2009 World Junior Championships- Ottawa

[SoCalcaniac]

With all the Avery hoo-ha this kind slipped under the radar; AMAZING and fantastic news! NHL Network signed a deal with USA Hockey to broadcast all the WJC games starting this year and for the next 3 years! I LOVE this tournament and that whole watching online every December on a grainy feed from that World Championship Network, was getting old. This is fantastic! Today USA Hockey announces their roster, and not to be outdone, the Canadians will announce their 'invitees' for their little camp. I'm expecting we'll see our #23 Zach Boychuk invited to represent Canada again.

This is awesome news!

Here's the release:



USA Hockey & NHL Network Align
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey announced today a three-year partnership with the NHL Network that includes unprecedented coverage of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship and also coverage of the upcoming Qwest Tour, featuring the 2009-10 U.S. Women’s National Team.

In each of the next three IIHF World Junior Championships, the NHL Network will provide live television coverage of all U.S. games and all games of the medal round, including all quarterfinal and semifinal games, the bronze-medal game and the gold-medal game.

Under the agreement, the NHL Network will also televise four live games of the Qwest Tour. The broadcasts include Team USA’s contests against Canada scheduled for Oct. 16, 2009, in Spokane, Wash.; Oct. 29, 2009, in Denver, Colo.; and Dec. 30, 2009, in St. Paul, Minn. In addition, the NHL Network will televise the final game of the Tour against Finland on Feb. 4, 2010, in Colorado Springs, Colo., just prior to the February 12 start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

“We’re extremely pleased to showcase two of our most prominent teams – the U.S. National Junior Team and the U.S. Women’s National Team – on the NHL Network,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the NHL Network.”

“Our association with USA Hockey is another building block in making the NHL Network the Home of Hockey,” said John Shannon, executive in charge of programming and production for the NHL Network. “It's great to be part of covering a truly marquee event like the World Junior Hockey Championship, as well as giving more exposure to the women's program as it prepares for the Vancouver Olympics."

NOTES: All games will be televised in high definition … In addition to the games mentioned above, the NHL Network will also televise all games played by Team Canada in the preliminary round of the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship … As part of the agreement, the NHL Network will produce at least two USA Hockey-themed programs per year.

[nccanes]

I was excited to hear this this morning on XM!

We're hoping/expecting that Drayson Bowman shows up for Team USA right?

[SoCalcaniac]

In all the horse crap of today, I completely lost track of the press conferences on the Junior Teams.


Great news- #23 has been invited to Team Canada's camp and E, Drayson has made the USA roster:

http://usahockey.cachefly.net/Media/WJC-Roster.doc

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?id=11732

Oh, and I'm loving that two socals are on the USA team, Mitch Wahl and Jon Blum.

[WilkesCanefan]

I'm really glad that Bowman made the team this year! Great for him!

[LeslieK]

Boychuck's made the team (http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/story/?id=259775&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main)
It was a day of redemption for forward Angelo Esposito as he made the final roster for the 2009 edition of Team Canada's World Junior Hockey squad.
-snip-
Forwards John Tavares, Zach Boychuk along with defencemen P.K. Subban and Thomas Hickey all return from last year's Gold Medal winning team.

[SoCalcaniac]

I wasn't worried about Zach, but Yippee! Good for him.

Good for Angelo Esposito, that kid's been through the wringer w/Team Canada. 4th time's a charm.

I guess we probably have something here in the states that compares to the rigors of the Junior Tryouts- but that whole bit about waiting by the phone for the 'call' to tell you that you've been cut? after all these years of following it, It still gets me. They're all a bunch of kids, and I know this is part of the preparation for the Show, but geez, they have kids on TSN with tears in their eyes, visably upset, all that stuff- just hard to take when they're 15, 16, 17 years old.

Oh well, now we can rev up and prepare for the unending commentary on how loaded Canada's Junior team is and then hear it some more at puck drop on 12/26. :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, Boxing Day is tommorow in Canada, and that means........... WJC Time! and it's in OTT no less.

The Juniors will be on NHL Network- Canada v Czech Republic starts tommorow @ 7pm- Our #23, has been named Alternate Captain to Team Canada, and will play in the top 6 (last year he was alternating 3rd and 4th line - he had that wrist injury back then)

Here's the challenge- count how many times Pierre Maguire will inform us, how many players (Brandon Sutter, Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, etc etc) could/should be playing for Canada, but are not available because they're on their NHL teams. :lol: The extra credit is if he says it within the first five minutes. Oh, and he will.................:laugh:


Worlds still special to those with NHL experience
By Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Staff Writer
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<!-- end in page media box -->Players say there's no prouder moment for them than pulling on their national team's sweater. But for four players in the 2009 World Junior Championship, they have experienced a very close second -- pulling on an NHL sweater for the first time.

Zach Boychuk (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474576) (Hurricanes), Alex Pietrangelo (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474565) (Blues), Nikita Filatov (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474566) (Blue Jackets) and Oscar Moller (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474114) (Kings) all made their NHL debuts this season, but all currently are in Ottawa with their national teams.

It may not be the ideal situation -- there's nothing better than playing in the greatest hockey league in the world -- but competing for a WJC gold medal makes for a nice consolation prize.

