Official World Junior thread

[renuszm]

Pretty good 7-3 win for Canada today as they beat Slovakia. Patrice Bergeron and Sidney Crosby togethor is going to be possibly the greatest duo ever in the World Juniors.

Anyways, I think Russia is playing the US in a big game now, those two are Canada's biggest competition, US is the definding champs, and the Russians have Alexander Ovechkin and Yevgeni Malkin who went 1 and 2 in the draft this past June

[MudSnakes]

The U.S. beat Russia 5-4 to start the tournament off on the right foot. Canada, as highly touted as they are, are going to have to be playing their best to win this tournament. With the lockout, there are a lot of strong players that simply wouldn't be in the tournament in another year.

Crosby and Bergeron are amazing to watch. It's like these guys have playing together for years. They're really going to light it up this tournament.

[renuszm]

Well, every team in the tournament is having players play who might not be playing here if it wasnt for the lockout, even Slovakia. But it looks after last nights performance that Canada knows this wont be a cakewalk, and I think the fans now how tough its going to be to face the US and the Russians.

[Blue56]

Bergeron had 2G 2A :D

[Blue56]

Canada-Sweden today

[robmik]

Although Canada beat Sweden quite handily, 8-1, they are still taking WAY too many cheap stick penalties, and going two men short way too often.
The kid touted as some kind of "Next Great One" has a problem........he cannot be used to kill penalties.
Canada took so many penalties in the Sweden game, that Crosby in one stretch got only 2 shifts in over 15 minutes.
I'm not saying Canada won't win 'em all....but Sutter is not happy with quite a few of his dumb penalty-takers.

Happy New Year; :)
Mike

[robmik]

Looks like the kids are starting to listen to Coach Sutter.... :thumbsup:
(especially because of his statement that he would bench the fools who take excessive penalties.)
In the 9-0 win over Germany last night, Canada cut their stick penalties down to 3...( from the 11 they took against Sweden).

Happy New Year ;
Mike

[renuszm]

Anthony Stewart, who many considered the best player for Canada last year, had a good game yesterday after a slow start. Hopefully he can return to the line of Richards and Dawes as well.
Richards actually left the game yesterday, but Sutter said he should be ready, and it was just to make sure he would bust up his knee anymore.

[renuszm]

Canada will geta bye as they dominated the Fins 8-1.

I heard the Americans lost to Belarus, who are led by my boy Andrei Kastystian, I've said it before and I'll say it again, Al Montoya is overrated. But the Rangers have a thing for drafting overrated goalies (see: Blackburn)

[BPBlueSox]

Hey, I'm pretty sure that the US's other goalie, Schneider or something started the game against Belarus and gave up the first three or so goals...

However, I agree that Montoya is overrated.

Hey, how is Sidney Crosby doing?

[robmik]

Hey, how is Sidney Crosby doing?

-He scored a bunch of goals in the first three games.
-He is overrated.
-He cannot be used to kill penalties.
-He is not Canada's best player so far, and not second best either.
-Time will tell, but he is not destined to be as outstanding in the pros as was thought earlier.

Happy New Year ;
Mike

[renuszm]

I heard it was both Schneider and Montoya, I didnt see the game though.

Crosby I believe tied Eric Daze's record for most Powerplay goals in the WJC in just the third game with 5, so that's pretty big. I wouldnt go as for as he's overrated considering he's dominated at every level he's played at, though this time having an NHLer like Patrice Bergeron on your line helps.

[Blue56]

Bergeron leads the scoring title with 10 points :D

[BPBlueSox]

Nice win by the US last night with Kessel having a great game!

Also, Montoya looked pretty good in the net.

[renuszm]

Yeah I watched most of it. Kessel I guess is America's answer to Crosby I guess, plus it should have been 9-2 as Kessel's other goal was in....
Americans have a pretty good shot against the Russians seeing as how they already beat them in the tournament, but there's always Ovechkin and Malkin.

Go Canada against the Czechs!

[Blue56]

Kessel was amazing!!

[BPBlueSox]

Yeah, that definitely was a goal for Kessel. The worst part was the arrogant Russian ref not even bothering looking at a replay. The commentators were saying how it's good for a ref to be decisive in his calls, but it's another thing to be wrong.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to the game against Russia since I didn't get to see the first one. I'm looking forward to seeing the Penguins' Malkin play. Hopefully I'll get to see him in a Penguin uni some day. :(

I really hope we win and play yall in the final...would be a great rematch. :)

[renuszm]

Looks like its going to be Canada-Russia. I'm amazed how Russia hammered US last night.

I hate that the game is on Tuesday, first, I might be working then, and secondly even if I am home I'll be switching back and forth between that and the Orange Bowl.

[BPBlueSox]

There should have been 2 penalty shots for the US when Russia deliberatly knocked the net off its moorings. Oh well. The better team won.

Malkin looked real good. :)

Of course now I'm going to have to find somehwere to watch the Canada - Russia game since it ain't on TV here.

[Blue56]

Russia-Canada--> Great matchup

[Blue56]

tomorrow at 7:30, i'll watch it for sure

Gold: Russia-Canada
Bronze: USA-Czech Republic

My prediction:

Gold: Canada
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Czech Republic

[MudSnakes]

I'm happy to see we got the classic Canada-Russia matchup for the finals. Makes me nervous though. Canada has made the last four finals and has yet to win. I've got my fingers crossed. This year's team is somehing special.

If Canada wins, we'll be the current Men's, Women's, Olympic and Junior world champions. Who says Canadian hockey is in decline? :D

[MudSnakes]

6-1 Canada. Woo-hoo!

This team just smoked the competotion. It was nice to see some hockey for a couple of weeks. Sort of reminded me that there is something on the sports landscape right now.

[Blue56]

Bergeron named MVP (http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_story.asp?id=110087)

[Blue56]

What a nice match. Canada finally wins gold since 97'.
Usa Lost.
MY PREDICTION was RIGHT!!!!

[robmik]

.... we'll be the current Men's, Women's, Olympic and Junior world champions. Who says Canadian hockey is in decline? :D

Well, it sure is better than that smug International "moral superiority" conveyed by our Liberal government,(and way too many of our population). :wink:

Mike

[Blue56]

Canada was just far too superior this year

[Blue56]

Alexander Ovechkin may require surgery to repair his right shoulder.
Russian WHJC coach Sergei Gersonskiy certainly thinks that is the case, although we don't see any medical degrees hanging on his office wall. Ovechkin sustained a right shoulder injury in the second period of Tuesday's game against Canada after being checked hard along the boards. As soon as we know more about Ovechkin's condition we will pass it along to you.