Canada vs Czech Republic

[sherwood21 0]

What'd Smyth do?

Played hockey, not like a giant pussy. He just started a little rough stuff, there was nothing wrong with it. Unfortunately there's no fighting in IIHF hockey.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Ryan JUST   tried to chop the feet of Fischer 10 tims with his stick, but that's a man, he don't tape his hands.

You're overlooking the spear to the groin and "cup check" though right?

Sourray didn't play a minute in the last 2 periods, I was working for the first, but apperantly after the goal that was it for him. I thought Hannan should've been riding the pine as well. As weird as it sounds, their lack of defensive capabilities hurt them offensively. They couldn't get or keep control in their own zone and it killed their breakouts. No doubt the Cze's were the better team. Canada was outplayed the day before and just wasn't capable of playing with these past 2 teams.

I like tough hockey, I thought Smyth should've fought him personally, but he decided not to. I didn't think the refs were great, namely Maltby's penalty and then a lack of call on Canada's only chances, Hemsky throwing the puck over the boards, but they were far from deciding this game.

You should really pick your words a little more carefully Kovy, you know, its not like Smyths act was anything that doesn't occur for teams outside of this country.

You're right, but I wish you are agreeing that it was not a great move by Smyth. It was not respectful for the Czech IMO.

What piss me a bit is that everyone here or so says that Kovalev is a pussy but when I see players that are hooking referees during a game and it seems ok, it piss way more than a guy who is diving.

And we can't judge if Kovalev and Ribeiro were really hurt or not in the playoff against Boston last year, but we can judge what Nash and Bertuzzi did and it seems like these guys are real men and not pussy . It seems like people think finess players are pussy and that grinders are not, I disagree with them. Another thing, players who wear visor are often "called" pussy, I call them intelligent.

I think Kovalev is far from being a pussy. He can receive hits, he can give a hit when it's time, he's not hitting for nothing. Maybe, he dives sometimes, but is it worst than cheating on faceoffs or than always hooking skills players.

With all the hook (IMO, hooking is not worst than diving, both are cheating) Kovalev receive in his career because he got skills and can control the puck amazingly well, I forgive him for his diving. But, look at Thornton, he receive 2 or 3 cheapshots and he start crying and yelling as soon as he can, but he is the first to give cheapshots.

[J-Shera 0]

Look how much bad publicity Burt, Nash and thornton got for that. People called Thornton a cry baby, ppl said what nash did was way un called for. And I wont even get into the burt issue, but lets just say the publicity from that "stunt" wasnt positive. All these inciedents didnt exactly fly under the radar, and they got criticizim for what they did just like kovy and reberio did for there diving. Maybe just not from Mr. Cherry.

[Adam91 0]

With the exception of Redden the d was disuisting for the whole tournament

[A_Steeves12 0]

I think Chris Phillips should have gotten more ice time IMO he was way better then Hannan/Surray.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

lol, Souray could not have less ice time than that I think :) Just one shift. I don't know about Hannan though.

[A_Steeves12 0]

I ment early on in the tourny Phillips didnt get much ice time, but when he play he played good.

[Karly14 21]

hey remember in last years playoffs when kovalev got slashed in the hand?

Its a perfect example of why kovalev is a pussy. Gord Miller mentioned a few times that Wayne Gretzky and a handful of other hockey greats said kovalev was the most skilled player theyd ever seen. Even though hes so talented (despite one or two seasons) kovalev has never been much better than an average forward in the league because of his attitude and unwillingness to play tough. I think him and ribeiro are probably the two softest players in the NHL

[mik3 1]

hey remember in last years playoffs when kovalev got slashed in the hand?

Its a perfect example of why kovalev is a pussy. Gord Miller mentioned a few times that Wayne Gretzky and a handful of other hockey greats said kovalev was the most skilled player theyd ever seen. Even though hes so talented (despite one or two seasons) kovalev has never been much better than an average forward in the league because of his attitude and unwillingness to play tough. I think him and ribeiro are probably the two softest players in the NHL

Then I guess you're choosing to forget Kovalev's entire run in Pittsburgh.

