Originally Posted by
Adelaide
The semi-finals are next up. Canada versus Slovakia (who we beat 8-0 in our first game) and Russia versus Sweden. Canada hasn't lost yet but Russia usually comes out and plays a good game when we match up with them. Be interesting to see whether we go up against Sweden or Russia. It's been a while since our Juniors performed this well. Packed arenas in Montreal and Toronto should be a confidence booster. Russia unfortunately beat out the Americans in the quarter-finals. And an American versus Canada final is always fun since Americans could buy tickets and come here.
Anyone else been watching?
The Canada versus Denmark game was last night. After the 7th goal Canada seemed to stop trying to score out of good sportsmanship but they managed to get another in. They played more of their fourth line and it basically turned into a scrimmage to practice the fourth line's power play as well as defense. It was sort of bizarre to watch and they still got an 8th goal. I felt bad for their goalie. It was also quite apparent that a few Danish players just wanted to pick fights at that point - notably #20 Eller who seemed to get benched for about 3 minutes in the 3rd after picking a couple fights and when he was back on the ice he immediately got a penalty.
I've been in a few games where you're down by a lot and can understand the Danes being frustrated. I don't doubt that Slovakia is not looking forward to rematch, either. Although they did manage to beat the Czechs. Could have been first game jitters although they were extremely sloppy with the puck and passes. It was as though they'd set up their lines, but the players didn't get where they were supposed to be, and the passes were made assuming they'd be there. Canada turned over the puck so many times. I was watching with my family and said "there" every time Canada got a pass from a Slovak. Would have made a good drinking game.
It's pretty amazing to watch/listen to 20,000 people sing Canada's anthem when we win a game. Even better is that most people in Montreal sing it the way I do - half in French, half in English. It's not until 'God keep our land glorious and free,' that everyone gets in total unison.
Unfortunately, one of our best players was injured last night. High ankle or knee most likely. Fabbri, from Guelph.