyesight, access to the videoclips and at least some sort of basic understanding of hockey rules.

To the blind and uninformed, or to those who have not even seen it, it still remains a dirty hit.
We won't go there again.

We won't go there again.

I agree.
Let's drop these.
Both ways.

I'm rooting for Russia...this would be a great game for Pasha to step up and show his stuff. He's been quietly stacking up the assists and points, and what better time to come out of the shadows and let the world see just how good he really is.

The Stanley Cup playoffs?

If Russia is going with 11 forwards their coach would be wise to double shift AO the entire game.

He has played an avg of 20 minutes/game in Washington and has even played up to 25-26 range some games. Thats a TON of ice time for a forward..especially the tempo he plays at each shift.

Finns better shadow him with a forward or else he will eat those Dmen alive.

Go Russia.Wondering if Kasp will be putting any hits on anyone? :D :yo:

Go Russia.Wondering if Kasp will be putting any hits on anyone? :D :yo:

I hope so.

FINs are not exactly the softest team when it comes
to physical play in these games. But it's good fun to
see decents hits and IMO they're an essential part of
hockey.

Go Russia.Wondering if Kasp will be putting any hits on anyone? :D :yo:

Ruutu wants Russia and Kasp wants Ruutu :D

Suomi voittoon saatana! Go Finland Go! (4-3)

I have 4 hopes for the semifinal against Russia:

1. S. Koivu finds back to the preeliminary form. Hed didn't play as well as usual against USA, in fact the whole 1st line not. By the way he has been named to the IOC Athlethes Commission. It's a honor for him.

2. Hopefully it will be a physical and good game, with nice actions and fair.

3. The Finns don't play so defensive like against the USA in the 3rd period, if they play like that, they will lose surely.

4. The Finns win and reach the final game. I'm rather pessimistic concerning this, because Russia has a very strong and good team with extremely talented and very skilled players. Ok, the Finns also have, but they tend to fail in the real important games.

But ok, as the Finns are not the favorites in this game, may be there is a chance, because they play mostly better as underdogs.

So if Russia wins, life goes on and doesn't stop.

Go Russia. Somehow I get the feeling Ovechkin will dominate this game... just a feeling ;)

Go Russia. Somehow I get the feeling Ovechkin will dominate this game... just a feeling ;)

Never underestimate the power of the Finns.

I'm avoiding the internet and radio like the plague this afternoon...I'm record both semifinals games. Just checking in for a quick prediction...

Finland 3 (Selanne 2, Peltonen)
Russia 2 (Ovechkin, Kovalchuk

Never underestimate the power of the Finns.
Especially, the power of Aki Berg :yo:

SHAIBUUUUUUUU ROSSIJAAAAAAAAA ! SA NASHU RODINUUUUUUUU !!!!! :bow:

Canada 1 medal in 3 Olympics !!!!!!!! That's a shame for a country wich has more hockey players (550 000) than all of the big European Country TOGETHER. Since 10-15 years the very best players in the world were Jagr Forsberg Bure Selanne and today they're all involved!!! So Russia after Silver and Bronze it's now time for Gold Medal!!! Really Canada and the USA sucks in olympic hockey, well at least the US were abble to win with their amateurs a couple of times. Canada the land of hockey 1998 Olympics= #4 2006 Olympics=#7 behind the Swiss !!!!!! Go Russia today Kovalchuk will need to score finally...

And what is happening with Korolyuk finally?

I like the atmosphere a lot more when Canada isn't involved.. A lot less fighting..

Although as a Russian, I have to tell some of the others to pipe down.. There are 1 or 2 fellow Russkis that are gloating and acting Canadian.

Anyways,

РОССИЯ ВПЕРЕД!!!!

Ruutu wants Russia and Kasp wants Ruutu :D

Suomi voittoon saatana! Go Finland Go! (4-3)
It would not surprise me if Ruutu faked some sort of injury so that he don't have to play against Kasp and Russia

It would not surprise me if Ruutu faked some sort of injury so that he don't have to play against Kasp and Russia

Oh come on! Ruutu aint afraid of Kasp. Not a chance.

4:2 Russia. I hope Finland but belive Russia

Great game coming!

http://www.cs.tut.fi/~mikolaj/Hockey_WC_99_Finland_-_Russia_last_minutes.mpg :cheers:

It would not surprise me if Ruutu faked some sort of injury so that he don't have to play against Kasp and Russia

:biglaugh: :yo:

It would not surprise me if Ruutu faked some sort of injury so that he don't have to play against Kasp and Russia

:biglaugh:

Are you serious!?

:biglaugh:

It would not surprise me if Ruutu faked some sort of injury so that he don't have to play against Kasp and Russia
And that clearly shows how well you exactly know Ruutu.

Oh, c'mon. Noone should blame Ruutu for being afraid of Kaspar. He is so tenacious and he looks like Pluschenko. He can pull a triple Lutz on you when you least expect it. This kind of stuff can end a hockey player's career.

