Inexperience led to team USA's demise

[Tomas W]

In the particular game against Russia it really was inexperience. The Americans was too hot headed and the russians a bit more organized. I did only see 60 % of the game, but that was what I thought. And perhaps Eichel didnt have the game of his life. The US team did look skilled and fast though so, well, it could have been another result if not for some unfortunate penalties which by the way was more on the players not keeping their cool than not knowing the IIHF level of reffing.

 

[Scotty B]

In the particular game against Russia it really was inexperience. The Americans was too hot headed and the russians a bit more organized. I did only se 60 % of the game, but that was what I thought. And perhaps Eichel didnt have the game of his life. The US team did look skilled though so well it could have been another result if not for some unfortunate penalties which bh the way was more on the players not keeping their cool than not knowing the IIHF level of reffing.

Well maybe there was one blatantly bad call. Plus they missed a blatant hook/ high stick , negating a good scoring by Larkin, plus they missedanother blatant interference behind ( if memory serves )the US net. But overall, I thought the officiating ( IIHF or not ) was good.

 

[Sutter Brother]

As a TC fan seems to me that the common denominator to Canadas' lack of success in the last five years was not only the goalie selection process but the way goalies were handled throughout the tourney. Sometimes a team needs a goalie to steal a game as we all know- But this thread is about the US team.
-- and it was obvious that Demko did not exhibit the play of an elite keeper as I expected he would; as I have followed the team right from the start and watched all their games. Early in the prelims some signs of Eichel/Tuch/Schwartz chemistry was there but it seemed like Tuch and Eichel barely played together vs. RUS. And while CAN was tuning up against FIN, the USA was tuning up against a college team which is arguably a step down in competition.
Its a little thing but maybe those warmups games are more important to team building considering that game experience is pretty important for kids who are 17, 18 & 19.
Look at the Russians: great goaltending, lots of skill, good coaching sure - BUT if you take the selection process aside and just look and the prelims they played --many of their players were getting Subway Series game experience against CHL all-star teams just weeks before the WJC.

I like how USA brings guys along in the National Development Program; something Canada has been trying to add more of, but the team was fairly young and when the PP isn't going and there is no John Gibson to save the day then the team with the better goalie usually wins.
Observations --
Eichel did show that he is extremely talented and was just trying to do too much plus wasnt't he one of the youngest at the tourney? - not positive about that but I agree that his minutes could have been managed better. Seems to me Osiecki ran out of ideas when it came to getting the pp to click. Larkin in my mind was great, love the kid, nhl speed. I expected more from Fashing too as he was one of the returnees and those guys had to step up and didn't. Milano played well too. I wanted more from Tuch but again - a young player. Matthews got some great experience and will be a horse for team USA next year IMO.
For the D
not having Santini probably hurt the team. Hanifin had to be one of the best skaters on the team; reminds me of TJ Brodey. He can just skate the puck all the way into the Ozone at will it seems sometimes. Werenski looked fine and Butcher I thought was solid - at least some of his point shots were getting through - very good passer, uses his mobility. DeAngelo does have great hands but his shot is not as good as he thinks and as a guy who was expected to add offence -- it just didn't happen. Carlo seemed to rise to the occasion when he had to in the late going , very physical imposing hitter which surprised me. Anyways there is always next year , which begs the question: Who will be Team USA's starting goalie? Nedjelkovic?

 

[Scotty B]

As a TC fan seems to me that the common denominator to Canadas' lack of success in the last five years was not only the goalie selection process but the way goalies were handled throughout the tourney. Sometimes a team needs a goalie to steal a game as we all know- But this thread is about the US team.
-- and it was obvious that Demko did not exhibit the play of an elite keeper as I expected he would; as I have followed the team right from the start and watched all their games. Early in the prelims some signs of Eichel/Tuch/Schwartz chemistry was there but it seemed like Tuch and Eichel barely played together vs. RUS. And while CAN was tuning up against FIN, the USA was tuning up against a college team which is arguably a step down in competition.
Its a little thing but maybe those warmups games are more important to team building considering that game experience is pretty important for kids who are 17, 18 & 19.
Look at the Russians: great goaltending, lots of skill, good coaching sure - BUT if you take the selection process aside and just look and the prelims they played --many of their players were getting Subway Series game experience against CHL all-star teams just weeks before the WJC.

