You will all hate me for this... but I'm taking bets that Canda will NOT win the gold

[Chambokl]

Canada vs Germany... Tuesday night at 7:30 EST

Brodeur didn't play well.
Niedermayer and Pronger were not too good.
Morrow and Bergeron.... not much to say.
Thornton should give us more.
Too many penalties.
Babcock .... not sure yet.

On a positive side Doughty was awesome. Nash probably best forward.

This is better in a way, now we have a game to watch Tuesday night...

Maybe a match vs Russia Wednesday night...

[Baxter]

hmmmmmmmmmm...is about all I can say on that mess right now.....

[sillywilly]

lose one from here on in and the golf balls are mine

[Big Johnny69]

One question that has bothered me all night....what was Brodeur's stick doing between his legs on Langenbruner's goal????

[Chambokl]

One question that has bothered me all night....what was Brodeur's stick doing between his legs on Langenbruner's goal????

He went to make the save, but the puck went in off Langenbrunner's skate. Just a bad luck... happen a few time last night, bad luck that is.

[LobWedge]

Even though Canada outshot the Americans, they basically got out-hustled all night. Kessler's empty-netter was the perfect example of hustle and determination. The US forecheck was solid and they pressured Brodeur every time he touched the puck. Pronger, Niedermayer, and Boyle were bruital. Thornton was slow. Crosby, Heatley, Nash, and Doughty were the only real bright spots for Canada last night.

Germany has nothing to lose, and Canada had better be careful to not take them too lightly. That being said, if you count the shootout win against the Swiss as a tie, then Canada has the same record after the preliminary round as 2002.

[davevandyk]

I must say, I am not completely concerned with the team right now. Ya we gotta play an extra game, then Russia but to win the gold we knew we would have to beat the Russians at one point.

The group has nothing to worry about in my opinion, they played great and totally had the game dominated from a Time on Attack standpoint. Marty just had 2 brainfarts that we know will not happen again.

However, we got outplayed in the goalie position. Look at all the top teams, their goalies are unbelievable: Lundquivst, Kipper, Miller. Maybe this was a good thing to happen. Marty is a workhorse that needs to play, an extra game isn't gonna tire him out, just give him an extra game to work some kinks out.

[mberube]

I must say, I am not completely concerned with the team right now. Ya we gotta play an extra game, then Russia but to win the gold we knew we would have to beat the Russians at one point.

The group has nothing to worry about in my opinion, they played great and totally had the game dominated from a Time on Attack standpoint. Marty just had 2 brainfarts that we know will not happen again.

However, we got outplayed in the goalie position. Look at all the top teams, their goalies are unbelievable: Lundquivst, Kipper, Miller. Maybe this was a good thing to happen. Marty is a workhorse that needs to play, an extra game isn't gonna tire him out, just give him an extra game to work some kinks out.

That’s where I disagree. Marty is in a slump. I know, I have him in my NHL pool. He is 3-5-2 in his last 10 games 1-3-1 in his last 5. He lets in 3 to 4 goals a game lately. And obviously he was all over the place yesterday. Overly agitated and did not cover his angles. He worked too hard for the amount of shot he got. Luongo would be my choice.

[sillywilly]

forget marty, one bad game is enough to switch goalies. lets go loungo!!

[jonf]

The worst thing the Canadians could do right now is give up on Marty. He's arguably the best goalie of all time, and one of the most clutch goalies of all time. Had a rough night out tonight, so it will NOT happen again for a while. Bobby-Lu, on the other hand, had never won a game that mattered.

I said a few days ago, the extra game is not all bad. The biggest problem in a short tournament is that there is not time to create chemistry, and this team is still experiencing that problem. An extra game to work out the kinks could be a huge advantage, especially coming up against a Russian team that has looked anything but impressive. Very 1 dimensional, and looking like they need some more time to really get in the flow.

And Geoff, I've got news for you. That wasn't Langenbrunner's goal. Shea Weber decided that, as a defenceman, he should try to bat the puck out of the air with his stick. He made a beautiful, beautiful tip. Just at the wrong end.

Iggy needs more ice time. Every shift he's forechecking, creating chances. But he's not out there enough.

[Big Johnny69]

The worst thing the Canadians could do right now is give up on Marty. He's arguably the best goalie of all time, and one of the most clutch goalies of all time. Had a rough night out tonight, so it will NOT happen again for a while. Bobby-Lu, on the other hand, had never won a game that mattered.

