2010 IIHF World Junior Championship

[sleddy2008]

From The IIHF

Can Canada make it six?

REGINA – It's time to climb the mountain again. And with each passing year, it seems the task gets a little more challenging for Canada’s World Junior team.

Accordingly, Hockey Canada is doing everything possible to ensure the usual success as its U20 squad contends for a record-setting sixth straight gold medal in front of home crowds in Saskatchewan and jacked-up TV audiences nation-wide.

The summer orientation camp and December selection camp for the team are carefully honed processes. During the tournament, the media relations staff will ensure that the Jordan Eberles, Nazem Kadris, and Taylor Halls aren't overwhelmed with requests from media, friends, family, and fans. Canada always goes first-class with its food, accommodations, and other amenities. It has the best support system in international junior hockey.

In the unlikely event that head coach Willie Desjardins has difficulty communicating his game plan, you can be sure that the players have already absorbed the traditional Canadian goals for this tournament, like “getting better with every game” and “finding a way to win”. That’s because they all grew up watching the World Juniors on TV, and like TSN’s inspirational theme music, the message for these teams never really changes.

Winning junior gold in this country isn’t just a nice plus, as it would be for other contending nations. Canadian fans demand gold, and their boys approach the task like a military mission. Literally: the team was put through marching drills by a sergeant at the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Academy in Regina on December 17.

Particularly at this level, Canada does better than any other nation at handling the burden of expectations. And although Russia, the USA, and Sweden remain key rivals, no other country threatens to take away Canada’s status as the perennial top contender.

But with all that said, Canada’s margin of victory has gotten tighter and tighter since the start of the gold medal streak. In 2005, the Canadians steamrolled everyone in Grand Forks with an all-star lineup that included Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf and Mike Richards, to name a few. The 2006 edition was less impressive offensively (Blake Comeau paced the team with seven points), but even better defensively, and coach Brent Sutter got his second straight gold to the delight of Vancouver fans.

2007 saw Canada barely edge the Americans in a classic semi-final shootout, where Jonathan Toews scored three goals and Carey Price shone in net. 2008 marked Canada’s first-ever overtime win in the gold medal game as Matt Halischuk dashed Sweden's hopes. And in 2009, even though the Canadians spanked Sweden 5-1 in the final, they were five seconds away from disaster in the semis, trailing Russia 5-4 when Eberle scored a miraculous tying goal and then led the way in the climactic shootout.

How much tighter can it get for Canada? Despite the host country’s unparalleled depth at all positions, it may not bring as much scoring power as last year, when Cody Hodgson, John Tavares and Eberle finished 1-2-3 in the scoring race. This year, Canada will likely lean on the Windsor Spitfires forward line of Hall, Adam Henrique, and Greg Nemisz. On the blueline, returning veteran Ryan Ellis faces a challenge: as a power play virtuoso, can he help his team come close to the amazing 50 percent success (21-for-42) that last year’s squad enjoyed with the man advantage? Canada triumphed in 2009 despite less-than-stellar goaltending on balance, but newcomer Jake Allen of the Montreal Juniors will still face pressure to excel as the starter.

Even without Victor Hedman (the #2 overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft) in the lineup, the Swedes will push Canada for top spot with a raft of returning players that includes forward Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson, defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and goalie Jakob Markström. Russian captain Nikita Filatov, who now boasts experience in both the NHL and KHL, will be eager to lead his mates to victory after suffering heartbreak in Ottawa last year.

The Americans have usually fallen far short of expectations in World U20 tournaments played in Canada. In fact, the only medal they've ever won was bronze in Hamilton (1986). This year's college-heavy roster will be eager to rectify that record under coach Dean Blais, who will look to veteran star playmaker Jordan Schroeder and NHL-experienced blueliner John Carlson as difference-makers.

Finland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are a tier below the aforementioned rivals to Canada. They all have promising young gunners, including Mikael Granlund and Toni Rajala for the Finns, Tomas Tatar and Richard Panik for the Slovaks, and Andrej Nestrasil and Jan Kana for the Czechs. But none have the line-by-line, pairing-by-pairing depth that it'll take to top the podium, barring a major surprise.

As for newcomers like Austria and Switzerland? Much like the Latvians, who posted a best-ever eighth-place finish last year, their goal isn't dethroning Canada: it’s simply to stay in the top division. Defenceman Stefan Ulmer (Austria), forward Roberts Bukarts (Latvia), and forward Nino Niederreiter (Switzerland) are among the players to watch for the tournament’s underdogs.

Yet if Canada intends to win a sixth straight title, it won’t take any opponent too lightly. Saskatchewan may be Canada’s flattest province, but a mountain-sized challenge still awaits the host team in Saskatoon. Their long climb toward the summit kicks off on December 26 versus Latvia.

[sleddy2008]

From The IIHF

Host Canada kicked off its World U20 title defence in grand fashion with a 16-0 drubbing of Latvia in front of an enthusiastic home crowd of 12,468.

The eighth-seeded Latvians had no chance from the first puck drop as Gabriel Bourque scored just 36 seconds into action. A pair of power-play goals took the Canadian lead up to 3-0 in a six-minute span. The 3-0 lead was the end of Latvian goaltender Raimonds Ermics’ game. He was replaced by Janis Kalnins midway through the period.

Kalnins didn’t fare much better, surrendering another pair of goals before the end of the first period, bringing the damage to 5-0.

