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4 Nations Thread

Say what you want about the Tkachump brothers. I would absolutely love to have one of them on our squad. Blend of ruthless physicality bordering on thugs, but highly highly skilled. I think Matthew would fit perfectly in this system. Never will happen but man I’d take it.
 
Yeah, that got out of hand quickly for the Finns. They played their game the way they needed to through two periods and were trailing but right in it ... and wham. Sullivan broke glass and put the Tkachuks with Eichel (good call on the centerman, Mike) and they just went bonkers. In a matter of minutes, Finland had lost control of the neutral zone and the game. Man, but that US team is explosive. You could see it on paper, but it looked even more impressive in person ... even in the first two periods when the Finns were conducting a master class in damage control. Free Bird, baby.
 
I was also impressed with how much the senior team looked like the junior team that just won the Worlds in their systems and approach. If the US is going to be serious about sticking with the systems all through the age groups to the senior team, then look the heck out.
 
At the risk of piling on to the negative Nellie contingent - can't say I was impressed with Rantanen's performance last night. Of course, it's with another set of new players and a new system and he still may be a little bruised up, but I'm looking for the game-changer we hope he will be.
 
ThinIce said:
At the risk of piling on to the negative Nellie contingent - can't say I was impressed with Rantanen's performance last night. Of course, it's with another set of new players and a new system and he still may be a little bruised up, but I'm looking for the game-changer we hope he will be.
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I thought Barkov's line with Rantanen and Lehkonen held their own and it wasn't really the Matthews line that tipped the contest in the end. He also led Finland with an expected goal share of around 65%. So it's not like he sucked or anything. Aho on the other hand, played pretty awful and butchered the one decent look he had by putting too much mustard on a 2 on 1 pass to Hintz.
 
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Looks like the Finns are going to go with Lankinen in net against the Swedes. Saros wasn't terrible the other night, surrendering 1 goal above expected, but his confidence has to be in the tank after that butt whuppin'
 
Looks like Sam Bennett is stepping in for Canada today, centering Jarvis and the Rat. Konecny sits while Cooper goes Tampa old boys with Point centering Cirelli and Hagel on the 4th line. Binnington back in net. Makar took the morning skate but they called up Harley just in case. Not seeing any changes for the US, but I'd guess they roll the lines they finished with against Finland ... since that sorta seemed to work out OK.

I haven't seen much on Finland/Sweden but Armia will give way to Kakko and Lankinen is confirmed to be replacing Saros in net.
 
Heck of a game between the Finns and Swedes. Granlund goes five hole for the OT winner after a back and forth tussle that befits the nature of the rivalry. Sweden tried, but unlike the US, they just couldn't rattle the Finnish D and got most of their offense when their D joined the play. Meanwhile the Finns hunkered in, worked at the forecheck and kept their gaps tight.

Rantanen showed up bigtime in the 2nd, for anyone that was concerned about that. Aho continues to be less aggressive in the O zone than you'd like.
 
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