"They (the Kings) told me that they were going to let me go and they asked if I wanted to go and I said yes because I think we have a really good chance of winning this year," said Moller, who will be a top-six forward for Sweden. "… They told me, 'If we're going to let you go, will you go?' That was their question and I said, 'Yeah, I'm going to go.' "

<!-- start related media --><SCRIPT type=text/javascript>jQuery(function(){ jQuery('#inbodyRelMed').corner('6px '); });</SCRIPT><!-- end related medi-->It was a hard choice for Moller, who has had a productive first season with the Kings. A 2007 second-round draft pick, Moller has been with the club all season, totaling 13 points in 30 games. When he left the Kings, his 5 power-play goals led all rookies, and his 58 shots were third.

"Making the NHL, making the Kings, it was my dream coming true," Moller said. "It's been a fun ride so far. My thoughts after making the team were to make sure I stick there now and improve my role because I want to be a part of that team; I want to be a big part of that team."

For now, though, he'll be a big part of Sweden's World Junior team.

"It is a special opportunity for young kids to play in that tournament," Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi told reporters. "The pressure in that tournament for a young player is pretty significant, and it's a big thing for their growth to play in that tournament. It's a great thing for his continued development, especially because they told us he was going to be one of their captains."

The same development opportunity is there for Boychuk. The Hurricanes took Boychuk with the 14th pick of the 2008 Entry Draft, and he made the opening-night roster despite being on injured reserve following wrist surgery during the summer. The Hurricanes supervised Boychuk's rehabilitation, and then played him in two games in mid-October, in Los Angeles and Anaheim. On the flight back east, Boychuk got the news that he was being returned to his junior team, the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League.

"It was tough leaving Carolina," Boychuk said. "My options were I stay in Carolina, play for them, or come back to Lethbridge and try to win a Memorial Cup and try to win another (WJC) gold medal. Coming back to Lethbridge and Team Canada has made me a better player."

The numbers bear that out, as Boychuk has 12 goals, 26 points and a plus-18 rating in 21 Western Hockey League games. Despite missing 15 games, he's fourth on the team in scoring.

<!-- start related media -->
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>jQuery(function(){ jQuery('#inbodyRelMed').corner('6px '); });</SCRIPT><!-- end related medi-->He'll be expected to play a similar starring role for Team Canada. Boychuk is one of four players on the Canada roster who won gold last year in the Czech Republic. He had a minor role on that team; this year, thanks in part to his NHL experience, he'll be expected to contribute far more. He'll play on the top two lines, and coach Pat Quinn named him an alternate captain.

"As a smaller guy, he competes hard and he doesn't get stationary," Quinn told Sportsnet.ca. "He uses his quickness to be a good player."

Quinn is hoping Pietrangelo has a similar showing in Ottawa. The fourth pick of the 2008 Entry Draft started the season in St. Louis. He was scoreless and a minus-2 in the season's first three games, and then was knocked out of the lineup for three weeks with a back injury after being cross-checked from behind by Toronto's Ryan Hollweg (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8469681). Pietrangelo played better when he returned, picking up his first NHL point, an assist, and going plus-2 in five games.

Still, the Blues thought it best for his development to send him back to the Ontario Hockey League's Niagara Ice Dogs, and in his first nine games, he had 5 goals and 15 points. In the NHL team's eyes, making Team Canada only further accelerates his growth.

"We are excited for Alex … to be named to Team Canada as this will be a highly skilled tournament in Ottawa," Blues President John Davidson told the team's Web site. "This is the next step for Alex to compete with players his age and we anticipate watching him."

The Blue Jackets have similar feelings for Filatov. The sixth pick of the 2008 draft, Filatov started the season with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. After scoring in his first two games, he earned a four-game NHL promotion. He scored in his first game, but was sent back to the AHL on Oct. 28. In 23 AHL games, Filatov has 7 goals, 17 points and a plus-6 rating.

At last year's World Juniors, Filatov led Russia with 9 points, 10 penalty minutes and a plus-7 rating.

While those numbers are nice -- as are the 3 goals Moller scored last year for Sweden -- what will make their World Junior team better is what they gained from playing in the NHL, no matter how brief.

"It was good to get that experience when I was up there, learn from guys who have been in the NHL for a while," said Boychuk. "It was a lot of fun to learn from a guy like Rod Brind'Amour (http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8445735), guys who have put a lot into the game. It's made me a better player."

And their teams at the World Juniors are hoping to reap the benefits.

[Caniac4life]

Nice rebound slapper by Drayson to put the US up 2-1 over Germany.

End of 1st period.

[SoCalcaniac]

Hello.... is anyone out there? :lol:

We just got back to the house in time to catch Drayson Bowman score pretty rebound goal with a couple minutes left in the first period vs Team Germany. (started at 3:30) they interviewed him @ intermission, and I swear he looks like he's aging backward if that's possible. Instead of the 15 yr old that he looked like in Training Camp, he looks about 10 right now. :lol:

[livinthedream]

LOL I was just coming in here to post Tavares' puck-juggling goal from the exhibition game. I found it when I launched Yahoo and it was the front page highlight.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Future-star-John-Tavares-s-incredible-puc?urn=nhl,131260

If I can get Junior away from Spongebob or Drake & Josh or whatever he's watching maybe I can pop in on the live action. Thanks for the reminder that it's on now.

