4 Nations Face-Off
- Thread starter Frank E
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Ozzie
Active member
This game was a very interesting brand of hockey..... intense enough to have hits and a meaningful comeback. But not so intense that allowed elite to make elite plays and take advantage of the more open ice.
As I said earlier.... I was more into the outcome of this game than any Leaf 82 season match....especially as we rolled into the 3rd. What a finish!
I'll be at Greta Bar downtown to watch the US Canada game..... DM me if you will be there too.
As I said earlier.... I was more into the outcome of this game than any Leaf 82 season match....especially as we rolled into the 3rd. What a finish!
I'll be at Greta Bar downtown to watch the US Canada game..... DM me if you will be there too.
I checked out parts of the game. From what I saw, it was a better brand of hockey than any all star game I can recall. Probably better than a number of NHL games.
The Leafs leading playoff scorer, Leafs leading scorer since he came into the league and the Leafs best or second best defensive forward since he showed up, who the media tells us isn't any good in big games / playoffs (but McDavid wants on his line), scores the OT winner. Leafs negotiating position gets worse and worse. Good for Mitch.
The Leafs leading playoff scorer, Leafs leading scorer since he came into the league and the Leafs best or second best defensive forward since he showed up, who the media tells us isn't any good in big games / playoffs (but McDavid wants on his line), scores the OT winner. Leafs negotiating position gets worse and worse. Good for Mitch.
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Zee
Well-known member
Brayden Point:
I think I have to send Cooper a gift basket if he unlocks Mitch Marner for the Leafs Playoffs. Not sure I’ve seen an opposing coach have such a huge crush on a player before.
Yeah I hope so too. I remember the 1987 Canada Cup, at that point Lemieux was a star but there were questions if he could take it to another level and be a leader like Gretzky. After playing together it seemed to "unlock" something in Mario and he suddenly was the best player in the league. Of course Marner is no Lemieux, but hopefully the tournament helps him and Matthews unlock another level come playoff time
It's insane we haven't had best on best country vs country in so long. That was a lot of fun.
Meek Mitch, not so meek... fantastic to see him have that moment, unleash the beast. 3 on 3 is not a real playoff scenario but it was a huge moment for Mitch and hopefully, it triggers some big game moments for him going forward.
Hill in game 2?
Meek Mitch, not so meek... fantastic to see him have that moment, unleash the beast. 3 on 3 is not a real playoff scenario but it was a huge moment for Mitch and hopefully, it triggers some big game moments for him going forward.
Hill in game 2?
Redleaf
Active member
Yep. Has to be Hill for game 2. Bennington sucks. He sucked in the world championships and he sucked last night…switch it up.
Ozzie
Active member
Brayden Point:
I think I have to send Cooper a gift basket if he unlocks Mitch Marner for the Leafs Playoffs. Not sure I’ve seen an opposing coach have such a huge crush on a player before.
Cooper is one of the smartest guys in hockey ever. A consummate attorney playing 5D chess at every step.... with glowing statements about Mitch Marner (who aside from the super clutch OT winner, played a tepid game last night) Cooper gives a burst of confidence this week for No. 16 and the rest of his team,......yet beyond that he even embellishes the gushing statements so that Mitch's perceived value is $14m x 8, dealing his Lightening's main Atlantic division rival a potential serious blow.
Cooper plays this way all the time. Keefe never could keep up and nor can just about any coach in hockey today. That's why he is coach of Team Canada. I went to law school with Pete DeBoer (who is Team Canada assistant coach)... as lawyers, we all think this way. This is what Cooper is doing.
herman
Well-known member
For the first half, yes.
The difference is in roster quality. Marner is their 4th maybe 5th best forward? He got lost in the weeds offensively a bit because McDavid is a puck hog (rightfully so) but showed up defensively as usual. Marner thinks fast enough for McDavid, but is rarely joining rushes as he usually plays last forward up the ice (supporting McDavid's game).
Nylander was more dangerous throughout the game, but at both ends of the ice (lol Willy Style). He's being relied on as their top offensive weapon and pairing him with Zibanejad initially annoyingly bad (as I expected it would be when seeing the lineup on paper), and is up against a top pairing defense and 1st line every shift. He looked a lot more comfortable with Pettersson (who is playing injured) and got dinged for a couple of goals against (penalty + puck watching Crosby to Stone), stickchecked on some chances in tight, and saved a goal lifting Marchand's stick in a slot-one timer.
Guru Tugginmypuddah
Well-known member
Marner seemed invisible at times. I wasn't even sure during the first half of the game if he was playing with McDavid. I was scanning the tv looking for him. McDavid threw it across the front of the net a few times and no one there. I would imagine McDavid's speed would take some time to get used to as his linemate.
Every time he starts praising the Leafs I shake my head, especially in the playoffs. Marchand is also good at pumping tires while stepping on your throat.
Ozzie
Active member
I loved last night. A regulation time win would be better but the comeback by Sweden made it real. This morning I'm still pumped.
The goals by Canada were unreal. And I have to bow to both Crosby and MacKinnon for their Cole Harbour leadership.
McDavid to Crosby to MacKinnon goal will be up there with Gretzky Lemieux goals as amongst the most beautiful of all time, and it legitimized the entire tournament.
In 2017, Cooper coached Marner at the World Championships. He's been aware of him for a long time
(5 years ago): Cooper: Marner one of the smartest players NHL ''has ever seen''
As Cooper points out, Marner isn't the fastest skater. He's not big, Doesn't have a nasty shot, etc.
But he's 8th in league scoring and 3rd in takeaways/60 since coming into the league.
When you whittle away at his skills/physical talent, all that is left to explain his exceptional results are his brains.
Gretzky wasn't the fastest. Wasn't big. Didn't have a nasty shot. etc.
Both players had great anticipation for the sport.
To me, Cooper isn't patronizing. He's closer to making a statement of the obvious because there are not a lot of other credible ways to explain the results.
There is a reason why Matthews and McDavid want to play with the guy.
(5 years ago): Cooper: Marner one of the smartest players NHL ''has ever seen''
As Cooper points out, Marner isn't the fastest skater. He's not big, Doesn't have a nasty shot, etc.
But he's 8th in league scoring and 3rd in takeaways/60 since coming into the league.
When you whittle away at his skills/physical talent, all that is left to explain his exceptional results are his brains.
Gretzky wasn't the fastest. Wasn't big. Didn't have a nasty shot. etc.
Both players had great anticipation for the sport.
To me, Cooper isn't patronizing. He's closer to making a statement of the obvious because there are not a lot of other credible ways to explain the results.
There is a reason why Matthews and McDavid want to play with the guy.
OldTimeHockey
Well-known member
I personally think he's calling out the idiot media that continues to question Marner's ability.
Zee
Well-known member
Maybe he's lobbying Mitch to sign in Tampa
barney_rebel
Well-known member
We rule man