Exactly What We Expected to Happen

Everything that Canadian hockey fans expected to happen today in the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship opening game for both Canada and the Czech Republic happened.

Canada took about 10 minutes in the first period to get their feet under them due to the nervous energy they displayed, which is to be expected when you have 20 of the 22 players on the roster playing in their first WJHC.  Canada did a good job to weather the storm from the Czech’s and their whistle-happy fans in the first period, as Craig Hartsburg’s crew played a superb defensive style of hockey in the first period.  Led by captain Karl Alzner and Drew Doughty on defence and Jonathan Bernier between the pipes, Team Canada kept most of the 13 Czech shots in the first period to the outside, while rebounds and quality scoring chances from in close were kept to a minimum thanks to Bernier’s rebound control.

As to be expected, Canada took a number of penalties in the opening frame and gave the Czech’s a short two-man advantage in the first five minutes of the game.

In the second period, Oshawa Generals sensation John Tavares deflected a beautiful cross-ice pass from Logan Pyett on the power-play to give Canada a 1-0 lead.  They wouldn’t look back as Tavares added another one late on a third period power play to give Team Canada a 3-0 lead, while Matt Halischuk netted the second Canadian goal earlier in the final frame.

As you can imagine, with their legs under them in the second period, Canada took the play over.  Led by Kelowna Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn and former North Delta Flyers (PIJHL) giant Colton Gillies, Team Canada administered its trademark physical punishment on the spirited Czech team and was able to dictate the pace of the game along the wall.

As to be expected, and was witnessed in the opening stanza, Bernier was as solid as a rock in net for Team Canada.  The Los Angeles Kings prospect faced 44 shots and turned away all of them for the shutout and his rebound control and composure between the pipes was exactly what Canada needed to get through a challenging first twenty minutes of hockey.

All of that was what Canadian hockey fans, and other fans from around the world, expected in Canada’s tournament opener. 

Canada was quick, used their skill and physical presence in a positive manner and was the better team, although give the Czech’s credit for standing their own ground and giving Canada a solid test.

So what can we expect in game two against Slovakia tomorrow morning?  There may be two changes to come for tomorrow.  Steve Mason of the OHL’s London Knights is likely to be the starter tomorrow against the 0-1-0 Slovaks, although don’t bet your mortgage on that decision just yet.  Another thing that Canada will want to change tomorrow, and as the tournament goes forward, is their discipline. 

Say what you will about the European officiating, you have to abide by the rules and adapt to the style of hockey that the refs call overseas.  Look for Hartsburg to remind his team to back off with the use of the stick and stay out of the penalty box as best as they can.

Other than those two things, look for Canada to continue to dominate physically, a high pressure defence, a quick-strike offence and a creative power-play.

The Only Thing Left Now is Winning Gold

It is a dream that fills that heads of many young hockey players growing up across Canada.  It is the dream to put on the maple leaf and play for Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.

Unfortunately for most, that dream will never happen, but for 21 lucky young men, that dream comes true just before Christmas every year. 

Last Thursday, Hockey Canada announced its final roster for the upcoming tournament, surprising some, disappointing others and devestating one player, who has been cut from camp three years in a row.  

For the players that have been named to the team, it is a Christmas wish come early.  There is nothing quite like putting on the red and white jersey, which has so much tradition and a highly touted reputation of excellence.  Now that they have been named to Team Canada, the only thing left now is winning gold.

Canada is going for its fourth gold medal in a row at the WJHC, a feat that has not been accomplished since 1997, when Canada won its fifth straight gold medal at the annual tournament.  That 1997 roster included the likes of Joe Thornton and Daniel Briere, who helped guide Canada to an undefeated record and a 2-0 victory over the United States in the championship game.

This year’s team features a number of players who went 7-0-1 for Team Canada at the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series in August and September, and it is that tournament that may give hockey fans the impression that Canada will dominate this tournament.

That won’t be the case.  This year, like every other year, Canada will be the favourite to win gold.  That being said,  the key in this tournament will be team improvement.  Playing on European ice is a lot more difficult than playing on North American ice, which is one of the things that works against both Canada and the U.S.  Every game, Canada will have a challenge in terms of trying to play a North American style of hockey on a European or Olympic-sized ice rink. That is where Canada’s vulnerability comes into play. 

Canada was able to improve on their play on the bigger ice surface last year in Leksland Sweden as the tournament went on and they will have to do that again this year to be successful.

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the first challenge is out of the way.  The players named to Team Canada for this year’s tournament have passed the first test.  The only thing left now is winning gold.  

NHL Denies Great Experience For Canada Stars

What is this nonsense?

Canada is preparing for the World Junior Hockey Championships as the selection camp is under way, but their supposed top-nation stars aren’t participating.  

The St. Louis Blues and the Edmonton Oilers have came out and stated that David Perron and Sam Gagner will not be released to Team Canada. Also, the captain of the Canadian squad that faced Russia, Milan Lucic, will not be competing in this upcoming tournament. That’s three major stars, who won’t be playing for Canada, leaving somewhat of a big hole on the offensive roster.

That is absurd. 

For many of these kids, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to play for their country, especially with the rumours of the NHL withdrawing from the Olympics after 2010. This tournament is an annual classic, every year memories are made and dreams come true.

Okay, sure. I understand where the NHL teams are coming from. The players are too “crucial” for their own team’s success and it would be detrimental if they were gone for two weeks to play in the tournament of their life. How selfish can teams be? Not only will the WJHC be beneficial to their players, it will also teach them leadership skills and important-games experience.

In the long run, allowing these players to play for Canada is the best decision. 

Take the Oilers for example, I’m sure Gagner will learn more in those two weeks winning, then he will the whole season losing in Edmonton. 

Also, players such as last year’s hero Jonathan Toews (Chicago), Jordan Staal (Pittsburgh), and James Sheppard (Minnesota) are eligible to play for this year’s team. That’s more firepower to an already dominant team. Oh wait, they also won’t be playing for Canada. 

Yes, the depth in this nation is enough to still produce a strong team, but if Canada is competing against the best from other countries, they should put out their best as well. And for that too happen, a few NHL teams need to sacrifice one or two young player from their roster for two weeks. I don’t think that is asking a lot.

The same goes for Team USA. They will not have the service of Erik Johnson, Patrick Kane, and Peter Mueller. Imagine an American squad with those three players on it, the talent level will surely sky-rocket.

Junior Hockey fans want to see the best product put forth on the ice and they are being denied. Of course, both these teams are probably the favourites to win the championship and can still give out an entertaining showing, but it’s a wasted opportunity for the young superstars missing out.

Maybe if the tournament was in North America, the decisions would have been different, but the NHL teams are still refusing to accommodate. It’s a damn shame knowing that fans might never be able to see a Turris-Tavares-Perron line again, or a Gagner-Marchand-Giroux combo. 

The NHL is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to international contributions, and this world junior championship is beginning to show. Next up will be the official pull-out from the 2014 winter games, great.

Not the brightest decisions, especially if they want to sell the game more overseas.