Game Thread: USA vs. Slovakia 7:30AM EST

[Darkstone42]

Slovakia's pushing back now.

 

[tabascojet]

carlsson.... swedes still scoring.

so whats your take? nhl or oylmpic size ice is better?

 

[Darkstone42]

I always forget how tremendous a skater Kessel is. The I see him fly up the ice like he did there.

 

[Cobiemonster]

USA leads 1-0 after one period!

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Good entertaining 1st period. GO USA!!

 

[oaknightshockey1]

I always forget how tremendous a skater Kessel is. The I see him fly up the ice like he did there.

Yep I thought the same thing

 

[Darkstone42]

Very strong first period for Team USA. Great gap control by the defense, good pressure by the offense, and of course the one-goal lead.

 

[pixburgher66]

Not a bad start, sort just getting their feet wet. They've controlled the pace and the puck early, and I agree with *gulp* Pierre, they need to utilize that extra space on the big ice and stretch out the D. Slovakia has insulated Halak a lot, so pull them to the outside a bit, open up some space in the middle of the ice (AKA the goal we scored).

 

[Darkstone42]

Not a bad start, sort just getting their feet wet. They've controlled the pace and the puck early, and I agree with *gulp* Pierre, they need to utilize that extra space on the big ice and stretch out the D. Slovakia has insulated Halak a lot, so pull them to the outside a bit, open up some space in the middle of the ice (AKA the goal we scored).

Kessel's gone wide every time he's come down the ice, which might be part of why that line's looked so good so far.

 

[RegentDenali]

Solid P1. USA dominating the shots on goal. Good D.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Not a bad start, sort just getting their feet wet. They've controlled the pace and the puck early, and I agree with *gulp* Pierre, they need to utilize that extra space on the big ice and stretch out the D. Slovakia has insulated Halak a lot, so pull them to the outside a bit, open up some space in the middle of the ice (AKA the goal we scored).

As great as Zdeno Chara is, the US could take advantage of him somewhat on the bigger ice

 

[pixburgher66]

carlsson.... swedes still scoring.

so whats your take? nhl or oylmpic size ice is better?

They both are fun to watch, but generally produce a different product. I love both products, so I can't really say I like one or the other better, but I will say it's a nice change of pace to see the pure skill and finesse version that the big ice provides. The NHL ice creates more hitting because you're just condensing the same amount of players. It's like controlled chaos really.

 

[pixburgher66]

Kessel's gone wide every time he's come down the ice, which might be part of why that line's looked so good so far.

Yep. LOTS of speed on that line, and with a guy like JvR on it who can snipe, they just need to get him some space.

 

[oaknightshockey1]

Would love to see Kane get going on this big surface...there were flashes of what he can do in that first period, but I think he could have a pretty big impact going forward.

 

[pixburgher66]

As great as Zdeno Chara is, the US could take advantage of him somewhat on the bigger ice

Most definitely. The reason he excels on the NHL ice is because of his reach, sure ain't his speed. Once again, take it to the outside and he has to move there. With the speed the Americans have, if they can just win the battle on the boards, the opportunities should come. That's the beauty of the big ice. So much freaking space. Typing all of this and thinking about Team Canada makes me a little sick though...

 

[Darkstone42]

Would love to see Kane get going on this big surface...there were flashes of what he can do in that first period, but I think he could have a pretty big impact going forward.

Agreed. He just needs the slightest bit of space to make an opponent pay. And there's just more space on the Olympic rink. He should be dangerous.

 

[oaknightshockey1]

Agreed. He just needs the slightest bit of space to make an opponent pay. And there's just more space on the Olympic rink. He should be dangerous.

He looks like he's making a lot more of an effort in the defensive zone, too. He doesn't always seem to be entirely sure where he's supposed to be, but he's not floating around by the blue line like he has tended to do in the past. That's some progress.

 

[pixburgher66]

@Dejan_Kovacevic 2m
@JoshYohe_Trib You might be right, but Bylsma strongly hinted to me the other night Orpik would loom large specifically on PK. Specialist?

If this is how he's going to be used, it's brilliant. That's somewhere I trust him.

 

[pixburgher66]

Would love to see Kane get going on this big surface...there were flashes of what he can do in that first period, but I think he could have a pretty big impact going forward.

Sticking by my prediction of him being our biggest player.

 

[Cobiemonster]

THAT PUCK WAS OFFSIDES