I prefered the finish management would fake an injury of Ruutu. He istn't good for anything anyway, only to weaken the team with useless penalties.

Russia doesn't let impress themselves by him. If they are intelligent, they just don't let provoke them by Ruutu and let take him the penalties.

I still don't know what he has to do in the finnish national team.

But may be a miracle will happen and the Finns win despite Ruutu, even if I don't really believe in it.

Oh, c'mon. Noone should blame Ruutu for being afraid of Kaspar. He is so tenacious and he looks like Pluschenko. He can pull a triple Lutz on you when you least expect it. This kind of stuff can end a hockey player's career.

Kaspar said he tried figure skating when he was young, but they sent him away because he was too fat. :biglaugh:

Kaspar said he tried figure skating when he was young, but they sent him away because he was too fat. :biglaugh:

If you look at his photo on Torino website, he does look a bit chubby. Now he seems in a better shape, I still can't believe he's been so stellar for our team. I'd like to compare him with Chelios, good mix of passion and maturity. Don't mind seeing him in the next Olympics, maybe even with a "C" on his jersey.

Ruutu will drive some Russians up the wall today. Running his mouth, diving, borderline hits, SMILING ;) , facewashes etc. If Finland is to win, he will be a big contributer in it, be in no doubt about that. If Ruutu can get the russians to take runs at him rather than the net he has won.
He's a rat but he's our rat.

Go czechs!

If you look at his photo on Torino website, he does look a bit chubby. Now he seems in a better shape, I still can't believe he's been so stellar for our team. I'd like to compare him with Chelios, good mix of passion and maturity. Don't mind seeing him in the next Olympics, maybe even with a "C" on his jersey.

Now I was wrong about Kaspar. I didn't want him on this team and he's been fantastic for us. That said, next olympics, again, I don't want him there. He's not going to be the same player for sure.

Ruutu will drive some Russians up the wall today. Running his mouth, diving, borderline hits, SMILING ;) , facewashes etc. If Finland is to win, he will be a big contributer in it, be in no doubt about that. If Ruutu can get the russians to take runs at him rather than the net he has won.
He's a rat but he's our rat.

Yeah, that's a big concern for me. We've got some hot tampered guys who could get distracted and start retaliating instead of playing which would obviously turn into penalties and possible goals against.

Yeah, that's a big concern for me. We've got some hot tampered guys who could get distracted and start retaliating instead of playing which would obviously turn into penalties and possible goals against.

Yupp. However good and skillful a guy is,
if the concentration is lost, the player
produces only a mediocre performance.

Ruutu's job is to disturb that concentration.
And he's good at it. We'll see if he succeeds
in that today.

Ruutu will drive some Russians up the wall today. Running his mouth, diving, borderline hits, SMILING ;) , facewashes etc. If Finland is to win, he will be a big contributer in it, be in no doubt about that. If Ruutu can get the russians to take runs at him rather than the net he has won.
He's a rat but he's our rat.
It could get ugly if Kasparitis decides to return the favour.

Well now that my Team USA and Team Germany stunk up the joint I am now pulling for the Fins. Good luck

Go Russia Go! Can't wait!!!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

:D I get to get home early to watch this!
You lucky bastid! I'm stuck in school until 4. Then an 1 and 15 ride home. I hope to catch the 3rd period.

:shakehead

Whaaa.. Jarkko Ruutu is probably the nicest and most soft spoken guy you could meet off the ice, he wouldn't even hurt a fly. What you see on ice is just Jarkkos on-ice personality where he agitates the opposing team with his constant smirk and verbal assaults. And that has worked for him so far.

Dirty or not he's no rat, but a guy who can stand up for himself and fight if he has to.

The Jagr hit was clean, just get over it.
Well, then, my apologies to Jarkko Ruutu then. Still, if he'd be doing the same things to me on ice, I'd probably stab him with ice skate. And wouldn't talk **** to him at the same time either. I'd just do it. With that being said, not all Ruutus are the same. I really like Tuomo Ruutu. But Jarkko??? I guees I wouldn't have complained if he was on my team. So, I'm just being prejudiced.

Off the Ruutu subject back to the game. We have stay out of the penalty box. Finland is deadly on PP. Best in the world right now. I don't see how we can stay out of penalty box though. These guys are quick, shifty and fast. Tough match up for our 4th pairing of Zhukov and Vishnevsky. I say put the Markovs against the Koivu line.

Yeah, that's a big concern for me. We've got some hot tampered guys who could get distracted and start retaliating instead of playing which would obviously turn into penalties and possible goals against.
Agreed. I'd expect to see a lot of Ruutu against Ovechkin. Finns would probably like to see how Ruutu would be able to distract Alex. I'm afraid that Alex would try to spear Ruutu and thus he'd get DQed.

