World Cup of Hockey
 

Anyone else here following the World Cup of Hockey? I figure that I should enjoy it while it lasts. Things aren't looking to good right now for a 2004/2005 NHL season. Anyone have any predictions as to who will come out on top? Virtual wages anyone??

I'm betting for Canada.

Canada is probably the biggest favorite to take the top slot - but there are good challengers, Sweden has great material from top to bottom (only their goalie sit seems a little lacked at the moment) - and Finns shouldn't be counted out either, since they instead have a real miracle man on the net at the moment.

Yeah, I'm going with Canada, and Finland a close second. The US stinks this year. No emotion, no motivation.

Its really too bad that team U.S.A isn't playing very well. I was hoping to see another U.S.A /Canada rivalry this year. Its not looking that way. Then again things have just got underway so I guess anything is possible. We should be in store for some good hockey games.

Finland wins. Always.

Except for when they play Canada.

I wouldn't be so sure.

If Finland wins the World Cup, I admit, it's going to be a miracle. But it is a very possible miracle, for two reasons... first, Canada isn't all-victorious (neither is Finland). And, miracles don't usually have names. This one does. It's Kiprusoff.

That, and because the Canadian team has a few injured players.

If miracle has a name, it must be Miikka Kiprusoff.

I'm sorry if I happen to sound fanatical to anyone's ears or try to make it seem that I attempt to turn this a one-man-praising thread... but when I watched the game last night and saw this man keep his net empty through a 5-on-3 powerplay that lasted for 1:55 and catch a puck that was going to be shot at a point-blank range over him while lying on his stomach, I'm convinced we were watching at the actions of the ultimately hottest goalie right now.

I don't disagree that Kiprusoff is an outstanding goaltender. After all without him the Calgary Flames might not have gone to the Stanley Cup finals. Simply put though, he can't win it all on his own.

That is true.

BTW Finn, that was your post #3333. 2nd time.

Does anyone know if Canada and Finland are in the same pool? Or are they in different ones? I'm just wondering if there is a chance for them to face each other in the finals.

They are in the different pool. In Pool A is Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic and Germany. In Pool B are Canada, USA, Russia and Slovakia.

So... (speculation starts here) Canada wins the A pool, Finland wins the B pool, the quarters will go:

Canada-A4
A2-A3
Finland-B4
B2-B3

From there the semis go:

Canada - Winner B2-B3
Finland - Winner A2-A3

And the final:
Canada-Finland

...so yeah, it's possible.

Thanks Fin.

Indeed the speculation does start here. I would love to see these two countries face off in the finals. I do think that both Canada and Finland are some of the stronger teams this time round. So it will be interesting to see how things progress.

I AM CANADIAN!

YOU OBVIOUSLY WANT TO GET A "VACATION", TOO!





























...just kidding.

Finally
 

I'm just glad the US finally got a win, beating Slovakia 3-1.

Their loss to Russia was a big disappointment, in my mind.

Tonight: Finland-Sweden. Game starts in 15 minutes.

And just ended. 4-4... but feels like a victory to me.

And oh yeah... thanks to Canada beating Russia 3-1, one thing just became certain: if you want to see Finland and Canada meeting on ice, only way that is possible is that both teams work their way into the final match.

The most likely quarterfinal pairing (as it seems now)
Canada-Slovakia (A1-A4)
Russia-USA (A2-A3)

Finland-Germany (B1-B4)
Sweden-Czech Republic (B2-B3)

And from there... considering Finland wins Germany and Canada beats Slovakia (and we should really not be in doubt about these... of course anything can happen).

Finland-Russia/USA (B1-A2/A3)
Canada-Sweden/Czech Republic (A1-B2/B3)

And from there... the final (considering both teams win their semi matches).
Canada-Finland

I'm starting to get a very good feeling about Canada and Finland facing off in the final. I have no doubt that Canada will win tonight against Slovakia. Finland should be able to take the U.S.A on Friday also.