U17: 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge — Nov. 2-8

[Garyboy]

Talk about capitalizing on every scoring chance. Certainly no lack of finish on the American squad.

 

[Alberta tough]

Talk about capitalizing on every scoring chance. Certainly no lack of finish on the American squad.

Yup and lack of goaltending by Wells

 

[Erikfromfin]

Canada Black vs Finland is at 1-1 some 13 minutes played.. theres no broadcast that im aware of its played in Sarnia arena

goalscorers Pierre-luc Dubois and Otto Mäkinen

 

[Get North]

The refs called a hit a penalty at the end of the period, these refs are pretty bad in this tournament. Kicking them out of the circle at almost every opportunity.

The Americans have been solid but IMO, Keller, Jones, Krys, and Pastujov. are the ones carrying them. They're a solid team overall that are in sync which was to be expected but I don't really notice anybody else that much.

 

[Garyboy]

Yup and lack of goaltending by Wells

Yeah, goaltending is the big difference thus far. Disappointing period by Day. Numerous bad passes, and weak on the puck. Krys & Fox have really impressed on the American D. Keller plays with such a tremendous amount of confidence, and for good reason. He's doing whatever he wants out there.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Man Day just looks awful.

 

[Garyboy]

Man Day just looks awful.

Krys honestly looks like the better prospect. Great skater, smart decision maker, plays with some jump in his game.

 

[Get North]

5-1, pretty much over now. Red was alright but USA just scored on their chances, if they meet again I'm sure it'll be closer.

Onto the Russia vs White game.

 

[Daneurism]

Damn, these games are frustrating to watch. Very little chemistry on any of the canadian teams

 

[orangeandblack]

Krys honestly looks like the better prospect. Great skater, smart decision maker, plays with some jump in his game.

Gotta love Fox's game too. So poised and great vision.

Imagine if the US had Brown and Chychrun too. They already look big, strong and fast.

 

[Garyboy]

Gotta love Fox's game too. So poised and great vision.

Imagine if the US had Brown and Chychrun too. They already look big, strong and fast.

Yeah, Fox is very impressive. Great confidence with the puck and extremely shifty/heady player. They're the two most impressive North American D I have seen thus far. Haven't seen enough of the European players.

 

[Juxtaposer]

On a more positive note, Nolan Patrick was impressive.

 

[CRRhockey]

Sean Day is a pretty solid defenceman, he can skate into the offensive zone with ease and put so much pressure making it look so easy. He's actually really solid defensively than what I heard of him, I kind of assumed he was an offensive defenceman but nobody beats him. If they go along the boards he'll line them up for a hit, if they try to get inside he just pokes the puck and stays in position. Really mature defenceman, only concern I have with him is that he doesn't go get the back when the opponents dump the puck in, he kind of lets the goalie pick it up while getting in the way of the offensive player. Usually I see opposition attack Day's partner on defence on the rush.

McLeod was good, he's a fast guy who is the first one to the puck most of the time, he makes smart plays, he isn't the most flashiest player but he can make some nice passes, skate well and shoot the puck. All-around solid player, he doesn't get time with the top players on Team Red though and no PP time I believe.

Watched Canada Red vs. the US today. I was curious to see Day. He was pretty invisible at the game both defensively and offensively. it was one game but he looked really lazy on the ice. I was really expecting an impact player , he did not show up today. I could honestly say that almost all the ds on the US squad made more impact. That squad works hard every shift.

 

[Rekus]

Yeah, Fox is very impressive. Great confidence with the puck and extremely shifty/heady player. They're the two most impressive North American D I have seen thus far. Haven't seen enough of the European players.

The canadians are making Fox look like a stud. No one is challenging him, they just let skate up the ice untouched. The kid is horrible in his own end. Not sure what game you are watching. Often times turns over the puck in his end and rarely abttles for a puck.

 

[Rekus]

Krys honestly looks like the better prospect. Great skater, smart decision maker, plays with some jump in his game.

Krys looks smooth. Hangs on to the puck too long instead of moving it up the ice quickly, he does not transition quickly as a result. Also, leaves his d partners in weird positions as he is skating unpredictably around in his zone.

 

[Rekus]

Day and Brown - no impact today. Canada Red looked awful in the first period and USA came to play and scored 4 unanswered goals.

Keller is fun to watch. Talented but pretty small. USA does not have any glaring weknesses, but they have had it kind off easy till now. Tournament will get tougher with every game played.

 

[Get North]

Canadians will be more ready if they see USA again IMO. The score doesn't speak for itself, USA is a good team but Jones, Keller, Krys, Pastujov are really carrying this team. If Canada can contain those players, they'll have a better chance at winning. Day did not look good this game but the potential is there to be the best on the ice. He's physical, great skating ability, pretty solid defensively and offensively but he seems to be going at 30-40% on the ice at times.

