Joined: Aug. 2020
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Here’s my collection of thoughts from the game:
Well Canada’s offense looks pretty good. Offense from the blueline especially looks really good, which is always nice to have. Unfortunately the defense looks terrible outside of that, they gave up far too many rush chances, they’re gonna have to be a bit more selective when pinching (pinching sometimes is good, but they were doing it nearly every play, which is unnecessary and excessive). And Garand looked shaky and small, good goaltending can cover some mistakes from the defense, but he didn’t exactly provide that. He should have had more than enough time to go post to post to stop the Novak goal, and when he went down to the butterfly on the Svozil goal, if he was bigger his shoulders woulda still covered the top of the net, but his smaller frame meant that there was a sizeable hole up top. I don’t really care who plays Austria, but I’d like to see Cossa against Germany. Canada relied on their superior firepower and good power play to outscore their problems today, which won’t be an option against superior opponents. I also noticed at least 4 or 5 times where it would have been nice to have a right shot on the right side, rather than a leftie (e.g. when Cormier pinched in on the right side but couldn’t control the seam pass on his backhand, or when Power got caught on the 2-on-1 that led to the first Czech goal, etc.). I thought Mason McTavish looked like a man amongst boys, he was a beast. Brute forcing his way through the defense for an initial chance, then controlling the puck all the way around the perimeter of the zone before dangling Novak out of his jock strap and roofing it was a beautiful play from start to finish. Power didn’t play the 2-on-1 well (kinda just stood there and let the Czechs pass through him), but he was excellent offensively, obviously. Another thing I noticed is that everyone keeps running into each other. In particular, I think that Johnson-McTavish-Bourque line is being carried by individual skill rather than chemistry. They keep bumping into each other, or cramping up very close to each other (2 or 3 guys less than a stick length apart from each other for no reason) and it leads to turnovers or a stall in the cycle/break-in. It was noticeable on the power play too, same culprits (but again, individual skill carried them, and because they are EXTRAORDINARILY skilled, it led to a couple goals). They’re too good to be making stupid mistakes like this, and it will cost them against good teams, like Finland and their medal round opponents. Canada will rely heavily on that line moving forward to be dominant offensively, and at least somewhat defensively responsible. Can’t be running into each other. On the bright side though, Bedard looks to have played himself onto the other top 6 line with Perfetti and Wright, and they look good. That will be an exciting line to keep an eye on moving forward if it sticks. The oldest player on the team with the two youngest players, all incredibly talented. And the checking line of Neighbours-Greig-Sourdif looked really solid, engaged physically, good on the forecheck, not making too many mistakes, and creating some good chances. I won’t be surprised if they’re used heavily to shift momentum when needed, and they’ll likely contribute a few goals (depth scoring is always key, and they’re a veteran line capable of providing that).
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