2016 World Cup Of Hockey

For all you on here who may not be into the sport or pay much attention to hockey or the NHL, this month would be a good time to get started. This is an NHL organized event being competed for a couple weeks between numerous top hockey nations as well as players representing Europe and the top U-23 players of Canada and the USA (Team North America).

Big upside to this tournament is you get best vs best international teams, combined with NHL rules and aggression (i.e hitting and fighting not as dulled as you'd see in the Olympics under IIHF rules). If you get a chance to watch, I'd highly reccomend it.

Go Canada Go...

 

Which of the European countries have the strongest team?

 

Personally I'd say Sweden has the best team overall. Russia is easily the most talented skill-wise, but very often in international competition will over-play the game (try to do too much and crumble defensively). Finland's solid defensively and has great goaltending. Sweden has a solid mix of everything, great structure. I think Czech Republic will struggle, as will Team Europe. Team Europe is the best players not playing in the countries I listed, mostly from Slovakia. Experienced but slow, and not too much talent up front.

 

Thanks for that. I tried watching some NHL when I was working in America, the puck was too small to see on the screen tbh.

 

Team Europe on the verge of upsetting the US in the first game of the tournament. 3-0 in the 3rd period, goals from Bellemare (France), Gaborik (Slovakia), and Draisaitl (Germany).

Each team plays a game against each of the teams in their group, 3 in total to try and finish in the top 2 and advance to the semi-finals, so any loss could be devastating to a teams chances of advancing.

 

Team USA beat down by Europe! USA have the players but very sloppy on D and gave away too many odd man rushes. Also Jaro Halak played well (I'm an Isles fan).

Shame they couldn't have more afternoon games so I can watch more games live.

 

Canada vs Czech Republic coming up

 

lol Team Canada is just crazy how good it should be!

John Tavares is a 4th liner :smiley-laughing002:

 

#lolcanadawins :bbpd:

 

Canada destroyed the Czech's 6-0. My boy Patrice Bergeron playing with Crosby and his Bruins linemate Marchand, best line in the tournament so far. Team North America playing Finland, as well as Russia playing Sweden. Both should be terrific games to watch, well matched teams.

 

Sweden beats Russia 2-1. Ovechkin scored late and almost added his 2nd within the last minute with 9 seconds left, was ruled that he batted it in with his hand, tight call. Finland vs NA should be a great game.

 

Wow, the young guns keep up their momentum. Team North America destroys Finland 4-1.
Pekka Rinne looked awful in net, but I'm really surprised Finland got dismantled so bad. A good mix and skill and experience in that team, NA were still all over them.

 

Wow, Team Europe beats Czech Republic 2-1 in OT. The team everyone (including myself) thought were too old and slow are coming alive when it matters. Czech Republic is essentially done now.

 

Russia beats North America 4-3. Best game of the tournament by far, Team North America down 4-1 going into the 3rd and almost tie it up late. Gostisbhere hit the post and Gaudreau missed an open net. Canada vs USA tomorrow, massive game. The intesity will be incredible.

 

what time is the canada vs usa game tomorrow pal?

 

Interested to see how NA and Europe fair in this tournament.

 

Sweden beats Finland 2-0. Both Lundqvist and Rask played exceptional in net, Finland just doesn't have the firepower it seems. Canada vs US on next, 5:30 pm mountain time, 12:30am in Scotland

 

Interesting fact with big ties to football. Ralph Kreuger, coach of Team Europe is also the chairman of Southampton FC. He's formerly a coach from Switzerland, Austria, and briefly in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. Was appointed at Southampton in 2012 I believe, has said that he's been juggling his priorities throughout the tournament between teams. Nice guy as well.

 

Canada brushes aside USA 4-2. Dissapointing game tbh. US scores early, Canada responds with 2 quick ones and it looks like it's gonna be a great contest. Nope. It was essentially Celtic vs Rangers 5-1, one way hockey, US couldn't get anything going and Canada sat back for the 3rd period letting in a sloppy goal late.

Team USA looked disinterested and lazy, not sure what was going on but yet another dissapointing result for them in international hockey. Canada plays Team Europe tomorrow for top spot in group A. Both teams are guaranteed a spot in the semi finals. USA will play Czech Republic in their final game, battle for last place. Remaining teams vying for a spot in the semi's are Russia, Sweden, NA, and Finland (although they need alot of help).

 

So wait, the World Cup of hockey is completely unrelated to the World Championships?