Okay, been like this for a week now, but better late than never.
Just going to post some thoughts on the remaining teams in the hunt for the cup. The teams are good, all of them capable of winning it all, battle tested.. and bearded.
BOS-TB series is now even 1-1. However, Tampa pulled their victory somewhat effortlessly and made Boston look bad in the first game. The second game reminded of some exhibition games with high scoring and very sloppy defence. Boston ended up taking it by one goal, but only after letting Tampa back from a four goal deficit. Not really convincing there either.
My guess is that Tampa Bay Lightning is going to take this series and will go to the finals. They might do that even in five. The leadership is just so much wider and more talented in Tampa's team that Boston cannot compare. Tim Thomas seems to be even with Roloson, Chara rules above anyone else on defence, but the difference in the offensive talent is just too big. Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos are going to rip the Bruins to pieces. It's fun to see Sean Bergenheim put in the effort of his career so far and making a big impact from a grinder line.
VAN-SJ slipped to 2-0 for Vancouver. Before the series I thought San Jose might actually have a better combination of experience and youth after previous rounds' challenges. Now I don't anymore. After seeing what the Canucs did on game 2, destroying the Sharks on every level, I can't imagine a comeback. Another performance like that and I might lift the Canucks to the final favorite too!
Now the Sedins seem to be back in the mood and there's a plenty of secondary scoring.. if one can call Ryan Kesler secondary after leading the whole league in scoring. Anyway, lots of people in the Vancouver team seem to be capable of carrying the weight and that really is a solid recipe for success.
So, Vancouver - Tampa Bay in the finals, well rested after finishing semis in five games. And the hockey fans are in it for a great show for the end of the stretch. I'd like to see cup ending up in Vancouver and Canada for a change.
2011/05/19
2011/05/17
The new Champions
Hey hey! Finland is the new World Champion in hockey. A proud moment indeed. Good for the nation's self esteem and all. Second time is for real, no more talks about fluke win in 1995. Finnish team really rocked this time.
The games were in general pretty high profile. Several teams had really strong names on paper and were really in there for the win. In the end it was Finnish team that found the groove within and took the gold as the most tightly woven team in the group.
The Slovaks failed miserably in their own games. Indeed an end to an era of great players. Demitra, Satan & co just couldn't keep up the pace with the younger generation. Unfortunate, but big thanks to the hosts!
The USA sent the least experienced team of the big countries and hit the wall in the first elimination game. Hopefully they'll gather a bit higher profile team from NHL bubble next year.
Norway and Germany exceeded all the expectations in the group phases and played great hockey. However, neither of them could pull off a surprise and were out in the quarters.
Canada bumped to Russian team already in the quarters and ended up on the losing side of that very entertaining, but somewhat undisciplined match.
Checks and Russians went to their semifinals both as a favorite. Each of the start-filled teams were beaten in the game by solid, basic, good-old teamplay. Finns and Swedes actually controlled the games quite effortlessly. Team over individual.
The final was a long awaited Nordic classic between Finland and Sweden. Swedes used to outplay Finland every time and became a horrifying opponent. During the last years, however, the next generation of Finnish hockey players have gotten over the history and really started to play their own game. And now, at least after the final, Swedes are more afraid of Finns than vice versa.
The final was a great game to watch; pretty tentative first period, Sweden taking over in the second, Finland scoring the most important goal of the tournament in the last seconds of second period and storming away to a massive victory.
Biggest reasons behind Finland's solid teamplay are still in the individuals. There's no team without those. Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu, as appreciated and battle tested NHL players in their prime, took the lead and everyone else followed. Koivu's personal battles for each puck, pacifying puck control and endless cool gave everyone the belief. Ruutu finished his checks, run through the enemy lines without fear and provided the golden touch of luck here and there to prove that anything can be done with a healty dose of effort. These guys will keep Finland as a contender as long as their fire burns.
And well, cannot post anything these days about the Worlds without a mention of a certain young gentleman's acts. Mikael Granlund is bound to have a fantastic career in hockey, wherever he ends up playing. All the best to the boy with the biggest bag of tricks. It'll take a while to top this highlight in the field of international hockey.
The games were in general pretty high profile. Several teams had really strong names on paper and were really in there for the win. In the end it was Finnish team that found the groove within and took the gold as the most tightly woven team in the group.
The Slovaks failed miserably in their own games. Indeed an end to an era of great players. Demitra, Satan & co just couldn't keep up the pace with the younger generation. Unfortunate, but big thanks to the hosts!
The USA sent the least experienced team of the big countries and hit the wall in the first elimination game. Hopefully they'll gather a bit higher profile team from NHL bubble next year.
Norway and Germany exceeded all the expectations in the group phases and played great hockey. However, neither of them could pull off a surprise and were out in the quarters.
Canada bumped to Russian team already in the quarters and ended up on the losing side of that very entertaining, but somewhat undisciplined match.
Checks and Russians went to their semifinals both as a favorite. Each of the start-filled teams were beaten in the game by solid, basic, good-old teamplay. Finns and Swedes actually controlled the games quite effortlessly. Team over individual.
