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Even all the pre-tournament games, too. And another slow start today against Team USA, outshot 13-6 in the first and outplayed most of the way. Our last 3-4 shots were all in the final minute of the period. At least we haven't given up the first goal (yet?).D wrote:I think it's all 3 games they have given up an early goal. Winning the next one is the easiest path to gold .. Go Canada!
Spoke too soon, 1-0 USA on a wrap around.sj-roc wrote:Even all the pre-tournament games, too. And another slow start today against Team USA, outshot 13-6 in the first and outplayed most of the way. Our last 3-4 shots were all in the final minute of the period. At least we haven't given up the first goal (yet?).D wrote:I think it's all 3 games they have given up an early goal. Winning the next one is the easiest path to gold .. Go Canada!
I can't remember the last time I wasn't greatly disappointed at not winning gold at this thing but with our lacklustre play so far this could be one of those years.
We keep coming back but I don't know how many more times we can go to that well. We haven't really played a full 60 minute game yet and things won't get any easier from here.TheLionKing wrote:After a slow start in which Zach Fucale kept them in the game, Canada scores 3 straight enroute to a 3-2 win. They finish 1st in their group and now faces the Swiss in the quarter finals on Thursday.
Mantha is the closest thing to a sniper, but Canada's overall play really hasn't helped capitalize on his ability in the tougher games. He doesn't pass the puck very well, so a defender can pay full attention on him vs worrying about the pass from Mantha.TheLionKing wrote:I agree. There is no superstar nor any real sniper on this team (unless you count Connor McDavid but he's only 16). Scoring is by committee.
An all-North American clash on New Year’s Eve has become something of a mini-tradition within the larger Christmas tradition of the World Juniors.
Of course, it’s not always possible to schedule such a game (i.e., if the teams aren’t in the same group), but the nations have met eight previous times on the final day of the year. Canada holds a decisive advantage, having won five and tied one.
What’s more startling is how the teams have gone on to play in the tournament after the New Year. Canada has won a medal every time except 1981, when it finished 7th. This was in the days before the Program of Excellence, though, when a club team represented Canada at the U20 and the format was strictly round robin. The medal tally includes three gold (1988, 2006, 2009), two silver (1999, 2010), and two bronze (2000, 2012).
The Americans, on the other hand, have won only one medal, a gold in 2010. They have finished 4th twice, and 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th. In short, the trend shows that if Canada wins, it is able to use the victory as a springboard to greater success in the playoff round. The Americans have shown that a loss is demoralizing enough to compromise the rest of the tournament.
Of course, this may or may not mean anything tonight. None of the players in the game today played at the last meeting two years ago, and, in truth, there are very few junior-league rivals or teammates facing each other.
I had a feeling that the US would lose to Russia after their loss to the Canadians. Russia hasn't looked like an elite team, but have many elite players, just enough to be dangerous if they begin to play together. While Sweden has looked a head above the competition, they are on the verge of going to the semi's, they may have a little too much confidence going into the semi final against Russia, look for a good game.sj-roc wrote:Saw this preview for today's game on the official IIHF-WJHC website:
http://www.worldjunior2014.com/en/news/usa-can-preview/
Excerpt:An all-North American clash on New Year’s Eve has become something of a mini-tradition within the larger Christmas tradition of the World Juniors.
Of course, it’s not always possible to schedule such a game (i.e., if the teams aren’t in the same group), but the nations have met eight previous times on the final day of the year. Canada holds a decisive advantage, having won five and tied one.
What’s more startling is how the teams have gone on to play in the tournament after the New Year. Canada has won a medal every time except 1981, when it finished 7th. This was in the days before the Program of Excellence, though, when a club team represented Canada at the U20 and the format was strictly round robin. The medal tally includes three gold (1988, 2006, 2009), two silver (1999, 2010), and two bronze (2000, 2012).
The Americans, on the other hand, have won only one medal, a gold in 2010. They have finished 4th twice, and 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th. In short, the trend shows that if Canada wins, it is able to use the victory as a springboard to greater success in the playoff round. The Americans have shown that a loss is demoralizing enough to compromise the rest of the tournament.
Of course, this may or may not mean anything tonight. None of the players in the game today played at the last meeting two years ago, and, in truth, there are very few junior-league rivals or teammates facing each other.
We've had some slow starts offensively in this tournament but generally we've finished strong. Goal scoring by period so far:TheLionKing wrote:Scoreless after one period