[Caniac4life]

SoCal, I was thinking the same thing when they were showing him on the bench after his goal. He was chewing on his mouth piece and I was thinking it looked like a pacifier. :lol:

[nccanes]

:lol: I'm at work SoCal!!! Looks like you an C4Life are watching. I forgot to call home and get someone to DVR it. I'll do that now so I can catch the end.

[Caniac4life]

Just watching the US score on the powerplay goal to go up 4-1 and wishing the Canes PP looked half as good. I know the Germans are outclassed but seeing how aggressive the US is up a man has me drooling.

[SoCalcaniac]

Team USA looks fantastic, and the wheels have fallen off for Germany, as per usual- they stay tight with a team for the first 20-30 min or so, and then if the opponent is any good, they just start to roll.

Wow, that James Van Riemsdyk is a player. What a pass to Colin Wilson for that 4th goal. and how did they not call that Tyler Johnson goal a goal on the ice? they had to go to video review- the kid roofed it not even a question.

I like the aggression on the US PK.

EDIT: LTD, thanks for posting that JT goal. I heard about it, just had not seen it--- WOW. There's apparently a Z. Boychuk goal that's got wow-factor to it, but I'm still looking for it.

[SoCalcaniac]

What a GOAL by Drayson Bowman. #27 just scored a goal scorers goal. Just blistered it past the goalie from Germany who came in to replace the original goalie. Oooh it was pretty. 7-1 USA.

The commentators mentioned after goal 5 or maybe six, that you can tell when the crowd is rooting for the other team, cause you can hear the whistle blow when a goal is scored. Heh- the Canadian fans are totally rooting on the Germans. Can't wait for the New Year's Eve matchup Canada v USA.

Oh- and you gotta love international hockey, all the freakin' penalites. It's been talked about every year, but jeez, it's almost like the international refs will feel sorry for team that's getting battered, and they start calling these phantom calls. It's pitiful.

[Caniac4life]

Had to run a quick errand, I'll have to rewind to see that goal.

I'm planning to record Canada's game tonight and watch it after the Canes game if I'm still in the mood to watch hockey, if you know what I mean.

NCCanes, NHLN is replaying both of today's games tomorrow if you're in shouting distance.

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah Drayson! He got the Team USA player of the game.............. that was a great team effort.

Great way to start the WJ tourney!

[LostTexan]

I was watching the game on DVR delay so I didn't want to swing by this thread but once it turned into a route I figured I'd swing by. I haven't caught the end of it yet so I'll have to go back and watch Bownan's second goal.

and yea SoCal LOL at the whistle after the goal comment. I'll have to remember to set the DVR for that New Years Eve game.

BTW: I am about 8 minutes into the preview show and did you know they have 8 NHL players who cant play in the tournament. ;)

[nccanes]

Can't wait for the New Year's Eve matchup Canada v USA.

So you are prepared to not be spoiler-free on that one right? Isn't it during the Canes game? You know they'll put it on the JT. :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

BTW: I am about 8 minutes into the preview show and did you know they have 8 NHL players who cant play in the tournament. ;)

Realllly? You don't say. ;):lol: and that's just the pregame. I'm tellin' ya, it's going to be all over that broadcast- can't you just see Duthie and McKenzie 'preparing' Canada for a potenial 'loss'? They sure don't seem very confident, lol. and when you look at the lineup- I'm thinking Canada can be had- and why not the US, eh?

E- I KNOW. I just realized it would be at NIGHT when they flashed the matchups on TSN -- I told hub we gotta be prepared to be totallly spoiled on New Year's Eve-I'm sure Drayson and Zach are completely gonna be factors in that game and you know CanesVision is gonna be all over it--( whether or not they spell their names right that's a whole other story, but ya'll know what I mean) there's just no way around it, and I'm just sick about it but we'll TiVo it for sure.

[LostTexan]

So you are prepared to not be spoiler-free on that one right? Isn't it during the Canes game? You know they'll put it on the JT. :lol:
I think you give the JT crew too much credit for keeping us informed on stuff like that.

[nccanes]

Oh - they get **** like that right just when we DON'T want them too. :lol:

DIdn't they spoil last year's USA/Can game (or another Jrs game) during a STH practice or something?

[LostTexan]

That reminds me aren't we supposed to pick-up our STH shwag during the Canes @ Bruins game on Jan 10th?

[SoCalcaniac]

Canada crushed the Czechs 8-1. They couldn't be outdone by the Americans, lol.

This tourney is gonna be great. and yeah, LT, the Canes schwag pick up is coming up.......

[Caniac4life]

Just watched the 1st period of Canada's game today vs Kazakhstan. Another yawner. And could you imagine the Kazakhstan goalie, if he had to grow up in the US with that last name. :lol:

[LostTexan]

Kazakhstan just got their 3rd shot on goal, Canada has 7 goals....

[nccanes]

It's 12-0 now. I fell asleep sometime in the 1st and woke up at the start of the 3rd. I realize that 'goals for' must be in the tie breaking formula (since Pierre is saying "they can't let up" every 32 seconds), but I'm appalled at how Pierre is calling this game as if we're talking about 2 teams that are equal and that the Canadians are just winning/scoring because of their "sound fundamentals". Hello dipsh!t -- the Kazaks are nowhere near as talented. Sometime you are just allowed to point out that it's a freaking lopsided game and it's unfortunate that it's that way when we're supposedly talking about the best teams in the world. He's calling the replays like it's a freaking close game it's shameful imo. Save that overexcitement BS for when they are actually playing a team that's competition.

