WC: May 6 GDT - Sweden vs. Finland

http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments_07/output/WS/hydra.iihf.com/113/

Hopefully, this will be a great game.

I will give the edge to Finland, in this game we will notice the importance of great goaltenders.

Finland wins, 3-1.

Hopefully this will turn into a goalie battle ;)

2-1 Finland.

These games can go eihter way, Finland has been having trouble with their lines and thats not a good sign. On the other hand Finland has more NHL players, so..

These games can go eihter way, Finland has been having trouble with their lines and thats not a good sign. On the other hand Finland has more NHL players, so..

And Finland has a goaltender ^^

Hopefully Jarkko Ruutu will renounce on his stupid checks, which only lead to an unnecessary match penalty.

Finland wins this one, easily. 5-2.

This is it, we don't care about any medals, the only thing that matters in this tournament is that we crush Finland. :madfire:

:)

Hopefully Jarkko Ruutu will renounce on his stupid checks, which only lead to an unnecessary match penalty.

If it's on Hedström, It's a must :)

Quite funny that there's more talk about hedström than about ruutu! Hedström have already won the pre-game fight :sarcasm:

And Finland has a goaltender ^^

One wonders if Lethonen remembers the last game he duelled a swedish goaltender?

April 17:th, at MSG, vs Lundqvist, 7 - 0 or something? :)

Lets see how this turns out. Everytime Finland and Sweden plays I give the edge to Swedes. I haven't really seen Swedes play in this tounament but I assume that they are playing as they normally do. Especially in this match-up anything can happen. I hope this J.Ruutu-Hedström thingy is not only made up by the press and something interesting happens on that front too.. :)

One wonders if Lethonen remembers the last game he duelled a swedish goaltender?

April 17:th, at MSG, vs Lundqvist, 7 - 0 or something? :)

Well, Backlund/Henriksson aren't really that close to being Lundqvist :)

Well, Backlund/Henriksson aren't really that close to being Lundqvist :)

Maybe Bengan should buy a mask and disguise Bäckström to look like Nylander :)

Maybe Bengan should buy a mask and disguise Bäckström to look like Nylander :)

And while at it, buy a mask for Hedström making him look like a man ^^

I hope this J.Ruutu-Hedström thingy is not only made up by the press and something interesting happens on that front too.. :)

Not entirely made up.
They don't like each other very much :)
I might have to do with Jonte stating to media that Ruutu was just a clownish thug that couldn't play hockey and calling the entire finnish lions for 'muppets' :)

But I'd say that Jonte has mellowed a bit since last.
He's still gritty and needs to be angry to play, but he is less likely to do something stupid.

He'll most likely try to get either of the Ruutu's to snap and get ejected, but I think that he'll try to stay on the ice.

And while at it, buy a mask for Hedström making him look like a man ^^
:handclap: :biglaugh:

...you owe me money for clean up of the coffee I just spilled onto my keyboard :yo:

And while at it, buy a mask for Hedström making him look like a man ^^

That's not a mask, it's serious plastic and dental surgery :)

Currently he looks like a member of Lordi.

On a somewhat different note.

Someone who knows the bracket good enough to know if we still can face the Lions in the final no matter who wins this game?

Someone who knows the bracket good enough to know if we still can face the Lions in the final no matter who wins this game?

Given how Sweden have played so far, you don't need to know the bracket (new meaning of the word bracket learned today) to figure out the answer to that one, "miracle on ice" I tell ya :sarcasm:

I heard that dreaded Czech Milan Minar will be the ref for the game. Oh god please no... I expect around 284 PIM, the last 20 on Hedström because he coughed funny.

Bottomline is, that ref is a skating disaster and the game will be decided on the countless PP opportunities.

Finnish TV asked Ruutu if he wanted to send any greetings to Jonathan Hedström after yesterdays game. Ruutu smiled a bit and said "Jonathan who?"

I think those two will try to get under eachothers skin all night, and probably they will be diving for penalties against eachother.

I kinda hope they would just drop the gloves and go. Ruutu would naturally kick his butt, but if it becomes a diving competition I think Hedström wins that.

Should be an interesting game for sure.

Westerlund is making no sense with these line changes, now Kontiola and Bergenheim are benched..

One thing is certain, Finland is missing first line center.

Bottomline is, that ref is a skating disaster and the game will be decided on the countless PP opportunities.

All of the refs I have seen so far have been disasters. Hitting is not allowed but hooking and interference is just ok in their book. As long as the ref is fair for both teams and judges every player with the same rules, it's all good.

The way I see it the outcome of today's game is unimportant in the sense that all of the teams that will advance from the other group are equally tough imo. So it doesn't matter if Finland finishes first or fourth in their own group the quarter-final is going to be difficult no matter what (based on history it would be nice to avoid the Czech's or Canada though).

Having said that, you have to remember the first rule of hockey: You do not lose to Sweden!

If Finland can beat Sweden and maybe finish ahead of them in the final standings I'll be satisfied even if we don't get a medal.:)

I think Sweden will win this game, it doesn't matter how many nhl-players we have or how much stronger we look on paper, since we always panic against Sweden. And I somehow doubt that our excellent tactic of winning games from the penalty box will work today.:sarcasm:

And Jarkko: I expect you to do your worst. Show this Jonathon Headstorm character the place of the closet.:teach:

I heard that dreaded Czech Milan Minar will be the ref for the game. Oh god please no... I expect around 284 PIM, the last 20 on Hedström because he coughed funny.

Bottomline is, that ref is a skating disaster and the game will be decided on the countless PP opportunities.

So true. We have some absolutely dreadful refs in SM-liiga and even then when Minar comes over in that ref-exchange-thing i find myself preparing mentally for his brainfarts. :p:

On a somewhat different note.

Someone who knows the bracket good enough to know if we still can face the Lions in the final no matter who wins this game?

