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Liero v1.0 – 100lt
IP: 91.156.42.210
Game Mode: Death Match
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Max Kills: 20
Version: OpenLieroX 0.58 rc3

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Cruel v0.96 – 50lt
IP: 69.255.183.244
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Version: OpenLieroX 0.58 rc3

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Liero v1.0 – 100lt
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Version: OpenLieroX 0.58 rc3

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IP: 37.205.11.54
Game Mode: Death Match
Lives: 7
Max Kills: 23
Version: OpenLieroX 0.58 rc3

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[Thor]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXKSHinl6kQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXKSHinl6kQ</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfhZq_dOLmw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfhZq_dOLmw</a>

This begins next friday, but atleast this country has been under icehockey intoxication many weeks already!

Discuss.

[Lodur]

It's on.

1-6 still lives atleast 2 weeks 

[Ruki]

Yeah, it will start soon. Lately I barely sleep because I watch NHL every day and 1 week ago we hosted a 1st division IIHF WC here in Ljubljana where our team won so Slovenia will together with Austria join the elite again.

I'm glad to see Russia being strong again but so is Sweden with Detroit being out. According to rosters here is the top 4 list in my opinion:
1. Canada
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Russia

Datsyuk and Malkin on same attacking line, that would be awesome. I don't know if the coach will put them together, perhaps on a powerplay. Nabokov swiss cheese hole got replaced with Varlamov so heil gold medal Zbornaya Komanda!

This guy, Thor has shared video of in his post... he also made 2 great NHL playoff hype videos, they are really worth of watching. If you love the game, it's just like whoah after watching it...

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OohqTf5uvkY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OohqTf5uvkY</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUfiiIjJ3Vc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUfiiIjJ3Vc</a>

[Hawk]

when will we place some bets?

[Linda]

Sweden may win eurovision but NOT ice hockey! that's fo sho

[Tafka]

Sweden may win eurovision but NOT ice hockey! that's fo sho

Euphoria is very nice.

[Thor]

Yeah Ruki, those NHL videos made cold ripples in my body aswell... This Janne Makkonen, who has made those videos, is damn skilful.

Canada and Sweden seem to be most strong teams. About Sweden I have to say, huh huh, 1st line is probably Johan Franzén - Henrik Zetterberg - Loui Eriksson, which definitely is one of the strongest lines (by names) Sweden has ever had in WC.

But I think, there is a little risk of flop. The team roster has changed very much during last weeks, and I don't know how Sweden's coach's Pär Mårts' tactic on the ice applies to the North American players.

I don't see USA not even as strong as Finland. Okay, they played very well yesterday against Sweden, but the roster.. it's just not enough. Ryan Lasch from Pelicans, SM-liiga (Finnish league) is very interesting name in the cup. He played damn well the regular season (won the regular season point stat with 24+38 = 64 points) in Finland and two first playoff rounds. In finals - we can say - he flopped. Let's see how he can do in an another tough place again.

I would say first four are:

1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. Russia
4. Finland

I wish I could be watching even some games in the ice-hall when the tournament is here in Finland, but god damn, I want to see that day I pay 155 euros of an ice-hockey match! **** you Kalervo Kummola and other Finnish straights that decided of those idiotic prices.

[Ruki]

Wow, the price is unbearable... it costed me as much for 2 days in Bratislava last week, including tickets and travelling costs.

You are right, I saw the stats for preparation matches in Czech and Finland was pretty strong, Czech Republic too. But Russia and Sweden were playing without their strong lines and when Varlamov was in goal, he did a good job. So I think the WC teams will be totally different in the end. But skills on paper are not everything of course, somehow I have a hunch that Czech Rep. and Finland have the best chemistry in the team so far. USA... heh, they don't sound so strong according to the roster but you have to know all of their players are comming from NHL. While compared to Canada they only have few "star players", this is a young team willing to show themselves. Czechs have Michalek and Plekanec but I don't think they will be enough for a medal. There is no Jagr this year and even if he would be, he is old and injured, so unfortunatelly I would cut them off from the beginning. As much as I love to see Canada lose, everything beside the first place would be a huge debacle. If Russia will be able to find some chemistry in the team, they should reach the finals before Sweden. This year there is no Ovie, no Radulov, no Semin, so the misused soloefforts will be avoided. Also a better goaltender this year than Nabokov. I'm still curious about Malkin-Datsyuk line, if they will even end up together. Sweden always promises so much before the chapionship, if you take a look at it this year and their roster, they should be top 3 no doubt, but they usually, just like Russia, disappoint when it comes to real performance. But we will see... In 1 day, 11 hours and 45 minutes, to be precise