The Kazaks were killed by the Germans, who got killed by the Americans. They AREN'T a good team. Stop acting like these kids are 5 year olds that need their egos stroked.

I don't miss Pierre ONE BIT not having Center Ice. And I think his worst work is during the World Jrs.

edit: 13-0

edit: 15-0 now. I'd love to get a peek at the tiebreakers. As if the Canadians are going to have a advance or not decision come down to whether they scored 15 or 14 goals in a game. I call shenanigans on that one.

[SoCalcaniac]

OMG- If there is ever a time to just let your ears BLEED it is during the WJC's. Hands down.

Pierre Maguire is the most nationalistic baffoon alive. My God he was so condesending the entire game with his yapping in the pregame talking about how it's "so unfair that the Kazaks had to play Germany last night and get shelled and now Canada. All that said, Canada can NOT let up" no sh#t Sherlock, but you do realize it's Kazahkstan right? then Gord Miller, who is normally far more even keeled, got going and all went to hell in the analysis department. and I love how Pierre decided that the Czech's were 'going to go hard at the Americans' after being embarassed by Canada on FRI- cause they were "intimidated" by Canada and apparently aren't so much with Team USA. :roll He can't be serious. I mean honestly.

Couple of quick game observations, I see where the knocks come from on John Tavares. Kid's got mad skills, we all know it- we've been hearing about them since his mama petitioned to let him play Major Junior when he was 14. He has some serious Jason Spezza like qualities- and I don't mean the good ones. There were several shifts where he was out there WAYYYYY late- including the one that lead to the 13th goal. His linemates were already off the ice, and Boychuk, the 1a center, is out there trying to get his shift going and he's still out there which caused some disjointed shifts. Maguire went on about fundamentals and never once said anything about the obvious, cause he was too busy drooling. and I also think the big knock about his individual tendencies over team, will follow him right to the NHL. JMHO, but if we're seeing it in a tournament, where it's supposed to be all about Team Canada and the Maple Leaf, then good grief, it's clearly there. Plus he has that fancy gene that Spezza has that has now come to kill him in OTT. We all know how tough it is to beat that out of some players- I don't imagine it'll go away when Tavares gets drafted.

Looking forward to seeing USA v Czech Rep- I'm dying to see how unintimidated the Czechs are of the Americans.

[Canesluver]

Boychuk just scored a pretty roofer of a PPG for Canada.... in case anybody is interested. :D :canada:

He had a pretty little bit of passing the puck to himself through his legs earlier..... it didn't result in anything, really... but that was pretty, too! :lol:

(We just got home after a 9-hour drive, having been out-of-town visiting family for the holidays, so I'm delighted to have my NHL channel again! :D)

[SoCalcaniac]

That goal was a beauty, and that pass between the legs was a beauty- he created a chance, it would have been awesome if he pulled it off. Although I'm sure Pat Quinn and his yapping about the "fancy" moves probably wasn't happy. :lol:

Zach has looked great in these first 3 games- he could have easily had 3 goals in the first couple minutes of this game- and as I type this, he just flipped a backhander on the German goalie, on one knee!

Next season we'll have lots to look forward to..... even though I had hoped he stayed here instead of getting sent back to Lethbridge. I think it's worked out though.

The Germans aren't Kazahkstan. They are giving the Canadians a run for their money. and Canada's taking some penalties. puck_it is vacationing, but he'd love to hear all the crunchy sounds of Team Germany's skates, it's as if Seids is on the ice, lol. :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I wondered if they'd all have t-blades! :lol:

(I've gotten sucked into a Dealiest Catch marathon and can't seem to pull myself away.....:crazy:)

[Canesluver]

Woooo!! Another PPG from Boychuk!! :nanner: From just about the same spot as the one in the 1st period. :eek2:

And, it's 5-1, Canada, by the way. :D

[nccanes]

Only 5-1? Good god - those Canadians must only have a +26 in goal differential! :beatup:

[SoCalcaniac]

Zach has magical hands. and I loved that next shift he was out there, where he was literally peekig from the side of the net waiting for the puck to come to him. Like Pierre likes to point out, "Zach Boychuk is sneaky good" :lol:

Ok, Zach should get the little trophy for Canadian Player of the Game.

Now it's time to focus on my Sharkies.

EDIT: Thomas Hickey? Come on now.... it was the Boychuk show.....

[Canesluver]

Ahhh... no prize for our Zachy.... it went to Hickey (#4).... but WE know who it belongs to, right! :beatup:

[puckin_A]

I was shocked that Boychuk didn't get the Player of the Game.....:(

[puckin_A]

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20081229/boychuk_74878.jpg

interview with Boychuk on TSN.

http://tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/

[SoCalcaniac]

Love that picture! It appears the WOO! type celebration rubbed off on Zach whille he was here, lol. I noticed it immediately when he scored that first goal last night- and there it is....:lol:

I know many hockey players have some sort of animated gesture when they celebrate goals (not all but many) but it seems like our players, once they get here, have that extra woo in them cause the crowd really gets into it, and it's like they mimic the crowds. I remember watching so many practices when it would be Chad, JWill, Commodore and Staal all taking turns wooing when they were out there after the main practice, and everyone in the stands cracking up.

So what will Drayson and our Team USA boys do to poor Team Kazahkstan tonight??

