Well....they didn't win.
- rmiethaner

which is always gonna be a possibility. no one ever argued that.
they ran into a hot goalie. it happens.

i think his point was quite simple and pretty clear. the big ice probably didn't make much difference in the shootout

Guess Canada lost in the shootout in '98 because of the big ice.

Also notice how Russia has had basically equal success on small and big ice even though by Dopps theory* they should be better on the big ice.

*Well, not just his. I hear it a lot on TV/radio as well
- daeth

There many more top level Russians and Europeans for that matter, that have years of experience playing on NHL sized ice. The reverse, top level North Americans with years of playing on international sized ice, cannot be said.

This may account for the level of success that you talk about.


How about this, is the larger ice a "plus" or a "minus" for either the Russians or Canadians??

Also, is playing in Russia "plus" or a "minus" for either the Russians or Canadians??

There many more top level Russians and Europeans for that matter, that have years of experience playing on NHL sized ice. The reverse, top level North Americans with years of playing on international sized ice, cannot be said.

This may account for the level of success that you talk about.


How about this, is the larger ice a "plus" or a "minus" for either the Russians or Canadians??

Also, is playing in Russia "plus" or a "minus" for either the Russians or Canadians??
- Doppleganger

Depending on who the Canadians select, it's not a minus for the Canadians and could in fact be a plus. For the Russians, it's almost assuredly not a minus and probably a plus.

Playing in Russia is undoubtedly a plus for Russia and not particularly a minus for Canada.

I think there's an assumption here that some Canadians couldn't possibly be better on larger ice. I like Taylor Hall's speed against whatever KHL player is on Russia's 4th line, no matter the ice size. In fact, I think the mismatch is worse if you give Hall more room to work with.

Depending on who the Canadians select, it's not a minus for the Canadians and could in fact be a plus. For the Russians, it's almost assuredly not a minus and probably a plus.

Playing in Russia is undoubtedly a plus for Russia and not particularly a minus for Canada.
- Morris

Agreed.

If it was again on an nhl sized rink, we might see all of thornton, getzlaf, lucic, benn etc. but i highly doubt that'll be the case in russia.
This team will be tailored towards skating and all around play. All with a plethora of offensive talent. I dont think the big ice is gonna be a minus for canada.

But im also sure both surface and especially home ice will be added help for the russkies

Agreed.

If it was again on an nhl sized rink, we might see all of thornton, getzlaf, lucic, benn etc. but i highly doubt that'll be the case in russia.
This team will be tailored towards skating and all around play. All with a plethora of offensive talent. I dont think the big ice is gonna be a minus for canada.

But im also sure both surface and especially home ice will be added help for the russkies
- hugefemale dog77

And perhaps that's just why they are the Favourites, with Canada a close second.

And perhaps that's just why they are the Favourites, with Canada a close second.
- Doppleganger

Well that's my point right?

The home ice isnt enough to make them the fav over a much heavier stacked canadian lineup.
And the big ice isnt gonna be a huge factor in relation to canada's team make up and far stronger depth this time around.

The potential D for Russia looks embarrassingly awful if I'm honest.

The potential D for Russia looks embarrassingly awful if I'm honest.
- daeth

it really does.

Their top end talent up front is a wash with canada's, but our bottom 6 and defence is far superior. And Goaltending is close, but ill give them a slight edge on bobs lone strong season in 2013.

At the end of the day, it can prove to be a factor, but ice surface size and home rink have to be secondary to who has the best team.

On paper i think russia has the 4th best lineup and id have no problem predicting them out of the medals if it werent in russia.
But because of this im giving them an outside shot to replace one of canada, sweden and the states for a medal.

Well that's my point right?

The home ice isnt enough to make them the fav over a much heavier stacked canadian lineup.
And the big ice isnt gonna be a huge factor in relation to canada's team make up and far stronger depth this time around.
- hugefemale dog77

Not to nit pick, but you earlier claimed Canada would be a "Juggernaut "

The consensus of the odds makers have picked the Russians to be the favourites, not the Canadians as you still seem to be saying, when discounting the different ice size, the Russians home ice advantage (Fans) and every team trying to take down the defending Gold medallists.

These things are all going to make the Canadians road to the gold that much harder than in 2010, when they needed overtime.