[Ruki]

It begins in 4 hours. And I didn't even go to sleep yet, watched Kings beat Blues like a boss. Anyway, I expect no surprises in the first round today:

USA-France
Germany-Italy
Canada-Slovakia
Czech Republic-Denmark
Belarus-Finland
Sweden-Norway

Young team USA should pass France as a start up of the tourney. Germany will run over Italy, who is my candidate to go back to Division I, group A. They should be a team without any point this year. Canada will play with Slovakia. While Slovakia is a total underdog here I don't think the match will be that easy for Canada. Canada has some problems in defense and their goalies are merely average. They could reinforce their national team with much better netminders. They should win the match, though. If any match should give us a surprise, it's the one between Denmark and Cze. Rep. It should be a bit more tight match, Czech Republic will start this tournament slow and Denmark has one of the best lineups so far, so they will provide some effort. Czech should win but by a goal or three, not more. Finland vs Belarus. I'm thinking about betting a small stake on handicap Finland -2.5 goals. I haven't seen Belarus play lately but I have seen Finland and that alone should do it. Plus it's a home opener, defending champions will want to make an impression with first match already. Last it's Sweden and Norway, another home opener and Sweden being a team with 2nd top roster, there should be no doubt about the winner.

[Ruki]

IIHF and Škoda will provide stream for all the games. So you can watch it here with English speaking commentator for free: http://www.youtube.com/user/icehockey

[Thor]

IIHF and Škoda will provide stream for all the games. So you can watch it here with English speaking commentator for free: http://www.youtube.com/user/icehockey

The stream should be geo blocked in following countries: Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine and the USA. But atleast for me it seems to work fine, even I shouldn't be able to watch the stream.

By the way, France seems keep the game tight against USA. Interesting.

[Ruki]

France sucks, no offense to them, but without super goalie they would be 3 goals behind by now. They only managed to show few fast counter attacks, one of them brought them the goal. By the end of the match it should be 4:1 for USA or even more.

[Thor]

Yeah, 3-1 and the puck is on France's area all the time. Seems like a played match already.

Closed the stream and now walk to apartment and waiting for evening's games. ->

[Ruki]

This is a joke, there are more players on the match between Germany and Italy than there are viewers in the arena...

[Lodur]

That's what happens when someone tries to charge you a fortune for a hockey game <.< Im just watchin them on TV even tho I'd be able to go see the matches live.

[Thor]

Yea, the number of viewers on that Germany-Italy game in Globen was 1033...

6400 in CAN-SVK game in Hartwall Arena, not a very good number either... Well, in less than two hours Hartwall Arena should be full of viewers because Finland plays.

[Ruki]

Switzerland, Russia, Canada, Sweden are the winners today.

[SorZ]

Spectated Latvia vs Russia (2-5) live today.

And on tv, Sweden vs Czech Republic (4-1).

gg's

[Lucifer]

Go Suomi!! :-D

[Ruki]

Canada and Finland, diappointment for me so far.

[ONeill]

Canada and Finland, diappointment for me so far.

Finland 2 matches and 2 wins. I don't see that as a failure. Atleast in my eyes they have been playing very competetely! =) Canada tho suprised with a loss against USA.

[Thor]

I haven't seen Sweden's games yet, but I have to say that Finland is very well tactically organised. For example Canada doesn't seem to have any way of playing in their game, it just seems to be full of individuals. If Finland and Canada played now against, without big individual mistakes for example from Finland's defenders, it would be pretty clear victory for Finland. Also we have the best goalies of the tournament. But yes, there is a lot to develop still. But right now it really seems, that the best coaches and tactics come from Finland. Damn, we are forerunners. Finland!