[puckin_A]

that poor Kazahkstan goalie has faced 81 shots on goal so far (two games)....He has to be exhausted. I really wish the IIHF did not have goal differential as part of the point system.

[Caniac4life]

So what will Drayson and our Team USA boys do to poor Team Kazahkstan tonight??

Hopefully double digits after the Chech scare the other night.

[SoCalcaniac]

I wouldn't call it a 'scare' against the Czechs- I call it USA being slack and not recognizing that they need to keep playing.

3-0 USA after one- Our Drayson, scored a pretty one in what was close to 2 minutes of his line being on the ice, and Kazahks just running around or maybe I should say standing around watching them dance. Insane. Kazahakstan was in it for a bit, and just after that first goal by Ian Cole, I had a feeling the wheels would fall off. Poor kids.

Two more periods to go but I'm flipping between PIT/BOS and WSH/BUF. Jeez it's tough to keep up with the juniors and the NHL games. :lol:

[Canesluver]

It's 7-zip, now! :lol: And, actually it could be 15-0, with a lesser goalie-- he's actually made some nice saves-- Yankov just can't do EVERYTHING for his poor team. :lol:

[Jay]

10-0 now.

USA is obviously laying back a little bit.

[SoCalcaniac]

Yankov poor guy, all 5'8/ 128lbs of him, he's got a tough gig.

Um, I thought it was kinda funny at first, but this whole thing with the crowd booing the Americans at every turn- and "rooting" for anyone but the U.S. smacks of poor sportsmanship. They're all a bunch of kids- is it really necessary to boo them mercilessly?

If Team Canada is so great, there's no need to worry about the lowly Americans eh? why even concern yourself with a bunch of American kids? Just seems a little tasteless, IMO.

[Jay]

Um, I thought it was kinda funny at first, but this whole thing with the crowd booing the Americans at every turn- and "rooting" for anyone but the U.S. smacks of poor sportsmanship. They're all a bunch of kids- is it really necessary to boo them mercilessly?

I completely agree. Especially at the end during the "player of the game" segment it seemed really out of place.

[puckin_A]

Um, I thought it was kinda funny at first, but this whole thing with the crowd booing the Americans at every turn- and "rooting" for anyone but the U.S. smacks of poor sportsmanship. They're all a bunch of kids- is it really necessary to boo them mercilessly?

If Team Canada is so great, there's no need to worry about the lowly Americans eh? why even concern yourself with a bunch of American kids? Just seems a little tasteless, IMO.

the Canadian fans left a poor taste in my mouth after Vancouver. I mean these are kids. The fact they boo'd our player of the game, last night, just burns me up. I keep hearing it's a compliment because they are worried about Team USA. bah.....reeks of poor sportsmanship. (like you said)

Get ready for tonight.....the boo birds will certainly be out. I hope we beat them.

I LOVE the fact that two players on Team USA are from California.

[nccanes]

I think the booing is the bad part. I don't mind that they were cheering when the Kasak's finally got a shot on goal or whatever, the poor kids deserved a cheeing section, but the booing is just strange.

The other thing that struck me as strange is when the Czech's scored on the US, you could see a guy sitting on the glass in a Team Canada sweater, a HUGE beer in his hand, and he was like sarcastically cheering the Czechs and jeering the nearby Americans. It strange that you've got kids on the ice that can't legally drink (okay, the 19 yo kids can drink in Canada) but some grown man with a beer gut slugging down a 20 oz beer and mocking and booing the kids. That's just strange.

[SoCalcaniac]

the Canadian fans left a poor taste in my mouth after Vancouver. I mean these are kids.

I LOVE the fact that two players on Team USA are from California.

Not only from CA - they're total Socals! Mitch Wahl (Drayson's teammate in Spokane) is a Seal Beach boy, and Jon Blum is a Rancho Santa Margarita kid- both boys are representing The OC! -- the so-called "Gretzky Effect" is completely on display with those two kids representing. I love it. Sorry, had to cheer hard for the Socal hockey players, heehee.

I'm with you puckin on the Vancouver aftermath- it really bothered me, that after it was shown that the JJ "hit" on Downie was not anything close to what Downie implied, and this whole outrage towards JJ and the US team, that ensued, regardless of how I feel about Jack Johnson and what happened with our team, that isn't even a factor here- they made the kid out to be a villan, and it was really lame- plus they country was in a tizzy over the whole deal.

I agree with you too E, it's the booing that bothers me most- and if they were since in their 'cheering' of the Kazak's getting a shot or whatever, I could be ok with that. But it's clear, they're just in the whole "anyone but the US" and that's fine too- but they're still kids- there's no need to get all ugly. What exactly are the grown ups teaching kids with that kind of behavior?

I'll put my caveat in there so I'm clear and don't come off bashing a country: I LOVE the passion of the Canadian hockey fans. Absolutely love it. I love how much all this matters for every person up there, in every big city and tiny town where it all matters so much- I enjoy the flag waving, Oh Canada sung at the top of their lungs and seeing the joy in those players when they do win - cause losing isn't really an option. I wish there was that broad reaching passion for hockey across the US, not just in regions and pockets, but there is such a thing as going overboard. Nobody disputes that this is "Canada's Game" by gosh, Pierre Maguire is gonna make sure we all know it- so this whole chip on the shoulder thing,where folks look petty or mean spirited towards a bunch of KIDS just bugs me at times..