Five minutes into action, Jordan Eberle opened the second period scoring. Travis Hamonic and Nazem Kadri followed up with goals coming 1:02 apart to make it an 8-0 advantage at the game’s midway mark. The lead was bumped to double digits in the waning moments of the period when Canada poured in three goals in a 1:47 span.

The third period was much of the same as Canada dominated the offensive zone and put in another five goals to bring the final to 16-0. Bourque paced all players with three goals and four assists, while Brandon Kozun had five points. He tied the Canadian single-game record. Dave Andreychuk also tallied seven points in one game in 1985, as did Mike Cammalleri in 2001.

Canada takes on lowest-seeded Switzerland on Monday, while Latvia has a key game against Slovakia tomorrow.

[sleddy2008]

From The IIHF

SASKATOON – Despite a sluggish start, the U.S. earned a win in its first game at the World U20 Championship with a 7-3 decision against Slovakia in a physical affair full of big hits and minor skirmishes.

Slovakia took the early 1-0 lead when Jakub Gasparovic tipped in a shot on a power play. The goal came just 10 seconds into a five-minute advantage when USA’s Tyler Johnson was sent off with a game misconduct for a high stick to Slovakia’s Martin Stajnoch.

The lead doubled after the Americans compounded their penalty problems, giving Slovakia a two-man advantage. Martin Bakos notched the unexpected goal, giving the Slovaks the 2-0 lead just 5:33 into action. The Americans regrouped once they were back at full strength and cut the lead in half when John Carlson fired in a shot from the face-off circle.

The U.S. came out strong in the second period and quickly turned the tide, scoring three goals in the first 6:36 of the period to turn the 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. Jeremy Morin kicked off the comeback, putting in his own rebound. Derek Stepan followed up with a tipped in puck and Matt Donovan completed the surge 1:03 later on the power play with the 4-2 goal.

Richard Panik gave the Slovaks a moment of hope when he put in the puck from the side of the crease on the power-play, but the joy was short-lived after Danny Kristo restored the two-goal U.S. lead just 40 seconds later.

An American goal 58 seconds into the third period from Jordan Schroeder set the tone for the remainder of the game as the 6-3 lead was simply too much for the Slovaks to overcome. One last goal from Jeremy D’Amigo brought the final to 7-3.

The U.S. takes on Switzerland tomorrow, while Slovakia faces Latvia.

[Costactc]

4-0 for Canada in the 2nd.

[sleddy2008]

From The IIHF

Some 2010 stars are on pace to test Foppa's mark – so far
27-12-09



REGINA – Peter Forsberg's record of 31 points in seven games at the 1993 World Juniors has long been regarded as unbeatable. But that just might change at this year's tournament, based on some early offensive explosions.

On Day One, Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson got the party started with a goal and four assists in Sweden's 10-1 romp over the Czechs.

Canada's Gabriel Bourque really upped the ante when he tallied seven points (a hat trick and four assists) in a 16-0 pounding of Latvia. That tied the Canadian single-game record: Dave Andreychuk (1983) had identical numbers in a 13-0 win over Norway, and Mike Cammalleri repeated the feat in a 15-0 waxing of France (2001).

Brandon Kozun, the WHL scoring leader with 63 points for the Calgary Hitmen, also picked up five points versus Latvia.

Point is, this looks like it could be one high-scoring tournament.

Bourque, in particular, is well-placed to chase Forsberg's record because Canada could put up big numbers against the rest of its Group A opponents as well. Switzerland, as a newcomer to the top group, looks particularly vulnerable. The Slovaks didn't even score a goal against Canada in their last two encounters (2007, 2008), and lost 7-3 in 2005. And don't forget that the Canadians racked up seven goals against the Americans in last year's North American showdown on New Year's Eve.

Let's not get too excited, though. Can kids like Bourque keep up their hot first-game pace?

Assuming Canada makes it to the gold medal game, securing a bye into the semi-finals along the way, Bourque would need to score 25 points in his remaining five games to top Forsberg. Five points a game would be a stretch for the shifty 19-year-old Moncton Wildcats forward, who has 38 points in 30 games so far this year in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). Even if Canada wound up in the quarter-finals, more than four points a game would be tough for Bourque too.

If Bourque doesn't score 10 points against Switzerland on Monday (as Forsberg did in a 20-1 rout of Japan in '93), his chances of landing the all-time record get a lot lower, because he'll probably have a quiet game somewhere along the way.

So Forsberg probably isn't losing any sleep over this. The Swedish legend is more concerned with doing his best for Modo in his latest comeback in his native Örnsköldsvik. Not to mention staying healthy enough to wear the Tre Kronor jersey in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

[sleddy2008]

From The IIHF

Talented Russian forward Nikita Filatov recently returned home from the NHL to Moscow. But for the 2010 World Juniors, he came back to North America with one big goal: to captain Russia to the gold medal.

Filatov was picked sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets as the top-ranked European in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He went to the NHL early, with almost no professional experience from Russia, but he didn’t make a huge impact during his two years with the Jackets organization.

The 19-year-old left wing played eight games in his first season and scored four goals, including a hat trick against Nashville, but he didn’t seem to fit into coach Ken Hitchcock’s plans. Similarly, his second season wasn’t a success story. He played 13 games, averaging eight minutes of ice time, before he asked for a change of scenery.

“I wasn't playing a lot over there and I decided that I didn't want to just sit on the bench in the NHL,” Filatov told IIHF.com. “I felt like I was losing my hockey skills. I need to play more, so that was the reason [I came back].”