Answering myself.
The Swiss can be regarded a lock for 4:th in group E (unless they turn the current game against Russia around, I'd call it unlikely).

Then we can have the final we want, unless sweden wins the group (beating both Finland and Russia).

I heard that dreaded Czech Milan Minar will be the ref for the game. Oh god please no... I expect around 284 PIM, the last 20 on Hedström because he coughed funny.

Bottomline is, that ref is a skating disaster and the game will be decided on the countless PP opportunities.

:rant: What the ****? Haven't he been sent home by now?! :shakehead

One wonders if Lethonen remembers the last game he duelled a swedish goaltender?

April 17:th, at MSG, vs Lundqvist, 7 - 0 or something? :)

Nobody will ever confuse Jonas Backlund with Henrik Lundqvist, and I doubt Finland will bw as overmatched as Atl was in that game.

Tomi Kallio with Ruutu and Koivu, you have to be kidding me:rant: He just plain sucks. And Bergenheim + Kontiola scratches? Erkka has officially lost his mind. He's putting together the lineup based on who played well against Italy?????

Tomi Kallio with Ruutu and Koivu, you have to be kidding me:rant: He just plain sucks. And Bergenheim + Kontiola scratches? Erkka has officially lost his mind. He's putting together the lineup based on who played well against Italy?????

The scary part is that Tomi "watch me dominate Uganda" Kallio didn't even play well aginst Italy.

I've said it for years: Kallio shouldn't even be considered for the national team. I don't care how many scoring titles you win in the Elitserien, you always suck when playing for Finland

I really don't understand why so many in this forum are so eager to see fights, dirty hits against the head, blood bleeding, injuries that destroy may be whole season of a player.

If you want to see boxing instead of icehockey then watch boxing, hits against the head of the opponent player etc. then watch combat fighting or however it's called, there it is normal.

But icehockey is a sport which demand skating skills, shootings skills, intelligence and cleverness on the ice and is not a war, where the aim is to destroy the health of the opponent player.

For me it's ok that the IIHF punishes every check against the head consequently with a match penalty, I would go further and lock out every player for the rest of the tournament.

Those players from the NHL have to change their attitude if they play in a tournament of the IIHF. For me it's ok that they try to protect the players from dirty hits and want to protect their healt. If the NHL thinks that it's ok to ruin the health or the career of the players, it's theirs problem.

Tomi Kallio with Ruutu and Koivu, you have to be kidding me:rant: He just plain sucks. And Bergenheim + Kontiola scratches? Erkka has officially lost his mind. He's putting together the lineup based on who played well against Italy?????

No, Kallio did not play well against Italy. He has not played well against anyone. But maybe Erkka thinks that because Kallio is such a producer in elitserien, he will turn it around against sweden.

I would have sent him packing already, and Pärssinen too.

Why the heck is Kontiola scratched? :O


And why is Tomi Kallio playing?

I really don't understand why so many in this forum are so eager to see fights, dirty hits against the head, blood bleeding, injuries that destroy may be whole season of a player.


Has anyone here wanted to see dirty hits? I have missed that part completely.

Hockey is a contact sport, people want to see hitting but of course the hits need to be clean. Ovechkin was just sent out for a dirty hit against Switzerland and thats cool, he hit nothing but the players head. He should get suspended for 2 games because Weber got 3 games out of that elbow which was even more wrong.

I really don't understand why so many in this forum are so eager to see fights, dirty hits against the head, blood bleeding, injuries that destroy may be whole season of a player.

If you want to see boxing instead of icehockey then watch boxing, hits against the head of the opponent player etc. then watch combat fighting or however it's called, there it is normal.

But icehockey is a sport which demand skating skills, shootings skills, intelligence and cleverness on the ice and is not a war, where the aim is to destroy the health of the opponent player.

For me it's ok that the IIHF punishes every check against the head consequently with a match penalty, I would go further and lock out every player for the rest of the tournament.

Those players from the NHL have to change their attitude if they play in a tournament of the IIHF. For me it's ok that they try to protect the players from dirty hits and want to protect their healt. If the NHL thinks that it's ok to ruin the health or the career of the players, it's theirs problem.

If you don't like mens' sports, it's easy. Watch ringuette.

Well, Backlund/Henriksson aren't really that close to being Lundqvist :)Hush, don't tell BÅG.

I really don't understand why so many in this forum are so eager to see fights, dirty hits against the head, blood bleeding, injuries that destroy may be whole season of a player.


I haven't seen a single such post.

Do we anticipate the Ruutus, Hedström and other to go out and play physical? Yes.

Do we expect them to yap and tease? Yes.

But I haven't seen anything about hoping that anyone will play dirty or anyone getting hurt.

But icehockey is a sport which demand skating skills, shootings skills, intelligence and cleverness on the ice and is not a war, where the aim is to destroy the health of the opponent player.


The floorball-forums is that way *points* :cry:

Of course there is a line that mustn't be crossed between hard, physical play and merely cowardly, ugly and dirty (where the latter is e.g. using your stick as a guillotine).

But once you start handing out penalties just because a player got hurt, it's not hockey anymore (remember the first rule of hockey: "keep your head up") but floorball...

EDIT: obviously the last part of my post does *not* imply that I enjoy watching people get hurt (well, unless it's on hidden camera ;)!

Tomi Kallio with Ruutu and Koivu, you have to be kidding me:rant: He just plain sucks. And Bergenheim + Kontiola scratches? Erkka has officially lost his mind. He's putting together the lineup based on who played well against Italy?????

I can only think that Erkka doesn't see this game as an important one but rather as one more testing ground for different line combos before the playoff round starts.

If our goalie plays well, I say 3-1 Finland...if he doesn't, it's 5-3 Sweden.

I can only think that Erkka doesn't see this game as an important one but rather as one more testing ground for different line combos before the playoff round starts.

If our goalie plays well, I say 3-1 Finland...if he doesn't, it's 5-3 Sweden.