All that said- I'm an American gal, and like puckin says- I hope they beat 'em too. :usa:

[nccanes]

Mitch Wahl's Dad was too funny. He sounded very socal, talking about Mitch's hockey travels had been "a blast" and how the Jrs were "awesome". :lol:

[puckin_A]

Not only from CA - they're total Socals! Mitch Wahl (Drayson's teammate in Spokane) is a Seal Beach boy, and Jon Blum is a Rancho Santa Margarita kid- both boys are representing The OC! -- the so-called "Gretzky Effect" is completely on display with those two kids representing. I love it. Sorry, had to cheer hard for the Socal hockey players, heehee.

ME TOO!


I agree with you too E, it's the booing that bothers me most- and if they were since in their 'cheering' of the Kazak's getting a shot or whatever, I could be ok with that. But it's clear, they're just in the whole "anyone but the US" and that's fine too- but they're still kids- there's no need to get all ugly. What exactly are the grown ups teaching kids with that kind of behavior?

amen

I'll put my caveat in there so I'm clear and don't come off bashing a country: I LOVE the passion of the Canadian hockey fans. Absolutely love it. I love how much all this matters for every person up there, in every big city and tiny town where it all matters so much- I enjoy the flag waving, Oh Canada sung at the top of their lungs and seeing the joy in those players when they do win - cause losing isn't really an option. I wish there was that broad reaching passion for hockey across the US, not just in regions and pockets, but there is such a thing as going overboard. Nobody disputes that this is "Canada's Game" by gosh, Pierre Maguire is gonna make sure we all know it- so this whole chip on the shoulder thing,where folks look petty or mean spirited towards a bunch of KIDS just bugs me at times..

amen

:usa:

[puckin_A]

I read where there were a couple of fans in the stands dressed like Borat .........yea, that's what they want to be known for. *roll*

[puckin_A]

Sweden beat Russia 5-0 today. WOW...... that is huge. Russia was 3-0, as was Sweden.

It's 8-1 right now after two periods with CZECH vs KAZ. GOOD NEWS!!! Kazahkstan scored a goal!!! WOOO HOOOO!! good for them. I bet the place went nuts.

[puckin_A]

make that 9-1 and second period still going...

[SoCalcaniac]

I can't evensay how disappointed I am for Team USA. I better not comment cause I'm pissed.

[puckin_A]

well when I was at the game last night I heard it was USA 3-0. It made me so happy throughout the game until I got to my after game destination and found out they lost 7-4. Two empty netters, but still. It didn't help that they played a game the night before. Anyway, I was so bummed.

All is not loss. They just need to stay focused and beat Slovakia and move on.

[livinthedream]

Have y'all already seen this? Sorry if it's a repeat.

http://tsn.ca/world_jrs/story/?id=261602&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_main

Team Canada received some good news Thursday as X-rays on forward Zach Boychuk's injured right ankle came back negative.

The Lethbridge Hurricane suffered the injury during the second period of Wednesday's 7-4 victory over the United States when he was driven into the endboards by American defenceman Teddy Ruth.

Boychuk, who was a first round pick, 14th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008 NHL Entry draft left the arena on crutches following the game, however the swelling in his ankle had gone down considerably by Thursday and the 18-year old was able to walk without crutches.

Boychuk hopes to skate on Friday prior to Canada's semifinal encounter with the winner of the Russia/Czech Republic quarterfinal game. He is listed as day-to-day. He has four goals and three assists so far in the tournament.

[nccanes]

Yes I heard. I read it on Chip's blog tomorrow.




:lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

I saw that the tests on Zack were negative. Good for him.

puckin- I heard it was 3-0 'by accident' at the game on Friday, some guy standing behind the wall where we sit in 121, came up to his friends hooting about "Team USA winning 3-0" I was shocked, but cautious- and well, you know what happened. Tough way to lose too. and after watching everything on TiVo, I think the USA boys kind of unraveled. and it was really ill-advised for Jimmy Hayes to skate by Team Canada's bench after he scored and do the hand to the ear thing -as if to say "nobody's cheering Canada" he showed them up, and you know nothing good will come of that crap, when there is still tons of time to play. Arghh. They're kids and the whole playing with poise deal doesn't quite sink in until you get smacked around- which they didn't, they were right there with them, but they got ahead of themselves. Plus the offiating didn't do the US an favors.

They showed some bits on TSN's broadcast with the USA Coach, Ron Rolston talking to the Russian ref, saying to the guy "you're getting intimidated by the crowd here" HOLY sh**. You are kidding me- and the dude did look 'scared' or overwhelmed might be a better word.

So back to reality- today's quarterfinal vs Slovakia, was supposed to be at 7:30pm - they just announced on XM that today's game has been changed to 3:30. So if you're watching or DVRing, the games have been switched.

Come on boys, don't have a let down! let's get through Slovakia, and get your chance to face Canada again..

[SoCalcaniac]

Well, the US boys are playing- and things are dicey already.

The big line (Van Reimsdyk, Colin Wilson, Jordon Schroeder) have been all over this Slovakian goalie, they even drew a penalty shot- and it's 1-0 SLOVAKIA. Oy. USA is outshooting 12-3. scoring chances, galore and a big ol ring off the pipes. They seem to be having confidence issues. But they're flying out there.

