2021 World Championships

[Cornholio]

Always good to see US vrs Canada but everyone knows this is just the "pre-season" game and largely meaningless outside of pride - the 'real' game will be in the championship.

I really hope with the strength group B has shown (especially Czech - wow) and the clear separation between the NA and rest of group A teams, that the tournament format goes to a more traditional "pool A" and "pool B" with the US in one pool, Canada in the other. Standard pool play then the top 2 in each pool go to the 'medal' rounds while the bottom 2 in each pool go to the "relegation" rounds. 3rd place winners can play a best 2-of-3 to figure out who finishes #5 and #6 in the tournament. Would make for a much more exciting tournament and give teams like the Czech a legit chance to bounce out Switzerland/Russia. As of right now, it is hard to get too excited for this US-Canada match up knowing it is just a pride game, and then watch both the US and Canada spank their respective Group B counter parts (Japan and Germany). I think Czech might have a chance for a win over Finland (was last worlds the aberration or this one - it looked like for a bit there they could be on par with the US/Canada but look to have fallen back to the mean) but even so don't think it moves them up enough in the rankings to become #5 in the world. I think Czech would give a beat-down on the Swiss and could probably beat Russia too but we won't get to find out and won't for at least a few years at best in the current format.

[Lindsay]

I'll go with the USA, 3-1 with an empty netter.

yes have to give the US the edge especially with Poulin out. I have a feeling there will be more goals but maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Canada looks good, that is for sure so I certainly won’t be surprised if they win. That Fillier line is mighty good. Pretty veteran 3rd line for Canada too with Johnson Clark Turnbull. Maybe they can be the difference.

Desbiens vs Cavallini in net. Apparently according to a certain hockey stats model Canada’s goalies give them the edge. We shall see.

[Lindsay]

Cornholio - I think you might be on to something. I’m pumped for tonight since Covid took away a year of games but we do see an awful lot (in normal times) of Canada US exhibition games and they are broadcast nowadays so don’t really need another.

I know that in the past that was not true so to only see US and Canada play each other once at these tourneys used to be a downer.

sounds like group b has some compelling Hockey happening. Women’s hockey will need to continue to adjust to the evolving landscape.

[robertearle]

Rigs versus ARD.... who do I root for? "Which of your children do you like better?"

[Blackbeard]

Can 5 - US 0 after two.

The way that Canada started this game coming out of the blocks full steam ahead reminds me of the US when they did the same thing in their first meeting at the Worlds in Burlington, Vermont (2013?).

Canada's forecheck is absolutely suffocating the US...no time and no space.

The US seems to be suffering Canada's fate during that game...surprise, confusion, frustration and disbelief.

We've seen enough of these two teams to know that the next meeting could be the opposite as it was in Burlington in the Gold Medal Game.

[Lindsay]

Lots of people talking about who’s not there. Watts, Gabel etc. But the girls selected for Canada’s centralization team imho is good.

Mental note listen to slap shot willy.

what the hell happened tonight? Nice job Canada!

[slapshot willy]

Canada was flying that’s for sure. The new younger players full of energy and yes the forecheck is suffocating and non-stop. No time or space for USA players. The USA will respond if both meet in gold medal game. Should be pretty exciting

[Lindsay]

https://www.theicegarden.com/platfor...mpression=true

from Gabriella Fundaro at the Ice Garden.

The Athletic has a long Sarah Fillier profile up, for those with subscriptions.

very fun win for Canada, but as above posters have said, new day the next time they meet.

[D2D]

https://www.theicegarden.com/platfor...mpression=true

Based on what we saw tonight, highly unlikely the U.S. will be able to turn the tables against a very determined and highly skilled Canadian team. But for sure I would bet on a much closer game than what we saw tonight.

[Timothy A]

Based on what we saw tonight, highly unlikely the U.S. will be able to turn the tables against a very determined and highly skilled Canadian team. But for sure I would bet on a much closer game than what we saw tonight.

