International Hockey Fans

[mojo85]

Are teams like the Swiss, Latvia, Slovakia etc no longer the plug teams on the international scene? I remember the swiss as being walk overs and would never even consider Slovakia beating a powerhouse like the Russians. Are they permanent threats now or is this year just a fluke?

[BNR]

definitely not pushovers, I really like the Swiss, tough as hell

[KingCanuck]

....


Strong hockey knowledge.

Slovakia was never a walk over. And Swiss have been competitive for many years now.


Did you just start watching hockey this week?

[Mac_xX]

It's definately evened out. The great thing about these tournament is that on any given day any team can win if they have a hit goalie, a couple stellar forwards etc..

[markusjj85]

Slovakia actually has a really good team but not many scoring threats. The Swiss are just plain tough and physical.

[Kokanee]

uhhh slovakia has produced elite NHL players for a long time.

[Fiz-iks]

....


Strong hockey knowledge.

Slovakia was never a walk over. And Swiss have been competitive for many years now.


Did you just start watching hockey this week?

This.

I think you must have missed about 30 years of hockey OP, the Czechs, Slovaks, Finns, and Swedes all have a majority of NHL players on their teams. Latvia, Germany, and Belarus are still relatively weak however.

[mojo85]

Slovakian Record in World Championships

1994 ? Finished in 21st place (winner of the "Pool C")
1995 ? Finished in 13th place (winner of the "Pool B")
1996 ? Finished in 10th place
1997 ? Finished in 9th place
1998 ? Finished in 7th place
1999 ? Finished in 7th place
2000 ? Won silver medal
2001 ? Finished in 7th place
2002 ? Won gold medal
2003 ? Won bronze medal
2004 ? Finished in 4th place
2005 ? Finished in 5th place
2006 ? Finished in 8th place
2007 ? Finished in 6th place
2008 ? Finished in 13th place
2009 ? Finished in 10th place

Olympic Record
1994 – Finished in 6th place
1998 – Finished in 10th place
2002 – Finished in 13th place
2006 – Finished in 5th place

Slovakia has not been an elite team on the level of the Fins/Swedes/Czechs/Canadians/US for 30 years. In fact in 15 years they have medaled 3 times, all within 3 years. They have been the best of the worst but they have not been elite on the level of the other European teams.

Read the original post, no where did I say the Fins/Swedes/Czechs etc were not elite, dont make up an argument.

[eastierules]

Slovakian Record in World Championships

1994 ? Finished in 21st place (winner of the "Pool C")
1995 ? Finished in 13th place (winner of the "Pool B")
1996 ? Finished in 10th place
1997 ? Finished in 9th place
1998 ? Finished in 7th place
1999 ? Finished in 7th place
2000 ? Won silver medal
2001 ? Finished in 7th place
2002 ? Won gold medal
2003 ? Won bronze medal
2004 ? Finished in 4th place
2005 ? Finished in 5th place
2006 ? Finished in 8th place
2007 ? Finished in 6th place
2008 ? Finished in 13th place
2009 ? Finished in 10th place

Olympic Record
1994 ? Finished in 6th place
1998 ? Finished in 10th place
2002 ? Finished in 13th place
2006 ? Finished in 5th place

Slovakia has not been an elite team on the level of the Fins/Swedes/Czechs/Canadians/US for 30 years. In fact in 15 years they have medaled 3 times, all within 3 years. They have been the best of the worst but they have not been elite on the level of the other European teams.

Read the original post, no where did I say the Fins/Swedes/Czechs etc were not elite, dont make up an argument.

I like your style.

[Kokanee]

Slovakian Record in World Championships

1994 ? Finished in 21st place (winner of the "Pool C")
1995 ? Finished in 13th place (winner of the "Pool B")
1996 ? Finished in 10th place
1997 ? Finished in 9th place
1998 ? Finished in 7th place
1999 ? Finished in 7th place
2000 ? Won silver medal
2001 ? Finished in 7th place
2002 ? Won gold medal
2003 ? Won bronze medal
2004 ? Finished in 4th place
2005 ? Finished in 5th place
2006 ? Finished in 8th place
2007 ? Finished in 6th place
2008 ? Finished in 13th place
2009 ? Finished in 10th place

Olympic Record
1994 – Finished in 6th place
1998 – Finished in 10th place
2002 – Finished in 13th place
2006 – Finished in 5th place

Slovakia has not been an elite team on the level of the Fins/Swedes/Czechs/Canadians/US for 30 years. In fact in 15 years they have medaled 3 times, all within 3 years. They have been the best of the worst but they have not been elite on the level of the other European teams.

Read the original post, no where did I say the Fins/Swedes/Czechs etc were not elite, dont make up an argument.

world championship doesn't and never has meant anything. The best players don't even compete in it.

1994 olympics are irrelevant since pros weren't even allowed and 3 olympics isn't much to go by. Look at the players that they've produced. They're the worst of the best, not the best of the worst. I'd group them with the czechs, finnish, etc. before belarus, germany, etc.

[mojo85]

world championship doesn't and never has meant anything. The best players don't even compete in it.

1994 olympics are irrelevant since pros weren't even allowed and 3 olympics isn't much to go by. Look at the players that they've produced. They're the worst of the best, not the best of the worst. I'd group them with the czechs, finnish, etc. before belarus, germany, etc.

You have a point, they may be the worst of the best, however when you view a schedule and see the fins playing the slovaks you would automatically assume it was a finnish win. Same as when you see Canada playing the swiss, tally one up for the Canadians and lets move on.

But now can you do that with these teams?

[koh19]

The swiss will compete for medals in years to come at the worlds and Olympics. Just need a few forwards to play regularly in the NHL.