I like how USA brings guys along in the National Development Program; something Canada has been trying to add more of, but the team was fairly young and when the PP isn't going and there is no John Gibson to save the day then the team with the better goalie usually wins.
Observations --
Eichel did show that he is extremely talented and was just trying to do too much plus wasnt't he one of the youngest at the tourney? - not positive about that but I agree that his minutes could have been managed better. Seems to me Osiecki ran out of ideas when it came to getting the pp to click. Larkin in my mind was great, love the kid, nhl speed. I expected more from Fashing too as he was one of the returnees and those guys had to step up and didn't. Milano played well too. I wanted more from Tuch but again - a young player. Matthews got some great experience and will be a horse for team USA next year IMO.
For the D
not having Santini probably hurt the team. Hanifin had to be one of the best skaters on the team; reminds me of TJ Brodey. He can just skate the puck all the way into the Ozone at will it seems sometimes. Werenski looked fine and Butcher I thought was solid - at least some of his point shots were getting through - very good passer, uses his mobility. DeAngelo does have great hands but his shot is not as good as he thinks and as a guy who was expected to add offence -- it just didn't happen. Carlo seemed to rise to the occasion when he had to in the late going , very physical imposing hitter which surprised me. Anyways there is always next year , which begs the question: Who will be Team USA's starting goalie? Nedjelkovic?

Hmmm. From what I saw Demko played well. He let in one weird goal vs Finns, but recovered nicely, was lights out vs Canada, wasn't the problem vs RUS either

 

[Tomas W]

Well maybe there was one blatantly bad call. Plus they missed a blatant hook/ high stick , negating a good scoring by Larkin, plus they missedanother blatant interference behind ( if memory serves )the US net. But overall, I thought the officiating ( IIHF or not ) was good.

Yeah I didn't catch the whole game, so maybe the US did get a bad call against them, stuff like that happens.

 

[AmericanDream]

To hear Dave Starman on NHL Network talk about how the coaching staff can go to milano-eichel-tuch line if they get in a pinch was the most frustrating thing I heard...what the hell does that mean? You put your go to guys together and let them ride...why waste time with flipping wingers just for the sake of balance when those three kids know each other and have dominated for the past few years...absolutely beyond ridiculous that line wasn't formed and maybe it doesnt get us past Russia, but ut clearly shows how out to lunch the coaching staff really was.

 

[Brooklanders*]

We've won this tourney smthg like 15 times. So it would seem that losing is a long way from a forgone conclusion...Still if,IF things don’t go according to Hoyle...I’ll go way, way out on a limb & say goal tending, that and player selection, as per usual. Our braintrust has done a better job of the latter this year. But some will question defensive specialist Gauthier’s inclusion, even though he’s a returnee, and even though he’s done everything expected of him. Outside of the top 2 pairings, probably be some second guessing about the D as well.

Course we could always take a page from some of our American cousins ( to be fair, Swedes in 2009 were way worse ) and blame the refs

Or maybe the players aren't good enough to win.
Maybe they had the wrong coaches and selected the wrong players.
It's unfortunate as Im a huge fan of the sport but most Americans don't give two hoots about hockey.
All we hear about is football, baseball and basketball. Unless the US wins something of importance like the Olympics its an afterthought. Newspapers, sports radio, and TV barely mention hockey. For crying out loud,
Im obsessed with hockey as a fan and its still only my third (close second) favorite sport.

I do find it impressive to see how many Americans get drafted high and the talent being produced. That has really changed over the years. Hockey is growing in the US like never before. Worldwide the sport is really healthy. That's why these and similar tournaments are great.
I still think the USA should be better. Mainly because of the aforementioned but like all sports teams are getting better. US basketball would show how other countries continue to catch up.
Everybody likes to win and takes pride in ones country doing so but its so different then Canada. USA Isn't a one or two sport country. And when i mean one or two i mean major sports. Losing in basketball would be equivalent.
Canada has a lot more to be embarrassed by but shouldn't be.
That to me is more of a compliment to how talented other teams are.
This is wonderful for the sport.
The NHL has thirty teams and the talent pool is thin. The more international exposure the better.
I have not heard any excuses nor should they be any. In fact sometimes losing is better. US doesn't make excuses like Canada does in hockey.
Baseball you bet.
Football? Well no need to.
Basketball? Absolutely.
However we love sports but its not a religion.
When the US is playing and competing at soccer its fun.
We don't expect to win but when we do its almost comical.
Hockey is a lot more admired but don't kid yourself.
The team played poorly and IMO dont have enough high end talent.
I'm not in love with Demko either but
In the end they weren't good enough.
Personally I care about who's drafted into the NHL and scout players first and foremost.
I follow my teams players. Right now
I'm rooting for Sweden only because of Soderstrom. Certainly no inferiority complex. Everyone knows Canada is the best at hockey.