EDIT: Slovakia just took a penalty, and now the US on the PP and just scored.

Come on guys- move forward.

Edit again- NEVERMIND. Slovakia just scored, AGAIN. 2-1.

[SoCalcaniac]

Who the hell is Jaroslav Janus? 3-1 Slovakia ......He's standing on his head. We are trying- but all of a sudden the high flying offense is gone.

All kinds of crazy ass chances and this Janus dude is killing them. Oh look another save on us- wide open net and he flies over for the save.

[nickgregory]

Who the hell is Jaroslav Janus? 3-1 Slovakia ......He's standing on his head. We are trying- but all of a sudden the high flying offense is gone.

All kinds of crazy ass chances and this Janus dude is killing them. Oh look another save on us- wide open net and he flies over for the save.

never heard of the guy before today, but good lord he has made some pretty saves

[nccanes]

Wow - the US gets w/in 1 and the allows another goal.

Guess it's nice for me that I didn't get a chance to watch them and get too invested. Not that I get too invested anyway - they are all just kids to me. Might as well have Canada win since THAT country is invested as a whole.

I'm not sure there's another sport on the planet that has their U20 worlds make national news.

That being said....I hope the Canadians lose. :lol:

[puckin_A]

well I am a huge international hockey fan and team USA seems to always break my heart...except for a couple of times......

shots were 49-19? or close to that. what the hell.......

I just have this to say....

GO SWEDEN
GO SLOVAKIA
GO RUSSIA

whoever ends up playing Canada.....BEAT THEM PLEASE!! :D

In 2011, the World Jrs are in Buffalo (I know, yuck)......but I think it would be cool to go up there and show some support. Something to think about.

[puckin_A]

oh gosh....they still have to play for 5th place??? ouch......I am sure they would rather not!

"Team USA will conclude play in the event Sunday (Jan. 4) in the fifth-place game against either the Czech Republic or Russia.Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (EST) at Scotiabank Place."

so they will play the Czechs again on Sunday.

[SoCalcaniac]

well I am a huge international hockey fan and team USA seems to always break my heart...except for a couple of times......


You said it girl I love these int'l competitions. 2003 in Helsinki and the brilliance of Al Montoya, Zach Parise, Patrick O'Sullivan, etc, etc, and the major flub by MAF and poor Braydon Cobourn seem so far away.

I am so disappointed, and also wayyyy to invested. :lol: I honestly think when they lost that game on NYE, they lost whatever mojo they had. Yesterday, you could see them losing confidence all game. McCollum the goalie never looked comfortable to me, he looked like he was struggling all the way. and I don't know what else van Reimsdyk, Wilson and Drayson could have done, they played well, and that Janus dude just took it. The whole fifth place thing, is like a slap on top of the loss. It's the deal of the tourney, but what does that even mean? 5th place? I never agreed with that deal in int'l competition.

Ironically, the Swedes had to dig themselves out today, and end up beating the Slovaks.:mad: and Janus was standing on his head for most of the game, then Sweden took over in the 3rd and put them away.

I love Zach Boychuk, and it appears that he'll play tonight, but that said, I want the Canadians crushed. (especially after the whole building yesterday started the "Goodbye" (na, na, na, na) song in the last couple minutes of the game. Go Russia. :laugh:

I just flipped to the pregame for Canada/Russia- and oh, the wringing of hands over Zack's injury. LMAO.

[SoCalcaniac]

Well- it's 5-5 in the Russia/Canada game and they just finished OT and now it's the dreaded Int'l shootout. :sick:

Russia was leading 5-4 with 5 seconds to go, and Jordan Eberle scored. Good freakin' grief.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

We just flipped over and I assume, based on celebrations, that Canada just won, huh? :lol:

Poor Russian kids are breaking my heart.




And Pierre is such a pr*ck.

[SoCalcaniac]

We just flipped over and I assume, based on celebrations, that Canada just won, huh? :lol:

Poor Russian kids are breaking my heart.




And Pierre is such a pr*ck.

jackass and all that.

Yes, Canada won. completely a heartbreaker- they didn't deserve to win. That play to make it 5-5 with 5 seconds, was just a luck play- argghhhh that shot of Filatov is so upsetting.

Canada wasn't better. I hope Sweden kills them.

Zack did not play at all in the OT. I'm guessing the pain meds or whatever they did to get him ready wore off. Quinn didn't have him in the shootout either.

Go Sweden.

[puckin_A]

the Canada/Russia game was HEART BREAKING!!!! Canada has to be the luckiest team EVER!!!!

Would of loved to have seen a Russia/Sweden final.

Please Sweden. Get it together and just roll over Canada! and shut Pierre up, once and for all!! My ears are bleeding from that man.

the ONLY reason I am glad Sweden won today is because I think they have a better chance at beating Canada. Otherwise, how can you not like the heart Slovakia plays with.

[nccanes]

That play to make it 5-5 with 5 seconds, was just a luck play

No it wasn't. It was a "magical Tavares play" or whatever Pierre said about 82 times.

I know it's just my own bias about this event and my own disgust for Pierre AT this event, but his fawning of the team with his hoarse from too much ass kissing (that's a nicer way of saying what I started to say) starts sounding perverted. :lol: He's so icky.

[SoCalcaniac]

:lol: E, the Margaritas have you on a roll.