Maybe he's taking a page from Bengan's book from last year.
He was fiddling with his lines all the way up to the final games.

Just hope that he knows that losing tonight will not give him an easier quarter :)

I really don't understand why so many in this forum are so eager to see fights, dirty hits against the head, blood bleeding, injuries that destroy may be whole season of a player.



Huh? No one has expressed any eagerness for such things, let alone "many". Get off your high horse.


As for the ref, yeah, that guy is just wrong. As I said after seeing him in an earlier game, I'm not exactly the "anything goes, let them play" type, but he calls way too many ticky-tack penalties, some of them not even borderline. And I like a tight, consistently-called game. But that clown is just too much.

So, seen lousy russian defence yet again I hope Finland wins this game today.
Go Suomi! :yo:

I think Finland can win this one....

Thing that worries me is Finlands ability to always take stupid penalties, particularly when refs in these WC's are calling everything, and against Sweden...

Im going Fin 4-3 Swe

Milan Minar. There goes all expectations I had for some good entertainment. I now expect this game to be long, frustrating and a one-man show. :banghead:

Milan Minar. There goes all expectations I had for some good entertainment. I now expect this game to be long, frustrating and a one-man show. :banghead:

/agree

Why is this cavetroll allowed to ref these games? :shakehead

Beer in fridge? Check.
TV cleaned? Check.
Door locked? Check.
Telephone turned off? Check.

Let's go hunting for lions :)

Milan Minar. There goes all expectations I had for some good entertainment. I now expect this game to be long, frustrating and a one-man show. :banghead:

http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments_07/output/WS/hydra.iihf.com/113/IHM113E41_54B_1_0.pdf

this says Brent Reiber (CAN) is the Ref (?)

Milan Minar. There goes all expectations I had for some good entertainment. I now expect this game to be long, frustrating and a one-man show. :banghead:

Milnar was referee at Rus vs. Sui game, No ? But you are quite right about frustrating one-man show

Beer in fridge? Check.


Amateur! How are you going to get it from there without missing a second? :amazed:

Really annoying that the Sabres - Rangers game will start before this games has ended.

Multitasking function in brain: ON. Now I have to eat a pizza, that function drains so much energy.

Amateur! How are you going to get it from there without missing a second? :amazed:
I can see one of the TV's from the fridge of course.

Really annoying that the Sabres - Rangers game will start before this games has ended.

Multitasking function in brain: ON. Now I have to eat a pizza, that function drains so much energy.

Yeah, we should call NHL and ask them to delay Sabres - Rangers an hour or so.

GO!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/picpops/images/lion22.jpg
GO!

http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/d30-7/lion-yawning.jpg
GO!

http://www.chocablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/lion1.jpg
GO!

http://www.megomuseum.com/woz/images/LionLoose.jpg

Sverige:sarcasm:

DAMN! Ruutu hits the crossbar.

Agh..Ruutu hits the crossbar with Finlands first shot of the game.

It can't be Milnar reffing this game, I've seen at least 5 bodychecks that he would have called a penalty for.

Nope, I was wrong, it must be him. What a lame penalty.

Nope, I was wrong, it must be him. What a lame penalty.

Yeah it was a bit easy but still...the guy wasnt playing the puck so interference is ok.


EDIT: now what was that penalty to swedes?

Imagine if that had been Sami Salo instead of Kukkonen on that chance.

Sounds like the audience is mostly pro-Finnish.
Is it that many Finns there or is it Russian cheering the underdog? :)

Kukkonen Perkele

After a somewhat slow start, Milnar is back in his old shape, finding penalties no one else see. The first was borderline, but the second was laughable.

After a somewhat slow start, Milnar is back in his old shape, finding penalties no one else see.

Except that he's not on the ice.
They showed the Canadian ref before the game started.

Except that he's not on the ice.
They showed the Canadian ref before the game started.

Milan Minar is not a person. It is a state of mind.

Finns looking good so far. Lots of jump, now we need to finish the chances.

Wohoo! Err... I think. This ref hasn't exactly been stellar either. But at least then there is hope this can be a hockey game at least.

I was checking my pizza when the game started. ;)

Kukkonen Perkele

Twice that.

Finland is playing with good aggressiveness.

Twice that.

Finland is playing with good aggressiveness.

Yeah, good scoring chances= 4-0

But still it doesnt help because its tied on the board.

Twice that.

Finland is playing with good aggressiveness.

Yep, would someone please the swedes that hits are allowed in this game?
Don't hit them with your stick, use your shoulder.

...................:shakehead

Brainfart by Lehtonen. It would have entirely missed the net if he didn't try to grab the puck.

That one was certainly for free.

Lehtonen Perkele

Poor Let-em-in ...

That was almost a Salo.

Yeah, good scoring chances= 4-0

But still it doesnt help because its tied on the board.

Could any kind soul provide a proxy for a brother stuck on the other side of the atlantic, unable to watch his country play their fiercest rival. :cry: I know Yle broadcasts them live on the web, but without a proxy it is a no go for me. :help:

Kärppä Perkele. He vacuumed the flying bat into the cave. What a Tommy Salo like move. :soap:

Why the hell even try to catch a shot that was not even going near the net.

Vittu.

Poor Let-em-in ...

That was almost a Salo.
If it would have been a more important game at a more crucial time, it would have been for sure.

It would have entirely missed the net if he didn't try to grab the puck.


Why do I get a feeling of deja-vu?

Oh that's right.....I'm looking at you Pasi Nurminen and Nicklas Bäckström

Well that was a pretty one sided period despite that horrible goal. I'm not too worried, of course it sucks when an easy one goes in and your own guys cant finish...but it will come.

Is this game available online? Sopcast? anything else?

woa, classy. What a traditional swedish goal...

Why do I get a feeling of deja-vu?