 

[tony d]

Playing vs. Russia hurt them a little as well. Still think the US can compete in future yrs. at the international events.

 

[Sutter Brother]

Hmmm. From what I saw Demko played well. He let in one weird goal vs Finns, but recovered nicely, was lights out vs Canada, wasn't the problem vs RUS either

Not sure how you can make that statement when he was lit up for 4 goals. I agree he was better against Russia but maybe a better performance by him wins USA the game. Yes the game was close but Demko maybe wasn't at his best. Same goes for Canada; goaltending could potentially cost them gold or even a medal. Until Canada trails in a game we don't know how that pressure will play out.

 

[Tripod]

I will say it again.....

When Sweden, USA, Canada, Finland, Russia or Czech, play each other, anything can happen.

There are no big upsets when they lose to each other.

No shame in US losing to Russia.

It's when these teams get upset by someone outside the big 6 that an upset has really occurred.

Every year, 2 of these teams lose in the quarter finals. No need to freak out when losing to another top hockey country.

 

[ATBLeafsTyler]

I will say it again.....

When Sweden, USA, Canada, Finland, Russia or Czech, play each other, anything can happen.

There are no big upsets when they lose to each other.

No shame in US losing to Russia.

It's when these teams get upset by someone outside the big 6 that an upset has really occurred.

Every year, 2 of these teams lose in the quarter finals. No need to freak out when losing to another top hockey country.

I would argue Canada's loss to Finland in the semis last year was a huge upset along with them beating Sweden for the gold. Finland beating Sweden in the quarters this year would have been a big upset IMO.

It would be the same if the Czechs beat any team. Both Finland and the Czechs are not as strong as Russia, Canada, USA and Sweden.

 

[Scotty B]

Not sure how you can make that statement when he was lit up for 4 goals. I agree he was better against Russia but maybe a better performance by him wins USA the game. Yes the game was close but Demko maybe wasn't at his best. Same goes for Canada; goaltending could potentially cost them gold or even a medal. Until Canada trails in a game we don't know how that pressure will play out.

Canada only scored 3 against him ( had like 40 shots ). 2 goals were empty netters, Remember?

 

[Scotty B]

I would argue Canada's loss to Finland in the semis last year was a huge upset along with them beating Sweden for the gold. Finland beating Sweden in the quarters this year would have been a big upset IMO.

It would be the same if the Czechs beat any team. Both Finland and the Czechs are not as strong as Russia, Canada, USA and Sweden.

Loss to Finns was an upset on paper, but they were definitely the better team on the night.

 

[Scotty B]

I will say it again.....

When Sweden, USA, Canada, Finland, Russia or Czech, play each other, anything can happen.

There are no big upsets when they lose to each other.

No shame in US losing to Russia.

It's when these teams get upset by someone outside the big 6 that an upset has really occurred.

Every year, 2 of these teams lose in the quarter finals. No need to freak out when losing to another top hockey country.

The Czechs haven't been a threat for Jr gold since
their back to back wins circa 2001. When was their last medal? Grand Forks 2005? Prior to last year , Finns weren't considered a serious Gold threat either. If memory serves, their previous Gold was Piestany 1987.

For the most part, there's been a Big 4 in junior Can, RUs, USA, Swe

 

[Tripod]

The Czechs haven't been a threat for Jr gold since
their back to back wins circa 2001. When was their last medal? Grand Forks 2005? Prior to last year , Finns weren't considered a serious Gold threat either. If memory serves, their previous Gold was Piestany 1987.

For the most part, there's been a Big 4 in junior Can, RUs, USA, Swe

And yet these big 4 routinely lose to the Finns and the Czech.

 

[ATBLeafsTyler]

Loss to Finns was an upset on paper, but they were definitely the better team on the night.

It was an upset because of how bad Canada actually played when they were capable of so much more I think. A one goal game, okay, but losing 5-1 was not a predicted score by any means.

 

[Scotty B]

And yet these big 4 routinely lose to the Finns and the Czech.

In the history of this tourney Finns have beaten Canada very very rarely, last year being a noteworthy exception. I remember one game vs Manny Legace, where Finns were dominant ( way back in the early 90's ) but Suomi still lost. Czechs beat us 7-3 in that same tourney, after Canada had already clinched gold , and Legace was on the bench ( back-up played poorly ) but Czech victories over Canada have been few and far between too. Think they might have won one time in OT or S/O in the last 10 years.

