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2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

D2D said:
While I agree that the U.S. defensemen need to play better, the forwards will also need to score more than the one goal, if they do make it to the Gold Medal game, which is by no means a sure thing.
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Obviously, scoring more goals is preferable to scoring less goals. When I spoke about how the US D are lacking, versus their dominant forwards, I'm distinguishing clear lack of talent from having an off game. The US forwards are undeniably stronger and more talented in comparison to Canada's; they just didn't put the puck in the net for this reason or that. My point, however, is that a few of US' D are pylons. They were walked coming off of stand-still plays, they pivoted to the wall instead of the middle (giving up breakaways and odd-man rushes), and their pinches were awful. The team also does not have a balance of puck-moving D. By no means am I trying to create an uproar by shooting down Team USA's flaws, as I am Canadian; I am merely questioning the D roster decisions. In my mind, there are better defencemen that I've seen play out of the Boston and Wisc/Minn areas.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Can_Hockey_Dad said:
In my mind, there are better defencemen that I've seen play out of the Boston and Wisc/Minn areas.
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Such as?

I'm with you on identifying the relative weakness but not on the claim that there was an obvious solution.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

I'm gonna brainstorm here.

Burke, McMillen, Hirschy.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

I finally watched US-Canada. The demise of the US team was greatly exaggerated. Hit the crossbar on the first shot, the whistle clearly blew before the puck went in on the disputed call. Marvin inexplicably too 2 strides deeper into the O zone right before the breakaway. The canucks score on the backdoor pp when the US d wasn't paying attention to the them. In the 3rd period, the US just couldn't connect the dots on the O zone, but they were in there often enough. These 2 teams are basically even. The ref was HORRIBLE. Too many ladies, interference and checking not called, botching the whistle blow goal. What a disservice to the gals on both teams.
 
brookyone said:
I'm gonna brainstorm here.

Burke, McMillen, Hirschy.
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All offensive D, and that is often the problem as I see it with Team USA. Defensemen are selected based on what they can contribute offensively and that isn't always the best defensive contingent. For example, I think Hirschy has a ton of talent, but right now, I'd say her teammate Krzyzaniak at UND is more ready for the international game. Canada doesn't need her, because they have more seasoned options. McMillen is as talented as anyone, but I think she is still too inconsistent. Until she becomes more solid in all three zones, IMO she isn't ready to help versus Canada.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

ARM said:
All offensive D, and that is often the problem as I see it with Team USA. Defensemen are selected based on what they can contribute offensively and that isn't always the best defensive contingent. For example, I think Hirschy has a ton of talent, but right now, I'd say her teammate Krzyzaniak at UND is more ready for the international game. Canada doesn't need her, because they have more seasoned options. McMillen is as talented as anyone, but I think she is still too inconsistent. Until she becomes more solid in all three zones, IMO she isn't ready to help versus Canada.
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I'm not in complete disagreement with the observations regarding the USA D...but don't even know if I have the same personnel in mind as the person making the observations. For me it becomes, or is a question of whether any lack of seasoning or experience at the highest level of competition is potentially a bigger disadvantage than the one suggested. I know which way I lean on that one. Aggressive offense tendencies considered I'm not sure they'd be greater liabilities per pure defensive responsibilities...than those upon which the comments were based...possibly...maybe...perhaps. ;)

It's moot at the moment and better fodder for future Team USA debate.
 
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Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

dave1381 said:
Such as?

I'm with you on identifying the relative weakness but not on the claim that there was an obvious solution.
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When I look at the US team and see two Harvard D that struggle (yet made the roster), and a Harvard head coach that presumably had a strong hand in choosing the squad, it is not hard for one to connect the dots. And that's just two of the players--it seems like a few of the other D were chosen based on height, as I'm not seeing much else. To answer your question--with holes such as these--if it's not close to obvious, than we're looking at a processes of elimination and scouting concerns.

I think one of your obvious players would be McMillen. I had a niece that was playing a ways back and had a chance to see McMillen a few times; she was awkward in her frame when she was younger, but she is now a serious threat on the point and can really play. She had a one-time shot for a goal in the national championship game last year that comes to mind.

Out of Boston College I remember a player named Bolden (or Bowden?). Strong skater, carried the puck with speed, and was also an offensive threat. She could be rough around the edges, but had a good stick-length and strong defensive abilities. I'd clearly have her in the 3rd D pair over others. Also, a BC defenceman named Pfalzer. My own kids were/are several years younger than Pfalzer and I was around the rinks and able to see her play in the Ontario junior league (and followed in college). Excellent hockey IQ. Her strengths are her D-zone perception, excellent footwork, and first-pass ability. She is able to get the puck up-ice quickly and efficiently.