Oh that's right.....I'm looking at you Pasi Nurminen and Nicklas Bäckström

Didn't Lehtonen allow a similar goal in the playoffs this year? Dropped the puck from his glove to the goal line where it was tapped in by a Ranger. Something like that?

If it would have been a more important game at a more crucial time, it would have been for sure.

Well, Åkerman's shot was better than the one Salo fumbled.
But that one was at least on goal.

But anyway.
Finland was far better this period, i was waiting for the first goal.

Boring game so far. Swedes look weak and almost uninterested. Finns are over agressive with quite a few chargings and late hits. Lucky goal by Åkerman on supposed super-goalie Lehtonen.

Gladstone Gander/Alexander Lukas must have been bet for Sweden again :help:

Sloppy move by Lehtonen, otherwise, i think the finns have been better.

Backlund is a disaster waiting to happen, i expect the finns to score atleast one goal in this game.

Strålman, Tärnström and Davidsson have been okay this far.

Kari Letonein :)

Kari Letonein :)


It's ok, if it stays at just one. The way this is going, Finland should be able to score 4-5 at least :D

And I have seen no chargings there...or late hits. Its called finishing your checks.

The scary part is that Tomi "watch me dominate Uganda" Kallio didn't even play well aginst Italy.

I've said it for years: Kallio shouldn't even be considered for the national team. I don't care how many scoring titles you win in the Elitserien, you always suck when playing for Finland

Kallio plays with Niklas Andersson and Jonas Johnson whic has been one of the most dominant lines in Europe some years now. Thats why he always produces in SEL - the line is perfect together.

Finland dominant in first, but the goalie curse continues and Lehtonen joins the long list...:cry:

Finland dominant in first, but the goalie curse continues and Lehtonen joins the long list...:cry:

Norrena let in 4 weak ones, Lehtonen so far only 1...so let's not worry too much :)

The people responsible for the scoreboard seemed to have a small vodka drinking race during the break. ;)

Backlund has been very solid so far.

And I have seen no chargings there...or late hits. Its called finishing your checks.

No chargings, and no dirty hits.

But there was some late erh, 'body contacs', wouldn't call 'em hits.

Hit everything yellow, shoot from everywhere and crash the net for rebounds. We'll do fine, if that was Kärppä´s last gift for the dear neighbour.

Laamanen Perkele.

Swedes seem to have no way to contain T.Ruutu.

What a save by Carey Lettonen!

Fight of the gods

The third Perkele for Kukkonen.

Typical that Lasse "hands of stone" Kukkonen has had 3 of our 4 best chances in this game.

What a save by Carey Lettonen!"Leydenen". :teach: :)

Norrena let in 4 weak ones, Lehtonen so far only 1...so let's not worry too much :)

I understand that you hate Norrena, but 4 weak goals? :shakehead

can watch via TVAnts

http://www.myp2p.eu/Programs/TVAnts.htm

http://www.myp2p.eu/NHL.htm

I understand that you hate Norrena, but 4 weak goals? :shakehead

Oh no I dont hate Norrena. He was just bad against Russia. I wish he would not have been!

Yeah first and last goals were weak and he did not do anything to stop the two powerplay goals...he could not move laterally. If he would have been able to move laterally, he could have had a good chance to stop them, but he left the goal completely open on both so...Its not that he should have saved them both...but he should have been able to give a better effort to do so.

Yes!

Love the russians!

They started to play humppa when J.Ruutu lost his head :)

that was odd

What on EARTH was that penalty to Ruutu? He did absolutely nothing, just stood there and tried to help teammates a bit.

Both teams should have been penalized.

Mr. referee??

Wow I think Koivu just tackled Jönsson's ugly head off!

Great play by Ruutu.

He decided to block the shot and let Kari see the puck. Not like so many others who just stand there and block the view of the goalie and don't stop the puck either.

Ruutu got it because he was the third man into the situation.

What on EARTH was that penalty to Ruutu? He did absolutely nothing, just stood there and tried to help teammates a bit.

Both teams should have been penalized.

Not really. He comes in from behind without no reason... thats a penalty in NHL as well. The canadian ref is right. What i don´t understand how the hell Errka Westlund can pick him for the national team... its embarrasing.

They started to play humppa when J.Ruutu lost his head :)eventually the swedish guy lost his temper and made his move.. "surprisingly" Jarkko got the penalty :shakehead

Ruutu got it because he was the third man into the situation.

So the 4th man who was a swede didnt bother the ref?

Jarkko Ruutu has been our best player so far today. So much energy and sisu.

What on EARTH was that penalty to Ruutu? He did absolutely nothing, just stood there and tried to help teammates a bit.

Both teams should have been penalized.

He went in as 3:rd and gave whoever it was a little loving touch from behind.

That isn't esp liked by refs on any side of the atlantic.

Not really. He comes in from behind without no reason... thats a penalty in NHL as well. The canadian ref is right. What i don´t understand how the hell Errka Westlund can pick him for the national team... its embarrasing.

I think you already got your answer...who drew that penalty?

Ruutu also set up a scoring chance in first period. He is VERY valuable.

Ruutu got it because he was the third man into the situation.
But how can there be a third man in penalty for a situation that noone gets penalized? Oh well, good kill and now PP Finland.

So the 4th man who was a swede didnt bother the ref?
"Third man in" is a matter of speech as well I think. I guess the ref thought Ruutu did the most to deserve a penalty. He was the only one throwing a punch, but I'm not sure, it was a pretty tight scrum.

But yeah, normally you penalize both teams.

So the 4th man who was a swede didnt bother the ref?

Basicly no.

Two players having a squabble isn't that bad.
A third coming in to have a whack from behind is bad.
The fourth coming in and whacking number 3 is called "you asked for it" :)

"Third man in" is a matter of speech as well I think. I guess the ref thought Ruutu did the most to deserve a penalty. He was the only one throwing a punch, but I'm not sure.

No he didnt...the only punch or a push was to knock Ruutu down.

