2005 IIHF World U18 -- SWE 2: CAN 1 April 16th, 2005
Here is the link to the IIHF site with the game summary:
http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournamen...t/xml/1000000028/IHM1000000028A07_74_1_0.html
Well another unimpressive showing by Team Canada. In 2 games in this tourny they haven't shown much chemistry. In fairness to Team Canada today, the officials killed the flow of the game so it was tough for anyone to build momentum. I won't go into specifics but the penalty calling was suspect and the offside and icing calls were poor. It was tough for either side to get going and CAN couldn't get their agrressive forecheck and gritty game going since they didn't know what would be a penalty.
Carey Price (G) had an okay game. He only faced 20 shots but he didn't look like the #1 ranked NA goalie. Kim Sunna one timed a nice pass from Petterson as CAN gave up a 2 on 1. Quick shot into the top left hand cornor and Price had zero chance. On the 2nd goal, players from each team were bunched together digging for the puck on the right hand boards in the CAN zone. Nilsson came up with the puck and sent a low shot towards the net. The shot deflected off a CAN D man and then through Price's legs. Pierre Maguire was all over Price as he did not appear ready for any type of shot. It was a deflection but a really weak goal and if Price had been set and square to the play, the puck would have hit his stick.
Guillaume Latendresse had a strong game. He played physically and was always moving. He's big and strong and was a better preformer for CAN but it didn't appear as if he has amazing stickhandling and puck control skills. He did set up the lone CAN goal by making a smart pass across the SWE crease as he picked up a rebound.
Ryan O'Marra had another good game. Scored the CAN goal as he was in great position in front of the net to tap in Latendresse's cross. He goes hard to the net and plays a physical game.
CAN D wasn't great but was steady. Doesn't appear that any of them are stand outs in moving the puck forward to start the play.
The only other noticable players for CAN were Pyatt and Setoguchi.
Pyatt plays a strong forechecking game. Seems to have good hockey sense and skating ability cause when he's on the ice you notice him and he's around the puck, supporting it or digging for it.
Setoguchi has skill but the flow of game was brutal so he really couldn't show case it. Had soem nice touches and shifts.
As for Sweden, Modig (G) stopped 28 shots but was never really tested. Played a steady game, didn't give up any bad rebounds but CAn never really had many quality scoring chances.
Bergfors didn't stand out. he had one nice rush up the neutral zone that showed some speed. Any time he had the puck in CAn zone he would head for the net and try to shoot. Maguire was on him a bit saying he likes to shoot too much instead of passing to a teammate and he stated he wouldn't slect him in the 1st round of the draft. (early 2nd).
Sweden did a good job Defensively against CAN. The matched up well in their own zone and stood CAN up at the blueline. CAN wanted to play a dump and chase style and had the edge in the 1st but Swe survived the early going and really didn't give CAN any great scoring opportunites.