[Adam91 0]

He looked pretty slow and out of place in the whole tourney

[Karly14 21]

hey remember in last years playoffs when kovalev got slashed in the hand?

Its a perfect example of why kovalev is a pussy.  Gord Miller mentioned a few times that Wayne Gretzky and a handful of other hockey greats said kovalev was the most skilled player theyd ever seen.  Even though hes so talented (despite one or two seasons) kovalev has never been much better than an average forward in the league because of his attitude and unwillingness to play tough. I think him and ribeiro are probably the two softest players in the NHL

Then I guess you're choosing to forget Kovalev's entire run in Pittsburgh.

he had a good season in 2000 when he got close to 100 points. but when people say youre the most skilled player theyve ever seen, id hope for those kinds of numbers consistently

[mik3 1]

He played great in pittsburgh, but more than just showing skill he'd hit anything that moved. Kovalev in pittsburgh was playing at about the level and type of game kovalchuk is playing now.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

hey remember in last years playoffs when kovalev got slashed in the hand?

Its a perfect example of why kovalev is a pussy. Gord Miller mentioned a few times that Wayne Gretzky and a handful of other hockey greats said kovalev was the most skilled player theyd ever seen. Even though hes so talented (despite one or two seasons) kovalev has never been much better than an average forward in the league because of his attitude and unwillingness to play tough. I think him and ribeiro are probably the two softest players in the NHL

Here you talk Nick. That's what I try to say, that piss me off when people does not see the skills in this guy. I mean, he's so great to watch. But you're right, skills doesn't always mean sucess.

Altough, I think Kovalev has had a decent career but way under his potential.

I'm sure you make a 1 vs 1 tournament in the NHL and he will be our winner.

[Karly14 21]

He played great in pittsburgh, but more than just showing skill he'd hit anything that moved. Kovalev in pittsburgh was playing at about the level and type of game kovalchuk is playing now.

I didnt catch many pittsburgh games when he played for them so ill take your word for it

[Tanner23 0]

lol, I'm canadian and I don't care if they win or not. Honestly, I like the Czech more than Canada.

just wondering why u dont like canada?

[chippa13 1844]

And we can't judge if Kovalev and Ribeiro were really hurt or not in the playoff against Boston last year,

You can't be serious. Kovalev was begging for a call on a tap to the wrist instead of playing the puck. And Ribiero's antics, let's just say I'm anxious to see what the likes of Boynton and co. do to him during the next regular season game against the Habs.

[Chadd 916]

He played great in pittsburgh, but more than just showing skill he'd hit anything that moved. Kovalev in pittsburgh was playing at about the level and type of game kovalchuk is playing now.

On his "good" nights you're right. The problem is he didn't always feel likeplaying hard every night. Now the good nights are fewer and fewer.

[chippa13 1844]

hey remember in last years playoffs when kovalev got slashed in the hand?

Its a perfect example of why kovalev is a pussy.  Gord Miller mentioned a few times that Wayne Gretzky and a handful of other hockey greats said kovalev was the most skilled player theyd ever seen.  Even though hes so talented (despite one or two seasons) kovalev has never been much better than an average forward in the league because of his attitude and unwillingness to play tough. I think him and ribeiro are probably the two softest players in the NHL

Here you talk Nick. That's what I try to say, that piss me off when people does not see the skills in this guy. I mean, he's so great to watch. But you're right, skills doesn't always mean sucess.

Altough, I think Kovalev has had a decent career but way under his potential.

I'm sure you make a 1 vs 1 tournament in the NHL and he will be our winner.

Skill without heart is shit. Simple as that.

[MDE3 0]

As weird as it sounds, their lack of defensive capabilities hurt them offensively. They couldn't get or keep control in their own zone and it killed their breakouts.

Doesn't sound weird at all....that's the fundamental strength of most great teams...a defence that can take control of the puck in their own zone and keep it...everything starts there....