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

[Ace]

Was rooting for Finland just because they were kind of hand waved before the tournament started.

Now…I’m an American and we have two players on the US team…so I will root for USA. But…I mean…a part of me wants a Finland vs Czechia gold medal game pretty badly lol

Helenius top 3 for Finland which was obvious.

 

[Ace]

Helenius was so good he just got another assist after the game was over.

They added a secondary helper on a goal. Gives him a four assist day to put Finland in the gold medal game

 

[Ace]

Btw…I’m pretty sure Helenius’s four points today would have led Canada in scoring this entire WJC.

 

[Chainshot]

Btw…I’m pretty sure Helenius’s four points today would have led Canada in scoring this entire WJC.

Yep. Yagger had three helpers to lead all Canadians. Nadeau was the only player with more than 1 goal (and he only had 2).

 

[Chainshot]

Thought Kleber and Ziemer both had good footsoldier moments for the US tonight in the win over the Czechs.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

USA can avenge their only loss.

Much like the Czechs, Finland will want a low-event, tight game and I don't think they'll be able to suppress the superior American offensive firepower either.

 

[Chainshot]

USA can avenge their only loss.

Much like the Czechs, Finland will want a low-event, tight game and I don't think they'll be able to suppress the superior American offensive firepower either.

Rempinen though has been outstanding and already shut down enough of said firepower to get a round robin win.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Rempinen though has been outstanding and already shut down enough of said firepower to get a round robin win.

He has and he did. I doubt he can do it twice against the same powerhouse offense.

Play Freebird!!!

 

[MagnumForce2]

He has and he did. I doubt he can do it twice against the same powerhouse offense.

Play Freebird!!!

Heard by every bar band for the most part everytime you play out. Play one Skynyrd song and you hear it the rest of the night.

 

[old kummelweck]

USA can't get a puck past this Finn goalie.

 

[Ace]

GOLDEN GOAL WATCH ALERT

 

[ForsbergMoDo21]

Did they just say that OT is 3 on 3? How long has that been a thing?

 

[MagnumForce2]

Capital’s prospect Defenseman Cole Hutson has a goal and assist

 

[Puppa2Miller]

Back-to-back Gold for USA!

 

[Ace]

I believe Ziemer for a secondary assist on the golden goal but I’m not rewinding to find out

 

[Chainshot]

Ziemer getting an assist on the golden goal.

I thought Kleber got better as the tournament went along. Things didn't happen around him and that's what I like in a defensive defenseman.

 

[Chainshot]

I believe Ziemer for a secondary assist on the golden goal but I’m not rewinding to find out

He chipped to Zeev who then made the stretch to Stiga.

 

[Ace]

He chipped to Zeev who then made the stretch to Stiga.

I knew he was on the ice but I couldn’t remember what happened before the pass lol

 

[Ace]

USA Gold

No medal for Canada

That…is a perfect tournament in my eyes.

 

[Chainshot]

USA Gold

No medal for Canada

That…is a perfect tournament in my eyes.

Some sour folks there - the booing thing is certainly a new wrinkle to Canadian fandom.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Back to back golds for USA! Can’t say I agree with some of the choices for the individual awards, though.

 

[paulmm3]

That was awesome. Most fun I have had watching hockey in a long time.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

If someone could do a post of Sabre prospects and how they looked in the tournament that would be great. But sounds like just about every one played at least good ?

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

If someone could do a post of Sabre prospects and how they looked in the tournament that would be great. But sound sounds like just about every oneplayed at least good ?

I'll volunteer that Wahlberg and Ziemer were the most impressive.

 

[Chainshot]

I'll volunteer that Wahlberg and Ziemer were the most impressive.

Helenius with a four point game in the quarter finals stood out to me as the most impressive.

Ziemer’s line typically buzzed and he had some impressive jam plays around the net. Getting in on the golden goal was also pretty cool.

Wahlberg had some quality games. The bronze medal game saw him with two of the best Swedish rushes in the third, though he never got an opportunity in the marathon shootout.

Strbak was used beyond his abilities once again, pulling down 24ish minutes every game and the toll of it started to show as the tournament went on.

Kleber settled in as little Hutson’s partner and for the most part was the safety valve there. No conplaints.

Panocha played.