I'm very confident of our success in this tournament. The curse of home championships is very close to break this year.

[Ruki]

Canada and Finland, diappointment for me so far.

Finland 2 matches and 2 wins. I don't see that as a failure. Atleast in my eyes they have been playing very competetely! =) Canada tho suprised with a loss against USA.

You call two 1:0 victories vs underdogs something more than disappointment?

I haven't seen Sweden's games yet, but I have to say that Finland is very well tactically organised. For example Canada doesn't seem to have any way of playing in their game, it just seems to be full of individuals. If Finland and Canada played now against, without big individual mistakes for example from Finland's defenders, it would be pretty clear victory for Finland. Also we have the best goalies of the tournament. But yes, there is a lot to develop still. But right now it really seems, that the best coaches and tactics come from Finland. Damn, we are forerunners. Finland!

I'm very confident of our success in this tournament. The curse of home championships is very close to break this year.

While Canada doesn't have any organization or tactics, they can bring the puck to the net and create good offensive chances. Finland lacks that. Poor realization will cost them at a certain point of the tournament unless they fix that. There is still plenty of time for that. Finland is disciplined and they hold a good defensive line but teams like Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia will penetrate it. Sweden is better in my eyes so far. They are aggressive, they score, and they keep a solid defense as well. Not to mention the suckiness of Finland's powerplay. Right now I don't see Finland as winners of the tournament.

[Lodur]

Tickets to Finland - Kazakhstan game <3 Probably a tight match im gonna bet for 1-0 !

[Thor]

Finland is disciplined and they hold a good defensive line but teams like Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia will penetrate it.

In a modern European hockey teams like Canada, USA and Russia won't penetrate it without well organised tactics and way of playing. Russia was very well organised when Bykov was the coach, now it seems to be back in that coast-to-coast hockey that Canada and USA do. There is only a few teams in NHL that can play modern ice-hockey, for example Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. But then, for example Tampa Bay Lightning's 1-3-1 trap is just a joke.

But there I agree, that Canada, USA and Russia have better scorers, and that's why Finland should avoid as much as possible short hand situations against Canada, USA, Russia and Sweden.

Canada, Russia and USA have great teams, but aslong they don't refresh their tactics more near to modern European ice-hockey in WC games that are played in Europe, they will have a lot troubles with Finland and Sweden.

Sweden seems damn strong, yes. Good team with good modern ice-hockey way of playing. Finland-Sweden finals are very near to happen again.

[Ruki]

Tickets to Finland - Kazakhstan game <3 Probably a tight match im gonna bet for 1-0 !

Kazakhstan sucks balls, they will go back to Division 1, group A. They are even worse than Italy which means they are the worst team in the tournament. I would bet Finland will score several times on them while Kazakhstan will manage to score only once or not even that.

Finland is disciplined and they hold a good defensive line but teams like Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia will penetrate it.

In a modern European hockey teams like Canada, USA and Russia won't penetrate it without well organised tactics and way of playing. Russia was very well organised when Bykov was the coach, now it seems to be back in that coast-to-coast hockey that Canada and USA do. There is only a few teams in NHL that can play modern ice-hockey, for example Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. But then, for example Tampa Bay Lightning's 1-3-1 trap is just a joke.

But there I agree, that Canada, USA and Russia have better scorers, and that's why Finland should avoid as much as possible short hand situations against Canada, USA, Russia and Sweden.

Canada, Russia and USA have great teams, but aslong they don't refresh their tactics more near to modern European ice-hockey in WC games that are played in Europe, they will have a lot troubles with Finland and Sweden.

Sweden seems damn strong, yes. Good team with good modern ice-hockey way of playing. Finland-Sweden finals are very near to happen again.

