Hey everyone it's Dale Murphy reporting from Norway on the latest IIHF action!

We have reached the quarterfinals! From 14 teams, we are now down to just 8! Whoever wins 3 straight games will be crowned gold medalists!

Game One: 1. Finland    vs 8. France  

The Underdog: The French are not quite know for their hockey prowess. Still they make it to the quarters. They have neither a specials offense or defense, as both goals for and against are in the middle of the pack. They are here due to being clutch. In the final RR game against Great Britain, down 2-1 late and so close to being behind Russia and Latvia in the standings, Oliver Castillion came through with the game tying goal with about 3 minutes to go, his 3rd of the tourney. The French would win in a shootout, just enough to sneak into the 8 spot.

The Favorite: Finland has the tourneys' thirds best offense and third best defense. That is a good balance, good for the tourneys' third best goal differential. With just 4 losses over the 12 games, they are the number one seed in the medal round. 

Games Played: Both teams hail from Group B, and they played two times. The French won both, 8-5 and 5-4 (SO). Can the Finish win the third matchup?

My pick: Finland 4 France 3



Game Two: 2. Japan  vs 7. Canada   

The Underdog: Canada is a hockey country, and they probably are not happy just sneaking in to the medal rounds. But they have a chance to go all the way, just like always. Canada has the best offense of the tournament led by Edward Elric with 10 goals and Jack St. Clair with 13 assists both leading the tourney and the defense is right in the middle of the pack. The Canadians have the second best goal differential in the tourney. But the killer instinct has been lacking, winning just 6 games.

The Favorite: Japan coming in on the back of two red-hot goalies in BASE PACK with a .963, and Sir Devoir with a .936. That is a unreal backstop combo. I assume PACK will get the nod. If he stays hot, are the Japanese even beatable?

Game Played: With both hailing from group A they played two games. Japan won both, 3-1 and 9-7.

My pick: PACK stays hot. Japan 4 Canada 1


Game three: 3. Sweden   vs. 6. Norway  

The Underdog: Norway is the host of the tourney, but they are playing great as well. With the second best offense, they have scored. And Scored a ton. Will that continue here?

The Favorite: Sweden is almost always a force in the IIHF. This year is no exception, having given up the second fewest goals in the tourney. This makes for a great strength on strength matchup vs the Norwegian offense. Lord Farquaads actually leads the tournament in points with 18. Norway has to keep him in check.

Games Played: The Group B winner played the host nation twice. The first matchup went 6-3 to Sweden, the second went 8-5 to Norway.

My pick: Norway 6 Sweden 4.


Game Four: 4. Ireland   vs. 5. Germany 

The Underdog: Hard to call Germany an underdog, as just tiebreakers makes them worse than the Irish. Germany gave up just 37 goals in the 12 games. Olof Karsikko has been great with a .927, and we know he has another gear.

The Favorite: The Irish also gave up just 37 goals, but their goalies haven't been as good, Shotty McStopper in four games has a .913, Beau Kavanagh has a .906 in 9 games. It's the defense that keeps the shots down. The Irish scored 40 goals to the Germans 37. This should be a great game.

Games Played: The teams from Group A played 2 times, with the Irish taking both, 4-3 (OT) and 5-3.

My pick: Ireland 2 Germany 1 (OT)


That's all folks!
Here's to a great slate of quarterfinal games later today!
This has been the Dale Murphy Report

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Signing off,
Dale Murphy
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