I said a few days ago, the extra game is not all bad. The biggest problem in a short tournament is that there is not time to create chemistry, and this team is still experiencing that problem. An extra game to work out the kinks could be a huge advantage, especially coming up against a Russian team that has looked anything but impressive. Very 1 dimensional, and looking like they need some more time to really get in the flow.

And Geoff, I've got news for you. That wasn't Langenbrunner's goal. Shea Weber decided that, as a defenceman, he should try to bat the puck out of the air with his stick. He made a beautiful, beautiful tip. Just at the wrong end.

Iggy needs more ice time. Every shift he's forechecking, creating chances. But he's not out there enough.

I think Iginla is still suffering the after effects from that hit in the Norway game. Probably the reason he's being used so little.

Regardless of who tipped the puck, Brodeur, for two games now, has now shown very uninspiring play. Probably the best puck handling goalie of all-time, Brodeur's puck movement and passes have been weak, and his choices have been ill advised and timed. It's been like for two games now. Watch closely, it seems like he's doing everything at a slower pace.

Although he didn't face too many shots against Norway, at least when we was needed to make a save, Luongo looked solid. Other than the three save flurry in the second period against the US, Brodeur has looked anything but solid. Rafalski's two goals were very weak. And still not sure why he attempted a double pad sliding stack on the second goal. A simple leg kick with paddle down would've stopped the shot.

With this tourney being played in his home rink, whether he's won a "meaningful" game or not, Luongo will feel like he's got something to prove. I'd ride him through to the end or until Canada gets eliminated.

[mberube]

I think Iginla is still suffering the after effects from that hit in the Norway game. Probably the reason he's being used so little.

Regardless of who tipped the puck, Brodeur, for two games now, has now shown very uninspiring play. Probably the best puck handling goalie of all-time, Brodeur's puck movement and passes have been weak, and his choices have been ill advised and timed. It's been like for two games now. Watch closely, it seems like he's doing everything at a slower pace.

Although he didn't face too many shots against Norway, at least when we was needed to make a save, Luongo looked solid. Other than the three save flurry in the second period against the US, Brodeur has looked anything but solid. Rafalski's two goals were very weak. And still not sure why he attempted a double pad sliding stack on the second goal. A simple leg kick with paddle down would've stopped the shot.

With this tourney being played in his home rink, whether he's won a "meaningful" game or not, Luongo will feel like he's got something to prove. I'd ride him through to the end or until Canada gets eliminated.

Totally agree. Luongo has something to prove. He looked very solid, poised and in control on his first game. Eventhough Marty wone the game against the Swiss, Marty did not look sharp.

As for the team, I categorise this as the NY Rangers sindrome. Too much talent on the same team. Eavry one on this team is used to 20+ minutes a game. Now they play half or less of what they normaly play. That must make a difference. An the face off issue is rediculous. This issue is taking alot of opertunaties away. They should address ASAP. Sid was very poor at it most of the game.

[nokids]

crosby gives the lamest interviews. i dont know who's lamer, him or Tiger Woods.

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo
Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo, Domo

[mberube]

I don’t really care about the interview. As long as he performs on the ice.

I was sooo stressed out during the game that I had to pump iron in between periods. Did some bench press and pull-ups and it help but it didn’t do much for Canada.

[nokids]

As long as he performs on the ice.

i'm still waiting for "the next one" to dominate on the big stage. the last two stanley cup finals vs Detroit he was invisible. although he's got some points in this tournament, he's a team worst -1 (plus/minus).

he's 22 years old, so he has 13 more years to impress me.

[LobWedge]

Oops! Forgot to mention Toews. He was great last night too.

[sharkshooter]

The first three American goals were direct results of Brodeur misplaying the puck. He should have been pulled last night. Babcock should start Luongo with Fleury as the back up for the next game. Maybe that will send Marty a wake-up call.

[mberube]

i'm still waiting for "the next one" to dominate on the big stage. the last two stanley cup finals vs Detroit he was invisible. although he's got some points in this tournament, he's a team worst -1 (plus/minus).

he's 22 years old, so he has 13 more years to impress me.

I agree, he is not the great one. But he did play good yesterday. He has a lot of ice time and that says a lot about his talent and determination. But his face-off % was brutal.

[jonf]

I agree, he is not the great one. But he did play good yesterday. He has a lot of ice time and that says a lot about his talent and determination. But his face-off % was brutal.

