08/09 Hockey World Junior Championship

[Carsomyr]

Are you guys watching it? What teams are you rooting for? Any predictions?

I am a firm believer in the "Home-Ice Curse", although it does not apply in the same way to junior hockey it would seem... Still, I'm ruling Canada out in favor of the US. Sweden also has a very good and young team with lots of talented 17- and 18-year-olds, but that's the thing; they're TOO young. I think the Swedes will have to wait till next year, but then I'm pretty confident that they will win the whole thing.

I'm cheering for the US, pretty much, and I hope that Germany won't be relegated. The relegation round will be tough this year. Anyone aside from myself who thinks that either Slovakia or the Czech Republic risks getting demoted from the top pool? I think it's not looking too good for Slovakia at least... but I'll refrain from saying anything else before they play Sweden tomorrow. I expect them to get completely dominated, but we'll see.

 

[McNoodle]

Really hard to call this early in. None of the favorites have yet to play a formidable opponent imo (no offence intended to the Finns). That being said I'm sticking with Canada. Home ice curse or not, I think the USA will stack up very well against them but will fall short. My biggest concern of all the participating teams is the Russians. I'm sure that the pounding they took in the super series this summer is not indicative of how they will play against Canada in this tourney should they meet.

 

[Carsomyr]

Yes well obviously one might want to see a few more games to decide, but... for now, I'm talking about what it looks like on the paper. 🙂

I... don't think you should be too worried about Russia. I'm ranking Sweden ahead of them, and I'm ranking both Canada and the US ahead of Sweden, so...

Anyway, Russia is definitely a contender for the gold, but I think Canada would win if the two teams were to meet in the final. I'd hold the Canadians as a pretty HEAVY favorite, even. (I would root for Russia though... hehe 😀 I think four in a row is enough, it's time for another country to win the tournament now.)

On another note: Very disappointing first two games by team Sweden. They seemed to lose interest the longer the games went... I hope they'll show some more motivation against Russia at least, and I'm pretty sure they will.

Also, very impressive win by Canada, even if it was against Kazakhstan... 15-0... yikes! (borat-voice) High five! 😀

 

[McNoodle]

The Canada vs USA game tonight was incredible! Both teams should feel a lot of pride. It will be Canada vs the winner of Russia/Czech. USA should have an easy time with Slovakia who in a stunner beat the Finns. The winner of USA/Slovakia of course go on to face Sweden. Fantastic tourney thus far!

 

[Carsomyr]

Markstrom was like a wall in the Swedish net! Them poor Russians... 🙁 5-0... that's the biggest win ever by team Sweden against Russia in the WJC. The old record (5-1) was set in the '93 tournament, with the likes of Forsberg and Naslund on the team.

The Canada-USA game: I was pretty surprised when the US got a 3-0 lead in the first period, but I was even more surprised when the Canadians made it 3-3 in practically no time at all! Truly a grand game. 7-4 to Canada in the end.

Slovakia-Finland: The Finns were out-shot but not out-scored. I suppose the Finnish goalie-prospects are as good as always. I had actually expected the Finns to win, but I guess Slovakia plays better as a team, seeing as 15 of their players are on the same roster on that Slovakian U20-team they have in the Slovakian top division. Certainly an interesting approach to building the junior national team.

Czech Republic-Kazakhstan: Not much to say, really... It went as expected.

I think Canada will have a pretty easy time with Russia, who I believe will win their quarterfinal.

The other semifinal between Sweden and the USA should be a lot more exciting. I think Sweden sent a clear message to the NA teams with todays blowout, and suddenly the US doesn't seem as unbeatable to me anymore. Considering the hype surrounding their keeper, I didn't think he'd let in so many goals against Canada. That may very well be the key difference between Sweden and the US, because we both have 4 lines that can score... Regarding our keepers, on the other hand:

McCollum has let in 12 goals in 4 games.
Markstrom has allowed only 2 goals in 3 games.

Other than that, factors that should give the US an advantage is partly that they are more used to these NA-sized rinks, but also that their first line is considerably better than the Swedish equivalent.

 

[CurtWild]

i have missed all of it and this makes me sad

and i call myself a hockey fan......

 

[Carsomyr]

i have missed all of it and this makes me sad

and i call myself a hockey fan......

Shame on you! This is the best time of the year! 🙂

Well you had BETTER watch the final at least, or else I'll go viking on your arse!

 

[Snail Shell]

Did anyone besides me see that EPIC clash of hockey-ness that was the Canada/USA game tonight?!?!

O.O!!!

7 - 4 and all, but WHAT A FRICKING GAME!!!!

Snail Shell

 

[CurtWild]

Shame on you! This is the best time of the year! 🙂

Well you had BETTER watch the final at least, or else I'll go viking on your arse!

ugh i know

i sorry

 

[Carsomyr]

In todays quarterfinals: Slovakia surprisingly beats USA (5-3) and advances to the semis. Russia cruises past the Czech Republic (5-1).

Semi Finals:
Sweden-Slovakia
Canada-Russia

Thoughts?

Once again Slovakia proved that they have an outstanding goalie, but so does Sweden. I doubt the Slovaks will pull another upset, so... I believe in a Swedish win.

Canada SHOULDN'T have any problems with Russia, partly because of tensions in the Russian team between the players and the goalie. Add poor coaching to that, and the fact that Russia doesn't have their best players simply because the coach grabbed his personal favorites instead... Yeah, Canada might let in a few goals, but I think they will out-score the Russians in the end.

Looking forward to/hoping for a Canada-Sweden repeat in the final! 🙂

 

[McNoodle]

Canada won again and what a game!!

 

[Carsomyr]

Yeah... what a game! 😱

I didn't think it would be that close, but great game by Russia as well. Can't wait till tomorrows final! 😀

Onwards, ye boys in blue! Canada will be tough, but I have faith in you...

 

[Carsomyr]

Anyone else watching the final right now?

First intermission, Canada in the lead after Subban's 1-0 goal on the powerplay early in the game. Very even, though, 13-12 in shots for Canada.

I has epic adrenaline rush!

 

[Snail Shell]

Yes, I'm watching. And aside from the parade to the penalty box, I couldn't be happier. 🙂

Snail Shell

 

[Snail Shell]

Hello out there
We're on the air
It's hockey night tonight.

The tension grows
The whistle blows
The puck goes down the ice.

The goalie jumps
The players bump
The fans all go insane.

Someone roars
"Bobby scores"
At the good ol' hockey game.

The good ol' hockey game
Is the best game you can name.
And the best game you can name
Is the good ol' hockey game.



Snail Shell

 

[McNoodle]

I am sooo happy right now!!

 

[Carsomyr]

lol at Snail Shell! 😀

Also, congrats to Canada. It doesn't feel as bitter as last year for some reason, but I guess I wasn't as fired up by the end of the game as I was back then...

 

[Snail Shell]

lol at Snail Shell! 😀

Also, congrats to Canada. It doesn't feel as bitter as last year for some reason, but I guess I wasn't as fired up by the end of the game as I was back then...

Last year was tight and ended on an ugly goal. This year, minus a few dings, was good, solid hockey from everyone on the ice. Definately a classic. 😀

Snail Shell

 

[Carsomyr]

lol, last year the game winner was one of those typical "transatlantic goals", you don't know how it happened, but the puck was in and that's what the game is all about after all 😛