According to Filatov, the Blue Jackets management understood his wishes. “They reacted pretty normally,” said Filatov, who's on loan with the KHL's CSKA Moscow for the rest of the season and has a contract with Columbus until 2012. “They agreed with me, so it was no problem.”

“Nikita is a top prospect in our organization and we believe it is in the best interest of his development to play more and in all situations in the KHL,” Columbus GM Scott Howson said when announcing the transfer a few weeks ago. “This should afford him the opportunity to continue to work and develop his game in his hometown of Moscow.”

Although it’s a homecoming for Filatov, it’s also a new experience for him. When he left Moscow in the fall of 2008, he wasn’t a fully prepared hockey professional. He played just five games with the CSKA pro team that year, spending most of the season in the Russian junior league.

Meanwhile, the top Russian league has changed its name and its look and feel from the Russian Superliga to the KHL.

“Some clubs have got better arenas and people care more about hockey,” Filatov noted. “There’s more interest from fans and from the media. The league changed especially because good players came back, and not only Russians. There are also good young players in the league.”

Filatov has had a good season so far. He started to score immediately and has 14 points (5+9) in 12 games for his legendary Moscow club. New CSKA coach Sergei Nemchinov, who previously coached Filatov in the last two World U20 Championships, seems to highly value his offensive qualities.

“I’m happy about everything in Moscow and I can easily imagine staying there,” Filatov said about his plans for next season. “If I feel that the situation in Columbus will be the same as this year and nothing changes, I won't even think about going back to Columbus.”

Right now, his focus is on neither Moscow nor Columbus, but on the U20 national team. Filatov was instrumental in winning the 2007 World U18 Championship and capturing silver at that tournament one year later. After two World Junior bronze medals, Filatov aims for more in his final junior appearance.

“We don’t look at the old stats – we just try to play our best game,” Filatov said. “Of course it’s our goal to win the tournament. I think this team is good enough to become world champion, but all teams are pretty strong and it’ll be an exciting tournament. The organization is perfect and everything is pretty good here. I’m excited to be here.”

Filatov and his mates opened the tournament with a 6-2 victory over newly promoted Austria. But he expects more with Russia taking on Finland on Monday.

“We didn’t capitalize so much on our chances, but we won – that’s the most important thing,” Filatov said. He added: “We have to improve our game a lot because we didn’t show anything special.”

[sleddy2008]

From The IIHF

Yes, of course every goal counts. We've all heard it a zillion times: “They don't ask how, they only ask how many.” But that attitude is wrong.

Because beautiful goals are important.

Sami Vatanen proved that on Sunday night, when he scored two amazing end-to-end goals to spark Finland to a comeback 4-3 victory over the Czechs.

The diminutive 18-year-old blueliner looked like Finland's answer to Bobby Orr. The goal that made it 3-2 was a dynamic rush capped off with a perfect slapshot. The Finnish captain's tying marker was even better, as he cut down the left side, undressed big Czech defenceman Vladimir Roth, and tucked a nice forehand deke past stunned netminder Jakub Sedlacek.

No wonder the talented Vatanen is currently the leading scorer among defencemen for his native Jyväskylä in the Finnish SM-Liiga, with 17 points in 29 games.

It just wouldn't have been the same if he had merely whacked in a rebound or had a puck deflect in off his shin pad versus the Czechs.

Now, the Finns haven't won anything yet in this tournament. They haven't won anything since 2006's bronze medal, and may go home empty-handed.

Furthermore, anyone who's watched the World Juniors over the years knows that big-time performances at this level don't always translate to Olympic, World Championship, or NHL success.

If Vatanen continues to mature, he could become another Reijo Ruotsalainen, Jyrki Lumme, or Kimmo Timonen. If not, this fourth-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks might fade into obscurity.

But you know what? None of that matters.

Because beautiful goals are important.

Years later, I'll remember seeing Vatanen just blow everybody away with the way he singlehandedly brought his team back from the brink, plus the exuberance of his fist-pumping celebrations.

Same as I remember watching Alexander Mogilny dipsy-doodle through the Canadian defence and score three times in one period during the '89 tourney in Anchorage, Alaska.

Last year, the Swedes settled for silver despite a comeback 5-3 win over Slovakia in the semi-finals. To some people, that game might not mean anything since it didn't lead Tre Kronor to a championship.

Yet I still enjoy firing up YouTube and watching Mattias Tedenby's “watch me deke out three guys at the blueline” play versus before setting up Simon Hjalmarsson in cold.

Since 2000, I've covered IIHF tournaments at many levels (Olympics, World Championships, World Juniors, World Women's), and one reason I never tire of the international game is because the style of play enables skill to flourish.

Sometimes that results in shellackings like Canada's 16-0 rout of Latvia. But ultimately, it's better for everyone if you give the skilled players an environment to show off what they can do best. Without clutching and grabbing, without unnecessary stick fouls, without hits to the head.

That's when hockey moves forward. That is our best chance for growing the game worldwide in a meaningful way. Give the fans something to remember.

Because beautiful goals are important. Thanks for the reminder, Sami Vatanen.

[sleddy2008]

From TSN

Brandon McMillan scored in the first minute of the game and completed the hat-trick in the final minute of play as Team Canada cruised to a 6-0 victory over Switzerland on Monday at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon.

Jordan Eberle scored a goal and added three assists as Canada improved to 2-0 and grabbed a share of the Group A lead with the United States. Alex Pietrangelo and Nazem Kadri scored the other goals for Canada, which outshot Switzerland by a margin of 54-15.

