2004 World Cup of Hocket Thread (R)

[DoyleG]

8 teams will be competing for this.

http://nhl.speedera.net/image-upload/frank_gehry_worldcup2004_trophy.jpg

I don't know which is the more ugly.

Canada has released it's 26-man roster.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=84011

[dfb547490]

Should be a great tournament. All the US-hosted games are too far away for me to go, unfortunately, but I'm trying to get tickets for US-Canada in Montreal, which should be an epic showdown. I'll probably end up splashing out hundreds of dollars for them on Ebay, but there's a good chance it'll be worth it.

[BlueMeanie]

????

Weird selections. Blake's through; I'm surprised he's there instead of a younger guy like Scott Hannan or Denis Gauthier or Barrett Jackman (will the latter two still be injured by the WC?). Foote and Jovanovski are shadows of their former selves, and picking Brenden Morrow while leaving Rick Nash and Vincent Lacavalier off the team is mind-boggling to say the least.

[SweetOwnGoal]

????

Weird selections. Blake's through; I'm surprised he's there instead of a younger guy like Scott Hannan or Denis Gauthier or Barrett Jackman (will the latter two still be injured by the WC?). Foote and Jovanovski are shadows of their former selves, and picking Brenden Morrow while leaving Rick Nash and Vincent Lacavalier off the team is mind-boggling to say the least.

Canada has a history of picking grit over skill when filling out the bottom part of its roster. It all started after we were smoked in the 1981 Canada Cup playing with an all-star team. At the next tournament, Canada tried to go with a more balanced approach (two skill lines, a checking line, and a line of bangers). Mike Bossy scored his most famous goal, we beat the big bad Commies and a formula was born. With that in mind, Brendon Morrow's selection doesn't surprise me one bit; he's a pain in the a$$ to play against.

Only four francophones (two non-goalies) by my count. That won't go over well in Quebec (the Bloc will probably make it a campaign issue!).

[Daniel from Montréal]

Only four francophones (two non-goalies) by my count. That won't go over well in Quebec (the Bloc will probably make it a campaign issue!).

Bah! It's more than 2002 and the only possible omissions would be Theo (debatable) and Lecavalier. At least Richards played in the 'Q.

As for the grinder thing, 2002 was pretty much an all-star team after the Nagano mistake (Zamuner????).

[SweetOwnGoal]

Bah! It's more than 2002 and the only possible omissions would be Theo (debatable) and Lecavalier. At least Richards played in the 'Q.

As for the grinder thing, 2002 was pretty much an all-star team after the Nagano mistake (Zamuner????).


I think that they went for a little more speed/skill in SLC because of the big ice. That said, the inclusion of power players such as Nolan/Iginla filled the 'grind' component of the team. Fleury was the 'irritating as he!! to play against' component.

You're right; there really aren't a lot of French players that deserve to be on the team at this time. That doesn't mean someone won't complain about it though.

That said, if this WC thing is going to be a regular event I would favour the inclusion of a Team Quebec. The Team Canada concept would remain at the world championships and Olympics. I think a Canada/Quebec match-up would make for great drama. The only problem would be, this being Canada, that every other province would probably whine for the same thing. I'm not sure if Team Saskatchewan vs Team Nova Scotia would have the same drama (although there would be no question that Brendon Morrow deserved to be on TeamSask!).

[DoyleG]

Germany releases it's roster.
http://www.tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=84248

As does Sweden
http://www.tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=84226&hubName=main

[Canadian_Supporter]

Three exhibition games are being played in Ottawa. The stupid thing is that you can only buy tickets to see all three games... even if you only want to see one game! I only want to see Russia vs Slovakia. To do so I have to buy tickets for the other two games.... stupid capital tickets (worse then ticketmaser).

[SABuffalo786]

Is there an official website or anything? Where are the USA home games being played? Philly?? MSG probably, where else???

[Daniel from Montréal]

http://www.wch2004.com/

All American games will be in St-Paul's Xcel Energy Center. Canada games will be at the Bell Centre and the ACC.

The final will be in Toronto (ACC).

[BlueMeanie]

Team USA will announce their roster this Thursday at 7 ET/4 PT on ESPN.

[SABuffalo786]

http://www.wch2004.com/

All American games will be in St-Paul's Xcel Energy Center. Canada games will be at the Bell Centre and the ACC.

The final will be in Toronto (ACC).



I thought Canada was going to play a game in Montreal versus the USA. :confused:

[SweetOwnGoal]

I thought Canada was going to play a game in Montreal versus the USA. :confused:

They are:

World Cup of Hockey 2004 Schedule

Date Venue, City Matchup
Mon., Aug. 30 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki CZE vs. FIN

Tues., Aug. 31 Globe Arena, Stockholm GER vs. SWE
Bell Centre, Montreal CAN vs. USA

Wed., Sept. 1 Globe Arena, Stockholm CZE vs. SWE
Bell Centre, Montreal CAN vs. SVK

Thurs., Sept. 2 Cologne Arena, Cologne FIN vs. GER
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul USA vs. RUS

Fri., Sept. 3 Sazka Arena, Prague GER vs. CZE
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul USA vs. SVK

Sat., Sept. 4 Hartwall Arena, Helsinki SWE vs. FIN
Air Canada Centre, Toronto CAN vs. RUS

Sun., Sept. 5 Air Canada Centre, Toronto RUS vs. SVK

Mon., Sept. 6 QUARTERFINAL

Home Arena of E1 E1 vs. E4

Tues., Sept. 7 QUARTERFINAL
Home Arena of E2 E2 vs. E3

QUARTERFINAL
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul NA1 vs. NA4 or
NA2 vs. NA3

Wed., Sept. 8 QUARTERFINAL
Air Canada Centre, Toronto NA1 vs. NA4 or

NA2 vs. NA3

Fri., Sept. 10 SEMIFINAL
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

Sat., Sept. 11 SEMIFINAL
Air Canada Centre, Toronto

Tues., Sept. 14 CHAMPIONSHIP
Air Canada Centre, Toronto


European Division (E):
Czech Republic (CZE), Finland (FIN), Germany (GER), Sweden (SWE)

North American Division (NA):
Canada (CAN), Russia (RUS), Slovakia (SVK), United States (USA)

[SABuffalo786]

These better be on ESPN. I'll be away at school while this all happens. To think, the Hockey World Cup Final will be 2 hours away from where I used to live. :rolleyes:

[CelticOnFire]

1. Is Hockey really that big in Germany?
2. Will there be a World Cup if there is a lockout?

[DAGSports]

These better be on ESPN. I'll be away at school while this all happens. To think, the Hockey World Cup Final will be 2 hours away from where I used to live. :rolleyes:
Most games on ESPN 2, some on ESPN, including the final.

And the final conceivably ends about 2 hours before the CBA expires.

[DoyleG]

Team USA roster released.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=84641

[MetroAndAGuinessPlz]

Team USA roster released.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=84641

Jeez we really have an aging core of forwards. This I think will be USA's last chance at international glory till the current young crop develops (Zach Parise et. al). Also will be interesting to see wether or not Conklin starts over DiPietro.

[dfb547490]

Granted I'm biased, but I'd rather see Esche starting in net than either of those 2. He's been ripping it up in the playoffs.

[BlueMeanie]

Jeez we really have an aging core of forwards. This I think will be USA's last chance at international glory till the current young crop develops (Zach Parise et. al). Also will be interesting to see wether or not Conklin starts over DiPietro.
Best we can figure is that they're going with so many old guys because it's their Cup to "defend." Pretty underwhelming selection, to say the least, but since Canada didn't pick their best potential team, either, the USA still stands a chance.