It's all part of JJ's master plan to win the gold. The US will certainly do it. You heard it here first. Let's go Red and White and Blue.

[zambonidriver]

Always good to see US vrs Canada but everyone knows this is just the "pre-season" game and largely meaningless outside of pride - the 'real' game will be in the championship.

I really hope with the strength group B has shown (especially Czech - wow) and the clear separation between the NA and rest of group A teams, that the tournament format goes to a more traditional "pool A" and "pool B" with the US in one pool, Canada in the other. Standard pool play then the top 2 in each pool go to the 'medal' rounds while the bottom 2 in each pool go to the "relegation" rounds. 3rd place winners can play a best 2-of-3 to figure out who finishes #5 and #6 in the tournament. Would make for a much more exciting tournament and give teams like the Czech a legit chance to bounce out Switzerland/Russia. As of right now, it is hard to get too excited for this US-Canada match up knowing it is just a pride game, and then watch both the US and Canada spank their respective Group B counter parts (Japan and Germany). I think Czech might have a chance for a win over Finland (was last worlds the aberration or this one - it looked like for a bit there they could be on par with the US/Canada but look to have fallen back to the mean) but even so don't think it moves them up enough in the rankings to become #5 in the world. I think Czech would give a beat-down on the Swiss and could probably beat Russia too but we won't get to find out and won't for at least a few years at best in the current format.

Some great points here. Sawa lot of the Czech girls at selects in Balzno italy about 5 years ago they won the tournament in ot.
Remember Finland doesn't have Raty playing for them this tournament she will definitely be on their Olympic team.She makes a huge difference.
The us looks old. Like they did in the 2014 Olympics. The Younger lines could keep up with Canada. This could all change in the loser out round.

[ARM]

Remember Finland doesn't have Raty playing for them this tournament she will definitely be on their Olympic team.She makes a huge difference.

The goalies that Finland does have for this event have done enough so that the Finns have the best save % in Pool A. Coming through the Pool A schedule will give their team an edge in defending in the quarterfinal against the Czechs. Playing Canada is better preparation than playing Hungary and Denmark.

As for the USA being old in 2014, the only skater on the roster in 2014 older than 26 who wasn't also on the 2018 Olympic roster was Julie Chu. The goalies were younger in 2018, but the rest of the roster didn't turn over that much. I'd say that the current roster has more new blood amongst the skaters than the 2018 roster did.

[Xcfire]

Breaking Down the USA Roster and Canada Roster
Number of Colleges Representative Canada 15 USA 9
Break down of Conference Representative
Canada ECAC 16 Players WCHA 9 Players HEA 2 Canada 1
USA WCHA 16 Players 6 HEA 1 CHA 1 ECAC

FYI Read into this what you want if anything

[Cornholio]

The Czechs should be playing for a chance to bump out the Swiss or Russians. The fact they dominated group B and yet have no chance to play the bottom of group A with a chance to 'relegate' them to B is a major flaw in how the tournament is setup. Further, TBH, while good hockey is good hockey, the fact is all the current group A match-ups have lacked any urgency in the preliminary round since they all make it to the 'finals' - there is nothing to play for and nothing to lose outside of pride since no one can be 'relegated' and all make the playoffs. I really hope the format changes next year to make this preliminary rounds meaningful. With 10 teams, where 2 dominate and the other 8 should be pretty competitive screams for going to a normal "pool" play format. Make every game mean something.

[Cornholio]

If the concern with regular pool play is that we would go back to seeing some 15-0 games again like in the early days, the format could go where the top 2 in group A get a "bye" into the medal round, bottom 3 in A play the top 3 in B for the other 2 medal round spots and 5-8 final tournament positioning, while the bottom 2 of B play to see who gets relegated. This would also make the preliminary rounds mean something in A, and would avoid the "US-Hungary" match up which might not be fun for anyone involved (either playing or watching)