2016 Ice Hockey World Championship

[Taigataipan]

Only 3 days before this tournament starts in Russia, better create new thread early enough.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_IIHF_World_Championship

What is the team you support? Who will win gold this year?

[fourthstartcg]

As a dual citizen, I’ll be happy is either the US or Canada takes home gold. Canada probably will, their roster is (as always) four lines of superstars. I think the only teams that could challenge Canada are maybe the US and Russia. Gonna be real exciting to watch!

[Taigataipan]

@fourthstartcg

As a dual citizen, I’ll be happy is either the US or Canada takes home gold. Canada probably will, their roster is (as always) four lines of superstars. I think the only teams that could challenge Canada are maybe the US and Russia. Gonna be real exciting to watch!

Canada/Russia are really strong + especially Russia has lots of pressures because it’s their home tournament, not the easiest crowd to please.

Try to keep eye on Finland too. Pretty good team overall and great hunger to take 3rd gold beside U18/U20 championships achieved earlier this year.

[smpratte]

I will be cheering on the US but it will be a good tournament.

I remember watching when pietrangelo was playing and was like, “this d-man is good”. I was elated when he signed with the blues. Canada is always so deep.

Oh and Patrick Lane is a sniper! I’m guessing the Jets will draft him, shades of Teemu!

[Taigataipan]

@smpratte

Oh and Patrick Lane is a sniper! I’m guessing the Jets will draft him, shades of Teemu!

It’s really close race between him and Auston Matthews, the results of this tournament might have huge effect on number 1 pick made by Toronto. Laine has done really well recently, U20 gold in January and Tappara ( his current team ) just won playoffs of national league.

[smpratte]

@Taigataipan

@smpratte

Oh and Patrick Lane is a sniper! I’m guessing the Jets will draft him, shades of Teemu!

It’s really close race between him and Auston Matthews, the results of this tournament might have huge effect on number 1 pick made by Toronto. Laine has done really well recently, U20 gold in January and Tappara ( his current team ) just won playoffs of national league.

I saw some of his playoffs highlights. I actually haven’t seen much footage of Matthews, just hear a lot about him being the projected 1st overall. I guess him being a well rounded center is the appeal, where Laine seems more like a pure goal scorer. I would take either one.

[fourthstartcg]

@smpratte

@Taigataipan

It’s really close race between him and Auston Matthews, the results of this tournament might have huge effect on number 1 pick made by Toronto. Laine has done really well recently, U20 gold in January and Tappara ( his current team ) just won playoffs of national league.

I saw some of his playoffs highlights. I actually haven’t seen much footage of Matthews, just hear a lot about him being the projected 1st overall. I guess him being a well rounded center is the appeal, where Laine seems more like a pure goal scorer. I would take either one.

While I don’t want to compare them, I feel like this year is kinda like the Ovechkin/Malkin draft year. One will most likely be a very good player, but picking number two nets you one hell of a consolation prize.

Last year was kinda like that with McDavid/Eichel, but McDavid is so far ahead of Eichel that while he’s still a good player I don’t think they’re in the same league.

[jkuo]

@fourthstartcg

@smpratte

I saw some of his playoffs highlights. I actually haven’t seen much footage of Matthews, just hear a lot about him being the projected 1st overall. I guess him being a well rounded center is the appeal, where Laine seems more like a pure goal scorer. I would take either one.

While I don’t want to compare them, I feel like this year is kinda like the Ovechkin/Malkin draft year. One will most likely be a very good player, but picking number two nets you one hell of a consolation prize.

Last year was kinda like that with McDavid/Eichel, but McDavid is so far ahead of Eichel that while he’s still a good player I don’t think they’re in the same league.

Of course they’re in the same league, they both play in the NHL!

I’ll see myself out now…

[Taigataipan]

Most surprised Russia lost 3-0 to Czech in opening game, well done Latvia by forcing Sweden to overtime and taking one point in the end.

[colours]

GO CANADA GO!!!

[Taigataipan]

Amazing what Patrik Laine has already done so far. 2 games down, 4 goals with 2 assists so he already broke Jaromir Jagr’s old record ( youngest player to make 5 points in world championship tournament ). Keep it coming, Finland surely needs those against United States later today.

[smpratte]

@Taigataipan

Amazing what Patrik Laine has already done so far. 2 games down, 4 goals with 2 assists so he already broke Jaromir Jagr’s old record ( youngest player to make 5 points in world championship tournament ). Keep it coming, Finland surely needs those against United States later today.

He is definitely the standout right now. It will be interesting to see how he does in Winnipeg, assuming they choose him. I want to see the jets in the post season again.

[colours]

@smpratte

@Taigataipan

Amazing what Patrik Laine has already done so far. 2 games down, 4 goals with 2 assists so he already broke Jaromir Jagr’s old record ( youngest player to make 5 points in world championship tournament ). Keep it coming, Finland surely needs those against United States later today.

He is definitely the standout right now. It will be interesting to see how he does in Winnipeg, assuming they choose him. I want to see the jets in the post season again.

I also want to see the Jets in the post season again, it was an amazing first playoff game last year. Paid over $300 to be at it. GO JETS GO!!

Mathews will go first and Jets would be dumb to not pick Laine.

[Taigataipan]

The goalkeeper of Hungary was on fire last night! So many great saves against Finland regardless the final score.

Overall points of group A are so even. Really hard to say which 4 teams move on to playoffs.

[kkthxbai]

[Taigataipan]

Last day of group stages ahead, Canada versus Finland will be interesting match because both have won all previous games. Winner faces Denmark/Switzerland in quarterfinals, way better outcome than Sweden ( or Russia in worst case scenario ).

Also Slovakia has small chance to eliminate United States, highly unlikely though. Hats off to Germany placing 3rd in groub B.

[smpratte]

@Taigataipan

Last day of group stages ahead, Canada versus Finland will be interesting match because both have won all previous games. Winner faces Denmark/Switzerland in quarterfinals, way better outcome than Sweden ( or Russia in worst case scenario ).

Also Slovakia has small chance to eliminate United States, highly unlikely though. Hats off to Germany placing 3rd in groub B.

I loved don cherry’s joke when Germany was playing Finland: “that’s the problem with Germans, they can’t finish”. Usually Ron does the corny puns, but they had a good tournament.

I’m curious to see how this tournament effects the draft. I will watch the whole thing this year as I know someone ranked 100 something from the US. Hopefully he gets picked up, hell of a wrist shot.

[Taigataipan]

That’s interesting, Finland actually beats Canada 4-0 after all the struggle in 1st period. Russia did win Sweden as expected so here are playoffs pairs:

Czech - United States

Canada - Sweden

Finland - Denmark

Russia - Germany

Any predictions for these matches?

[colours]

Predictions

Czech - United States - Czech Win

Canada - Sweden - Canada Win

Finland - Denmark - Fin Win

Russia - Germany - Russia Win

[gottaketchumall]

My Predictions

Czech - United States - USA!
Canada - Sweden - Canada
Finland - Denmark - Finns
Russia - Germany - Russia