Player Discussion 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships: Helenius, Wahlberg, Kleber, Ziemer, Strbak, Panocha - Ottawa - December 26 - January 5, 2025

[Chainshot]

I thought Helenius looked OK on the PP, but pretty invisible at ES. His ice time seemed to not be what I would have expected for a post-draft player that has pro experience. Not sure why that was, but I was questioning whether it was the coaching.

That said, Canada really owned them at ES.

Ended with 19:47 in TOI for the game, leading all Finn forwards.

 

[old kummelweck]

Ended with 19:47 in TOI for the game, leading all Finn forwards.

He certainly didn't stand out.

 

[Chainshot]

He certainly didn't stand out.

Yeah, just thought he was kind of there. Granted, a lot of players in games against Canada look that way.

 

[Chainshot]

I see Wahlberg has two assists in the first period, Sweden up 4-0 on the Kazaks in the first.

 

[Chainshot]

Helenius' assist from earlier -

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Wahlberg with a 3-point - 1G 2A - 1st period.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Too many of these WJC games are just target practice/tune-up for the top hockey nations. I can't remember a time when that wasn't the case.

Not having Russia involved (nope, not getting into that) just exacerbates the problem.

 

[Gras]

Too many of these WJC games are just target practice/tune-up for the top hockey nations. I can't remember a time when that wasn't the case.

Not having Russia involved (nope, not getting into that) just exacerbates the problem.

IIHF should reinstate their national teams.

 

[Chainshot]

Wahlberg with a 3-point - 1G 2A - 1st period.

I'll be toggling over to that one now that Finland is up 3-1.

 

[Chainshot]

Anton's goal -

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Where do you guys figure a newly promoted team like KAZ lines up in terms of talent? My guess would be a bottom-10 major junior team, across all CHL 3 leagues. I suspect that's a generous assessment.

 

[Chainshot]

Wahlberg again -

 

[Chainshot]

Wahlberg looks like he could use some Retin-A.

 

[Zman5778]

Where do you guys figure a newly promoted team like KAZ lines up in terms of talent? My guess would be a bottom-10 major junior team, across all CHL 3 leagues. I suspect that's a generous assessment.

They've got ONE CHLer. I can't imagine they'd do well in any of the CHL leagues. Maybe the BCHL.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Latvia hanging with Canada so far. 0-0 at the end of the 1st. They're big, not physically intimidated at all, can skate, and play disciplined hockey. Good to see.

Doesn't get any easier for them. USA tomorrow, coming off a rest day.

 

[Chainshot]

Latvia hanging with Canada so far. 0-0 at the end of the 1st. They're big, not physically intimidated at all, can skate, and play disciplined hockey. Good to see.

Doesn't get any easier for them. USA tomorrow, coming off a rest day.

And just like that... 1-0 Canada.

 

[Djp]

Canada getting a scare 1-1, now 2-1

PP 2-2

It goes to OT

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Canada getting a scare 1-1, now 2-1

PP 2-2

It goes to OT

Latvia putting a scare into Canada, now where have I heard that one before...

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

Latvia wins it!!!!

 

[Djp]

Latvia wins 1-0 in 8 rounds

 

[Ace]

What a monstrous upset and a great night for Latvian hockey.

That’s a tell your grandkids night for every one of those kids.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I hope the Latvians leave flowers at the Canadian embassy again.

 

[paulmm3]

Hope Schaefer is okay

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

I'm stunned. Biggest WJC upset I can remember. And on Canadian soil ice.

Latvia-USA tomorrow.

I love this tourney.

 

[Djp]

I went over to game after Sabres game expecting a 7-2 score