One could definitely suspect what was said to J.Ruutu by Hörnquist.

"Din jävla f***a."

:)

No point in crying about the ref. It is what it is and you just have to live with it whether you like it or not.

Yawn..

what did Jönssön say from the bench after Koivu hit him?

One could definitely suspect what was said to J.Ruutu by Hörnquist.

"Din jävla f***a."

:)
I giggled at the comment from rinkside.

"Jarkko Ruutu and Hedström is yapping at eachother all the time, esp when going back to the bench, and they are not exactly comparing vacation memories.".

what did Jönssön say from the bench after Koivu hit him?

Noone knows, his accent is so wierd :)

Good game so far, but like always we need someone to score. Where's Selänne :)
Ref's been good and I like the way Finland is forechecking and hitting. Hopefully we manage to score at the third.

One could definitely suspect what was said to J.Ruutu by Hörnquist.

"Din jävla f***a."

:)
Zoom and slow motion rocks. :)

The ref has been ok since that weird interference call in the first. As long as it isn't Milan Minar, everything is fine.

Are J.Ruutu and Kapanen on bonus systems for stupid penalties taken???

Not the best period, Backlund looks solid, think Sweden is their for the taking, but is Finland up to the task?

T.Ruutu looks pumped...

can watch via TVAnts

http://www.myp2p.eu/Programs/TVAnts.htm

http://www.myp2p.eu/NHL.htm


thanks man! Working great!

Erkka should give Ruutu-Koivu-Kallio alot more ice time. They've been the best line today. Bench Kapanen-Hentunen-Pärssinen, they suck in this game.

Swedes, tomorrow gonna be a fun game :)

Swedes, tomorrow gonna be a fun game :)
So, will you be without Ovechkin?

"Bergillä ei maalinteko, eikä muukaan ole tuttua hommaa":D Nice call by Mertaranta.

Can anyone tell me if the shots of the Finnish players are too harmless or if the Swedish goalie is playing too well?

Can anyone tell me if the shots of the Finnish players are too harmless or if the Swedish is playing too well?

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Isn't the answer to that quite obvious? ;)
(The first one ofc.)

Erkka should give Ruutu-Koivu-Kallio alot more ice time. They've been the best line today. Bench Kapanen-Hentunen-Pärssinen, they suck in this game.

Tomi Kallio has been great in this game and created excellent scoring chances for younger Ruutu. Pärssinen is the weakest link in their line. Replace him with Kontiola or Bergenheim.

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Isn't the answer to that quite obvious? ;)
(The first one ofc.)

I have no possibility to watch the game, so how can I judge it?

About time to give a penalty to those hookings and trippings.

Oh no I dont hate Norrena. He was just bad against Russia. I wish he would not have been!

Yeah first and last goals were weak and he did not do anything to stop the two powerplay goals...he could not move laterally. If he would have been able to move laterally, he could have had a good chance to stop them, but he left the goal completely open on both so...Its not that he should have saved them both...but he should have been able to give a better effort to do so.

Ok, I can understand your reasoning but at the same time I think it's completely unreasonable and unfair. Whole team played like **** and Norrena was one of the better players in it, and I only counted the first goal as really weak. In the last goal you could just as easily blame it on Aki Berg, who was preparing to give Norrena a lapdance instead of trying to stop the russian guy.

The thing that generally pissed me off about all the critique toward Norrena after game against Russia, is that he seems to be such a convenient spittoon. If Lehtonen played a similar game, I think most people would have just shrugged and said:"Oh well, it wasn't his fault, team didn't help him at all."

Sarajevo Perkele. It is powerplay - what are you doing in the ice? :shakehead

So, will you be without Ovechkin?

Doesn't matter. Ovechkin was wasted the entire tournament and didn't do much.
I'd rather have Zinoviev back for tomorrow's game.
The disciplinary commision should make a decision on Ovy tonight at 11:15PM Moscow time..

How can anyone say T. Ruutu is a bust???

Nice move from Ruutu, but Berg... :shakehead

I thought we had an adventage in goaltending in this game. :(

It seems that team Finland shows the old finnish weakness, they need too many chances to score, may be if they arrive to 50 shots, they score finally.

Backlund looking like Lundqvist.

Backlund is playing like his life depended on it. Nice glove save.
I thought we had an adventage in goaltending in this game. :(
So did we. ;)

Now, that's a goaltending interference.

So what now, is Backlund playing a world class performance or are the Finnish players just too harmless?

Heh, Kukkonen crashing the net:)

So what now, is Backlund playing a world class performance or are the Finnish players just too harmless?

Backlund solid, but not spectacular.

Finlands chances are mostly scrappy.

Kukkonen, Saravo and Berg look fantasticly terrible today. (once again)

Are we going to see anymore goals today?

Are we going to see anymore goals today?

Yes, an empty netter.

Are we going to see anymore goals today?

Yes, a power play goal!

Aaaand I lost the signal. Damn that sucks at the last minutes....:(

Yes, a power play goal!

You seem to be an optimistic, until now the Finns couldn't profit from the PPS.

Jörgen Jönsson haven't had one right during the whole game.

There's no way Finland is going to tie a game against Sweden in dying seconds.

...

Better team won. No team deserves a win if they cant score on a regular time.

Damn. Why cant they score!?

Quite possibly the most boring Finland v Sweden game ever?!

Finland had all the chances, but never looked like scoring, Sweden just never looked like scoring...

Congrats to Backlund, you were solid.

Finnish forwards...37 shots, 0 goals...nice going!

Team Finland was not a notch better than in the game against switzerland.

But swedes seemed very tame against the boards, are guys like Emwall and Hedström really your "strong" guys?

How old is Backlund?

