It may not have been USA vs. Canada let’s murder each other during exhibition play ugly, but Team USA put a beating on Team Finland during the first two periods.
The Finns were able to bounce back during the third period and managed to pull within one of Team USA before the end of the game. They may not be a favorite in this tournament but they have been known to be a sleeper team in the past.
Like most teams in the World Cup, the Finns finds themselves in an interesting goalie situation. On one hand they have Boston’s favorite Finn Tuukka Rask and on the other they have Nashville’s favorite Finn Pekka Rinne. Two goalies who have no shortage of “declining play” talks surrounding their names.
After Rask allowed six goals from Team Sweden Saturday night, Rinne got the starting nod Tuesday.
Despite the overall clinic put on by Team USA, Rinne did some good things…
Pekka Rinne with a serious save on Patrick Kane #WCH2016: pic.twitter.com/hmpJhVjZ1T
— Mark Harris (@MCHisTweeting) September 13, 2016
Then he did some not so good things…
Stepan goal pic.twitter.com/Fxnnjbktad
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 14, 2016
This tournament is a long shot at determining what type of play we’ll see from Rinne this season. Let’s just hope the extra playing time gets us more of the good stuff when October finally arrives.
Around Hockey
P.K. Subban Hits the Ice in Nashville – Nashville Predators – Features
Do we love P.K. Subban or do we love P.K. Subban? The verdict is still out on those gold helmets.
Rinne looks to be Finland’s World Cup starter – ProHockeyTalk
My biased opinion says Rinne is the better choice. My unbiased opinion says Rask won’t sit the entire tournament even though Rinne is the better choice.
NHL — World Cup of Hockey – Why Team USA will beat Team Canada – Espn.com
At this point do we even care who wins? The entertainment has been excellent and the real tournament hasn’t even started yet.
Why Team USA ‘needs more’ out of Max Pacioretty – Sportsnet.ca
John Tortorella is taking his position as head coach of Team USA very seriously. Maybe too seriously?
Shaw’s declining shooting percentage raises question marks – Article – TSN
Oh yeah, the Montreal Canadiens also did this during the summer.
Ovechkin, Stamkos top list of 10 players with extra motivation at World Cup – CBSSports.com
Filip Forsberg making an appearance here at number eight.
Bill Foley has his NHL team name, the Knights, but he’s not saying what kind of Knights they’ll be | Las Vegas Review
For a city as bold as Las Vegas these names are pretty basic. Painfully basic.
Funko POP! NHL players are finally on the way – Yahoo Sports
These are far less creepy than most of the bobble heads floating around and strangely more accurate despite how simple they are.
Who should be the first Nashville Predator to get their own Funko Pop! Figurine?
| Filip Forsberg | 34 |
| P.K. Subban | 44 |
| Pekka Rinne | 11 |
| James Neal | 0 |
| Limited Edition Hateful James Neal | 74 |