2013 World Junior Championships
Coverage of the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships from: Ian Dudgeon, Anthony Petrielli and Curt Snoddon
Well, this is kind of like kissing your sister. Unless you lose, in which case it's kind of like going to prom alone and leaving [more…]
Just when you were getting used to a more sane sleeping schedule, the Russian organizers do this to us.
Canada and the United States will [more…]
It may seem odd to praise USA Hockey on a site that is predominately filled with Canadian hockey fans, but as the US lost to a much more skilled Team Canada 2-1 yesterday it seemed clear that the Americans were much more capable of playing as a team and it was their strong systems, positional play, and familiarity that kept the game so close. [more…]
Canada vs Russia for all the opening round marbles. I wouldn't have it any other way. [more…]
After a taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, Malcolm Subban (36 saves) was the story the rest of the way for Team Canada as they edged Team USA 2-1 and moved to 3-0 on the tournament. [more…]
This is where things start getting interesting.
The American team will present an interesting set of challenges for Team Canada. Their checking lines are more [more…]
Welcome back, fellow lunatics!
After giving the Russians a run for their money on Wednesday, the Slovakian Juniors will probably being feeling pretty good about [more…]
At this point in time, it is probably fair to call Morgan Rielly the most hyped Leafs prospect since Wendel Clark. I don't know whether or not that's fair, but with great hype comes great expectations.
To this point, Rielly hasn’t done anything to really quash the excitement that is building for him. He’s scored electric goals, he’s played well for Canada in the past, and now he’s on the World Juniors team.
In essence, Rielly is following the path of many elite defensemen before him. With that in mind, I collected some stats on how players he’s been compared to have performed in this tournament. Hopefully, it will serve as some sort of barometer on what to expect from the young Leafs prospect. [more…]
Good morning, ladies and gents!
Playing the World Juniors in Russia presents an interesting dilemma for hockey die-hards in Canada: wake up early or stay [more…]
The Canadian World Junior team looks to put together a better effort in their final pretournament game against Sweden this morning at 9 a.m. (TSN). The Canadians were out of whack in a 3-2 loss to Finland in exhibition #1 as they adjusted to the bigger ice surface and European refereeing, contributing factors to their nine minor penalties and the two costly five on threes against.
On the other hand, the Finns may surprise if the exhibitions are an indication; they pumped Team USA this morning and finished their primers with two wins over Canada and the US. Top rounds picks Teuvo Teräväinen, Markus Granlund and Olli Maata and projected first rounders in 2013 Aleksander Barkov (top 5), Arturri Lehkonen and Rasmus Ristolainen form a nucleus with high pedigree. On the upside, the big loss by the Americans with John Gibson in net could mean the Leafs' Garret Sparks gets the nod to start the tournament.
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They both claim to want to talk but neither is willing to pick up the phone and call the other. A description that probably captures your first argument with your grade school boyfriend or girlfriend, and also where the NHL and NHLPA currently stand in CBA negotiations. Except with antitrust and labour law mixed in. What fun.
Thankfully we do have the World Juniors starting up tomorrow with Canada's first exhibition game against Finland at 9 a.m. featuring our guy Morgan Rielly. Rielly's never really had much of a chance to play for something in the WHL as the extent of his playoff experience with the Warriors is two quick first round exits; if you're of the belief this is his last season in junior, these World Juniors may be his last chance to play meaningfully competitive hockey at the junior level given Moose Jaw does not claim to be interested in sparing him with a trade to a contender. An exciting time for him, representing his country and shooting for gold, and for all of us enjoying our holiday junior hockey tradition with some highly promising Leaf content on display. [more…]