Well, I guess we can thank Lehtonen for being a screwup for this win. Finland deserved to win this game. They actually created some chances, they actually looked like they wanted to win by putting some effort into this poor excuse for a hockey game. Sweden didn't do one constructive thing through the entire game. If this is BÅGs game plan for beating better teams like Russia or Canada then I hope this swedish team gets beaten and beaten good. Jebus how I despise this coward style of hockey.

Better team won. No team deserves a win if they cant score on a regular time.

I don't know, neither team really scored. The first goal was scored mostly by Lehtonen.

Quite possibly the most boring Finland v Sweden game ever?!



Yeah, not quite the game I was looking forward to.

How old is Backlund?

26ish. If he is to be something some day he has to stop thinking he is Norrena and try to play more like a swedish goalie.

Well, I guess we can thank Lehtonen for being a screwup for this win. Finland deserved to win this game. They actually created some chances, they actually looked like they wanted to win by putting some effort into this poor excuse for a hockey game. Sweden didn't do one constructive thing through the entire game. If this is BÅGs game plan for beating better teams like Russia or Canada then I hope this swedish team gets beaten and beaten good. Jebus how I despise this coward style of hockey.

Finland didn't look like they wanted to win at all. Why was Kallio dressed in that case?

And why the cautious offense?

But swedes seemed very tame against the boards, are guys like Emwall and Hedström really your "strong" guys?

One would wonder.

Looked like they strict orders to avoid body contact at any cost :/

Yeah, not quite the game I was looking forward to.

You can say that again. What a utter and complete let-down. :thumbd:

Better team won. No team deserves a win if they cant score on a regular time.

Quite obvious. This is after all goal scoring competition. But I'm abit surprised how passive Sweden was today. They had only 3-4 scoring changes and Finland had 10+. If they play like this against Russia they're gonna get beaten badly.

Nice game, poor finishing. Finland dominated clearly but sometimes this happens...one weak goal decides and a hot goalie is the hero. Some days this game could have ended 7-1, today it was 0-1. Of course we have a big problem with the goal scoring, but if you look at the game against Russia, we scored lots. So it's about the day...

One would wonder.

Looked like they strict orders to avoid body contact at any cost :/

No, I saw them trying, I even saw Viuhkola fending off both Emwall and Bäckström at the same time at one time O_o


And what wrong has Emwall done to play on the line with Steen and Bäckström? Neither look like they belong.

Well, our impotent offensive game won't take us far in the tournament.

Backlund surprised me, he looked quite solid.

Bäckström never face any pp-time, atleast that's my feeling. BÅG need to create "special teams" for the special team-play if we are going anywhere this year.

The three points are welcome though.

One thing i hope is that because of one fluke goal they dont change goalies. Lehtonen imo is better than Norrena.

One thing i hope is that because of one fluke goal they dont change goalies. Lehtonen imo is better than Norrena.

Except for the big crap goal... Lehtonen was the man today. A real ice man, so cold that the swedish forwards seemed to have alot of respect for him.

One thing i hope is that because of one fluke goal they dont change goalies. Lehtonen imo is better than Norrena.

Agreed, Lehtonen was solid whole game. That was unfortunate goal, but sometime it happens. Way better than Norrena in this tournament. If they change goalies because of that goal they might also change all forwards because of zero goals.

Hmm, it's interesting that this loss may end up being good thing after all..I mean if or at this point when we're going to be third in our group, we will likely face USA in the next game. I'll rather take USA than Slovakia against our lousy D.

Fake edit: By "we" im talking about team Finland.

Right now I think that even Pihlström should play in the next game.

Kallio has to go... And Pyörälä shouldn't play centre.

What was up with Kontiola btw? injured?

Hmm, it's interesting that this loss may end up being good thing after all..I mean if or at this point when we're going to be third in our group, we will likely face USA in the next game. I'll rather take USA than Slovakia against our lousy D.

Fake edit: By "we" im talking about team Finland.

I don't know.. against the US we usually go either way...

Backlund looking like Lundqvist.

Nah, that'd be quite a stretch.

But Lundqvist is looking against Buffalo, and Nylander is looking even better :)

yep the goal was terrible but...

Lehtonen conceded 1 from 21

Finnish forwards scored 0 from 37....:amazed:

With that amount of scoring chances it is easy to say what we are lacking: quality shots and killer instinct. Most of the shots were really weak or missed the net totally. We are still missing a center for Peltonen and Lehtinen. Viuhkola does not have what it takes for a big role like this against "big countries".

Good thing was that at least Ruutu - Koivu - Kallio trio seemed to find a good chemistry, but T. Ruutu should have scored at least once from those passes. 4th line was also great.

I liked the aggressiveness, but still I would have expected taking a bit more risks to boost the offense in the 3rd period.

Too bad that Kärppä's gift became the GWG. He played otherwise well.

With that amount of scoring chances it is easy to say what we are lacking: quality shots and killer instinct. Most of the shots were really weak or missed the net totally. We are still missing a center for Peltonen and Lehtinen. Viuhkola does not have what it takes for a big role like this against "big countries".

Good thing was that at least Ruutu - Koivu - Kallio trio seemed to find a good chemistry, but T. Ruutu should have scored at least once from those passes. 4th line was also great.

I liked the aggressiveness, but still I would have expected taking a bit more risks to boost the offense in the 3rd period.

Too bad that Kärppä's gift became the GWG. He played otherwise well.

Tuomo had a lot of bad luck... Some of those shots were bound to hit the back of the net. I think he should at least be tried as the top centre if Kontiola is nowhere to be found.


Peltonen - Ruutu - Lehtinen
Hentunen - Kapanen - Pärssinen
Pyörälä - Koivu - Bergenheim
Ruutu - Kontiola? - Pihlström

Right now I think that even Pihlström should play in the next game.

Kallio has to go... And Pyörälä shouldn't play centre.

What was up with Kontiola btw? injured?

Kallio played well IMO and i.e. gave Ruutu two excellent passes into a wide open places.