The final was a long awaited Nordic classic between Finland and Sweden. Swedes used to outplay Finland every time and became a horrifying opponent. During the last years, however, the next generation of Finnish hockey players have gotten over the history and really started to play their own game. And now, at least after the final, Swedes are more afraid of Finns than vice versa.
The final was a great game to watch; pretty tentative first period, Sweden taking over in the second, Finland scoring the most important goal of the tournament in the last seconds of second period and storming away to a massive victory.
Biggest reasons behind Finland's solid teamplay are still in the individuals. There's no team without those. Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu, as appreciated and battle tested NHL players in their prime, took the lead and everyone else followed. Koivu's personal battles for each puck, pacifying puck control and endless cool gave everyone the belief. Ruutu finished his checks, run through the enemy lines without fear and provided the golden touch of luck here and there to prove that anything can be done with a healty dose of effort. These guys will keep Finland as a contender as long as their fire burns.
And well, cannot post anything these days about the Worlds without a mention of a certain young gentleman's acts. Mikael Granlund is bound to have a fantastic career in hockey, wherever he ends up playing. All the best to the boy with the biggest bag of tricks. It'll take a while to top this highlight in the field of international hockey.
2011/05/02
Second round, second thoughts
So, I missed the window to write before teams faced off for the second round starters. Apparently my crystal ball needs some polishing, since I have to admit I would have put my money on somewhat different results.
WAS-TB, even though Tampa has a pretty good team and an experienced and solid goaltender, I would have picked Washington to take this matchup. It's still possible after losing the first two, but the Capitals sure made it hard for themselves. Based on the games so far, it actually seems that the Lightning has better nerves and more will to fight. Now I can't see why Tampa Bay would let go of their spot on the third round. They're even starting to show signs of being able to take a shot at the Cup in the end.
PHI-BOS, I still believe Philly is up to the task of upending the Bruins. The teams are quite evenly matched on the ice, but the goaltending currently makes the difference. If the Flyers can settle down on one keeper and not bench him after a few soft goals, they'll be able to go for the comeback. They have way more firepower in the forwards and even Tim Thomas cannot stop the onslaught. If the Flyers get one goaltender's confidence back, they'll go far this year. Ih Philly can win the game two, they'll take over from there and go on to win the series.
VAN-NSH, It's hard to imagine any reason why Vancouver wouldn't take this one easily. Okay, Nashville has a great goalkeeper in Pekka Rinne and a very organized defence, but still.. Luongo is very good on Canucks' goal and the rest of the lineup is just the best in the league this season. Vancouver is just about to shake off the playoff jitters and will take off for the easy disposal of the Predators and go eventually all the way to Cup finals. The Sedin twins will also wake up and start lighting the lamp on regular basis.
SJ-DET, I would have given one of the games in San Jose to Detroit, but they didn't seem to agree. Now it's two to nothing and Detroit must win the next game or they're out. This is a very even series again, and I believe the Wings have enough experience to make one comeback. Thay'll take the next two behind Datsuyk and Zetterberg and whoever wins the fifth, will also advance to the conference finals. If I have to choose, it's going to be San Jose. They're pretty much on par in the experience now, but still younger and more fresh. Niemi won the cup in goal last season, so he can stay relaxed while Howard has all the pressure as a young goalie carrying the famed franchise.
WAS-TB, even though Tampa has a pretty good team and an experienced and solid goaltender, I would have picked Washington to take this matchup. It's still possible after losing the first two, but the Capitals sure made it hard for themselves. Based on the games so far, it actually seems that the Lightning has better nerves and more will to fight. Now I can't see why Tampa Bay would let go of their spot on the third round. They're even starting to show signs of being able to take a shot at the Cup in the end.
PHI-BOS, I still believe Philly is up to the task of upending the Bruins. The teams are quite evenly matched on the ice, but the goaltending currently makes the difference. If the Flyers can settle down on one keeper and not bench him after a few soft goals, they'll be able to go for the comeback. They have way more firepower in the forwards and even Tim Thomas cannot stop the onslaught. If the Flyers get one goaltender's confidence back, they'll go far this year. Ih Philly can win the game two, they'll take over from there and go on to win the series.
VAN-NSH, It's hard to imagine any reason why Vancouver wouldn't take this one easily. Okay, Nashville has a great goalkeeper in Pekka Rinne and a very organized defence, but still.. Luongo is very good on Canucks' goal and the rest of the lineup is just the best in the league this season. Vancouver is just about to shake off the playoff jitters and will take off for the easy disposal of the Predators and go eventually all the way to Cup finals. The Sedin twins will also wake up and start lighting the lamp on regular basis.
SJ-DET, I would have given one of the games in San Jose to Detroit, but they didn't seem to agree. Now it's two to nothing and Detroit must win the next game or they're out. This is a very even series again, and I believe the Wings have enough experience to make one comeback. Thay'll take the next two behind Datsuyk and Zetterberg and whoever wins the fifth, will also advance to the conference finals. If I have to choose, it's going to be San Jose. They're pretty much on par in the experience now, but still younger and more fresh. Niemi won the cup in goal last season, so he can stay relaxed while Howard has all the pressure as a young goalie carrying the famed franchise.
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