Game Thread: Canada vs. Slovakia

by Casey Richey on Feb 26, 2010 5:30 PM CST in Game Threads

Canada vs. Slovakia 7:30 p.m. ET

Mike Babcock will send his men to the ice again for Canada as they face Marian Gaborik and Slovakia. The last time the Canadians took the ice, they absolutely demolished a Russian team that was offensive minded only and the defensive lapses showed up very quickly. Don't expect the same though from Slovakia, they play tighter defense and looking to contain the Canadian passing game. Jaroslav Halak is also a lot less aggressive in his positioning than Evgeni Nabokov so that could work to the Slovakians advantage in terms of having the goalie in better position for shots on net.

Expect Canada to still overpower Slovakia but don't rule Slovakia out. Any team that has guys like Marian Hossa and Gaborik is a threat, no matter what NHL "history" says.

Comment away below.

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Comments

Does the game start at 7:30 or 9:30? I thought puck drop was 9:30. ?

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 5:40 PM CST via mobile reply actions

As far as I know puck drop is 9:30EST

by Gander on Feb 26, 2010 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

it is

Give the fans more time to get their drinking in. :)

Called my mom for the score a couple times, because I knew she’d be watching. Great great win.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks guys. That's what I thought.

Love this timing. Wisconsin and Tech are a blast to watch.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 6:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Thanks guys. That's what I thought.

Love this timing. Wisconsin and Tech are a blast to watch.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 6:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

hello? hello?

Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!

by ahtrap on Feb 26, 2010 8:36 PM CST reply actions

Just got home from the Wisconsin game. Brendan Smith had a so-so game. Had a goal, but also had a terrible giveaway that would have led to a Tech goal, had anyone but the guy who took it down the ice had it.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 8:49 PM CST reply actions

I see Canada is leading 2-0

Goals from Marleau and Morrow.

by Gander on Feb 26, 2010 9:10 PM CST reply actions

Getzlaf gets a PPG

I hate those Ducks that score

by Gander on Feb 26, 2010 9:51 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Perry and Pronger with the assists… even worse.

by Gander on Feb 26, 2010 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

That was my first thought when I saw the three of them. Ugh.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 9:55 PM CST up reply actions

this gets a rec from me :)

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:34 PM CST up reply actions

been watching, just not talking much

Pretty quiet game, comparatively.

Looking like a rematch for the gold medal. Not sure how I feel about that.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:31 PM CST reply actions

On the one hand, it will be hard to beat Canada twice.

On the other hand, the Americans should be confident because they already have beaten them once.

On the other hand, there is no chance of a slow start for the US against Canada.

On the other hand, Canada might get a boost from the crowd.

On the other hand, Canada might get nervous under the pressure.

On the other hand, the US is incredibly loose.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:41 PM CST up reply actions

How many hands do you have?

But all good points. :)

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 10:42 PM CST up reply actions

looks like six

But I think, as a Red Wings fan, I am entitled to go up to eight hands when making points. ;)

I was fretting a little bit about a slow start for the US against Slovakia that could make them ripe for an upset, but no chance of that now – and yet they don’t have any pressure on them still, number one seed or not, because Canada started playing much better after the US beat them.

Canada looked pretty nervous at times during this game. If they were nervous against Slovakia, they might be a wreck against the US in the gold medal game if the Americans can score early.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:46 PM CST up reply actions

that was fast

Could be a very interesting finish.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:33 PM CST reply actions

Slovaks making somewhat of a go of it.
Cool. It’s what I like to see.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 10:35 PM CST reply actions

blowout semifinal or tight low-scoring semifinal

This morning I would have had them flip-flopped. :)

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:38 PM CST reply actions

Pretty much any person you asked would have had them flip flopped, myself included.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 10:39 PM CST up reply actions

Darn it, I really wanted the Slovaks to pull it off at the last second.

by crperreau on Feb 26, 2010 10:42 PM CST reply actions

So did I. At least take them to overtime.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:47 PM CST up reply actions

Great effort by the Slovaks.

So it’s Canada – USA again and Finland – Slovakia.

I like Finland’s chances against Slovakia better than their chances against Canada, though, so at least this improves Filppula’s chances of a medal, too.

"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
USA! USA! USA! USA!

by Baroque on Feb 26, 2010 10:43 PM CST reply actions