Jake Allen made 15 saves for the win to become the first Canadian goalie to start the tournament with back-to-back shutouts. Allen has now stopped 25 shots in two starts. Benjamin Conz, who was outstanding in Switzerland's 3-0 loss to the United States yesterday, gave up five goals on the first 20 shots he faced, but still made 48 saves in the defeat.

The Canadian power play was four for eight in today's game and has now scored 10 goals in 16 chances through two games in the tournament.

"I thought we played well down low. We really cycled on their defencemen and created a lot of opportunities from that," said McMillan.

After a 16-0 drubbing of Latvia on Saturday, Team Canada picked where they left off with a goal by McMillan with the game just 23 seconds old. But the Swiss managed to weather the early Canadian storm for the most part, surrendering just a power play marker by Pietrangelo midway through the opening frame.

However, the second period was a different story as Canada scored three goals in the first four minutes and Switzerland struggled to keep up with Team Canada's frenetic pace.

Kadri and Eberle scored 20 seconds apart on the power play and McMillan added his second of the game two minutes later to extend Canada's lead to 5-0.

"Our power play was good obviously and that's going to be a big key to our game," said Eberle. "When we came out at the start of the second and got three quick ones, it turned the game around."

Defenceman Calvin de Haan suffered an undisclosed injury in the second period and did not return for the third period. He will be re-evaluated by the training staff on Tuesday.

Swiss defenceman Luca Sbisa, who was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008, was also injured during the game but was deemed okay by the coaching staff.

In the third period, Canada took their collective foot off the gas pedal and focused on getting Allen his second straight shutout. Despite taking some penalties that will not sit well with head coach Willie Desjardins, the Canadians kept the sheet the clean for Allen.

"I think our defensive game has been great. The reason they're not getting shots is because we're not giving up odd-man rushes," added Eberle.

SCORING SUMMARY
Canada 6, Switzerland 0

First Period
Canada - McMillan (Eberle, Schenn), 0:23
Canada - Pietrangelo (Hall, Eberle) PP, 8:14

Second Period
Canada - Kadri (Ellis, Hamonic) PP, 1:06
Canada - Eberle (Ellis, Kadri) PP, 1:26
Canada - McMillan (Eberle, de Haan), 3:42

Third Period
Canada - McMillan (Cowen, Eberle) PP, 19:23


Goaltenders
Canada - Jake Allen
Switzerland - Benjamin Conz

[mabs]

if you watch carefully, you might see some of my family there. wish i could be there as well but work would not let me go. guess i am too important to loose or not important enough to get time off. go Canada go

[sleddy2008]

From THE NATIONAL POST <br />
<br />
Canwest News Service <br />
<br />
REGINA -- The road to the top of Pool B at the 2010 IIHF world junior hockey championship goes through the Brandt Centre on Tuesday. <br />
<br />
Sweden and...

[sleddy2008]

From The Leader-Post

REGINA — The Czech Republic kept its medal-round hopes alive at the IIHF world junior hockey championship on Tuesday with a 7-1 win over Austria at the Brandt Centre.

It was the first victory for the Czechs (1-2), who have Wednesday off before meeting the Russians (2-0) in their final round-robin game on New Year’s Eve. The Czech Republic will have to beat Russia — and get some help along the way — for a shot at the medal round.

Austria (0-3) plays its final round-robin game on Wednesday against Finland (1-1). Austria needs a win and a lot of help to avoid falling into the relegation round.

Tomas Knotek, Stepan Novotny, Vladimir Roth, Andrej Nestrasil, Tomas Kubalik, Robert Kousal and David Ostrizek scored for the Czechs, who outshot Austria 56-22 while recording five power-play goals. Roth also had three assists.

Dominique Heinrich replied for the Austrians, who got 49 saves from Lorenz Hirn. Jakub Sedlacek made 21 saves for the win.

[sleddy2008]

From USA HOCKEY

December 29, 2009

SASKATOON, Sask. - Chris Kreider (Boxford, Mass./Boston College) scored three times and three other U.S. players notched two goals each, as the U.S. National Junior Team defeated Latvia, 12-1, in its third game of the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. The U.S. improved to 3-0-0-0 and clinched a quarterfinal berth with one game remaining in the preliminary round.

"We moved the puck well and did what we had to in the first period," said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "I was happy that we finished strong in the final period, because I knew that however we performed would carry over into our next game against Canada."

Latvia - cov

Philip McRae and Team USA rolled past Latvia.


Game 4: vs. Canada
When: Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. EST
TV: NHL Network | Webcast:FASTHockey.com
The U.S. jumped out to a 1-0 lead three minutes into the game when Danny Kristo's (Eden Prairie, Minn./Univ. of North Dakota) wrist shot beat Latvia goalie Janis Kalnins to the glove side. Following a Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev.) tip-in goal, Kristo potted his second of the game for Team USA's first of five power-play goals on the night.

AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake, Mich.) and Kreider each netted their second goals of the tournament on the power play at 14:40 and 19:03 of the first period. Tyler Johnson (Spokane, Wash.) completed the opening period's scoring with a backhand tally at 19:38 for a 6-0 U.S. lead.

Both teams traded power-play goals in the second period, with Kreider collecting his second of the game with a wrist shot from the slot.