You can't really compare NA hockey to European hockey because they are quite different. Mostly because of different rules, different ice rinks and different conditions overall. I don't know why Tampa Bay's 1-3-1 would be a joke, it's very efficient in NHL, though boring to watch. WC is different for European teams, they are usually not patched together in a fake way, every year with totally different line-ups. Americans don't care about WC. But if you just take last Winter Olympic games into account where both Canada and USA came with their full force, other countries didn't really stand a chance. Finland was 3rd and they were best European team in that tourney in my opinion but they didn't stand any chance vs Canada or USA. 6-1 vs USA...

[Lodur]

Just enjoy the tournament!

USA - Slovakia 2-4 Im proud  Everytime Canada and USA looses points that's great for Finland!

But I must agree that Sweden is terrifying at the minute but let's see how they do against the Russians

[Thor]

You can't really compare NA hockey to European hockey because they are quite different. Mostly because of different rules, different ice rinks and different conditions overall. I don't know why Tampa Bay's 1-3-1 would be a joke, it's very efficient in NHL, though boring to watch. WC is different for European teams, they are usually not patched together in a fake way, every year with totally different line-ups. Americans don't care about WC. But if you just take last Winter Olympic games into account where both Canada and USA came with their full force, other countries didn't really stand a chance. Finland was 3rd and they were best European team in that tourney in my opinion but they didn't stand any chance vs Canada or USA. 6-1 vs USA...

Yep, but the point is that WCs are usually played in Europe with European rules. That's one reason why NA's coast-to-coast style to play doesn't work in modern ice-hockey. But yeah, I understand that when those NA teams come play WC, they have very few workouts together with their team, so it's hard to find a good organised tactic for the team.

Ice-hockey in Europe has changed a lot in recent years. Nowadays, if you want to accomplish something your team should understand that the puck is the equipment of power. It's called as puck control. Most teams in NHL don't care about the puck control and they just go coast-to-coast. That's why Canada and USA play that too, and it's an one reason, why it's been already five(!) years of Canada's last goldmetal in WC of ice-hockey, even they have always had the best roster. And the reason why Russia won Canada two times in a row in the finals 2008 and 2009? Russia played modern ice-hockey with great puck control tactics and well organised team play led by Vjatseslav Bykov. 

And that 1-3-1 trap is very easy to break. I say that even some good puck control team from Finland would beat Lightning in a single match and break the 1-3-1 trap. You just need a "slow start" from behind the own net. If the attacking team does that right way, eventually their five players go as a front through both blue lines, of course including two, three or four passes. -> A great chance of putting the puck to the net.

Tonight well organised Slovakia won coast-to-coast team USA. A fact is, that it's really hard to win nowadays with coast-to-coast style. I say that Canada and USA won't accomplish very much in Sotshi 2014 even they of course have damn dangerous rosters then.

[Ruki]

Yes, a game of passing is a way to destroy the 1-3-1 deffensive line but producing 4-5 passes in the same line is complicated and it would be risky in NHL. NHL rink is smaller and blue lines are positioned further than on IIHF rinks. I don't think European teams would stand a chance against NHL teams on their grounds while NHL teams would perform much better in Europe on IIHF rinks. They wouldn't be undefeatable but way better than what European teams would do in America. Besides, NHL has top forecheckers in the world so making 3-4 passes between the blue lines on that fast pace is nearly impossible and would just cause a turn over. Salzburg with Modano in goal has beaten Jokerit this year in European Throphy. I've been watching Salzburg for whole season in Austrian league and that club sucks balls internationally. While they are top in Austria they would be among last in KHL. They wouldn't last in NHL at all. European clubs are much worse compared to NHL teams which is logical. The physical aspect of game alone is big enough to beat European teams, not to mention the individual skills. IIHF is a ***** league as far as the physical element of hockey is conserned. I agree with you that WC has become more of an European hockey style tournament (well, most of the teams are European anyway), it's IIHF rules as well, so you are right. But give me a complete American force with some preparation and I guarantee you that Europe doesn't stand a chance. There is a drop of European newcomers in NHL lately, only Sweden is still strong with that which I'm afraid will leave some negative consequences for European hockey in the future. I've also read about Russia's, or well, Continental plan to form a huge European league which would beat NHL. That's not gonna happen but would be interesting to see.

[Lucifer]

Im still dissapointed at Sweden to let Danish newbs make 4 goals! Dangerous to play like that, Stop it!!

