The most disappointing aspect of this tournament is that the two top teams I had are now playing each other. The Czechs pulled off the incredible upset, if you thought Canada was the better team, and we were on it. I don’t know how the article didn’t get sent out but the bets in the bets page had the regulation ML (+425), the OT/INC. ML (+260), and their 2.5 team total (+160). I’m very frustrated not knowing how that happened being it was such a big win. The week caught up to me yesterday and I was out cold very early.
Sweden takes on Finland in the first game at 3:30. Sweden has been the second best team in the tournament behind the United States and this is shaping up to be a rematch of last years finals between them and the US. Finland could easily pull off the upset tomorrow, but I worry about them being defensively sound enough. Sweden looked shellshocked after the overturned power play goal yesterday that would have given them a 4-0 lead. Instead, the Latvian’s killed off the remaining 2 man advantage and scored the next two goals. Latvia fell short of tying the game and Sweden went scoreless for a 3-2 final. I think this carries over into tomorrow’s game and benefits Finland doesn’t play like the US, Canadians, and Swedes who are built on offensive explosiveness, and play more like the Czech’s who can score 4+ goals per game but play a more lock down defensive grind out game. The Czech’s can play both and are why I love them so much. Finland controlled their game against Slovakia but still managed to give up three goals. Sweden is the chalk play but if this line was more in Finland’s favor I would be on it. This game is a complete toss up and Finland has a great chance to make the Gold Medal game with a win here. Finland needs the planets to align for them to either outscore the Swede’s in a high scoring 4-3/5-4 type game. The other way they win is if the Swede’s let that overturned goal carry over into tomorrow’s matchup and the Fins win 3-2.
We have Czechia +2500 to win the tournament as well as the US at +150 so whoever wins this game will give us a future in the finals. I love Czechia so it’s going to be disappointing to see them lose. The US is the best team to beat the Swede’s if they win, but either team should roll past Finland. Who wins the 3:30 game, hopefully Finland, will determine how we hedge these futures. Either way here, there should be goals and I plan on laddering the game total. This may be the most exciting game of the tournament outside of the Czech’s beating Canada last night. The US is susceptible to giving up goals and the Czech’s offense scored the most goals in the preliminary group stage.
Official Plays:
- 3:30 pm TBD
- 7:30 pm USA/Czech Republic over 5.5 -185: 3u
- 7:30 pm USA/Czech Republic over 6 -135: 3u
- 7:30 pm USA/Czech Republic over 7 +155: 2u
- 7:30 pm USA/Czech Republic over 7.5 +195: 1u
- 7:30 pm USA/Czech Republic over 8 +340: 1u
- 7:30 pm USA/Czech Republic over 9 575: 1u
- 7:30 pm Czech Republic team total over 2.5 +130: 2u (DK)
- 7:30 pm Czech Republic team total over 3.5 +310: 1u (DK)
- 7:30 pm Czech Republic team total over 4.5 +700: 1u(DK)
