One day, not too many years away, expect to see Japan, China and S.Korea, that is if it really is starting to catch on.Per wrote: ↑Sun May 19, 2019 12:50 pmYeah. They have expanded the tournament to include 16 teams to spread the gospel, so to say, but there aren't really 16 good hockey nations. Twelve would probably be more reasonable.Uncle dans leg wrote: ↑Sat May 18, 2019 3:57 pm When does the tournament actually start? All these shitty teams getting shit kicked by the half dozen actually decent teams doesnt mean fuck all does it? Really?
Previous years they had four groups of four, and then eliminated the worst team in each group, then merged two groups so the three best faced the three best of the other group, then quarter-, semi- and final.
The problem with this was that they had problems selling tickets for the mid-games, as they could not say which team faced which at what arena and when until the first part of the tournament was played. Thus they came up with this version. I don't think anyone is happy. Too many games end 8-0 or 9-1. I say get rid of four teams, have just twelve teams split in two six team groups. All of the good games will be there, most of the shitty games disappear.
Anyway, on May 21st there are two potentially great games; Canada vs USA and Sweden vs Russia.
And after that they move into the elimination phase with quarter finals, so the fun is about to begin!
It would mean big bucks and the gambling proceeds, if allowed would be gargantuan.