2022 IIHF World Championship.

[TopTort777]

Haven't you confused something. Canada didn't come to Olympics with strongest squad, it was with mainly players from Europe, while in IIHF almost all their players from NHL. But yeah, because of Stanley Cup playoffs we will never have all best players in World Championships.

It was always stated, that Canada ice hockey team and fans value Olympic games more than World Championships, because you get a champion title for 4 years, while during IIHF you have to prove that status every year. Olympic games champion is more rare achievement than Worlds Champion. Some players can even only once in their career become Olympic champ.

I still remember Olympic games final in 2014 in Sochi. Canada vs Sweden. Lundqvist, Karlsson, Doughty, Crosby, Backstrom, Price. Maybe you remember this years Olympic Games in Beijing.   That year team Canada was not the strongest, same as other teams, as due to covid NHL players skipped it.

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[LTU_btc]

So, today we have 1/4 finals. No doubts that most interesting game is between Sweden and Canada. I predict Sweden win there. Switzerland - USA should be interesting too - Switzerland looked more solid in group stage. Finland - Slovakia game looks most predictable. And Czech Republic - Germany. Germany are looking, but I expect that Czech will manage to win it.

It was always stated, that Canada ice hockey team and fans value Olympic games more than World Championships, because you get a champion title for 4 years, while during IIHF you have to prove that status every year. Olympic games champion is more rare achievement than Worlds Champion. Some players can even only once in their career become Olympic champ.

I still remember Olympic games final in 2014 in Sochi. Canada vs Sweden. Lundqvist, Karlsson, Doughty, Crosby, Backstrom, Price. Maybe you remember this years Olympic Games in Beijing.   That year team Canada was not the strongest, same as other teams, as due to covid NHL players skipped it.

Yeah, Olympic hockey without NHL players isn't that interesting. I remember how good these tournaments were back in 2014 or 2010 when teams had their best players.

[TopTort777]

It looks like today team Sweden is gonna kick team Canada out of the tournament and left them without medals. Btw, play-off teams are much similar to IIHF 2021. I predict Finland to become champions once again, Sweden second and Switzerland will beat Germany in the game for bronze. Teams Canada and USA, aka NHL representatives are not playing well this year.

[LTU_btc]

So, we have few games which ended against our predictions. First is Switzerland. They ended group stage without defeats, but now they lost to USA, which didn't played good hockey in group.
Can't say that Canada winning after extra time against Sweden is big upset, but I didn't expected it. Canada played better, while Sweden had 5 power plays, but didn't managed to score during it.
Finland made comeback from 0:2 and won game 4:2 against Slovakia. Czech Republic had most comfortable win against Germany.
Semifinals USA - Finland and Canada - Czech Republic.

[TopTort777]

So I guess then we will have Finland vs Canada in finals, and USA gonna face Czech Republic in the game for bronze medals. I am upset that Switzerland lost. I think they deserve to get any medal long time ago. The fact that Canada won only in overtime, and their overall tournament performance proves that they have weak roster this time.

Btw, it wasnt mentioned here, and have you guys noticed crypto.com adverts in ringside? Crypto.com is in hockey now (IIHF and one of Montreal Canadiens sponsors), also they are FIFA 2022 Qatar sponsors, in NBA they can be found on  Philadelphia 76ers jersey patch. Also they are in UFC and if not mistaken they have roots in Formula 1.

[Pmalek]

I can't believe that the Swedes threw away a 3:0 lead against Canada in the 1/4 finals. I remember they had a similar devastating defeat in the last Olympic tournament when they were ahead 3:0 vs Finland and ended up drawing the match 3:3. They then lost in overtime. But this defeat against Canada looks even worse seeing they conceded 2 goals in the space of 30 seconds.

[LTU_btc]

Both semifinals ended not in the way that I expected. Finland won as they were favorites, but I expected easier win, USA gave good fight. Canada won against Czech Republic 6:1. IMO, result don't fully reflect the game, but Canada were way better. Before game I honestly believed that Czech is capable to win, so I'm disappointed about this game.
So, we have Finland - Canada in the final 3rd year in the row. According to bookmakers, Finland is very insignificant favorite and I'm rooting for hosts to take gold.

Btw, it wasnt mentioned here, and have you guys noticed crypto.com adverts in ringside? Crypto.com is in hockey now (IIHF and one of Montreal Canadiens sponsors), also they are FIFA 2022 Qatar sponsors, in NBA they can be found on  Philadelphia 76ers jersey patch. Also they are in UFC and if not mistaken they have roots in Formula 1.

Yeah, they already were sponsors of 2021 World Championship. You're not mistaken, they are sponsors of F1 too and in general, you can see Crypto.com and few other crypto companies ads almost in every spots, it's getting mainstream thing.

[LTU_btc]

Damn, what a final! In 3rd period it already looked that silly penalty minutes will kill Canada when Finland scored 2 goals. But Canada managed to make another impressive comeback, similar like against Sweden. They scored 2 goals in the end, playing with empty net. So, game went to overtime. 3 on 3 overtime is exciting thing to watch. And then Chabot earned stupid penalty in place where it wasn't needed at all. It was key factor and Finland scored playing 4 on 3.
So, Finland won Olympics and World Championship at same year. It doesn't happens often.

3rd place game was exciting too - you won't see 8:4 score very often. USA controlled game, leading 3:1 and then 3rd period happened - Czech Republic scored 6 goals! Yeah, 2 of it to empty net, but it doesn't change anything. Czech Republic won medals after long break.

[BitcoinAccepted]

Normally it goes between Canada and America, and the rest follows at a respectable distance. I can still remember that things went completely wrong for these two countries at the Olympics. Finland is a good outsider with many strong players. Canada is really world top and I think they will take the world title. There is normally no way to win. If they're having a bad day, they're vulnerable like the OS was.

[TopTort777]

I knew that Finland would take gold this year. But I am amazed that Canada had gone that far and nearly won gold. That is what people call skill, talent and hockey nation. How bad they were at group stage, and they were champions for more than 40 minutes in the finals, then managed to advance game to overtime.

Reminds me 2008 IIHF Russia vs Canada final game. First period 3-1 in Canada favour and I though it is all over. Third period 4-2 Canada. 5minutes till the end and Russia makes score even. Russia won that time in overtime 4-5 due to Canadian MVP silly mistake - he accidentally threw puck out of the ring.