Quarter-Finals:

CAN Black vs United States - 3PM EST
Slovakia vs Finland - 3PM EST
Russia vs CAN Red - 7PM EST
Sweden vs CAN White - 7PM EST

The only one I can confidently guess who will win is Finland vs Slovakia. Otherwise, it's a pretty close one. Canada Black has some top-notch players and if they get going they can beat USA but Black will also have to contain USA's top players. Benson, Steel, Poirier vs Jones, Keller and Pastujov.

Russia vs CAN Red can go either way, I think a good bet would be Red but Russia is a talented team with a couple really good players and if CAN Red isn't at 100% then Russia can win the game in the first 10 mins.

Sweden vs White will be a close one, White has talent on it and they've won 2 games straight but Sweden has talented players and looked good in all their games but just haven't won the games.

These aren't easy to predict.

 

[Tomas W]

Canadians will be more ready if they see USA again IMO. The score doesn't speak for itself, USA is a good team but Jones, Keller, Krys, Pastujov are really carrying this team. If Canada can contain those players, they'll have a better chance at winning. Day did not look good this game but the potential is there to be the best on the ice. He's physical, great skating ability, pretty solid defensively and offensively but he seems to be going at 30-40% on the ice at times.

Quarter-Finals:

CAN Black vs United States - 3PM EST
Slovakia vs Finland - 3PM EST
Russia vs CAN Red - 7PM EST
Sweden vs CAN White - 7PM EST

The only one I can confidently guess who will win is Finland vs Slovakia. Otherwise, it's a pretty close one. Canada Black has some top-notch players and if they get going they can beat USA but Black will also have to contain USA's top players. Benson, Steel, Poirier vs Jones, Keller and Pastujov.

Russia vs CAN Red can go either way, I think a good bet would be Red but Russia is a talented team with a couple really good players and if CAN Red isn't at 100% then Russia can win the game in the first 10 mins.

Sweden vs White will be a close one, White has talent on it and they've won 2 games straight but Sweden has talented players and looked good in all their games but just haven't won the games.

These aren't easy to predict.

Close games shows that this format works well.

 

[kp61c]

Close games shows that this format works well.

yeah, it'd be fair for all if usa was to put up two teams for the tournament at least. i don't see much competition for them here, again.

 

[BaseHockey]

Goalies the big difference, Shots are close.
Russia has played Can Red already and won 5-2.
That will not change.

Finland and USA are just too strong. USA slowed down after 4-0 in the 1st. Thats what Good teams do, not run up score. Would really like to see Finland's A team.
Canadas issue not played together long enough and poor goaltending. White and Black need a spark which have not seen at all.

 

[Daneurism]

yeah, it'd be fair for all if usa was to put up two teams for the tournament at least. i don't see much competition for them here, again.

The only way that would work is if the US split up their NTDP squad, which they wouldn't do.

It's not necessarily just about the talent, it's the combination of talent and chemistry that make the American team so lethal. On paper, there isn't much of a difference between the Americans, and say, Canada red.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The only way that would work is if the US split up their NTDP squad, which they wouldn't do.

It's not necessarily just about the talent, it's the combination of talent and chemistry that make the American team so lethal. On paper, there isn't much of a difference between the Americans, and say, Canada red.

While chemistry is a factor, I think USA Hockey could easily put together a "B" team of junior/high school talent that would be very competitive. At the end of the day though, these types of events showcases the USNTDP (as designed).

 

[Daneurism]

While chemistry is a factor, I think USA Hockey could easily put together a "B" team of junior/high school talent that would be very competitive. At the end of the day though, these types of events showcases the USNTDP (as designed).

Yeah, I agree. I'm not disagreeing that there could be a second good american team. I'm just illustrating how that doesn't solve the issue of the USNTDP squad being more dominant than every other team. USA hockey would never break up that team up, even if they were given two team slots.

 

[thething]

The only way that would work is if the US split up their NTDP squad, which they wouldn't do.

It's not necessarily just about the talent, it's the combination of talent and chemistry that make the American team so lethal. On paper, there isn't much of a difference between the Americans, and say, Canada red.

This is true and has been seen in many other sports. Looking at the last two world cup winners majority of their starting 11 came from the same teams. (Barcelona and Real Madrid for Spain and Bayern Munich for Germany) Those teams were able to dismantle teams of relatively similar talent and strengths because their players had much greater chemistry amongst their players.

 

[VOB]

The old adage of a cohesive team will always beat a group of individual all-stars rings true in tournaments such as these, where many of the "teams" are quickly thrown together will little preparation or practice time. Now imagine throwing in trans Atlantic flight and different time zones into the mix and its easy to understand why some of the European clubs may have difficulties.
Playoffs should be more competitive now that the 3 Canadian squads have had a little time to gel and the Euros have adjusted to the different time.