Subject: Senior Canada National Team

Hehe we are in a similar situation with the U18s.

A combination of a loss against Belarus and a win by Czech Republic against Latvia would knock us out. At the same time, we currently sit atop our group. All 4 teams in our group could be knocked out depending on tomorrow's results.

I'll make sure not to go under ladders or break any mirrors today or tomorrow.

How MORE THAN DISAPPOITING!!!

World rankings:
France..........3
Canada..........6
Slovenia.......12
Switzerland....16

Scores:
France.......Switzerland..3-4 SO
Canada.......Slovenia.....2-5
Slovenia.....France.......2-1
Canada.......Switzerland..4-2
France.......Canada.......3-2
Switzerland..Slovenia.....4-1

Bad news:
Switzerland killed us .....and we beat them!!!
Their shootout win over France, and win over Slovenia, coupled with our loss to Slovenia where we out-everythinged them everywhere but on the scoreboard, will sideline us for the rest of the tournament, and hurt our world ranking over the next few years.
Good news:
We closed the gap against France (lost 3-2 this year as opposed to 7-0 last year).
Looks like an early start at the drawing board for next year.
Thanks to all for your help in training and bringing new players to my attention.
Now.....where's the beer and crying towel?

Win and lose is such a thin line. In a short tournament like this, make or break is so similar. It's a shame to see that lady Luck was against us one too many times this year. Better luck next ssn!

True. A three game tournament is tough. Upsets can create havoc. I anticipated that France would be tough, but I was hoping to win the first two and maybe rest the top line in the France game. After the loss to Slovenia, it became necessary to get points from the France game, especially since Switzerland had already grabbed two unexpected points from France. Sometimes being as prepared as possible still isn't enough. The only thing on the plus side is that I have more time to decide next year's lineup. Onwards and upwards.

As long as we don't get relegated, we're fine. We didn't, so you did your job. Good work!

Go get em next year!

Thanks.
I never considered relegation as a possibility, since IMO, the only reason were in that position was more likely bad luck than mismanagement. The fact that, in the relegation round, Canada scored as many goals as the other three teams combined might attest to that fact. We are already working on fielding the best team possible for next season again. There may be a few player changes, but the chemistry building and energy saving concepts that have kept us in the running for the past few seasons will remain the same. A disappointng season to be sure, but no reason to abandon the methods that are keeping us consistantly competitive at such a high level.
We are "getting after them" with gusto already!!

Next season's world cup hockey groupings are out.
Our group (showing world ranking) is:

Russia......1
Croatia.....8
Canada......9
Sweden.....19

Any interest in addding Michel Paterson as a future starter? Right side defenceman

Patterson would be on the team except that there are seven right defensemen who are better qualified. He could have been added as the eigth, but that would mean our universal defensemen would mostly be forced to play left defense which doesn't give much flexibility to line-making. His biggest weakness is lack of experience, less than 50. Most national defensemen have well over 100. Improved experience would help his future chances.

Player changes are pretty well complete. Congratualtions to the new additions.
We still have "a week to tweak".

First game against Croatia. Most players already at 100 chem. and still at 100 energy. Opponents tactics have been researched by team. We have improved tactics. I think we are ready. Let the games begin!!

Kick their butts!

Despite losses to Russia and Croatia who are both ranked higher than us in the world rankings, a win tomorrow over Sweden would advance us to the next round. Most players are at 100% chemistry now with energy still in the mid to high nineties.

A timely 2-1 win against home team Sweden should put us through to the next round. Because of our limited point total (3) we will likely be in with some powerhouse teams. I can hardly wait.

An overtime shootout 1-0 win over Finland puts us into the final 16. Now we get to face our age-old nemesis, Poland, who has beaten us on far too many important occassions. Surely, it must be out turn this time!!