To be fair, they didnt really need Crosby either.
- PhillySportsGuy

Or Stamkos and Tavares.

they could have sent a B team and probably won, with the Finns and Swedes both missing their top 2-3 centers
- Marc D

Thats true. I would have loved to have seen Sweden with Backstrom, H. Sedin, Franzen and Zetterberg. They would have been a force. Finland with Barkov and the Koivus would have been much better as well.

I felt Team Canada's defense played at such a high level, they didn't need great play from their forwards.

i didn't watch a single second of the gold medal game. i'll reiterate how much i loathe the break in the schedule, and honestly hope this is the last time the NHL participates.
- hammarby31

I don't think many Canadian fans would share that sentiment right about now... if it were the USA taking home gold, with several Flyers players leading the way, I'm sure feelings on this board would be a lot different.

Thats true. I would have loved to have seen Sweden with Backstrom, H. Sedin, Franzen and Zetterberg. They would have been a force. Finland with Barkov and the Koivus would have been much better as well.

I felt Team Canada's defense played at such a high level, they didn't need great play from their forwards.
- PhillySportsGuy

It was team D, though. Forwards bought in, too.

It was team D, though. Forwards bought in, too.
- bmeltzer

No question about it. Team Canada sacrificed some flashy offense to play a strong team game defensively. Kudos to the players for buying into a game plan put into place by a great Coach in Mike Babcock.

After 1

Kingston - 1
Oshawa - 2

Laughton with 2 power play goals

After 2

Kingston - 1
Oshawa - 4

Laughton with a hat trick

After 2

Kingston - 1
Oshawa - 4

Laughton with a hat trick
- ob18

He's a failure until he gets an ovechtrick

He's a failure until he gets an ovechtrick
- JAKEw1234

Right

He's a failure until he gets an ovechtrick
- JAKEw1234

Interviewed during the intermission "Laughton says he feels bad people keep tossing their hats for his hat tricks."

Interviewed during the intermission "Laughton says he feels bad people keep tossing their hats for his hat tricks."
- ob18

So ridiculous that he isn't developing in the ahl.

So ridiculous that he isn't developing in the ahl.
- Hextall271

It is what it is, he's doing fine.

It was team D, though. Forwards bought in, too.
- bmeltzer

Thats true. It was strange to see such a defensive system from a team with such fire power. Hard to criticize a team that allowed so few goals and went undefeated.

After 2

Kingston - 1
Oshawa - 4

Laughton with a hat trick
- ob18

At this point last year Laughton had 56 points. He has 80 now.

He's a failure until he gets an ovechtrick
- JAKEw1234

Or scores in the Olympics

At this point last year Laughton had 56 points. He has 80 now.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's also added an assist here in the 3rd, he's went back & didn't cry about it. Shows he's got a great attitude

He's also added an assist here in the 3rd, he's went back & didn't cry about it. Shows he's got a great attitude
- ob18

This team was such a cluster(frank) to start the season. Would have been interesting to see him with the team when they began playing better.

Its not like its a lost season. He's dominated the OHL and captained Canada at the WJC. I feel safe saying he'll be on the Flyers next year.

Do you think he'll be able to play wing and center? The team is so loaded at center, it might be better for him to play wing if he wants to reach the top 9.

Final

Kingston - 2
Oshawa - 7

Laughton with a hat trick & an assist

This team was such a cluster(frank) to start the season. Would have been interesting to see him with the team when they began playing better.

Its not like its a lost season. He's dominated the OHL and captained Canada at the WJC. I feel safe saying he'll be on the Flyers next year.

Do you think he'll be able to play wing and center? The team is so loaded at center, it might be better for him to play wing if he wants to reach the top 9.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's primarily been a center but he has played some wing & don't think it would be that big of an issue.

He's primarily been a center but he has played some wing & don't think it would be that big of an issue.
- ob18

I could see him playing wing on a line with Couts and Read. That could be a great shutdown line with some offensive pop.

I know its looking too far ahead. Thats just what I envision.

Thats true. It was strange to see such a defensive system from a team with such fire power. Hard to criticize a team that allowed so few goals and went undefeated.
- PhillySportsGuy

I saw an interview with Toews after the final game. He said with all the talent they had it would have been easy to press the attack and go for more offense and goals. But they played a system and were not worried about number of goals scored, only about winning the games.

I think with all the stars on the team they really deserve credit for sticking to their system.

Coaches did a great job and obviously the players all bought into it.

Having all that skill helps too.

I could see him playing wing on a line with Couts and Read. That could be a great shutdown line with some offensive pop.

I know its looking too far ahead. Thats just what I envision.
- PhillySportsGuy

Replacement for Downie then.

Replacement for Downie then.
- Marc D

Cheaper and (most likely) better.

Cheaper and (most likely) better.
- jmatchett383

I saw an interview with Toews after the final game. He said with all the talent they had it would have been easy to press the attack and go for more offense and goals. But they played a system and were not worried about number of goals scored, only about winning the games.

I think with all the stars on the team they really deserve credit for sticking to their system.

Coaches did a great job and obviously the players all bought into it.

Having all that skill helps too.
- Marc D

They do deserve credit. I just hate saying it.