Wow! Canada-USA. THat was an exciting game. If I can detach myself from the emotions of the night.
, it was one heck of a hockey game. As was that Russian - Czech game. End to end excitement. I did not stay up for Swe-Fin and actually do not even know the result.
Anyway...thoughts:
I have stated all along that Canada would stick to balanced ice time, and to some extent to this point they have. This in my opinion was the way to go. Now...we are at elimination stage folks. Yep...canada lost and yep they have a tough road ahead now. But...the guys should at least be fresh. More on this at the end
Doughty, Keith (Since game 1) and Weber have been outstanding. Those three guys need to log the big minutes they are capable of, and used to playing. I just cannot get over how good Doughty has been and is. Thing is, it concerns me playing a 19 year old with 2 minutes left in a tight game. But this team has no option.
Nieds is not good enough any more.
Dan Boyle is too slow and makes his puck decisions way to slow.
Pronger...well you know my thoughts and nothing has changed. Moron.
Seabrook is just a guy out there.
The power play--HORRENDOUS. They will not say it about Canada on TV, but they sure do about the Russians. Comments about Canada PP...They need to move the puck quicker, they are just standing around and not moving their feet. Comments about Russia: They are being selfish, not moving feet all standing around looking to get the big shot and be the hero who scores the goal. INteresting isn't it.
I have seen that in the past, but NEVER to this extent. Canada has too many shooters who want the big goal on the PP. Yet the rest of the time...they over pass the darn puck. Must get it together.
Forwards:
Thornton...Egads this guy is horrendous. so far behind the play. Will not get involved in a race for the puck. His passing has even been atrocious and he has thrown the puck away almost as much as Niedermayer. When he did get involved in behind the net...he went in soft, pulled away and got blown up by Brooks Orpik. Sorry Joe...I am seeing here why Boston got rid of you and why the sharks should too.
Jonathon Toews Anyone else noticing that almost any time something positive happens for Canada this guy is in on the play? Dude has been outstanding.
Sidney Crosby--KNow what? I actually think he was real good last night. Save for faceoffs. But he did not get enough time to shine. The guys he was playing with were not getting the job done for him.
Rick Nash 1st period was HORRIBLE. Lost all kinds of puck battles. From then on...he was one of the best players on the ice, but for some reason could not finish his chances. Wonder what/who that reason was?
Iginla, Morrow, Richards, Bergeron, MarleauNOT GOOD ENOUGH. Terrible in fact in the time they saw the ice. INVISIBLE most of the game. Being harsh on Marleau here. Offensively he was okay. In his own zone he was a fire drill. Horrid.
Martin Brodeur Meh. Just meh. It does not matter who plays net for Canada. The boys have to finish...and they did not last night. Yeah Brodeur was average at best, and actually at times shaky. But really would Luongo have been any better? Brodeur made two mistakes with the puck that cost us goals...how many would Luongo have made? That being said, I bet Roberto starts against Germany tomorrow.
Anyway...this team was beaten for three of four big reasons.
1. On the top of the list is the guy wearing Dominik Hasek's number---Ryan Miller. Wow. He was outstanding. But he also faced little if any traffic, and little drive to the net.
2. Ryan Kesler, Chris Drury, and all the other centres on USA--Schooled Canada in the faceoff circle. This is a monster reason, and the 2nd biggest reason behind Miller the USA won this game. They had the puck..and one virtually every draw in their own end.
3. Brooks Orpik-Brian Rafalski. Orpik did an outstanding job keeping Canada to the outside. Not fast, but boy was he smart. Rafalski....nough said. Look at the scoresheet. Guy was outstanding and in the right spot at the right time all night.
4. Getting to the net...I never saw Canada getting to the net until the last 4 shifts of the game. ALL NIGHT the AMericans in their limited chances had the desire and balls to go hard to the net. And they were rewarded. Caused Brodeur to make mistakes two times, and a nice deflection goal on the Rafalski shot. Crosby also put a beaut in the back of the net. Kesler...Wow! they said it on TSN..that may be the best empty net goal ever. He just wanted it more..and got it.
Kay..all of this being said. It does not mean Canada is out and done and the Usa will win gold. However...life just got interesting. Either Russia or Canada will not be on the podium. Who would have thought that? Wow.
Now...ICE TIME. It is time to up the anti. Said it early..that later in the tournament you have to go with the best. Well..I said that about the dmen anyway. Ice time was split up in the first 3 games. But now, the boys playing the best at the moment need to get more time. Toews was Canada's best forward. Keith was their best dman. Doughty was a close 2nd. Toews needs to be on the ice ALOT more. Also...Sid the kid. He needs to be out 23-25 minutes per game now. Thornton can ride the pine. Time to go with the boys who are going well. The Shark line is no more. Toews goes in for Thornton. And maybe Marleau off that unit too. Maybe Heatley with Nash and Crosby. I dunno. Just kill the SHark line and Boyle can ride the pine.
Too bad I can't have a drink today, gotta get up in... what... three hours. 
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