jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (09/10/84)
Here's my second in a series of reports on the Canada Cup. If anyone
disagrees with anything I say, then by all means, flame away.
THURSDAY:
USA vs CZECHOSLOVAKIA. I can't remember the score but I know USA won by
a goal or two. They controlled play most of the game and they did a great
job of holding their two-goal lead.
USSR 8, GERMANY 1. I didn't see this game, but it must have been very
disappointing for Germany after their good performance against CSSR and
holding the Soviets scoreless for the first period.
SWEDEN 4, CANADA 2. Canada's problems can be summed up simply: They can't
put the puck in the net, despite numerous scoring opportunities. Sweden
continued their improved play, but the leadership came from the Gradin-
Sundstrom-Sundstrom line this time. Their fourth goal was an empty-netter.
SATURDAY:
SWEDEN vs. GERMANY. I've forgotten the score of this one too, but I know
Sweden won it in a close one. Mats Naslund was the sparkplug this time.
CANADA 7, CZECHOSLOVAKIA 2. Finally, Canada figures out how to score.
Hopefully this means the problem is solved and we'll see good games tonight
(Monday Sept. 10) and in the playoffs. There are still a couple of players
not playing up to par, but a couple returned to form this game. Doug Wilson
was hurt in the first period, but hopefully he'll be ready tonight.
USSR 2, USA 1. I only caught the last half of this game, and the USA was
pressing constantly, but goalie Vladimir Myshkin kept them from tying the
score. This may be an indication that the Soviets can be beaten, but they
have a habit of doing only what they need to to win against the good teams.
Still I think with a one goal lead and a whole period to go, I'd try
to play a little more offensively than they did to try to get an insurance
goal. The playoffs should be interesting.
Here's the standings so far, plus tonight's opponents:
team W L T PT opponent
USSR 4 0 0 8 Canada
USA 2 1 1 5 West Germany
Canada 2 1 1 5 USSR
Sweden 2 2 0 4 Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia 0 3 1 1 Sweden
West Germany 0 3 1 1 USA
The top four teams are in the playoffs, and as you can see the USSR has
clinched first place. If Sweden beats CSSR tonight, I wonder if the Soviets
will intentionally lose their game with Canada to avoid meeting them in
the first round of the playoffs. I wouldn't put it past them. I remember
one time, in a world championship tournament in which they had been blowing
everybody out, they played a 0-0 tie with Czechoslovakia in the final game
to prevent Canada from winning a medal, so they're not above throwing games
to better their cause.
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
{linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd}!utcsrgv!dciem!jeff
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!dciem!jeff