 

[Analyzer*]

Tyler Motte is small and nothing special, but was chosen for the team ?

Miles Wood is at least putting up good numbers in a lower league while being 6'1.

Chase De Leo is small and putting up ok points. My guess is because he's the go-to-guy. When he isn't that, he's likely useless.

Anthony Louis is small, really small and not even putting up good points.

JT Compher is on the smaller side and isn't putting up the best numbers.

Will Butcher is suppose to be an undersized defenseman dman ?

States took a lot of players that didn't make any sense. Had it been on European ice, some of these would have made better sense.

 

[Tutu to]

you lost because conor mcdavid does not play for team usa.

 

[Rob]

Surprised to read some negative comments about Demko. He was stellar against Canada and can't be faulted in the game against Russia.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

Tyler Motte is small and nothing special, but was chosen for the team ?

Miles Wood is at least putting up good numbers in a lower league while being 6'1.

Chase De Leo is small and putting up ok points. My guess is because he's the go-to-guy. When he isn't that, he's likely useless.

Anthony Louis is small, really small and not even putting up good points.

JT Compher is on the smaller side and isn't putting up the best numbers.

Will Butcher is suppose to be an undersized defenseman dman ?

States took a lot of players that didn't make any sense. Had it been on European ice, some of these would have made better sense.

Lets keep going ....

F's :

Austin Matthews- supposed to be better than Eichel ... did nothing all tournament

Anthony Deanglo- leading the almighty OHL in D scoring ... 3-4oints total in tournament against Germany, A TERRIBLE Finland team and Slovakia ... Real Impressive !!!Lets not forget the 2 great stick penalties vs Russia

Ian Mccoshen- Did he even dress

Ryan Collins- don't know where to start or end

Tyler Motte- had every opportunity playing with Eichel , 0 results

Do we need to keep going ?

 

[hototogisu]

Tyler Motte is small and nothing special, but was chosen for the team ?

Miles Wood is at least putting up good numbers in a lower league while being 6'1.

Chase De Leo is small and putting up ok points. My guess is because he's the go-to-guy. When he isn't that, he's likely useless.

Anthony Louis is small, really small and not even putting up good points.

JT Compher is on the smaller side and isn't putting up the best numbers.

Will Butcher is suppose to be an undersized defenseman dman ?

States took a lot of players that didn't make any sense. Had it been on European ice, some of these would have made better sense.

Agreed with most of those names, except I thought Butcher had a good tourney. But overall yeah, USA had a lot of strange choices playing in prominent roles (e.g. why was Motte glued to Eichel the whole time?) and it sunk them. I was actually more intimidated by their camp invite list than their final roster.

Eichel, IMO, didn't have a great tournament, but I also agree with posters here that USA seemed to be expecting too much out of him. They should have insulated him better. He played every game like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Same thing with Hanifin, he had a decent tournament but nothing spectacular IMO. Matthews showed some nice flashes but clearly was not ready to be a 2C at a tournament like this. And so on. USA leaned too hard on young and inexperienced players and it burned them.

 

[ottawah]

http://alongtheboards.com/2015/01/inexperience-usa-demise-world-juniors/

Basically my opinion on why the US left the tournament early again this year. Definitely thought more of this team but at the same time, I'm not too surprised.

Opinions?

I also put it down to speed. You could see it against Canada and Russia. Lack of speed = penalties at every level, and spending near 1/3 of the russian game in the box was not a recipe for success. I'm used to the American team being better skaters than this years version.

I also agree with the underagers. That has hampered Canada in the past IMHO.

 

[NeverForget06]

Young team that came up against one of the best teams in the tournament early in the elimination round. Same thing could have happened to Canada if the Americans had beaten them in the last round robin game. This American team has me worried for next year they are so young.

For someone who knows better than I, of their players eligible for next year, who will they lose besides Eichel? I would think Hanifin would stay in college right?

 

[SanDogBrewin]

In 2013 US had a stacked team and looked dominant. This year they didn't and had to rely too much on underagers. With a bit of luck the US could have still gone a bit further in this tournament but you could only do so much with this lineup. Some other years it's Canada's turn to just not have the guns.

If Phil Housley had coached this years US team, there would have been a better result than QF. If Osiecki had coached the 2013 US team I do not believe US win Gold. Coaching was horrific for the US this year especially the Canada and Russia games.

With the talent that Russia, Canada, Finland and Sweden always puts out you have to have a coach that can make in-game adjustments. Osiecki got schooled!!!