Team USA extended its lead in the third period, as Derek Stepan (Hastings, Minn./Univ. of Wisconsin) scored twice and Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) collected a power-play goal of his own. Kreider completed his hat trick on a penalty shot, beating Kalnins low on the forehand with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

U.S. goalie Mike Lee (Roseau, Minn./St. Cloud State Univ.) finished the night with 18 saves, while Kalnins stopped 50 shots.

Next action for Team USA comes Thursday (Dec. 31) at 7 p.m. CST against Canada. The game can be seen live in the U.S. on the NHL Network. It will also be streamed live in the U.S. on FASTHockey.com.

[sleddy2008]

From The LEADER POST

Sweden posted a 4-1 win over Russian on Tuesday in a key first-place showdown in Pool B action at the 2010 IIHF world junior hockey championship.

With a sellout crowd of 6,234 looking on at the Brandt Centre, Swedish linemates Andre Petersson and Magnus Paajarvi Svensson combined for three goals and two assists. Petersson scored twice, both on setups by Paajarvi Svensson, who added a short-handed marker of his own at 7:24 of the second period for the eventual game-winner.

Daniel Brodin had the other goal for Sweden, which had a 45-37 advantage on the shot clock. Kirill Petrov replied for the Russians. Netminder Igor Bobkov allowed all four goals after posting a 46-save shutout on Monday in a 2-0 win over Finland. Swedish netminder Jacob Markstrom was stellar with 36 saves.

Russia (2-1) concludes round-robin action on New Year’s Eve against the Czech Republic (1-2).

Sweden (3-0) can wrap up top spot in Pool B — and an automatic berth in the semifinals — with a win on Thursday over Finland (1-1).

[sleddy2008]

From The National Post

REGINA -- Finland has its sights on top spot in Pool B at the IIHF world junior hockey championship after pummeling Austria 10-1 on Wednesday before 5,193 fans at the Brandt Centre.

That sets up a huge first-place showdown on New Year's Eve in Regina between the Finns (2-1) and Sweden (3-0). Finland still has a chance to knock Sweden out of top spot with a regulation win, thus earning a bye into the semifinals.

The Austrians (0-4) are headed for the relegation round, which will decide if they retain their spot in the tournament for next year or receive a demotion to the Division I event.

Captain Jyri Niemi led Finland with two goals and two assists, while Mikael Granlund added a goal and three assists. Joonas Rask, Jani Lajunen, Aleksi Laakso, Toni Rajala, Teemu Hartikainen, Matias Sointu and Eero Elo had the other goals.

Konstantin Komarek replied for the Austrians, who were outshot 59-12.

Goaltenders Marco Wieser and Lorenz Hirn combined to make 49 saves for the Austrians. Joni Ortio picked up his third straight win for Finland.

The final round-robin game in Pool B will see the Russians (2-1) take on the Czech Republic (1-2). The Czechs still have a chance to earn a spot in the medal round with a regulation win. Sweden has guaranteed its spot in the playoffs and can wrap up first place with at least a point against Finland. There's also a mathematical chance that the Finns or Russians could still be relegated if they lose in regulation on New Year's Eve

[PBK402]

[QUOTE=sleddy2008;36325]From The IIHF

Can Canada make it six?



"Eh O Canada Go!" :yeaah:

Cheers.
PK

[sleddy2008]

From TSN

With first place in Group A on the line, Canada scored a comeback victory over the United States, winning 5-4 in a dramatic shootout to clinch a bye into the semifinals of the world junior hockey championship.

Canada trailed 4-2 with just over ten minutes to play when Jordan Eberle notched his second of the game to cut the American lead in half. Alex Pietrangelo tied it with a short-handed snipe with 4:15 remaining, setting up the dramatic extra session.

After a scoreless five minute 4-on-4 overtime session, the teams headed for a shootout. The first five shooters all scored, including Canada's first three. Eberle, Nazem Kadri and Brandon Kozun all beat American goaltender Jack Campbell, forcing the Americans to follow suit. Their first two shooters also scored, but Jordan Schroeder was stopped by Jake Allen, sending the Canadian crowd in Saskatoon into a frenzy.

"I'd already had a test on him in the second period and he beat me," Allen said of the shootout showdown against Schroeder. "So luckily enough, I got the best of him on that one."

"We had them right where we wanted them," Schroeder told the Canadian Press. "We let it slip at the end, but that's part of hockey.

"We have to move forward. If we can get through Finland and Sweden, hopefuly we'll see them in the championship game. It was a good test for both of us. Now we know that we stood up against them and we know we can take them."

It was another classic game between these two rivals.

"The emotion, the intensity in that game was unbelieveable," said Kozun after potting the shootout winner. "Obviously we were a little bit tense, but I think the big thing with Canadians is that you always keep going no matter what the score, no matter how you are playing. You just keep going and I think we did a good job there and we've got to keep building for the next game."

Eberle said the Canadians have a distinct advantage in these situations.

"It seems like always we find a way to battle back," Eberele said. "We've have something on all the other teams and that's the will to win, the Canadian heart. We want to win so bad, and that just wins us games. It happened last year and it definitely happend in this game."

The opening period was fast-paced, with Canada getting on the board first when Stefan Della Rovere scored on a rebound 2:03 into the game. The lead did not last long as Philip McRae tied it less than two minutes later on an American powerplay.

Canada suffered from several defensive breakdowns in the second period and the Americans took full advantage. Schroeder scored on a short-handed breakaway to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead at 7:08 of the second period, but Eberle tied again at 11:15 with a slick move in front of the U.S. net.

