French Collection

I was not impressed last night. Overall it was a poor effort. Dahlin let me down. The Staal gaffe was brutal. Hutton scared me all game long. On the positive side, they were one down with a minute to go after playing like crap. Ullmark will bring a better game, Dahlin will rebound and I hope Staal is OK. Let’s go Buffalo!

I will miss the first period but will watch the rest with great anticipation. I am really excited to watch Dahlin and see if he does break out this season. He can be a game changer. Let’s go Buffalo!

Watch the numbers he will put up and all the flak the Sabres get for not keeping him. I still think he could have helped.

I may be over simplifying this but you will not know if he is ready unless you play him. At a minimum he should get a few games and be on the taxi squad if he is on the bubble. He isn’t fully developed yet but he is relatively big as well as one of the faster players in his peer group.

I am not an authority on this but I am French Canadian. The colonization of Canada was begun by the French. Canada was a French colony for almost 200 years. The defeat by the British changed the landlord but most French speaking people remained. Subsequent waves of immigration reduced the majority of the “french Canadians” but they still have a decent population ( about 10-20%) The majority of French Canadians live in the province of Quebec but there are many in New Brunswick and Ontario. Canada has two official languages, English and French , due to this history. Most French Canadians have deep roots in this country, although nowhere near the depth of First Nations people. My ancestors have lived in Canada for nearly 400 years and this is common with french speaking Canadians as immigration from France basically stopped in the mid 1700’s.

Congrats to USA hockey. They executed a great game plan. Zegras was only a factor in one period but it was enough. Knight was great. Canada only played well in the third and Knight was solid. Canada succumbed to the pressure, they were squeezing their sticks way too tightly and got derailed. Simple passes were in the feet or behind the receiver, board work was weak and their D looked out of sorts. Cozens’ game was his worst in two years at this tournament. I hope he learns from this and moves on. Quinn had some chances to make a difference but did not deliver. Johnson was OK and did his job well. This tournament has most of my attention every year and now it’s over. Time to shift into Sabres’ hockey mode. Let’s go Buffalo! Again, congratulations to USA hockey and see you next year.

And Friedman adds that Seattle joining will complicate the numbers. A 7 team Canadian division while the west would have 9.

My heart is obviously with Canada, I need to find reasons for my brain to back it up. Goaltending is a wash, Knight is top notch but Levi has been rock solid. Defense is very close. Forward lines are in Canada’s favour. I see more scoring depth and they can roll all 4 lines. Canada needs to stay out of the box because the USA has a deadly PP. They scare me. Discipline will be key. I think Canada is also hungrier, these guys have been locked in their bubbles since late November. They will come out of the gate hard and the first 10 minutes may set the table. As Bryzgalov said back in the day, they were like gorillas released from the cage.

This is a really good assessment of Jack Quinn. I 100% agree with your thought that he had to become the defensive conscience of whatever line he is on, in order to make this team. I am impressed that he has embraced that role and excelled at it. I think he is capable of being the trigger man at the next level. I was worried about his junior numbers, more goals than assists, but he can pass very well. They award two assists for every goal so I don’t like seeing guys with way more goals. This is another reason I do not like Matthews. A centre should have more assists, even if he is a good shooter. Even though he’s been on some good lines he has not got to the net or meander around waiting for the feed. (This is what I dislike about Caufield, he’s a gun but he doesn’t do much else). Winning gold is the goal and if he uses this as another stepping stone in his development the Sabres may have to find a spot for Quinn next year. I’ve said he’s a mix of Stone and Reinhart but there is also some Pominville in his game.

Gretzky was only 16. He played in the WHA at 17.

Byram was not so good vs the Czechs but had been solid the rest of the games. He was good tonight.

Yeah, appreciate the news from camp, please feed as much as possible via this board.

Cozens currently the top scorer in the tournament but Zegras plays next.

Quinn starting on second line with Newhook.

Hoping for Canada and USA wins today to set up a Cozens vs Zegras showdown tomorrow.

Johnson’s shot pinballs off of a few guys and goes in. He seems to be playing with more confidence tonight.

USA controlling this game but it is only 1-0. Slovak goalie just stoned Caufieldand Turcotte on breakaways.

Krebs is all out, Vegas got a good one there. I see him as a Mike Richards in his prime. Tourigny mixed up the lines in the third, not sure why. The only guy that Perfetti might beat in a puck battle is Cole Caufield. Yeah I don’t like little guys unless they play with some grit. Perfetti is not small but plays smaller than he is. Pokes at the puck like it was a live snake when there is a chance of body contact.

Wasn’t pretty but Canada advances. Cozens was a big factor again with a goal and an assist in the first period. That was enough for them to play conservatively for the next two periods and win 3-0. Quinn did not stand out but did a lot of little things that would be missed if you’re watching the game and not focusing on him. He covers well for the D when they pinch, works hard on the wall, back checks hard and never seems out of position. It wasn’t his best, but other than the Cozens line, they did not generate much. Once again I am happy the Sabres did not draft Perfetti. He looks weak, slow and out of synch.

JJ Peterka on the ice in 15 minutes. Might be the last chance to see him play for a long time.

Matchups set for tomorrow’s Quarterfinals. Russia vs Germany Askarov has been average. Stuetzle and Peterka magic? Finland vs Sweden A great rivalry, one contender will be gone. Semi-Finnal? Canada vs Czechia Should not be a problem if they come out with their hair on fire. Quinn’s turn? USA vs Slovakia They have found their stride and Zegras is the man. Johnson on the rise?

Happy New Year folks, keep the faith. Let’s go Buffalo!

Ryan Johnson with a nice shot to get his first goal.

His speed is an asset in back checking and because he is often the first forward back he plays deep and supports the D very well. Probably a combination of the coach’s wishes and centre being in his DNA.

His middle name is Orr.