Team Sweden were a jubilant group following their 6-5 Shootout win over Team Canada in Buffalo on New Year's Eve. Roger Ronnberg, Sweden's head coach, made it known after the game that he and his team were not impressed, nor intimidated, by their rugged and skilled Canadian counterparts.
“I think actually, we had tougher games against the Czechs and Russians,” Ronnberg said. “Those games were tougher for us to control. I think they play better offensively than Canada did tonight.”
Attaboy, Rog. You've succeeded at pissing off the Canadians with your postgame comments. Way to pull the pin and chuck a live hand grenade at a team that you will likely be facing again in the medal round. You better believe that Canada head coach, Dave Cameron, his staff, and his players are going to use these comments to further fuel their mission to conquer WJC gold.
On Friday, before the game with Canada, Ronnberg articulated the script for his team's success:
"We always play for the win and we want to win this game (against Canada) badly," Ronnberg said. "It's an important game because if we work hard today, we can rest two days and go straight into the semis and I would love to sit in the stands and watch the semifinal between the U.S. and Canada."
Kiss goodbye the opportunity for Canada to play the Team USA for the right to win back the WJC gold medal. Canada are now on the long road to gold.
The Swedes and USA have earned first Semi-final first round byes. Canada now must dust itself off on Sunday. They've drawn the Suisse as theur opponent. The Suisse gave Team USA all it could handle on New Year's Eve. Won't be a game of shinny for Canada.
Terrible performance by the wonky Olivier Roy. The Canada goalie wasted three leads--- again--- in Canada's 6-5 Shootout loss. Own it. Roy has been a sieve in the round robin round. You can be politically correct if you want to. Not me. I haven't been impressed with Roy is this tourney, especially in Friday's loss to Sweden. He's been beaten for goals short side, blocker high, and glove high too many times in this tourney. Lander went roof daddy on Roy in the Shootout for the winner, while Roy was on his belly.
I say roll the bones and go with Visentin.
Were I Coach Cameron, I would start Visentin for the duration of games in the medal round.
By virtue of their loss to Sweden, Canada have to forefeit their bye and will face the Swiss team Sunday at 3:30 EDT. Russia will play Finland on Sunday night, while Russia gets the winner of Finland Sweden on Monday, and, either the Swiss or Canada will face the USA at 8:30 Monday night.
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