I like this picture*

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94) 05/23/2019 at 14:15 • Filed to: None

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7

*Bias acknowledged

I’m not sure why:

a) Switzerland is always so tough to beat

b) Switzerland is consistently ranked so low. One would think after being such a consistently difficult opponent the perception of them would rise a bit.

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Anyway, the picture is great.

And yes I was totally watching the game working this morning.

fintail > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 05/23/2019 at 14:30

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A few Swiss make it to the show, and they have a rabidly supported league where NHLers have played during lockouts, and numerous NA players are pro , I am surprised at their ranking too. Cool pic and cool result, no doubt.

ttyymmnn > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 05/23/2019 at 14:44

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I purposefully did not read the text of this post after seeing the content. I have recorded (and am recording) every televised game of this tournament, and I’m still watching the first round (no spoilers please!) . I watch this tournament  every year, and find it to be infinitely more entertaining than the Stanley Cup playoffs. I much prefer the international game. Less grabbing and holding, less head hunting, more skill, bigger ice, no fighting. It’s just a better game, IMO.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > fintail 05/23/2019 at 14:46

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I mean it’s got everything. Player reactions, puck just over line, scoreboard clearly at 0.3 seconds...

...and on Genoni’s pads, quite clearly presented to the camera...

... “ Made In Canada”.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > fintail 05/23/2019 at 14:48

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To be clear to any Swiss that might be on here, not trying to rub it in or anything. I think the Swiss are quite good, and only getting better. Never should write them off... if they can’t beat you on raw skill, they’ve got a damn good shot of doing it on structure.

But damn that’s a good pic.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > ttyymmnn 05/23/2019 at 14:58

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I don’t like international ice, myself. Too MUCH room. IMO too much space between the board work and the net as a result. Plus I like physicality.

In saying that, I wouldn’t mind seeing the NHL adopt the Finnish ice... IIRC it’s about halfway between NHL and international sizes. 90' or something. The NHL is so damn fast now that 80' is getting a bit cramped... and 90' isn’t too bad of a compromise—Finns tend to (IMO) have the best qualities of both games. Speed, skill in tight, skill in open ice and brute force.

The automatic ejection/suspension for headshots needs to come to the NHL.

As far as fighting goes, I don’t like the idea of it being an ejection like in the IIHF rules, at least not while the refs refuse to be the cops that they should be... but the fights starting over perfectly clean hits need to end yesterday. Maybe 10 minutes instead of 5? 3 minute instigator? Or whenever someone gets the extra two on a fighting call, it’s treated like a major and doesn’t end if they’re scored against?

fintail > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 05/23/2019 at 15:07

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Cool stuff, didn’t notice the clock and pads until I zoomed in. Genius shot.

Regarding the Swiss, as you know, hockey development has changed immensely in the past 20-25 years. You never know what might happen.

ttyymmnn > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 05/23/2019 at 15:12

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I definitely agree that the NHL ice is too small. But I don’t see how it can be made bigger without rebuilding all the arenas. As for fighting, the IIHF proves that you can have exciting hockey without fist fights. I’ve heard all the arguments about how it’s part of the game, but I say BS. It doesn’t belong on any professional sport, especially with kids watching.