Were we watching the same game? Crosby played terrible yesterday. The game is played at both ends, and his line got exposed in the defensive on multiple occasions.

That has been the biggest problem thus far with this team. While they dominate the shot total, when the puck is in their defensive in, they are playing lazy. They're not moving their feet well, they're chasing the puck, and they're more concerned about the counter attack than actually getting the puck safely out of the zone.

[jonf]

There's a reason Luongo has something to prove, and that reason is that he never wins the big game. He can't make the big save when it actually matters.

First goal last night was tipped at the last second...same with the last. Second goal was nearly a brilliant play (if Crosby and co. had actually tried to get the puck, rather than rushing up ice assuming it would get past the defender). Rafalski's shot on that, thought it looked weak, was also brilliant. he slid it along the ice at about two miles per hour from prime slot position...Brodeur went for the double stack there as the best way to take up a lot of net, and Rafalski simply outplayed him. The third goal was one of those goals that happens against Brodeur. He goes for the poke check in that position, where other goalies wait in their crease and get beat with the shot. The poke check didn't work, so it looked ugly (that's the nature of a poke check). But when you've got Brodeur in net, you have to be prepared for those goals to happen. His willingness to take that risk and make that pokecheck is part of what makes him the best.

[jonf]

Plus, your heart gets a much better workout with Brodeur in net.

[jonf]

he was a -3 after the third US goal. Not a good showing. He got ice time because they need him to be successful if they are going to win, so they need to play him and give him a chance to get going.

[mberube]

he was a -3 after the third US goal. Not a good showing. He got ice time because they need him to be successful if they are going to win, so they need to play him and give him a chance to get going.

+/- is the most overrated stats in hockey and it should not exist. You step on the ice while the other team scores, your -1. You’re on the penalty kill unit and your team gets scored on a few time because of a tip in, your –X.

Funny cuz earlier you were defending Brodeur on brilliantly tipped goals and pointing out it was not his fault and now you are blaming Crosby on his -3 for the night. If it wasn’t for the kid, the comeback at the end would not have been possible.

Any who, this was the game they needed to lose if they had to lose one. Lets see what they are made of.

[mpare]

I agree with you fully. On that score do you agree with Don Cherry's view that Canada should be going with three lines, not four? I do. It seems to me that in this way, the players would really get into the game. Besides, if anyone one of them got tired (which they shouldn't), then there would be plenty of fresh legs to replace them.

he was a -3 after the third US goal. Not a good showing. He got ice time because they need him to be successful if they are going to win, so they need to play him and give him a chance to get going.

[Chambokl]

Mike... I don't usually agree with Don Cherry... but I would also go with 3 lines... with spot presence with the other guys. All of these guys are use to 18 to 22 minutes per game. Now they are playing 13 to 16 minutes... no enough I think.

I know you played teams sports before and you surely remember how hard it is to get into a game with limited time on the field ... let the big guns play.

[mberube]

Mike... I don't usually agree with Don Cherry... but I would also go with 3 lines... with spot presence with the other guys. All of these guys are use to 18 to 22 minutes per game. Now they are playing 13 to 16 minutes... no enough I think.

I know you played teams sports before and you surely remember how hard it is to get into a game with limited time on the field ... let the big guns play.

Totally agree.

[jonf]

I'm not blaming Crosby. There were lots of people who needed to be better in the defensive zone. He was one of them. I was taking issue with your claim that he played a great game. He didn't. He needs to do more for the team to be successful, and looked out of place defensively.

[mberube]

I'm not blaming Crosby. There were lots of people who needed to be better in the defensive zone. He was one of them. I was taking issue with your claim that he played a great game. He didn't. He needs to do more for the team to be successful, and looked out of place defensively.

Never said he played a great game. I said he played good. There is a BIG difference between great and good.

[Chambokl]

Babcock was also less than stellar. After the Crosby line (with Nash and Iginla) peppered Miller for about 55 seconds at the end of the third period he then has Perry on the ice... let me see Heatley, Marleau, Thornton line with Getzlaf or Stall or.... Perry, are you kidding me.

That minute from 18:00 to 19:00 of the third period was amazing... they must have shot 10 times toward Miller... I think the guy counting the shot on net was getting tired...

[mberube]

Well, well, well, Luongo will replace Brodeur tomorrow night. I guess Badcock thought Brodeur was not up to par.