U18: Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup 2016

[New User Name]

This really sucks that Canada is out. They lost 1 game and they are gone. I guess the streak needed to end sometime. Maybe this is a wake up call Canada can't just cruise through this tournament, it still takes hard work to win. I just hope USA doesn't win.

I hope the US does win with their B team.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Wow the Americans are turning it on, 4-2 now.

Imagine if they sent their best

How many A-team guys are missing?
I don't know much about US Hockey but i'm interested in how Donatelli does in this tourney from a coaching perspective.

I do notice that outside of their top line the skill level of their F's isn't all that great.

 

[William H Bonney]

How many A-team guys are missing?
I don't know much about US Hockey but i'm interested in how Donatelli does in this tourney.

Probably about two-thirds of a hypothetical "A" team isn't here.

It's interesting that this Team USA is doing well so far if only because the Team USA '99s had a really unsuccessful international tournament run last season. Hopefully the Hlinka team can deliver in the medal round.

 

[New User Name]

How come every time Canada loses against Russia there are those canadian posters with the "but we dominated" mantra?

Well, to be fair we did outplay Russia but just not on the scoreboard

Canada has been outplayed at times in international games and won and I've seen many Canadians admit it.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Probably about two-thirds of a hypothetical "A" team isn't here.

It's interesting that this Team USA is doing well so far if only because the Team USA '99s had a really unsuccessful international tournament run last season. Hopefully the Hlinka team can deliver in the medal round.

Interesting, thanks.

 

[New User Name]

The interesting thing is this Canadian team is better than some of the previous Canadian teams that have won the Hlinka.

For whatever reason they just couldn't put it together. So I'm not worried about this age group.

I am worried for this years Canadian under 20 team though. I'd say the US is favoured for that.

 

[New User Name]

The Czechs are getting opportunity to get back in this game.

Damn that USA on the Americans sweaters is huge.

 

[New User Name]

Are the semis US-Russia and Sweden-Czechs?

 

[VictorLustig]

The interesting thing is this Canadian team is better than some of the previous Canadian teams that have won the Hlinka.

For whatever reason they just couldn't put it together. So I'm not worried about this age group.

I am worried for this years Canadian under 20 team though. I'd say the US is favoured for that.

Been following this tournament for a few years now and I really don't see the high end talent like in previous years. Good players but not many elite ones.

 

[kp61c]

Well, to be fair we did outplay Russia but just not on the scoreboard

Canada has been outplayed at times in international games and won and I've seen many Canadians admit it.

wat? we saw different games then, canada didn't outplay no one out there. in fact i was surprised to see how weak that team was.

 

[The Exiled One]

Was this Ryan Poehing's coming out party? Will any reputable sources start floating his name as having first round potential?

 

[UsernameWasTaken]

The interesting thing is this Canadian team is better than some of the previous Canadian teams that have won the Hlinka.

For whatever reason they just couldn't put it together. So I'm not worried about this age group.

I am worried for this years Canadian under 20 team though. I'd say the US is favoured for that.

I think the roster was probably average to below-average. Of course, it's not just your team, it's also the teams you're up against.

But in any event, the group stage is short, only 3 games - so there is always unpredictability. This age group was able to win a few months ago at U17.

As far as U20 goes, it's too early to worry - we don't know who will be available yet. The roster could range anywhere from extremely strong to relatively weak, moreso than most years.

 

[NTDP]

Was this Ryan Poehing's coming out party? Will any reputable sources start floating his name as having first round potential?

I think he was the first pick last year in the USHL draft but went back to Minn High School for hockey. Then played the last part of the year in the USHL. People have known he is a good player, especially with a few weeks ago committing to play for St. Cloud State a year early. Whoever drafts him will have a good prospect on their hands. But yes he has been dynamite in this tournament.

 

[snipes]

Canada beats Sweden 4-1 today. Sweden still finishes top of the group.

Russia scored a couple late goals against Canada despite being massively outplayed. In a 3 game round robin, every game counts. It sucks for us not to advance, but we've also had our luck over the years.