I have to say, Thor, Sweden are badasses this year!

Swe Vs.Ger gogo weddy!

[Ruki]

After you totally dominate for more than half of the match and you are obviously superior opponent who scores minute after minute, you stop the pace a bit. It was also unfortunate situation with penalties by the end of the match which allowed Denmark to score on PP. There was a high stick but stupid ref didn't see it, he gave penalty to Swedish player instead and allowed Denmark to score when Sweden had their guard down by the end of the match.

[Tafka]

I don't know much about hockey, but I followed the hockey few years ago in olympics , it was fun to watch it and also quite interesting to read your debate here. I always cheer for Canada and USA.

Btw one girl I am talking with lately won the tickets to Canada-France game in Hartwall arena, Canada won 7-2.

[Ruki]

Finland - Switzerland, good test for Finland today. Switzerland is good and probably the most underrated team. Team with more focus in defense will win this one but it will be a close match imo. Under 5 goals and wouldn't be surprised if it's tied after regular time.

[Hawk]

Well. 5 goals right now, let's see if anything new happens.

[Thor]

Yeah, FIN-SUI 5-2.

Not a very good game from us, but it's a good sign that by playing a bad game we can win a team like Switzerland. Also, nice to see that scoring looks easy again. Goalkeeper Lehtonen didn't have his best day either.

[Ruki]

I haven't seen much of hockey today, I've been out for entire day, I've only caught last period of Russia and Germany. How did Finland and Switzerland play?

[Sakmongkol]

How did Finland and Switzerland play?

It was ridiculous.

[Ruki]

How did Finland and Switzerland play?

It was ridiculous.

You are ridiculous...

[Lodur]

I haven't seen much of hockey today, I've been out for entire day, I've only caught last period of Russia and Germany. How did Finland and Switzerland play?

Well Switzerland played really well and partially dominated the game but Lehtonen made one big save from a breakaway which prevented the game from being tied 3-3 so Filppula scored twice instead and 5-2 thank you gg no-re

[Lucifer]

Good game yesterday Sweden against Germany. Even tho Sweden had a bad start and also changed tactics and put Stefan Kronwall as a forward player. (he have never played more than defender before..) but they did very well at the end anyway! Good going Sweden! Keep it up and beat Russia tomorrow! 
Hopefully Pär Mårts will find even better tactics against Russia, it will be a hard match and exciting too!

[Thor]

Last night Finnish ice-hockey lost a big name: Pekka Marjamäki

He is a finnish ice-hockey legend, who played almost whole his career in Finland, legendary ice-hockey club from Tampere, Tappara. His jersey has been frozen on the roof of Tampere ice-hall. He was 1st defender in Tappara and the national team, and he was known of his damn tough slap shots from the blue line.

I didn't ever had chance to see him playing, but our fathers and grandfathers have told a lot stories of him. One of the greatest players in Finnish ice-hockey history.

The blue line is empty now.

Rest in peace, Pekka "Marja" Marjamäki #3.

Tonight's FRA-FIN will begin by an one minute silence and a memorial event. Finland's players will use a black ribbon on their arm in a memoriam of Pekka Marjamäki.

[Ruki]

Sad loss for hockey. This year is really not a hockey-friendly year... so many deaths, many of them premature.

I'm glad to see Finland found the way to put the puck in the net. They play better from game to game and I can see Sweden - Finland or Russia - Finland finals right now. Czech Republic is a total disappointment but they will get some good players soon in their lineup so they might present some challenge in the future games. Tomorrow two awesome games, too bad they will be at the same time again... but I prefer to watch Russia - Sweden since I'm a Russia fan. Bookies are favoring Canada so my money goes on Finland tomorrow, I think there is a great value there! BTW, I hear Canadian players are there on holidays so they have midnight trips around pubs I think Finland is a fixed pick here

[Thor]

Today's game was pretty boring actually, no intense etc. Finland didn't need to do their best, they just did what they had to do. Do enough goals for the victory and save energy for tomorrow's very important game.

