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Post by hungarianfan on May 3, 2004 16:52:41 GMT -5
Jesus! What a day it was! I still couldn't believe it! Congratulations on my favourite teams Latvija and Suomi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by DanCan on May 3, 2004 17:26:40 GMT -5
And congratulations to Hungarianfan and all others (incl. myself) who was shut out today.
Tonight, I watched SVK vs SWE which resulted in another convenient draw. In my opinion, this World Championship definitely has two faultlines. One is the schedule. For instance, UKR vs KAZ and JAP vs FRA should have been played in parallel. Not that it matters a lot, but the game tomorrow between JAP and FRA will be total waste of time (although both teams may chase its first victory, in particular Japan). Another is the major imbalance between the two QR groups. 5 big powers in Group E has on the one hand led to elimation of Russia and the other to the fact that Denmark has played hawaii hockey (meaning no pressure, just play and have some fun, you have no chances of qualifying for the quarter finals anyway). If Denmark had ended up in Group F, you would have seen a completely different team on ice. It is often overlooked that Denmark has improved a lot since last year. For instance, there is broad agreement that Denmark played its best WC game ever against Russia, and shortly before the WC, Denmark played even games against Switzerland and Austria. Anyway, you might look out for a surprise tomorrow. Moreover, the fact that Group F had four softies, probably led to the strategic 0-0 draw between Slovakia and Sweden tonight. None of the teams wanted to end up 3rd with the prospect of meeting either Canada or the Czech Republic. So, in conclusion, it would have suited the tournament if the distribution of middlerank powers in the two groups had been more even.
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Post by body-czech on May 3, 2004 18:00:18 GMT -5
the current system of the WCH is totally stupid. And it is still a compliment. Yes, the groups are pretty unbalanced too.
my scheme of the WCH is this:
4 groups, 2 advancing teams from each group, the last ones play the relegation group. I was reasoning about to make 10 or 8 country tournament. Bad idea. It wouldn´t increase popularity of this sport in the world at all. There must participate countries out of the hockey G7.
Then, 2 new groups: A+B, C+D.....same system like now in the 1/8 final group, just this group has just 4 members=> 2 games played, counted points of the game played with the 2nd advancing team. 2 best teams of each group advance to the 1/2 final group counted points of the game played with the 2nd advancing team. The same system=> another 2 games for every team. 3rd F plays with 3rd G game of the 5th place, 4thF x 4thG of the 7th place.
the 1st and the 2nd team form the 1/2 final group play 2 gold medal games(aggregate)=> score counts, if the score after 2 games would be equal, then overtime and possible penalty shotout. 3rd and 4th play the bronze medal game.
=> today maximum of games played is 9. In my new system it is the same. And there are included 2 gold medal games! This would minimalize potential coinscindences. Today, the only game that matters is the 1/8 final game.
I think the system is not too complicated. And according to me, much more fair.
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Post by Balder on May 5, 2004 11:50:07 GMT -5
Oh crap, for once i decided to pick some other Swedes as jokers, but that failed miserable. Oh well, there's still time to sneak up to the top. I'm sure Battaglia makes a hattrick for me now.
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Post by DanCan on May 5, 2004 14:38:34 GMT -5
You'll get back Balder! Maybe you should pick PETER FORSBERG[/b] and Nicklas Lidström[/b] on Saturday. The Swedish coach has just confirmed that NHL's best forwards and defencemen will join team Sweden in the semifinal! GO TREKRONER
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Post by Balder on May 5, 2004 16:40:57 GMT -5
Yay! Pretty cool they decided to come. I hope they adjust to the big ice PRONTO! Awesome job by USA eh? Big heart they showed! Grats to USA. But i do feel for the Czechs though. They must feel devastated. I was positive they would win the shoot-out. It's the spell.. It must be the home-ice curse hunting the WC since -86.
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Post by DanCan on May 5, 2004 17:17:34 GMT -5
YES, I am going to cheer for Tre Kronor now! Balder, I have exactly the same view on CZE vs USA as you. Clever play and big heart by Team USA. And congrats to marrella with the U.S. coach. Maybe he can do some wonders with Canes next season... if there is a next season. And terrible for the Czechs. Fortunately, a czech and a half-czech is leading our draft, but it will be one hell of a battle in the last 4 games. So pick wisely and adapt your fixed rosters. Peter the Great and Lidström are coming to bring the gold back home to Sweden.
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Post by hungarianfan on May 5, 2004 17:19:33 GMT -5
About SWE-LAT: The latvian defence made foolish mistakes, thaqt's why they lost. The swedish defence was very good in shorthanded play. The latvians have also great chances, but failed to convert, while the swedes did. I'm so upset now. One of my favourite group is out now. About TCH-USA: The americans deserved the win I think. They came back 2 goals behind. I know the second goal was a lucky one, but Vokoun saved a lot of american chances. I hope the Finnish will go through tomorrow, although I like Canada too. I know the swiss have no chance against the slovakian team.
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Post by Balder on May 5, 2004 17:33:46 GMT -5
Thanks DanCan! We can use the support, especially if USA plays anything like tonight! And thank you for the little game review Hungarianfan! I wasn't able to see the Swe-Lat game unfortunatly. I do know there was a hole lot of penalties though.
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Post by marrella on May 5, 2004 19:13:28 GMT -5
What a wonderful last couple of days ... Calgary takes out Detroit ... Philly takes out the Leafs ... and TEAM USA takes out the Czechs!!! I am so proud of our boys! And congrats to Coach Lavs. If only he could have this much success with the Canes! OK, now we have to face the mighty Swedes. My only concern is with the lighting in the arena. Maybe Team USA should wear sunglasses so the lights bouncing off all that blonde Swedish hair doesn't hinder their ability to see the puck.
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Post by wayne99 on May 6, 2004 5:47:58 GMT -5
What what what? ? ? Philly takes out the Leafs ... and that's a good thing? Surely not! What about my dream of an all canadian Stanley Cup Finals? I have to give all the credit to Philly though, as they deserve that victory. They simply played better over 6 games than the Leafs, but boy what a Game 6 they had! I now undestand what "being on the edge of your sit" means!
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Post by pihinalle on May 6, 2004 12:22:55 GMT -5
Czech-USA was a great game but shootout doesn't belong to hockey. I have said it many times. It turns a teamsport into an individual sport. Finland-Canada was a thriller too, but the result wasn't what it should have been Both teams were very good and either team could have won. One thing got me mad was that disallowed goal which clearly was a goal
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Post by hungarianfan on May 6, 2004 12:36:29 GMT -5
I like Canada, coz their acting against us was a kind of gentleman's style in this year in case of both matches. But my heart is beating with Suomi ... and Latvija. So I'm now. Let's go Canada now against the team from Slovakia! P.S.: I think with the arrival of Forsberg and Lidström, Sweden is the favourite. But this is my opinion.
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Post by hungarianfan on May 6, 2004 15:02:14 GMT -5
Payolaaaaaaaaaa! The referees don't allow to win the swiss. The 2nd slovak goal was a joke. And they judged the goal!!!!!!!!!!! At the swiss post (by Rüthemann), should be given a penalty shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a shame!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by marrella on May 6, 2004 20:35:43 GMT -5
Sorry Wayne ... I just have never liked the Leafs. But I'm thrilled with Calgary and TBL. I am hping for a Calgary vs. TBL finals .
Go USA!
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