jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (09/05/84)
I've been told that the Canada Cup has been getting no coverage in the
U.S., though I can't understand why. Anybody who calls himself a hockey
fan should be interested, especially now that the U.S. is a major hockey
power. Maybe some people can't get into hockey when it's still warm outside,
(actually, it's been pretty cold here lately) no matter how significant the
games are. Anyway, I've been asked by one hockey fan in the U.S. to describe
what's been happening, and as somebody in a position to watch every game of
the tournament, I think I'm well qualified to post my impressions for
those fans that don't have the opportunity to follow all the action.
SATURDAY:
USA 7, SWEDEN 1. This didn't really surprise me. Sweden looked disorganized,
and the U.S. looked impressive in pretty well all aspects of the game.
Trottier got a pair of goals, and Sweden really needs some leadership.
CANADA 7, GERMANY 2. People have said that Germany played well, but I
disagree. Their goaltending was solid but they looked weak pretty well
everywhere else. The score was probably closer than the experts expected
because Canada did not really play well. They were taking it easy and
missed a lot of scoring chances. If they don't improve, they won't win
against the better teams.
SUNDAY:
SOVIET UNION 3, CZECHOSLOVAKIA 0. This was the first good game of the
tourney. Although Czech goalie Dominik Hasek had to make a lot of good
saves, I came away from the game thinking that it was closer than the
score would indicate. The Czechs held their composure when they got down 1-0,
but when the Soviets went up 2-0 in the 3rd period, that was pretty well it.
MONDAY:
USA 4, CANADA 4. Canada really pressed in the last part of the 1st period
and all of the second, and Tom Barrasso had to make some great stops to
keep the lead small (4-2), but in the third period, Canada just stopped
playing. Either they're out of shape or they figured it was going to be
another rout. With the great play they've been getting from Barrasso,
Langway, and Trottier (no surprise, really) the U.S. could go far, especially
if they can get Housley going. (He had a bad game and was benched in the 3rd.)
Doug Wilson was a standout for Canada in the first two periods, but I think
he got hurt. Canada will have to get better or they won't beat the USSR.
TUESDAY:
GERMANY 4, CZECHOSLOVAKIA 4. Probably the biggest surprise so far, especially
since Czechoslovakia looked so good against USSR and Germany looked so bad
against Canada. Germany got two soft goals on Czech's backup goalie before
they got smart and put in Hasek, and the Czechs were down 3-0 after the 1st.
The Czechs tied it in the second, but Germany didn't give up and regained
the lead before Czechoslovakia tied it again late in the 3rd. It was a very
entertaining game, and Germany looked like they'd have no problem beating
Sweden until....
USSR 3, SWEDEN 2. This one surprised me too. The Swedes were much improved,
and were getting some of the much needed leadership from Kent Nilsson. Maybe
the fact that the game was in Calgary helped, since Nilsson and Hakan Loob
are both Flames. It was a great game to watch, but both teams looked very
sloppy defensively, leaving opposition players open in front of their nets
a lot, and the Swedes were mishandling the puck a lot. Based on this game,
it looks like the Soviets can be beaten, but by whom? Maybe the USA!
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
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