Game Thread: Finland vs. Russia

[mattola]

[MEDIA=twitter]436162343379415040[/MEDIA]

i get the feeling the north american journalists are just sitting back enjoying this and taking notes off the russians. lol. man they are going to carve that team up wow

 

[forty_three]

Bob faced the music too. I think those reports were premature. All it meant was that they didn't stop immediately following the game...I think that the english speaking reporters were just butt hurt that no one wanted to talk to them. Meanwhile, the number of guys on that team that can speak the language well, let alone following a gut wrenching loss, is pretty few.

Huh. Maybe the players wanted a second to compose themselves and get out of their gear before speaking.

THE NERVE!

Wonder if Portzline is in the scrum? And I wonder if someone can shank him for me?

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I don't think Geno and OV on a line makes sense stylistically, but from a personal level they're fine. They had some issues when they were first in the league, but they've been fine since like '08/'09.

Im not surprised to see lebruns tweet (see above)

Lebrun was the one who said pre olympics that Malkin/OV havent spoken casually away from hockey in years

 

[dash]

The irony is Russia is now I believe leading the total medal count as things currently stand...

 

[forty_three]

I don't think Geno and OV on a line makes sense stylistically, but from a personal level they're fine. They had some issues when they were first in the league, but they've been fine since like '08/'09.

I liken it to the Nash / Carter combo in Columbus a few years ago. Both solid and extremely talented. Both want to shoot. No one to pass to them.

 

[Jims_Doors]

I'm worried about how Malkin is going to handle this the rest of the season. He already seems mentally fragile before this catastrophe.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

The irony is Russia is now I believe leading the total medal count as things currently stand...

the dave pratt cesspool style poll question of the day for russia .... "WOULD YOU TRADE IT ALL IN FOR A GOLD IN OLYMPIC HOCKEY???"

 

[mattola]

I'm worried about how Malkin is going to handle this the rest of the season. He already seems mentally fragile before this catastrophe.

<Russian Accent> "Let's not play word games"</Russian Accent>

 

[forty_three]

I'm worried about how Malkin is going to handle this the rest of the season. He already seems mentally fragile before this catastrophe.

Especially if Sid and Kunitz win Gold. He will freak and demand to be traded.

Come join your Comrades, Geno. Come.

 

[dare2be]

<Russian Accent> "Let's not play word games"</Russian Accent>

In Soviet Russia, word games play you.

 

[awaz]

i dont really understand everyone calling this a catastrophe.. i don't think this is all that surprising?

 

[Comeds]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Kovalchuk: "Iran number one! Russia number one! Finland *spit*"

 

[SLY]

This result makes me happy.

 

[pixburgher66]

Huh. Maybe the players wanted a second to compose themselves and get out of their gear before speaking.

THE NERVE!

Wonder if Portzline is in the scrum? And I wonder if someone can shank him for me?

It's been a mix of amusing/annoying watching the north american reporters complain about that. But then it's okay, because I'm also getting to watch those reporters report on the Russian reporters...who are crazy.

 

[quoipourquoi]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Kovalchuk: "Iran number one! Russia number one! Finland *spit*"

 

[Jims_Doors]

i dont really understand everyone calling this a catastrophe.. i don't think this is all that surprising?

I would think that the most important medal to the Russians (of the entire Olympics) would be Gold in Men's Hockey. Now they're not even going to medal as the hosting country.

 

[pixburgher66]

I liken it to the Nash / Carter combo in Columbus a few years ago. Both solid and extremely talented. Both want to shoot. No one to pass to them.

Pretty accurate comparison. Not all centers are equally made. Geno is a great play maker, but he likes to carry the puck into the zone, and all around the zone...just like OV. OV isn't a guy to just find the soft spot and wait for Geno to give it to him (like Neal does).

I'm worried about how Malkin is going to handle this the rest of the season. He already seems mentally fragile before this catastrophe.

Nah, he's an adult. He'll be fine. If anything he'll be more motivated to get a championship of some form.

 

[Comeds]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Bilyaletdinov : "What is big deal? We will do better in elimination round. What?"

 

[pixburgher66]

@RobRossi_Trib 18m
A lot of media biases in this biz. The anti-Euro, Russia in particular, by some North Americans is among worst and most consistent

Dear lord, I'm agreeing with Rossi. HELP! HELLLLP! I'VE GONE INSANE!

@RobRossi_Trib 12m
Told there was heated friction between Malkin/Ovechkin and Russian coaches. Subjects were KHL bias, lines, and situational usage

Interesting.

 

[Comeds]

@RobRossi_Trib 18m
A lot of media biases in this biz. The anti-Euro, Russia in particular, by some North Americans is among worst and most consistent

I agree too. I think it has led to, or at least helped, some of the Russian showboating and taunting at recent tournaments.