5 things we learned from the World Cup of Hockey round robin
The World Cup is almost over. Just like that.
With the round robin complete and the semifinals on tap for the weekend, here's what we learned:
1. North America forever
A World Cup featuring two select teams - North America and Europe - was a smashing success. So much that everyone's disappointed about a Canada-Russia semifinal. Yeah.
At least Europe's through to the semis, and is rallying together as "The Team the World Ignored," while North America put on a show, playing fast, incredible hockey that crowds at Air Canada Centre rarely see. The kids delighted - plain and simple - and the Europeans impressed. What's not to like?
The format worked. Europe and North America will be back when the World Cup returns in 2020. Can't wait.
2. Canada's so good it's boring
Canada's mastered hockey. Congratulations, Canada!
The Canadians picked up where they left off in Sochi. In fact, they're even better.
They won three round-robin games back in 2014, beating Austria, Norway, and Finland (in overtime) by a combined 11-2 margin. They're also 3-0 at the World Cup, having beaten the Czech Republic, the U.S., and Europe 14-3.
Better competition and a better goal differential. And it isn't even bloody close.
| Team | Goal Differential |
|---|---|
| Canada | +11 |
| North America | +3 |
| Russia | +3 |
| Sweden | +2 |
| Europe | +1 |
| Czech Republic | -6 |
| USA | -6 |
| Finland | -8 |
One more note: Canada's won 22 straight when some guy named Sidney Crosby's in the lineup.
The North Americans - with the second-best goal differential, what a shame - were so exciting because they were so good. The Canadians are a little boring because they're even better.
3. Make USA Hockey great again!
Twenty years after the United States shocked Canada - and the planet - by winning the World Cup, it fell flatter on its face than it's ever fallen.
It's safe to say John Tortorella's probably done as head coach. General manager Dean Lombardi may have to go, too. Nothing should be off the table, because this was an embarrassing showing by the Americans - winless, with only five goals in three games.
Ryan McDonagh led the way with two goals. Joe Pavelski, T.J. Oshie, and Justin Abdelkader scored the other three. Ironic, since Abdelkader had little business being on the team.
There's an easy lesson to be learned here: Take your best players. Don't overthink it.
And don't fixate on Canada. That's pointless. It'll always take a miracle against the guys in red and white. Focus on getting to the place where you'll need it.
4. No Finnish
What the hell happened to Finland?
Finnish hockey was on the rise in 2004 - at the last World Cup - when Suomi finished second to Canada. Finland followed up with a silver at the 2006 Olympics and bronze-medal finishes at Vancouver and Sochi. A hockey power, no doubt.
Until this past week, when it all fell apart. There's luck involved, for sure, as Finland took 82 shots on goal - a team-high 10 by Patrik Laine - in the tournament and yet scored just one goal. But Finland's best players, well, weren't.
Corsi For% 5v5
| Player | Vs. NA | Vs. SWE | Vs. RUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barkov | 25% | 42.86% | 45% |
| Donskoi | 37.5% | 47.62% | 50% |
| Granlund | 37.14% | 45.16% | 46.15% |
| Jokinen | 40% | 56.52% | 47.37% |
| Koivu | 35.29% | 38.71% | 50% |
| Komarov | 28.57% | 60% | 45.45% |
| Laine | 27.27% | 44% | 53.85% |
| Maatta | 30.95% | 37.14% | 61.11% |
| Ristolainen | 26.32% | 47.5% | 42.31% |
| Vatanen | 31.58% | 38.89% | 60.61% |
For the most part, Finland never had the puck, especially when its best players were on the ice.
While it was a winless, disappointing tournament, Finland's still in a better place than the U.S., but its got stuff to talk about, that's for sure.
5. Goaltending above all
Much like the NHL, where the best players face off, it's the goaltenders who influence the game the most.
The goalies from the four playoff teams were the best in the round robin:
| Goalie | GP | SV% |
|---|---|---|
| Carey Price (CAN) | 2 | .968 |
| Jacob Markstrom (SWE) | 1 | .964 |
| Henrik Lundqvist (SWE) | 2 | .953 |
| Corey Crawford (CAN) | 1 | .950 |
| Sergei Bobrovsky (RUS) | 3 | .948 |
| Jaroslav Halak (EUR) | 3 | .946 |
Goalies have this whole goaltending thing figured out. Especially the best ones on earth.
The beauty of a short tournament is that a goaltender can win it. If Matt Murray finishes with better than an .886 save percentage in two starts, it's North America versus Canada in the semifinal Saturday - not Russia.