The potential D for Russia looks embarrassingly awful if I'm honest.
- daeth

Never underestimate the Russians. Canada's U20 teams have done that for the past three years, and have finished behind the Russians for the past three years at the WJHC.

Not to nit pick, but you earlier claimed Canada would be a "Juggernaut "

The consensus of the odds makers have picked the Russians to be the favourites, not the Canadians as you still seem to be saying, when discounting the different ice size, the Russians home ice advantage (Fans) and every team trying to take down the defending Gold medallists. These things are all going to make the Canadians road to the gold that much harder than in 2010, when they needed overtime.
- Doppleganger

and every team isn't going to be trying to beat the home team?
and its not like these teams aren't giving it all in every game. everybody always wants to beat Canada. I don't put much stock in that one brah....

Canada's lineup is a juggernaut. the only reason we're even having this conversation is because Russia is at home. on paper, theyre not close.

as I said, I think the best team trumps home ice

Never underestimate the Russians. Canada's U20 teams have done that for the past three years, and have finished behind the Russians for the past three years at the WJHC.
- Doppleganger

Russia, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, and USA all have legit chances of upsetting Canada. Slovakia too if they get great goaltending. I wouldn't underestimate anyone.

Canada does blow everyone away in terms of talent and depth except in net though.

and every team isn't going to be trying to beat the home team?
and its not like these teams aren't giving it all in every game. everybody always wants to beat Canada. I don't put much stock in that one brah....

Canada's lineup is a juggernaut. the only reason we're even having this conversation is because Russia is at home. on paper, theyre not close.

as I said, I think the best team trumps home ice
- hugefemale dog77

And yet the odds makers do not agree with you.

And yet the odds makers do not agree with you.
- Doppleganger

odds are based on betting trends

odds are based on betting trends
- daeth

So is what you're saying is that people are putting their $$$ on the Russians based on who they feel will win the Gold, based on their brains, instead of their hearts?

The Jays were the odds-on favourite to win the World Series heading into this year.

Just an example of how accurate betting odds are.

I could give a fuk what the oddsmakers say.
A bunch if people go bet on canada tomo, theyll change.

Everyone who knows anything about hockey knows that canada is the best team on paper. Without question.

We'll see what happens on the ice, but until then, canada will remain the clear favourites and strongest team

The Jays were the odds-on favourite to win the World Series heading into this year.

Just an example of how accurate betting odds are.
- daeth

Apparently mark buehrle and a knuckleballer were gonna be enough to not only come out if the toughest division in baseball, but also win the whole thing.

Apparently mark buehrle and a knuckleballer were gonna be enough to not only come out if the toughest division in baseball, but also win the whole thing.
- hugefemale dog77

If Johnson & Di ckey could manage a 4 ERA they'd be in the playoff mix. They both absolutely poop the bed though and couldn't even manage that. Pathetic.

Buehrle has been fine imo. Anywhere from 4 to 4.5 ERA from him is ok as long as he pitches 6 innings which he has been consistently doing.

If Johnson & Di ckey could manage a 4 ERA they'd be in the playoff mix. They both absolutely poop the bed though and couldn't even manage that. Pathetic.

Buehrle has been fine imo. Anywhere from 4 to 4.5 ERA from him is ok as long as he pitches 6 innings which he has been consistently doing.
- daeth

Point was; the team was overrated from the get go. If one actually broke down the team and looked at the numbers in relation to the money spent, world series favs was far fetched.
Last in the east shouldnt have been expected either though..

Yeah they were brutally overrated.

I still can't believe how much they suck though. I thought at minimum they'd be .500, but I expected 90 wins.

Winter Olympics 2014: Gay athletes and tourists ‘face arrest’ in Russia

http://metro.co.uk/2013/0...arrest-in-russia-3905840/


In other news, figure skating and 53 other competitions have been cancelled.

if i was an athlete id boycott these games

Buzzfeed did a story on guys posing as other gay guys just to lure a gay guy over, and pretty much torture him

its illegal to be gay

all this B.S its just sicking.

Love to see whatever team wins gold skate around with a rainbow flag. Good luck trying to arrest the Canadian - or better yet - the American hockey team. It'd be a (frank)ing international poopshow.