A few minutes later, Chris Kreider of the U.S. was awarded a penalty shot after another Canadian giveaway, but he was stopped by Allen. Kyle Palmieri had another breakaway with 6:15 left in the period, but Allen stopped him, too.

The Americans, however, took a 3-2 lead with another short-handed goal as the second period was winding down. This time, it was Tyler Johnson banging home a rebound with 11 seconds left as the U.S. took a one-goal lead into the second intermission.

When Danny Kristo scored for the United States a minute into the third period to put the Americans in front 4-2, the Canadians appeared headed for defeat, but the Americans could not hold down the fort as Eberle and Pietrangelo tied the score.

Canada thought they had the go-ahead goal with 2:10 to go, but the referee had blown the whistle for a crease violation just before the puck entered the net and it was waived off.

Canada claimed a bye straight in to the seminfinals, while the USA will have to play a quarterfinal game against Finland (9pm et/6pm pt on TSN, TSN HD and TSN.ca). Russia will play Switzerland in the other quarterfinal game (4:30pm et/1:30pm pt on TSN, TSN HD and TSN.ca).

Earlier Thursday, Sweden clinched first place in Group B with a 7-1 win over Finland, earning a bye in to the semifinals.

With the extra rest, Team Canada won't be sitting on their laurels waiting for an opponent. As Eberle noted, Canada still has some work to do before the semifinals.

"You let in two shorthanded goals and one right at the end (of the second period) and its hard to win hockey games when that happens," he said. "Our powerplay wasn't clicking and that's usually our strength. We have to be able to fix that up and try to recover."

"Maybe people will say we didn't play well, but we did, it's just that the U.S. played unreal," Canadian coach Willie Desjardins told the Canadian Press. "We were lucky tonight."

Notes: Canada played without defenceman Calvin de Haan, who is missing his second straight game due to an upper body injury. Jordan Caron was forced to leave the game after the first period due to illness.

SCORING SUMMARY

Canada 5, United States 4 (Shootout)

First Period
1. Canada - Della Rovere (Adam, Caron), 2:03.
2. United States - McRae (D'Amigo) PP, 3:40.

Second Period
3. United States - Schroeder (Johnson) SH, 7:08
4. Canada - Eberle (Schenn, Scandella) 11:15
5. United States - Johnson, (D'Amigo) SH, 19:49

Third Period
6. United States - Kristo (Stepan), 1:01
7. Canada - Eberle (Schenn, McMillan), 10:03
8. Canada - Pietrangelo, SH, 15:45

Overtime
No Scoring.

Shootout
Canada - Eberle, Goal
United States - Kristo, Goal
Canada - Kadri, Goal
United States - Morin, Goal
Canada - Kozun, Goal
United States - Schroeder, Save

Starting Goaltenders
Canada - Jake Allen
USA - Jack Campbell

[Newf]

Now thats what I call a hockey game....:thumbsup:

[KIDWCKED]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c\p from espn
Associated Press

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan -- Jordan Eberle, Nazem Kadri and Brandon Kozun scored in a shootout, and Jake Allen made the one stop he needed to give Canada a 5-4 victory over the United States on Thursday night in the world junior hockey championship.
After the first five shooters scored, Allen stopped Jordan Schroeder's attempt, then was mobbed by his teammates after the comeback victory.
"Adversity's huge," Eberle. "It's what makes your team better and it's what makes hockey fun. And it's going to help us in the long run."
Five-time defending champion Canada and the United States each won their first three games to set up the round-robin finale for the top spot in Group A.
"Maybe people will say we didn't play well, but we did, it's just that the U.S. played unreal," Canadian coach Willie Desjardins said. "We were lucky tonight."
Canada will play the Russia-Switzerland quarterfinal winner in the semifinals Sunday. The United States will face Finland in the quarterfinals Saturday, with the winner advancing to face Group B winner Sweden on Sunday night.
"We had them right where we wanted them," Schroeder said. "We let it slip at the end, but that's part of hockey. We have to move forward. If we can get through Finland and Sweden, hopefuly we'll see them in the championship game. It was a good test for both of us. Now we know that we stood up against them and we know we can take them."
The United States had a 4-2 lead in the third period, but Eberle scored his second goal of the game at 10:03, and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo tied it with a short-handed goal with 4:15 left.
"Good teams find a way to win and we kept battling," Pietrangelo said.
Schoeder and Tyler Johnson had short-handed goals for the United States in the second period. Philip McRae and Danny Kristo also scored for the Americans.
Stefan Della Rovere added a goal for Canada.
In Regina, Jacob Markstrom made 39 saves in Sweden's 7-1 victory over Finland.
"It was a good start for me," Markstrom said. "I got a lot of shots and I felt good out there and I really enjoy it. That's what I'm there for. I don't think a lot, I just go out there and try and take the puck. It's the best thing."
Jacob Josefson had two goals, and Andre Petersson, Dennis Rasmussen, Mattias Tedenby, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson and Marcus Johansson also scored for Sweden (4-0). Teemu Hartikainen scored for Finland (2-2).
In the late Group B game in Regina, Vladimir Tarasenko had two goals and an assist, and Igor Bobkkov made 39 saves in Russia's 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic.
Russia (3-1) will face Switzerland (2-2) in the quarterfinals, while the Czech Republic (1-3) dropped into the relegation round.
In Group A in Saskatoon, Nino Niederreiter scored twice, and Benjamin Conz stopped 39 shots to help Switzerland beat Slovakia 4-1.
Richard Panik scored for Slovakia (1-3).