I think these 3 players are more talented than a few D on the current roster, and would have been the proper style counterparts for the bigger girls. This isn't to say that team Canada didn't miss any gems in their selections, either. There are some dinosaurs on Team Canada that need to make way for younger talent.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

ARM said:
All offensive D, and that is often the problem as I see it with Team USA.
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As far as women's hockey goes in general, I will agree with you to a degree that choices for the national teams are heavily biased toward stats. And that is unfortunate because there are big discrepancies between teams in women's college hockey, allowing for the good old rack-up-the-points games. However, to touch on your point, the US team is now all defencive D. While offensive D are useful at the point, they are also effective in moving the puck out of the D zone. And, as their skating skills are generally better, they're less likely to get pan-seared when they have to unexpectedly backpedal from a stand still. There should always be a mix.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Can_Hockey_Dad said:
However, to touch on your point, the US team is now all defencive D.
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I don't know if I'm not understanding you correctly, or if you really are categorizing people like Bozek, Marvin, and Pucci as defensive? :confused:
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

All this talk about the alleged shortcomings of USA's D is pure BS! They were talented enough to beat the Canucks in their previous four meetings, and they can surely beat them again. Not rocket science, just go do it!
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Sure, I agree the U.S. D is talented enough for the U.S. to beat Canada for the reasons you mentioned. But I also agree with the others that the U.S. D is relatively weak compared to Canada, and the first Olympic meeting and the relative success of these players in U.S. college supports my point of view. I also agree with Timothy A that the differences between the two countries aren't large and it's still anyone's game if they meet again as anticipated.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

D2D said:
All this talk about the alleged shortcomings of USA's D is pure BS! They were talented enough to beat the Canucks in their previous four meetings, and they can surely beat them again. Not rocket science, just go do it!
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Exactly. 2 single errors led to 2 of the goals and the 3rd goal was a fudged play. They can win the meaningless game, that's ok with me. That may prove to be a plus on the motivation side for the US.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

Lets get back to talking about results...Schocker in the quarters...Sweden scores 3 in the third to beat the Fins 4-2......Meanwhile Switzerland is leading Russia 1-0 in the other quarter.

P.S.....AM...You Funny....In my native language this is how it is spelled.
 
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Timothy A said:
I finally watched US-Canada. The demise of the US team was greatly exaggerated. Hit the crossbar on the first shot, the whistle clearly blew before the puck went in on the disputed call. Marvin inexplicably too 2 strides deeper into the O zone right before the breakaway. The canucks score on the backdoor pp when the US d wasn't paying attention to the them. In the 3rd period, the US just couldn't connect the dots on the O zone, but they were in there often enough. These 2 teams are basically even. The ref was HORRIBLE. Too many ladies, interference and checking not called, botching the whistle blow goal. What a disservice to the gals on both teams.
Click to expand...

I agree. 2 best teams in world. You can't win them all. 2 breakdowns led to goals (and as much as I hate to admit it, it was Coyne not the D on the first goal who got caught watching the puck) Don't forget first one was a terrific back door pass and one timer and next was breakaway that beat goalie. Both goals by probably Canada's top goal scorer. Canada's goalie played great. Canada is a great team. Any other team and you have another shutout.

As for the Stone-Dineen comparison, I think the better topic is Church-Dineen. Both Stone and Dineen have their teams playing well.
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

OnMAA said:
Lets get back to talking about results...Schocker in the quarters...Sweden scores 3 in the third to beat the Fins 4-2......Meanwhile Switzerland is leading Russia 1-0 in the other quarter.
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Bah! No wonder I missed it all.

Before the Olympics started, somebody posted this link to the TV schedule along with the cable channels that would be carrying each game. So look at the date they have for the women's quarterfinals.

http://bloguin.com/puckdrunklove/20...tv-schedule-for-men-s-and-women-s-hockey.html
 
Re: 2014 Sochi Olympic Games Women's Ice Hockey Tournament

wwhyte said:
Noora Raty says she'll retire unless she can find somewhere to play professionally: https://twitter.com/Nooraty41/status/434713234432487426/photo/1 (tweet)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BghpYi6CcAAX7W4.jpg (picture of statement)
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Sounding as though Noora still has the fire for competition in her heart, I hope she can find the place to stoke that fire and thrive with the challenging competition she obviously enjoys so much. Some poignant words from her regarding what her sport needs. She has given a lot to the sport and it's fans. The best I've ever had the good fortune to watch.

Future University of Minnesota "M" Club HoF...there can be no doubt.
 
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