Agreed. I'd expect to see a lot of Ruutu against Ovechkin. Finns would probably like to see how Ruutu would be able to distract Alex. I'm afraid that Alex would try to spear Ruutu and thus he'd get DQed.

Yeah I was also thinking that Ruutu will matchup against Ovechkin.. I guess it's almost good that Malkin's not playing eh because he would've beat the living crap out of Ruutu and we'd have to kill a 100 minute powerplay..

Seriously though, how many Ruutus does Finland have? I think Jarko is the only agitator they really have? If that's the case, we've got 4 lines filled with players who are able to score so if Ruutu manages to get someone off his game, there will be others who should step up. I hope so at least.

Nittymaki is another big problem. That guy is stellar in net and we can't hope for another 2:0 win..

ROSSIJA wins.. wow what a game this will be!!

I say: 9-8 after shootout lol

I'm scared

I love your avatar! It's awesome! :handclap: :D :bow:

You wouldn't if you knew who that curved sabre is supposed to represent.

I don't have much clue about icehockey, but I guess the only way Finland can win is by killing, crippling or seriously injuring Ovechkin :dunno:

I'm scared
Me too, wish I could pass out till the game starts.

I don't have much clue about icehockey, but I guess the only way Finland can win is by killing, crippling or seriously injuring Ovechkin :dunno:

Yes, apparently you don't..

I'm scared
me too. only two hours to go.

so the winner of this game will play the Swedes, the loser will play the Czechs.

So it will be Sweden in Final. Comoon boys! Make the dream come true!!

We did our part. Now we are counting on Finland so we will get the ultimate SWE-FIN match.

Good luck, Finland!

Heja Suomi! :handclap:

We did our part. Now we are counting on Finland so we will get the ultimate SWE-FIN match.

Battle near Poltava sounds much more fun!!!! :biglaugh:

Go Russia! Rossiaya vpered! Shajbu!

I prefered the finish management would fake an injury of Ruutu. He istn't good for anything anyway, only to weaken the team with useless penalties.

Russia doesn't let impress themselves by him. If they are intelligent, they just don't let provoke them by Ruutu and let take him the penalties.

I still don't know what he has to do in the finnish national team.

But may be a miracle will happen and the Finns win despite Ruutu, even if I don't really believe in it.

Jarkko pretty much won us the game against the Czech :)

A smart and annoying guy on the ice, who is also pretty good at shielding and cycling the puck...

And a helluva penalty killer... Should be out there ahead of Laaksonen, Nieminen, etc.

Captain Kovalev > Captain Koivu

'Nuff said.

I'm excited to see this game get underway. Should be great stuff.

This game should be interesting... Here is to high hopes for a high scoring game! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

I'm so nervous, can't wait! :D

Hopefully this game will be good news from all the bad ones that I've been hit with. :(


Go Russia! :D

Suomi ftw!

Is CBC covering it? Or is it TSN?? in canada

Hey guys, does anyone know which channel is this game going to be on in the US?

Thank you!

Russia will take this one.

Our winning streak has to come to an end at some point.

Malkin is out, but that is like taking a bucket of sand out of the Sahara desert --> Russia is still scary as hell in the offensive department. Salo is a graeter loss to us than Malkin to team Russia.

Russia has a better goalie too from what we have seen up until now, and tomorrow I believe the team with the better goalie is going to win.

And then there is AO. What can you say about him that hasn't already been said, simply put: the best player in the world right now. :clap:
Oh man, I like this kid so much I actually won't mind him having a chance for the gold. :bow:

I totally agree with you. I already made bet against Finland so it's win/win situation for me anyway.

Winning this one would be one of the biggest win ever in Finnish hockey history. Russia is playing as a team and with the skill they have it's the biggest threat ever.

I hope finland wins.

Captain Kovalev > Captain Koivu

'Nuff said.
Ha.

In terms of leadership, captaincy, Kovalev isn't even in the same league.

Ha.

In terms of leadership, captaincy, Kovalev isn't even in the same league.

Are you a secret spy hidden in the locker or a player of both teams ?

Hoping for a good game. Two fast skating teams hopefully means good, offensive hockey.

This should be a good game! Goalies/Speed will win it. Go Suomi!

Are you a secret spy hidden in the locker or a player of both teams ?
Ironic and imbecile comment.

Gooooo Finland!!!!!, we are waiting for you in the final. Finnish sisu and team spirit will make the difference!.

Come on Finland!!

:handclap: Teemu :handclap:

Good luck to everybody, may the best team win!

I don't think this Team Russia will accept leaving these Games without the gold. Ovechkin can't be contained... And I have a feeling Kovalchuk is ready to explode.

Vpered, Rossija!

When team Russia has a better defense than your team... Spririts go pretty low >_<

Imagine had we gotten Joni for this tournament...

Im guessing Russia takes this one and goes all the way! :clap: