Analysis of USA/Canada Game

Could someone (like nomorekids or several someones) post a summary with an analysis of the game please and thanks. Even better would be one without the "P-ing" contests going on between some fans going on in the GDT.

The happiest man today is Dale Tallon.
That's the best wrap-up possible.

i watched the french rsd broadcast. on usa's roster it lists james van riemsdyk as number 20. an assist that number 20 had was given to jack skille. who is number 20? if its james vr he really impressed, and should have also gotten an assist on erik johnsons goal.

I would say more relieved than happy... Living up to the 3rd overall pick will never be easy for Toews... Great game today though!

I would say more relieved than happy... Living up to the 3rd overall pick will never be easy for Toews... Great game today though!
:confused:

I would say more relieved than happy... Living up to the 3rd overall pick will never be easy for Toews... Great game today though!

Not only Toews... but Skille as well...

LOL, I find it hilarious how there's yet to be a summary posted. haha.
Unfortunately, all I got were the postings on here since I am firewalled at work so I can't post one.

Could someone (like nomorekids or several someones) post a summary with an analysis of the game please and thanks. Even better would be one without the "P-ing" contests going on between some fans going on in the GDT.

canada dominated the first - scoring two goals, won many of the battles along the boards..first goal was downie finishing a 2 on 1, the second a pp flaoter from the point with zatkoff screened. contrary to some i don;t think the US goalie was soft on either goal (shots-9-9)...canada came out flying in the second and scored their second pp goal..we're 2/2 on the pp...and looked to run away with the game, but EJ scored on a screen from the point and the complexion of the game changed. The us got thei legs would score a second goal and pretty much play even with canada through two. mid way through the second the ref started to make some pretty dubious penalty calls for both teams. i tihnk shots were 10-6 US in the 2nd. in the 3rd...canada never really looked to be in trouble..the US couldn't convert on any of their pp chances and midway through, toews was given a PS becuase EJ through his stick at him on a clear break. toews scored. the us would get back to within one with 5 mins left on an atrocious call from the ref..the us defender, foot in crease, bumped price over and ...(name please? :) ) knocked in the reboud...canada would score two more in the last 3 minutes..including an empty netter and win 6-3..the game was never really in doubt..the Us outplayed canada for half of the second, but the canucks were pretty much in control the rest of the way

canada dominated the first - scoring two goals, won many of the battles along the boards..first goal was downie finishing a 2 on 1, the second a pp flaoter from the point with zatkoff screened. contrary to some i don;t think the US goalie was soft on either goal (shots-9-9)...canada came out flying in the second and scored their second pp goal..we're 2/2 on the pp...and looked to run away with the game, but EJ scored on a screen from the point and the complexion of the game changed. The us got thei legs would score a second goal and pretty much play even with canada through two. mid way through the second the ref started to make some pretty dubious penalty calls for both teams. i tihnk shots were 10-6 US in the 2nd. in the 3rd...canada never really looked to be in trouble..the US couldn't convert on any of their pp chances and midway through, toews was given a PS becuase EJ through his stick at him on a clear break. toews scored. the us would get back to within one with 5 mins left on an atrocious call from the ref..the us defender, foot in crease, bumped price over and ...(name please? :) ) knocked in the reboud...canada would score two more in the last 3 minutes..including an empty netter and win 6-3..the game was never really in doubt..the Us outplayed canada for half of the second, but the canucks were pretty much in control the rest of the way


Another thing, the score actually flatters the USA. Goal number 2 was a lucky bounce that rang of the boards and come out on the other side to an American player who just had to tap it in to an a pretty much empty net, and well, goal 3 just flat out should not have counted.

On Zatkoff, on the first goal, no one to blame but himself, his 5 hole was wide open i dont what he was thinking, he was down on one knee like he was in practice listening to the coach for that shot just Awful. he looked really shaky until midway through the second when he started rebounding and finished pretty strongly despite the goals. the US defense did him no favours as the game wore on.

Simply put, Canada dominated every aspect of that game PP,PK, Offensively in that they buried the're chances, Defensively held the US to the outside, yes the US fired alot of shots, but they were not quality and Price handled them rather easily. Price was good. Canada out worked, out hussled and out muscled the United States. Okposo and Skille were the best US players on the Ice and Okposo arguably the best on the ice period. the were Johnsons easily the worst, on both sides flat out.

in a nut shell, this was over in the first, the U.S managed to hang on long enough but some doubt in the Canadian Victory, but never really managed to seriously threaten it.

The U.S is in serious trouble now. And hopefully Canada doesn't get complacent with Germany and Slovakia coming up.

My assessment. Patience. Canada are patient enough to not get caught running around too much in any zone. The US had more of the puck in the first but could not completely break Canada down. Jack Johnson jumps in to a play he has no business being in and its a 2 on1. Zatkoff was caught between three minds, will he pass, shoot or deke. He did a half assed butterfly and the puck goes under his pad. So one mistake and 1 goal on a Jack Johnson lack of patience.
The game continues on in much the same vein with Canada generating nothing and the US not much more. Canada get a PP and immediately a screen shot gets through a maze and goes in. The US have not made many mistakes and are now down 2-0.
The second starts with canada pp, theb puck ping pongs around and Toews shows some patience by outwaiting Zatkoff and tucks a backhand home. This game was on the road to getting out of hand but Erik Johnson does a fine job on the next shift of creating an angle for the shot from the point. It makes its way through a maze and the US are back in business. canada proceed to try and play a steer contain but they did not steer or contain very well. Sweatt was repeatedly breaking trough the Canada trap and it paid off with a missed shot that bounced out to carmen to crash home. canada continued to mix some good forechecking with some passive play while the Us tried to generate some offense. Downie got caught up in some foolishness, Okposo was rendered useless by Parent and staal and the game trickled on. Toews got a breakaway on a mishandled puck from J.Johnson, Erik Johnson foolishly threw his stick. Toews was under presure and had to hurry his shot which Zatkoff stopped. Johnson's throw gave Toews a PS and he buried it beautifully. Sweatt continued to dance but Price and Canada did not break. Price got bowled over for the third goal and Zatkoff got run over for Canada's fifth. Patience was Canada's key and now the US has to be looking for answers. Jack Johnson is doing far more bad than good in key spots. The US needs to simplify and get hungrier around the net. The PK needs to either go completely passive or fully aggressive, they are caught in between and do not know what they want to be. Canada are almost without any type of offensive creativity and will rely on drawing PP's and then fighting for tips and rebounds. They can win this tourney by keeping with a very measured defensive game which must include a pressure forecheck. Unless they can fix thier trap in practice, teams will eat it alive and put pressure on the defense and goaltender. They have to stay aggressive but patient. do you know what I mean?

As a habs fan i'm extremely happy about Price's game today. His first goal allowed he never saw the puck, the 2nd one was a very lucky rebound and i won't even comment on the 3rd goal. He still didn't get beat with a shot or a deke yet and for someone who wasn't very happy with the Price pick when it happend i'm sure changing my mind right now! Takes alot of space around the net and is amaizing at handling the puck

Not much to say. Its not that the U.S. played a bad game it just that Canada was the better team today.

A few notes:

Goph fans enjoy Okposo now because he could have been in the NHL this year, he's that good!

J. Johnson has regressed rather than progressed. He needs to sign now and fisnish the year in the AHL.

E.Johnson - so so game...did not seem as steady as last year.

Chorney...sucked as usual!

Lee...dito!

Expected more from Mueller and Kane but both had average games.


Little doubt that the U.S. D are simply no match for Canada's D.

My assessment. Patience. Canada are patient enough to not get caught running around too much in any zone. The US had more of the puck in the first but could not completely break Canada down. Jack Johnson jumps in to a play he has no business being in and its a 2 on1. Zatkoff was caught between three minds, will he pass, shoot or deke. He did a half assed butterfly and the puck goes under his pad. So one mistake and 1 goal on a Jack Johnson lack of patience.
The game continues on in much the same vein with Canada generating nothing and the US not much more. Canada get a PP and immediately a screen shot gets through a maze and goes in. The US have not made many mistakes and are now down 2-0.
The second starts with canada pp, theb puck ping pongs around and Toews shows some patience by outwaiting Zatkoff and tucks a backhand home. This game was on the road to getting out of hand but Erik Johnson does a fine job on the next shift of creating an angle for the shot from the point. It makes its way through a maze and the US are back in business. canada proceed to try and play a steer contain but they did not steer or contain very well. Sweatt was repeatedly breaking trough the Canada trap and it paid off with a missed shot that bounced out to carmen to crash home. canada continued to mix some good forechecking with some passive play while the Us tried to generate some offense. Downie got caught up in some foolishness, Okposo was rendered useless by Parent and staal and the game trickled on. Toews got a breakaway on a mishandled puck from J.Johnson, Erik Johnson foolishly threw his stick. Toews was under presure and had to hurry his shot which Zatkoff stopped. Johnson's throw gave Toews a PS and he buried it beautifully. Sweatt continued to dance but Price and Canada did not break. Price got bowled over for the third goal and Zatkoff got run over for Canada's fifth. Patience was Canada's key and now the US has to be looking for answers. Jack Johnson is doing far more bad than good in key spots. The US needs to simplify and get hungrier around the net. The PK needs to either go completely passive or fully aggressive, they are caught in between and do not know what they want to be. Canada are almost without any type of offensive creativity and will rely on drawing PP's and then fighting for tips and rebounds. They can win this tourney by keeping with a very measured defensive game which must include a pressure forecheck. Unless they can fix thier trap in practice, teams will eat it alive and put pressure on the defense and goaltender. They have to stay aggressive but patient. do you know what I mean?

yeah - good analysis, but canada may have just beaten the two other best teams in the tourney. the US and Sweden were favored to medal.

yeah - good analysis, but canada may have just beaten the two other best teams in the tourney. the US and Sweden were favored to medal.

I cannot argue with that but they may play them again and both Sweden and the US may adjust. The medal round will still be very tough. Step 1 is staying out of QF action which it looks like Canada will do.

I cannot argue with that but they may play them again and both Sweden and the US may adjust. The medal round will still be very tough. Step 1 is staying out of QF action which it looks like Canada will do.

The U.S. is in a world of trouble. They really need to beat Sweden and Slovakia and hope Germany loses it's next two to Sweden and Canada.

I cannot argue with that but they may play them again and both Sweden and the US may adjust. The medal round will still be very tough. Step 1 is staying out of QF action which it looks like Canada will do.

Canada played badly against Sweden, they can only do better. Against the States, we were ok, but still not great. I think this team will continue to progress as the tournament goes on and the stakes goes higher.

Toews was the best player on the ice from my vantage point.

Canadas blueline never really tried to do too much, whereas the US defensemen were not taking the simple plays nearly enough. Canada made it a point to not let the US team have any sort of transition game, and if you don't turn the puck over you have a good shot at it.

Thanks for the analysis (last several posters at least). How did the Canadian D look overall?

Not much to say. Its not that the U.S. played a bad game it just that Canada was the better team today.

A few notes:

Goph fans enjoy Okposo now because he could have been in the NHL this year, he's that good!

J. Johnson has regressed rather than progressed. He needs to sign now and fisnish the year in the AHL.

E.Johnson - so so game...did not seem as steady as last year.

Chorney...sucked as usual!

Lee...dito!

Expected more from Mueller and Kane but both had average games.


Little doubt that the U.S. D are simply no match for Canada's D.

the more i watch lee, the more i think hes soft, and is very overrated. i like zimmerman though, not flashy at all, but solid defensively and plays within his limitations.

I agree with many of the other posters.I think that Toews was probably the best player on the ice for both teams. Okposo was also great for the US. Probably the lone bright spot. Seemed to create everytime he was on the ice.

Another player I was reall impressed with was Tommy Pyatt. Always seemed to be on the puck and creating turnovers. He's also great on the PK. Should be a really good 3rd liner with the Rangers. I kind of think he plays like Justin Williams. Maybe not quite as skilled, but plays the same type of game.

As usual, Marc Staal was a rock. He did get beat to the outside on that one US goal, but that was the first time ive seen that happen. He seems very controlled in his own zone, and always makes the smart play. Him and Parent are once again Canada's top 2. I think Rangers fans will be very happy with this kid, and should make the rags next year.

Wow, is all i can say about the two Johnson's. And I mean wow in a bad way. These two, at least judging from yesterday's game, lacked any sort of hockey sense in any way.

JJ was making bad pinch after bad pinch, one which led directly to a goal, and just didnt seem to make smart decisions. It seems that he was too busy trying to hit people, that he forgot what his job was.

As far as EJ goes, i was not impressed at all. Sure he showed some flashes, but he made some bad decisions. And seemed to be diving all over the ice. I remember three plays when a canadian forward got behind him and he was forced to dive to recover. I think he threw his stick on Toews breakaway also, alshtough that could have bee JJ.