Pierre talking about JTavares is just damn annoying. Everything he says is annoying. Even when he was pumping up Boychuk, I wanted to strangle him.

Pierre takes nationalistic pride to a whole new level and you lose respect for him. His condescending tones when Canada beat up on Kazahkstan and when the US beat up on Khazakstan was just lame.

[nccanes]

Several years ago he completely dogged some Habs prospect (I could probably figure who with a little research, but I've since forgotten) because he went down after a hard hit from a Canadian. He went so far as to accuse the kid of faking or being soft and said things like "If I were a Habs fan, I wouldn't be too happy with them using a draft pick for this". Then the camera zoomed in, the kids face was bloodied and he ended up leaving the game and not returning due to concussion.

Apparently he couldn't wait 40 seconds to confirm or refute if the kid was faking. I realized then that he's all about sensation, facts be damned.

[AbNormal27]

I've tried to stay out of this thread because I did not want to get into a war of words with people on this board because I think of all of you as friends.

While I'm not condoning "those" fans in attendance for the way they have acted, I am a bit surprised by the way some of you are now cheering AGAINST Canada due to some bonehead fans who are not unlike the bonehead fans you can find in any NHL barn and due to a bonehead broadcaster who should have been muzzled many moons ago. I also think Americans should be honoured by the hatred towards them. It means they have supplanted the Russian in respect to them as Canada's biggest opponent.

Booing the US isn't right, and painting the US players, coaches and populous with the same negative brush isn't right either. BUT, "poking the bear" as it was when Hayes did his best Hulk Hogan impression in front of the Canadian bench was more than just ill-advised, it was affirmation to those who were painting the Americans with said negative brush. That being said, I also feel that Della Rovere's sucker punch of Van Riemsdyk was a very undisciplined thing to do after Eric Tangradi's "sticking" incident.

I'll also give you that the refs did not do a good job officiating that game, but they haven't done a very good job during the entire tournament and haven't for many years. But to say the ref was being intimidated was the biggest example of what Ken Campbell wrote about on The Hockey News' site (Click Here To Read (http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/21910-THN-at-the-World-Junior-Championship-Best-laid-plans-go-awry-once-again-for-Team-USA.html)). You want to take yourself out of the game..... start calling out the refs.

The bottom line is this, the fans paid their money for their tickets and can cheer or boo how they see fit (and that goes for any fan in any arena), Pierre McGuire is a putz and always has been, and the US had their chance(s), but didn't deliver when push came to shove.

Like it or lump it, sometimes the best team doesn't always win. Sometimes the puck doesn't bounce your way, and maybe, just maybe, the Canadians wanted it more than the Russians did last night, and the Slovaks wanted it more than the US. As for the rest of the "politics", I hope we can just leave it be and watch a great Gold Medal game on Monday. I know who I'll be rooting for.:canada:

Aaryn

[nccanes]

Fair enough Aaryn. But if fans can boo/cheer whom they please, I can do the same. Canada can consider THAT an honour too.

As far as the antics on the ice or bench, that's part of my issue with the event....these are kids, plain and simple. Very talented kids, but kids. Some of what I've seen (or heard about) is nothing different than what I see on the field of play when my son plays. While he obviously doesn't play at the level of these boys at the Worlds, he's been playing soccer every bit as long as these boys have been playing hockey. He's trained every bit as hard and as long. He and his teammates do stupid **** on the field when they get worked up -- because they are teenagers. It's hard for me to hold these kids to a much higher standard.

Booing teenagers is bad form imo - and probably nothing written here or elsewhere will change my opinion on that.


edit: oh - and while the fan behavior and McGuire might help in pulling against Canada, there's another simple reason why someone might.....for competitive reasons? It doesn't strike me as particularly entertaining or good for the tournament (outside Canada anyway) if the same team wins 5 straight. In fact, the tourney until the quarters was kinda a joke because the games were so lopsided. If this is a World Level Tournament and some of the top 10 teams in the world are getting pummeled it's unfortunate imo. Having another team win is probably good for the game AND the event.

[puckin_A]

I also think Americans should be honoured by the hatred towards them. It means they have supplanted the Russian in respect to them as Canada's biggest opponent.

actually the reason I cheer against the Canadians is because it's a RIVALRY!! Hello???? :D They cheer against us, we cheer against them. It's the way it is. BE HONORED!! :)

GO SWEDEN!

[SoCalcaniac]

The medal games are today-

Slovakia v Russia @ 3:30

and the big game, Canada v Sweden tonight at 7pm on NHLN

Go SWEDEN! I've not seen big Victor Hedman the guy who's supposed to go head to head in the draft with John Tavares, so I want to get a good look.

This is a revenge game for SWE, after what happened last year..... GO SWEDEN (in case you didn't hear me the first time!) :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

2-0 Canada (yawn) and they're going into the box alot and SWE has not yet capitalized. 20 seconds left in the 2nd, and Pierre is KILLING me. Homerland is in full effect.

[caneshockeychick]

well...at least its not a shutout

[SoCalcaniac]

I just wanna hurl.

I have to give our Zach a big thumbs up. His ankle is so messed up, he gutted it out, but clearly wasn't the same after that injury. Gritty Canadian.

Sweden just didn't have it tonight.

[puckin_A]

yea, what the heck happened to Sweden? USA and Russia gave Canada more run for their money.
*yawn*......same team winning every year is just boring but congrats to Canada.