By the way, Pekka Marjamäki played in Finnish national team with number 7, guys wanted to do exactly that much goals tonight. They did it for him.

I think tomorrow is the first real test for both, Finland and Canada. Canada has been just surfing whole beginning of the tournament. Now they know that the ice-hall will be full of spectators and atmosphere is going to be first time for them pretty good, I think team Canada will ignite and do their very best. Tight match coming, and I think the key question of the game is: Is Canada able to break Finland's defense and goalkeeper (Lehtonen?)? Also, Finland must manage to do goal(s) on power play, otherwise it will be very tight and hard to gain victory... Interesting game coming anyway, and I suggest everyone to watch it.

Let's indeed see how Ryan "three minutes and I drop you all" Getzlaf does . Damn those Canadian ice-hockey players, they are supposed to come play hockey here, not to steal our girls.. Miss Finland 2011 Sara Sieppi was seen very happy with Getzlaf on their one midnight trip around pubs... Well, she seems to like hockey players. Last year after Finland's world championship she had very good time with Mikael Granlund...

[SorZ]

Zetterberg has been our king so far.

Sweden has the best line up since Olympics 2006. And I haven't seen them play at this high capacity for ages.
I hope they can keep up their great gaming even after the group stage, and avoid injuries.
And perhaps get Nicklas Bäckström (Captials) or Henrik Lundquist (Rangers) into the team.

Then, I think a gold medal is more than reachable. 

[Ruki]

Zetterberg has been our king so far.

Sweden has the best line up since Olympics 2006. And I haven't seen them play at this high capacity for ages.
I hope they can keep up their great gaming even after the group stage, and avoid injuries.
And perhaps get Nicklas Bäckström (Captials) or Henrik Lundquist (Rangers) into the team.

Then, I think a gold medal is more than reachable. 

Zetterberg is awesome so far but his problem is, as well as for whole team, they die in 3rd period. They play amazing hockey in the first half of the match, they create a carousel on the ice with free tickets for their opponents but in the finish they stop playing. Of course, you don't have to play with same aggression when you have a 5 goal lead but hey, hockey match is played for 60 minutes, not 30. Though, Sweden has a quite old team so perhaps it's the stamina problem. Bäckström would be a huge addition here. And I can't even imagine what would be if Sedin sisters would be playing. Can't wait to see Russia - Sweden tomorrow. I think it will give a clear picture of who to expect in finals, Russia or Sweden

Let's indeed see how Ryan "three minutes and I drop you all" Getzlaf does . Damn those Canadian ice-hockey players, they are supposed to come play hockey here, not to steal our girls.. Miss Finland 2011 Sara Sieppi was seen very happy with Getzlaf on their one midnight trip around pubs... Well, she seems to like hockey players. Last year after Finland's world championship she had very good time with Mikael Granlund...

I know this kind of *****es... and I know Americans who have such attitude in Europe, especially current or former successful NHL players. They think they can piss on people or do what ever they please. We've had 2 of such guys here in Ljubljana for 2 seasons, I've seen them totally wasted in the city on many occassions. Discrace for hockey and I'm glad they are far away from Slovenian hockey now. This miss Sieppi is a joke but hey, who wouldn't miss a chance to **** a hot famous European chick, being NHL superstar or not? I find it interesting how some NHL superstars are paired with other famous superstars from tennis or some models but some NHL players have average local never heard of type girls. And usually the second ones have a nice family and first ones end up in some sort of a lawsuit. Do you have any "insider" news or multimedia with Canadians partying? This one is also LOL: http://deadspin.com/5909246/reconstructing-patrick-kanes-drunken-weekend-in-madison

[Ruki]

Oh well, so much about puck control

[Thor]

Oh well, so much about puck control

Yeah, Finland was really bad. Like our coach Jukka Jalonen said, it's whatever what tactics you use, if you are not ready to play physically and fight for the win. And IMO everything in basic playing sucked anyway, passing, timing etc..

But yes, one reason why Finland seemed so bad is that USA just was damn good. They have studied our way of playing and the pressure that their attackers gave to our defenders was just too tough. It will be USA-FIN in the quarterfinals, so Jukka Jalonen and team Finland must find medicine to USA's very tough pressure. I believe Finland finds the fighting mood.