[Newf]

from tsn.ca

SASKATOON - It all came together for Switzerland at the right time.

Despite losing their first two games at the world junior championship and two key defencemen to injury, the Swiss somehow managed to upend the favoured Russians 3-2 in overtime Saturday to advance to the semifinals.

"We know we don't have a big country as far as hockey is concerned, and everybody can think whatever they want," said Swiss goaltender Benjamin Conz, who continued his impressive run at the tournament with 50 saves.

"Sometimes people take us too lightly, like they did today against the Russians, and you see what kind of things can happen."

Switzerland's best finish in the tournament came in 1998 when they finished bronze.

Switzerland (3-2) will now meet host Canada in the semifinals Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Russians (3-2) will face the loser of Saturday's other quarter-final between the United States and Finland on Tuesday in the fifth-place game.

Swiss forward Nino Niederreiter cut across the hash-marks at 9:47 into overtime and fired a shot past Russian goaltender Igor Bobkov for his second goal of the game. The puck appeared to be deflected in by defenceman Patrick Geering, but the goal was officially credited to Niederreiter.

When the Saskatoon crowd went crazy, Geering hadn't even seen the puck cross the goal-line.

"I tried to deflect it," said Geering. "I just heard the whole stadium start cheering."

Added Niederreiter: "I don't know what to say -- it's just amazing."

The Swiss were without injured defencemen Luca Sbisa and Roman Josi.

Sbisa is lost for the rest of the tournament, while Josi's status is uncertain. Both were named to the Swiss Olympic national team on Wednesday.

If Conz continues his stellar play, it won't matter who skates for Switzerland. He followed up his impressive performance from the round robin with another gem Saturday.

"Since the start of the tournament I've taken over 30 shots a game," said Conz. "I'm going to take a good massage tonight and have a good night's sleep and tomorrow try and be ready."

For the Russians, the overtime goal punctuates a disappointing performance at this year's tournament.

"It was a big mistake by the defence," said head coach Vladimir Plyushchev. "It was an elementary task that normally the player would do. Maybe his intensity level was high and he didn't look."

Said Russian star forward Nikita Filatov: "We should we have won this game way earlier in the first period."

Russia appeared poised to clinch a 2-1 victory late in the third before Niederreiter scored with 33 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Michael Loichat gave the Swiss 1-0 lead in the second period after he stripped a Russian defender of the puck behind the net and beat Bobkov on a wraparound at 8:25.

But the Russians answered before the period was out to take a 2-1 lead to the third. Vladimir Tarasenko beat Conz at 18:44 before Kirill Petrov knocked home a feed from Filatov just 16 seconds later.

[sleddy2008]

From TSN

Canada will shoot for a record sixth straight Gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship after defeating Switzerland 6-1 in semifinal action from Saskatoon.

Taylor Hall scored twice while Jake Allen made 20 saves in the Canadian net to secure the victory.

Canada now must wait for the winner of tonight's other semifinal game between Sweden and the United States to see who their opponent will be in Tuesday's Gold medal game.

There was no fairytale ending for Switzerland's Cinderella run as the clock struck midnight and their carriage suddenly turned back into a pumpkin.

Goals by Marco Scandella and Hall less than two minutes apart in the second period proved to an insurmountable advantage as the Swiss were never able to close the defecit after that.

The score was a bit deceiving as it was certainly a much closer encounter than the 6-0 thumping that Canada handed the Swiss earlier in the tournament.

The final tally could have been much more lopsided as Benjamin Conz was once again heroic between the pipes for the Swiss, making 38 saves on the night including stoning the Canadians on several scoring opportunities.

The Swiss started the game shorthanded as they were missing their top two defencemen, Anaheim Ducks' prospect Luca Sbisa and Roman Josi due to injuries.

A packed house at the Credit Union Centre was rewarded early as Canada opened the scoring in the first period on the power play.

With Dominik Schlumpf in the box for tripping, Jordan Eberle beat Conz high glove side for his sixth goal and 11th point of the tournament. That gave the Edmonton Oilers' prospect points in 11 straight games at the World Junior Hockey tournament setting a Canadian record.

The accolades for Eberle continued to pile up as the point also pulled him even with Jason Allison for second on the all-time list for scoring by a Canadian in tournament history. It is also his 12th goal all time in the tournament, one short of John Tavares' Canadian record.

Canada appeared to be ready to break it open early in the second period. While killing a penalty, Gabriel Bourque sprung Scandella with a great feed. Scandella beat Conz with a second effort for his first goal of the tournament.

Less than two minutes later Hall increased the lead with his fourth goal of the tournament to give Canada some breathing room.

The Canadians did not have much time to celebrate as moments later the Swiss replied on a power play as Mauro Jorg beat Allen to give Switzerland some life after it appeared as though Canada was ready to take over.

Despite the Canadian coaching staff preaching discipline prior to the game, Canada took 10 minutes of penalties through two periods and got an earful from coach Willie Desjardins between periods.

"We've got to stay composed, we can't be taking those penalties, especially against tougher teams because they are going to make us pay," Ryan Ellis said.

The message obviously got through as Canada did not take a single penalty in the third period and exploded out of the gate in the final stanza.

"We weren't composed and we got a little bit away from our game and you cant' do that, especially in big games like this," Hall told TSN following the game. "I thought in the third period we really came out and took it over."

Brayden Schenn gave Canada a three goal advantage by shoveling his second of the tournament past Conz on the backhand giving the Los Angeles Kings' draft pick points in every single game of the tournament.

