My first pick for the tourney is Finland against USA. Basic points:
- IIHF uses bigger ice which differs from North-American rinks so Americans usually need some time/few games to get used to it.
- Team USA didn't have much preparations (just one friendly).
- Team USA comes with a poor roster. Usually they send 3rd line NHL players with one or few experienced leader (such as Jack Johnson), but this year less than half players come from NHL, rest is from AHL, University, College leagues...
- Team Finland has a great team this year, probably one of the best teams playing in WC in the last few years.
- Team Finland had long preparations - playing international tourneys through entire hockey season and playing friendlies as preparation for WC through entire April.
Finland @ -125 pound it
- IIHF uses bigger ice which differs from North-American rinks so Americans usually need some time/few games to get used to it.
- Team USA didn't have much preparations (just one friendly).
- Team USA comes with a poor roster. Usually they send 3rd line NHL players with one or few experienced leader (such as Jack Johnson), but this year less than half players come from NHL, rest is from AHL, University, College leagues...
- Team Finland has a great team this year, probably one of the best teams playing in WC in the last few years.
- Team Finland had long preparations - playing international tourneys through entire hockey season and playing friendlies as preparation for WC through entire April.
Finland @ -125 pound it