Anssi Salmela is an idiot. Hopefully disciplinarian gives him a punishment that makes him out of the tournament. Luckily Goligoski didn't get hurt, it was a really dangerous hit.

I'm not concerned yet, like one great Finnish cult ice-hockey professor says: this tournament is about win the right games!

[Ruki]

The expectations are too high. And yeah, that was a disgusting hit, I guess it's easy to lose temper like that when you are totally dominated on home terrain.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfTFSDcLyyo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfTFSDcLyyo</a>

I think this will be an interesting tourney right until the end. So far victores mean nothing, except for a better position in group. Russia is looking gamn good, I hope Ovechkin will join the team. I'm missing Artyukin, if he was playing, no Franzen or Landeskog or any other asshole would be acting so wise. It's interesting to see players having no respect for Malkin. Usually in NHL he never gets involved into roughing and other players keep a respectful distance, similar with Datsyuk, but here on world championship they all are trying to run into Malkin. Unsuccessfully, because he is a beast and he will end up a top scorer I believe.

[SorZ]

Bäckström's in.

[Ruki]

Lehtonen injured - out until further notice. Is this the end of Finnish hopes?

[Thor]

Lehtonen injured - out until further notice. Is this the end of Finnish hopes?

Definitely not, Vehanen is better. He has already won a world championship for us. NHL-status is so overrated anyway, especially in tournaments that are played in Europe.

[Tafka]

How is my team Canada doing so far?

[Ruki]

Lehtonen injured - out until further notice. Is this the end of Finnish hopes?

Definitely not, Vehanen is better. He has already won a world championship for us. NHL-status is so overrated anyway, especially in tournaments that are played in Europe.

Just read some rumors Boston and Pittsburgh are interested to sign him for next season. We'll see.

[Ruki]

How is my team Canada doing so far?

Canada goes home!

[Gaston]

Pffff, lucky Russians!

[Ruki]

Pffff, lucky Russians!

Norway goes home!

[Tafka]

I'm not very satisfied with this.


Go USA!!

[Purplehaze]

I'm not very satisfied with this.


Go USA!!

It just got intense!

[Ruki]

USA go home!

[Purplehaze]

Well ****

[Ruki]

Well ****

Well, I've put some $ Finland will score over 2.5 goals in regular time, so **** yeah!

[Sakmongkol]

Well ****

Goodbye. =)

[Purplehaze]

Well ****

Well, I've put some $ Finland will score over 2.5 goals in regular time, so **** yeah!

Ah damn 2.5?! I won't even bet hockey anymore because I always get screwed by those kinds of lines.

Well ****

Goodbye. =)

Well at least now there's no chance of Jimmy gettin hurt, my Red Wings are gonna need him next year.

[Ruki]

Well ****

Well, I've put some $ Finland will score over 2.5 goals in regular time, so **** yeah!

Ah damn 2.5?! I won't even bet hockey anymore because I always get screwed by those kinds of lines.

Well ****

Goodbye. =)

Well at least now there's no chance of Jimmy gettin hurt, my Red Wings are gonna need him next year.

I saw value in that, under 2.5 was favoured so I took it. A little bit of luck but that's sports

I can't say the same about Franzen or Zetterberg. Now with Ovechkin on the line I highly doubt Swedes will dare to play so dirty again. I think a broken nose is enough for Franzen to pay some respect for Malkin and Russia next time. But yeah, first Russia and Sweden have to get into finals, that's just my prediction.

[Thor]

We won Russia 2007 in semifinals, their hometournament, and in Bratislava last Spring so it would be quite a miracle if we beat Russia on Saturday. Because this USA victory we can say that Finland has succeed well in this tournament. Looks indeed like RUS-SWE final, but FIN-SWE would be... Huh, can't even imagine... A great tournament going on anyway!

[Tafka]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORi-ExwEvOQ

By this video it looks like hotter-fans competition went to USA big-time.

[Ruki]

Aaaand... Sweden goes... whoops, stays... home!