Kontiola was on the bench as a 13/14th forward with Bergenheim. EW wanted to create a pure role line and therefore there was no place him (defense is not Konna's strength). Bergenheim has not shown anything special so far. Pyörälä's line was very good and Sweden had none scoring chances when they were on the ice.

Pärssinen has to go.

Peltonen - Ruutu - Lehtinen
Miettinen - Kapanen - Pärssinen
Pyörälä - Koivu - Hentunen
Ruutu - Viuhkola/whoever - Pihlström

IMO Ruutu and Koivu shouldn't be seperated, they were pretty "effective" today (didn't score though). It's right though that we should find first line center fast, there's just not plenty of chances anymore...

Kallio played well IMO and i.e. gave Ruutu two excellent passes into a wide open places.

Kontiola was on the bench as a 13/14th forward with Bergenheim. EW wanted to create a pure role line and therefore there was no place him (defense is not Konna's strength). Bergenheim has not shown anything special so far. Pyörälä's line was very good and Sweden had none scoring chances when they were on the ice.

Pärssinen has to go.

Kallio is far too slow to play that type of play though. He is not on this level anymore and it shows.

Bergenheim has the biggest heart of all these players excluding Jere, and I'd expect big things to happen with Sean anytime.

And as much as I like Viuhkola... He slowed down that first line and at some points it hurt the team big IMO.

Konna back on that line? He looked fine there IMO.

Kallio is far too slow to play that type of play though. He is not on this level anymore and it shows.

Bergenheim has the biggest heart of all these players excluding Jere, and I'd expect big things to happen with Sean anytime.

And as much as I like Viuhkola... He slowed down that first line and at some points it hurt the team big IMO.

Konna back on that line? He looked fine there IMO.

T. Ruutu - Koivu - Lehtinen
Hentunen - Kontiola - Peltonen
J. Ruutu - Viuhkola - Pihlström
Kallio - Kapanen - Pärssinen

xtras: Bergenheim, Pyörälä

I weel like we are wasting Hentunen on that line with Kapanen and Pärssinen. Pärssinen is no where near his level a few years back and Kapanen is only usable on faceoffs.

We are out of time tough. So we have to go with the same lines like in game against Sweden. We can still change forwards from the 4th line.

I don't know.. against the US we usually go either way...

In WHC tournaments the last time Finland has lost to USA was in 2001. Before that the last loss in from 1991.

With that amount of scoring chances it is easy to say what we are lacking: quality shots and killer instinct. Most of the shots were really weak or missed the net totally. We are still missing a center for Peltonen and Lehtinen. Viuhkola does not have what it takes for a big role like this against "big countries".

This is a very old and well known problem of the finnish icehockey in general. Concerning their skating skills, the passing skills, the technical skills, they can keep up with almost every one, also the "big nations", but not in exploiting their scoring changes.

In front of the netminder theirs shots are too harmless, either beside the goal or directly on the body of the goalie. In don't know how this can be changed, may be they should emphasize already by the juniors the shooting training and the face to face training against the goalie.

I don't know how the killer instinct or the shots quality can be trained and improved.

I don't know how the killer instinct or the shots quality can be trained and improved.

Maybe they should hire a certain car collector from Anaheim as a consultant? ;)

In WHC tournaments the last time Finland has lost to USA was in 2001. Before that the last loss in from 1991.

Well, i guess we should be happy that it's not year 2011, then?

Maybe they should hire a certain car collector from Anaheim as a consultant? ;)

Or Jari.

Well, i guess we should be happy that it's not year 2011, then?

Unless USA beats Canada...

Hmm, it's interesting that this loss may end up being good thing after all..I mean if or at this point when we're going to be third in our group, we will likely face USA in the next game. I'll rather take USA than Slovakia against our lousy D.

Fake edit: By "we" im talking about team Finland.

No offence dude, but you need to change your avatar and flag asap.


Lions and sheeps today:

3 lions:

J.Ruutu: Our best player out there imo.

2 lions:

T.Ruutu: Great game again, created lot's of chances with his linemates.
Koivu: I like Mikko. That line is playing great.

1 lion:

Kallio: Yes, Tomi actually played a good game today, and this is coming from a Kallio-hater.
Nummelin: Nummelin is having another great tournament. It must be spring-time.

1 sheep:

Lehtonen: Great game, but he ultimately cost us the game.
Peltonen: Ville better start acting like a captain. No more sloppy clearing attempts.
Pärssinen: Who?
Saravo: Had a graet first game but hasn't been able to keep his play up for the rest of the tournament.

2 sheeps:

Kukkonen: You just simply have to bury one of your chances mate.
Berg: Ugh. Need I say more. At least he didn't take his mandatory 5+20 min penalty for checking from behind.

3 sheeps:

-


As a side-note, it is nice to see that the class of 83 (Lehtonen, Koivu, Ruutu..) are really starting to take over with the oncoming generation shift and all.
Except for Joni of course. A shame that he chose to stay home and enjoy his mom's meatballs instead of doing the right thing and suiting up for team Finland.

As a side-note, it is nice to see that the class of 83 (Lehtonen, Koivu, Ruutu..) are really starting to take over with the oncoming generation shift and all.
Except for Joni of course. A shame that he chose to stay home and enjoy his mom's meatballs instead of doing the right thing and suiting up for team Finland.

Yeah it's especially cool when you think about the next world cup and olympics, since Teemu,Saku, Ville and Jere are still going very strong, Salo has even raised his game and Timonen is as good as ever. Olli Jokinen is in his prime, and these youngsters (-83's) are starting to kick major butt and becoming game breakers, also J.Jokinen is shaping up to be an offensive threat of sorts. We have never had more than two capable offensive lines, if even that. Next time around in a BIG tournament there should be one damn impressive team Finland. :yo:

Yeah it's especially cool when you think about the next world cup and olympics, since Teemu,Saku, Ville and Jere are still going very strong, Salo has even raised his game and Timonen is as good as ever. Olli Jokinen is in his prime, and these youngsters (-83's) are starting to kick major butt and becoming game breakers, also J.Jokinen is shaping up to be an offensive threat of sorts. We have never had more than two capable offensive lines, if even that. Next time around in a BIG tournament there should be one damn impressive team Finland. :yo:

ya I could see Finland doing really well in the next world cup if they even have one in 2008, especially if Kipper plays.
But most likely there wont be a world cup in 2008 so we are going to have to
wait until 2010, we might not have Selanne then.