Any of the Big 6 nations can beat eachother at any time. To me, that's a good thing. Canada will always be favoured and teams will always be gunning for us. Anything less than Gold at any international hockey event is considered a failure for Canada. It hurts our pride and humbles us to lose.

Even in defeat, I hope we remain classy and show respect. Congrats to the teams advancing and may the best team win Gold .

 

[Emerz]

His defensive zone play was outstanding. Proved he's not one dimensional, and the mistakes he made at the U18's in terms of slot coverage and one-on-one play were addressed.

He's an outstanding talent. Pierre-Luc Dubois was inconsistent at the Hlinka and went 3rd overall.

3 games in 3 nights against world's elite. Everybody had issues at one point or another.

What do you mean that Dubois was inconsistent at the Hlinka? He scored 2G+1A in the gold medal game and was had 5P in the tournament, (Benson and Patrick had one more point with 6)

Possible you're thinking of a different tournament?

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Probably about two-thirds of a hypothetical "A" team isn't here.

It's interesting that this Team USA is doing well so far if only because the Team USA '99s had a really unsuccessful international tournament run last season. Hopefully the Hlinka team can deliver in the medal round.

I always consider it a victory when we play for a medal. Thus, victory.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

What do you mean that Dubois was inconsistent at the Hlinka? He scored 2G+1A in the gold medal game and was had 5P in the tournament, (Benson and Patrick had one more point with 6)

Possible you're thinking of a different tournament?

Did you watch last season's Hlinka? More to analyzing a player than just stats. Of the five games, he played like a dominant player on only two, and one was against a crappy Swiss doormat. He wasnt effective vs Swedes and Russians before final. Hence saying he was inconsistent, maybe more than Liljegren this tournament.

 

[Sipak4]

Omg five slovakian forwards in their first two lines played last year in czech leagues. No offence I'm just shocked.

 

[Canuckistani]

I've never understood the need for 7th and 5th place games.

Imagine risking an injury to play for 5th place and if you lose you're 6th. Who the hell cares?

Thankfully the U-20s, WHC and Olympics did away with these pointless games a while back.

 

[NTDP]

I've never understood the need for 7th and 5th place games.

Imagine risking an injury to play for 5th place and if you lose you're 6th. Who the hell cares?

Thankfully the U-20s, WHC and Olympics did away with these pointless games a while back.

I agree with this.

 

[Jakk123]

Omg five slovakian forwards in their first two lines played last year in czech leagues. No offence I'm just shocked.

What is so shocking? Our leagues are total crap.

I've never understood the need for 7th and 5th place games.

Imagine risking an injury to play for 5th place and if you lose you're 6th. Who the hell cares?

Thankfully the U-20s, WHC and Olympics did away with these pointless games a while back.

Well, I guess this is a "pointless" tournament after all, it is just scouts taking a look at young players, so imo the more games are played, the better.

 

[WayneSid9987]

Thru 60min in RUS/USA.
USA with 2 or 3 glorious chances to get the 4th goal but still tied 3-3, going to OT.

 

[WayneSid9987]

USA with more glorious chances in 4on4 OT and finally, Pastujov puts the Russians out of their misery.
USA goes to the Final.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Canada had a good, not great, tournament. The defense was not as deep as last year, although Ian Mitchell is a stud and carried that group. The

This group of 1999's is decent but it lacks a bonafide star. They just didn't "wow" me that much outside of Comtois, Mitchell and Veleno (2000), while guys like Shane Bowers and Mike Rasmussen were the best in the two-way game. Also like Elijah Roberts as well.

This US team surprised me, and the goaltending wasn't even as good as it could have been. The NTDP U18 team is good, but a step down from last year's, which was a step down from 2015. I think this Hlinka group -- the non-CHL'ers like Keane, McManus and Poehling -- are almost locks for the U18 worlds, with Pastujov joining them after this little rehad stint.

Night and day from last year. Last year's US team put me to sleep. The 2016 crew was like watching the Harlem Globetrotters.

 

[VictorLustig]

SWE-CZE 1-1 after two periods.