Anyway, Staal and Parent, clearly outplayed the two Johnsons. I was really worried about those two from a canadian standpoint, but they have looked really average in both of their games.

Also, as a sidenote, I enjoyed watching Okposo skate. That kid can really play, and may be with the Isles sooner rather than later. Really great wheels, great hands, and a nice shot. Never quits on the play either.

Billy Sweatt was the best us player out there yesterday...the kid has wheels, and it seemed like when he touched the puck, something happened for the US. (in a good way...)

EJ is trying to do too much...

Mueller impressed me in the Germany game, but he looked kinda iffy out there against Canada...and that was a horrid pass that led to Helm's first goal.

I'd imagine Frazee will start the next two games...Its not that Zatkoff has played badly, but the team in front of him has been mediocre at best.

Milk Carton Alert: Jamie MacBain. I thought he was on the team.

I'd like to see Mike Carman play some more for the US...he is a sparkplug for the Gophers, I dont see any reason why he cant do that for the US.

The US cant score for squat, so Ron Rolston- shake up the lines.

Wow,

Wings fans, Helm needs to work on his interviews.

"I...uh...made the most of my opportunity...I...uh...thought I...uh...had some opportunities that I missed...so when I...uh got an opportunity...I made the most of it."


Poor kid.

Any reviews of Lawson's play? With the Johnsons' mediocre performance, did he see any more ice than expected.

the more i watch lee, the more i think hes soft, and is very overrated. i like zimmerman though, not flashy at all, but solid defensively and plays within his limitations.

I agree on Lee being soft. Unless he radically changes his game, he'll have to be paired with a banger at the next level. For a player who has good size he is obsessed with the finesse approach. That has it's place, but you have to have some moxie.

Billy Sweatt was the best us player out there yesterday...the kid has wheels, and it seemed like when he touched the puck, something happened for the US. (in a good way...)

EJ is trying to do too much...

Mueller impressed me in the Germany game, but he looked kinda iffy out there against Canada...and that was a horrid pass that led to Helm's first goal.

I'd imagine Frazee will start the next two games...Its not that Zatkoff has played badly, but the team in front of him has been mediocre at best.

Milk Carton Alert: Jamie MacBain. I thought he was on the team.

I'd like to see Mike Carman play some more for the US...he is a sparkplug for the Gophers, I dont see any reason why he cant do that for the US.

The US cant score for squat, so Ron Rolston- shake up the lines.

The use (or non use) of McBain raises an ongoing issue with the way the U.S. brass selects the defense. Instead of taking a guy (or two-or three) like McBain that will hardly play, why not take a couple of guys that could play key minutes in case the group as a whole falters? The core of this defense is clearly struggling, but McBain (this year) isn't the answer. A guy like Mike Sauer or Mike Weber/Joey Ryan would have been a godsend.

The use (or non use) of McBain raises an ongoing issue with the way the U.S. brass selects the defense. Instead of taking a guy (or two-or three) like McBain that will hardly play, why not take a couple of guys that could play key minutes in case the group as a whole falters? The core of this defense is clearly struggling, but McBain (this year) isn't the answer. A guy like Mike Sauer or Mike Weber/Joey Ryan would have been a godsend.

Yeah and this is why I and a few other posters have been more than dismayed with the selection process and USA's clear NCAA bias. To think that they picked McBain over Sauer!!!!

In a sense I am glad they are doing poorly and I hope that they crash and burn all the way to the bottom becasue then we just might have the shake up that we so desperatly need.

Yeah and this is why I and a few other posters have been more than dismayed with the selection process and USA's clear NCAA bias. To think that they picked McBain over Sauer!!!!

In a sense I am glad they are doing poorly and I hope that they crash and burn all the way to the bottom becasue then we just might have the shake up that we so desperatly need.


Change would be nice, but unlikely with the current regime in place.

McBain is a solid two way defensemen (top 60 pick this year). He rarely gets beat and has great stick skills. He's very smart with the puck and is quite effective on the power play. He could be playing right now and contributing significantly. Not saying Sauer wouldn't be a better pick for this tourney but my feeling is Rolston is rolling four D and that is a mistake when they aren't playing solid D first in a short tournament where every mistake is magnified.

Can USA still make playoffs?