[DarkCharlie]

Aaaand... Sweden goes... whoops, stays... home!

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSS!! 

[Lodur]

Lodur so drunk after great games

[Gaston]

Russia's gonna win this shit.

[Jage]

Looks like teams full of NHL players are out of the tournament. :d

[Ruki]

Czech Republic has 5 NHL players, and some more who used to play in NHL.
Russia now has 8 players who played in NHL this year.
Slovakia has 4 NHL players.
Finland has 4 but Lehtonen is injured.

[Hawk]

Lehtonen... matters little

[Thor]

Malkin is a disgusting player. No wonder, she plays in Pens.

[Gaston]

Finlands ass got whooped

[Ruki]

Malkin is a disgusting player. No wonder, she plays in Pens.

Hahah, yeah, a disgusting player scoring hattrick vs your Finland. What is so disgusting on Malkin, his skill? I'd be angry as well if some "dirty" Russians would knock out my team at home like that, but call this a 2007 karma. No offense, I like Finland, but I cheer for Russia and Pittsburgh, and especially this year Malkin is a MVP of NHL and IIHF WC. Malkin is not a dirty player, though he can make a dirty play every now and then but that's hockey. How ever you will never see Malkin attempting to hurt somebody or involve into a brawl. If you watch NHL, you will see Malkin is a respected player who never resolves to a fist fighting, he doesn't have to, he is top skilled player, so calling him disgusting is just anger over defeat or great loss.

[Lucifer]

Malkin, the new Maurice "The Rocket" Richard?

[Sakmongkol]

Vehanen is ridiculous.

[Ruki]

Game over for Finland. Sucks. Can't imagine the bad after taste among Finnish fans right now.

[Lodur]

Finland dominated two periods and only one goal.. Thats a shame! But well atleast for me the victory of last year makes it kind of OK: 

[Sakmongkol]

Soyuz nerushimyy respublik svobodnykh, Splotila naveki velikaya Rus!

I know the lyrics are wrong these days but at least the melody is right.

[Ruki]

Game over

[Sakmongkol]

This was pretty clear a couple of days ago already. The best team won clearly.

[Ruki]

This was pretty clear a couple of days ago already. The best team won clearly.

Yeah, no real matchup for Russia in the tournament.

[Sakmongkol]

I'm so happy still. I'm Finnish all right, but the closest to a fatherland I have after Finland is Russia. And they damn well deserved this. =)

[Gaston]

Russia simply played some amazing hockey. Very deserved IMO.

[Thor]

There's no doubt that Russia wouldn't have deserved the victory. Great teamplay associated with great invidual skills. Beautiful playing.

BUT

Ice-hockey and sports need stories. Slovakia's road from their hometournament spring 2011 to Helsinki 20th of May sure is one of the most beautiful and touching stories in ice-hockey WC history. In Bratislava they supposed to be atleast in medal games, but no, they didn't even make it to the playoffs. I still remember that crying girl after Finland had won Slovakia which meant game over for them. Since it my symphaties have been on Slovakia's side.

Then came autumn. Pavol Demitra, a Slovakian ice-hockey icon died in that plane crash with a group of great people, who weren't just ice-hockey players, they were also husbands, fathers, sons and so on...

In Helsinki no body expected anything of team Slovakia. They lost their two first games. Canada was supposed to walk over them in playoffs. But Slovakia fought. They fought in the name of Pavol Demitra and really, they played smart. Canada, full of NHL stars looked really stupid against Slovakia. They deserved it.

In the semifinals, Czech Republic vs. Slovakia. Big brother vs. Little brother. Tiny little brother showed to big brother that names on back mean nothing, you have to show by teamplay. Czech dominated most of the game, but Slovakia defended and FOUGHT very smart. Working moral of their team was just damn respectable. Jan Laco did some amazing preventions. A star player of Slovakia, a good friend of Pavol Demitra, Miroslav Satan did the conclusive goals. Slovakia plays in the finals and is back on medals.

The final was Russia's show, but Slovakia's story is something what sports really needs. It's a true story, which makes also a bigger man's eye wet. Beautiful. So beautiful.