Anyways, back to this sweden finland game, T Ruutu was a powerhouse
I am really starting to like his game,
but I'm a bit dissapointed that Finland could not beat a Swedish team with
only one current NHL'ER (A STEEN), it shows that Sweden can always win,
Finland outshot them and played better but couldnt score.

I think Sweden will beat Russia tomorrow.

Can you swedes or other hockey fans tell me who was the best defensemen today in this game, and the best Swede forward, and defensemen in this game?

Can you swedes or other hockey fans tell me who was the best defensemen today in this game, and the best Swede forward, and defensemen in this game?

Lasse Kukkonen was the best defenseman, despite missing like 4 scoring chances. Best swedish defenseman, I'd have to say Jönsson. Best swede forward...well none of them were good today, they did not create too many scoring chances. I'd say that Jörgen Jönsson was the best swedish forward, since he was playing a very defensive role and won lots of faceoffs and they managed to somehow keep finland from scoring. There really wasn't much swedish offense in this game at all, so the best defensive forward comes to mind. He also had the best swedish scoring chance of the game, their only breakaway.

Yeah it's especially cool when you think about the next world cup and olympics, since Teemu,Saku, Ville and Jere are still going very strong, Salo has even raised his game and Timonen is as good as ever. Olli Jokinen is in his prime, and these youngsters (-83's) are starting to kick major butt and becoming game breakers, also J.Jokinen is shaping up to be an offensive threat of sorts. We have never had more than two capable offensive lines, if even that. Next time around in a BIG tournament there should be one damn impressive team Finland. :yo:
Not so far this tournament :shakehead

Not so far this tournament :shakehead

What?

Seriously, this game was so boring............................

I mean what is Finland's game plan?

To always hit everything, not to shoot but to throw the puck near the opposing team's goalie and then try and create scrums and such, to get your stick in the way of everything (that even hurt Finland and not only the game's quality).

Do they even have a game plan?

What?

Do you think the '83 kids have "kicked major butt and been game breakers" in these worlds? The 2 games we needed a game breaker were Russia (lost 5-4) and Sweden (lost 1-0)
Ukraine 0-5 Finland
Finland 6-2 Denmark
Switzerland 0-2 Finland
Finland 3-0 Italy

Ive got nothing against these kids, but i think its hard to get really excited about anything so far.
IF Finland gets knocked out against USA/Can on Thurs, how many positives will there have been?
IF however Finland beats USA/Can and could well get to the final (which i still think is a good possibility) then we can re-assess these kids contributions.

Seriously, this game was so boring............................

I mean what is Finland's game plan?
<snip>
Do they even have a game plan?

Both teams had the same gameplan.

Secure your defense, try to exploit mistakes and don't make any mistakes yourself.

The lone goal scored by sweden (or rather by finland for sweden) made it a boring game.

If the finnish team can be said to still have a weakness it's when they have to drive the game.

The can deliver stunning games against the other big 6, and they win against the 'lesser' teams, but they normally don't (or can't) turn on the steamroller like the others tend to do.

And that becomes a problem when you're down a goal and the opposition is playing the game that you would like to do, and they're about as good at it as you are.

IM(nv)HO.

The lone goal scored by sweden (or rather by finland for sweden) made it a boring game.


Well I personally don't care how many goals are scored when all we see is stickwork (in a non hockey entertaining way).

Do you think the '83 kids have "kicked major butt and been game breakers" in these worlds? The 2 games we needed a game breaker were Russia (lost 5-4) and Sweden (lost 1-0)
Ukraine 0-5 Finland
Finland 6-2 Denmark
Switzerland 0-2 Finland
Finland 3-0 Italy

Ive got nothing against these kids, but i think its hard to get really excited about anything so far.
IF Finland gets knocked out against USA/Can on Thurs, how many positives will there have been?


And it's their fault we lost? Sure, they didn't score against Sweden and didn't outscore Russia, but they're hardly the only players on the team. Yet they are the ones there playing the best hockey. I don't care if guys like Peltonen and Kontiola is outscoring Koivu and Ruutu, since they did it mostly against these weaker teams you mentioned.

I'm not looking at the scoresheet. I'm not judging them based on the teams success. I'm judging them based on what they look like out there. And they're looking goooood. Just because they've been unlucky and haven't been scoring that much, doesn't lower my opinion on them at all.

Do you think the '83 kids have "kicked major butt and been game breakers" in these worlds? The 2 games we needed a game breaker were Russia (lost 5-4) and Sweden (lost 1-0)
Ukraine 0-5 Finland
Finland 6-2 Denmark
Switzerland 0-2 Finland
Finland 3-0 Italy

Ive got nothing against these kids, but i think its hard to get really excited about anything so far.
IF Finland gets knocked out against USA/Can on Thurs, how many positives will there have been?
IF however Finland beats USA/Can and could well get to the final (which i still think is a good possibility) then we can re-assess these kids contributions.

Well in the context that I wrote it, I was thinking of them in filling roles in the olympic roster. T.Ruutu in the second line with OJ, Mikko Koivu being the 3rd line center... when have we had that kind of depth? the answer of course is never. Koivu and Ruutu were doing what they wanted, except scoring against sweden. Can't really blame them for not taking the italys and ugandas seriously. They dominated against sweden, and that is a nice ADDITION to our olympic roster that has never seen even 2 really good lines, let alone getting offense from 3 lines. Next time it could be possible.