Alex Pietrangelo picked up his second assist of the game on the play to grab a share of the tournament scoring lead with teammate Jordan Eberle and team USA's Derek Stepan.

Canada blew it open late as Stefan Della Rovere and Hall scored just 30 seconds apart to secure the victory for Canada and start the celebrations in Saskatoon. Canada remains a perfect 18-0-0 in all-time tournament play against Switzerland.

It was not all good news for Canada as with less than two minutes remaining defenceman Travis Hamonic was drilled from behind by Jeffrey Fuglister. Hamonic went down hard and appeared to be favouring his left shoulder as he headed to the Canadian dressing room.

Following the game the coaching staff said that there was no update and that Hamonic would be re-evaluated on Monday.

"It would be a pretty big loss," Hall admitted following the game. "He's played a pretty pivotal role in our success this tournament. On this team we have so much depth that if he does happen to be injured someone will step in and do his job."

Fuglister received a five minute major and a game misconduct on the play and could possibly face supplementary discipline.

Desjardins did not think that Fuglister tried to injure Hamonic on the play.

"I think the guy was playing hard and just finished his check," Desjardins said following the game. "I don't think it was more than that. I think it was a physical game and those checks happen."

All is not completely lost for the Swiss as they now await their opponent in Tuesday's Bronze medal game. The Swiss will be in search of only their second medal in the history of the tournament after capturing bronze in 1998.

[sleddy2008]

From CTV

Canada is seeking a record sixth-straight gold medal Tuesday night when it faces off against the U.S. at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon.

The highly-regarded tourney is often seen as a preview of the NHL's future stars and is expected to be watched by fans across both countries.

Canada earned a berth in the final with a victory over Switzerland -- an upstart team that managed an unexpected win over Russia to make it to the semi-finals.

The Swiss team's Cinderella status didn't last long however, with the Canadians delivering a solid 6-1 rout, dashing their hopes of reaching the final.

However, the Swiss still stand a chance at the bronze medal -- facing off against Sweden on Tuesday afternoon.

The U.S. earned its spot in the tournament final with a win over the Swedes. The Swedes were favoured for the win but the Americans came out with a 5-2 victory in the end.

Earlier in the tournament the U.S. suffered a tough 5-4 shootout loss to Canada. The outcame gave Canada a bye to the semi-finals, but sent the U.S. to play a quarter-final match against Finland.

TSN hockey analyst Gino Reda said the extra ice-time is another hurdle for the Americans.

"When you play that extra game the odds of going on to win the gold medal, history tells us, are pretty slim, so that's tough because you're an extra game tired, you're an extra game sore, you've got extra bodies out there that are hurt."

The two nations have developed a deep on-ice rivalry in recent years that has largely eclipsed the former Canada-Russia rivalry, Reda said.

The last time they met in the final was in 2004 in Helsinki, Finland, when the Americans won 4-3 -- which was also the last time the Canadians lost the tournament.

"The Americans would love to bookend this and say, 'we beat them when they started and we beat them to end it as well,'" said TSN hockey analyst Gino Reda.

If the Canadians don't play at their absolute best, that could happen, Reda said, noting that the Americans' speed and scoring ability makes them a dangerous opponent.

Reda predicted the game will be tight.

"The bottom line is the Americans are really, really fast and when they're that fast you make one little mistake and they jump on you. And so the Canadians have got to come out there and be very, very disciplined and always be watching over their shoulders."

[Newf]

from tsn.ca

It should be an incredible finish to the Gold medal game at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Saskatoon as Canada and USA are tied at three in the third period.

The goals have come fast and furious as the two sides have traded chances in a wide open affair that has seen the Americans pull starting goaltender Mike Lee after allowing three goals on just seven shots.

Luke Adam got Team Canada on the board early in the first period by shoveling a backhand past Lee for his fourth goal of the tournament on a great feed from Jordan Caron.

Team USA then rallied as Chris Kreider beat Jake Allen high stick side to pull the Americans even. Just 36 seconds later Jordan Schroeder gave the Stars and Stripes their first lead by beating Allen for his third of the tournament.

Canada responded immediately when Nazem Kadri found Greg Nemisz who found the back of the net for the first time in the tournament to square things up at two apiece.

The ongoing Canadian theme of undisciplined play continued as defenceman Alex Pietrangelo drilled Jeremy Morin from behind, picking up a 10-minute misconduct as the opening frame drew to a close.

It was a big loss for Canada as they are playing the game without one of their top shutdown defenders in Travis Hamonic who suffered a separated shoulder in the dying moments of the semifinal game against Switzerland.

The Americans came flying out of the gate to open the second period as Washington Capitals prospect John Carlson beat Allen with a point blast to give Team USA the lead once again.

That advantage was short lived as likely first overall pick in the upcoming NHL entry draft Taylor Hall responded with his sixth of the tournament to chase Lee from the American net.

The US are out shooting Canada 21 to 19 through 40 minutes.

Earlier in the day the Swiss were hammered 11-4 by Sweden in the Bronze medal game.

[Newf]

Lets go Canada... bring home the Gold!!!!!!!

[Newf]

its gonna take some more magic I think....not looking good

USA 5 CAN 3...13 mins to go

[Newf]

5 mins to go, canada still down by 2

[Newf]

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2:49 to go Canada still down by 1

[Newf]

Tie game baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Newf]

Final score USA 6 CAN 5....great game...too bad they couldn't finish the comeback!