World Junior Thread II

[keonsbitterness]

Canada has no right to brag about hockey anymore. This is the fourth time they’ve lost to the US in the GMG since 2000. Canada hasn’t beaten them in a long time.

Overall we do. We've won 5 more golds than anyone else.

 

[Gabriel426]

JMO, but I'm not sure we do in international play. The difference, IMO, is that the USA plays with that mentality even when they're not nearly as talented.

There is a confidence that borders on arrogance, associated with representing USA in international competition... An admirable spirit about being the best in the world. Not because of the craft, but because you're American and it's your birth right... Of course that spirit isn't always enough, but in evenly contested matchups it can be the difference!

Well said.
It is in American DNA that they are the best. Now that could also lead to arrogance and ignorance but at the same time, it is a great mentality to have esp in sports.
The other thing that I like is that even if they don’t win the gold, most of the time they are not being treated as a failure, unlike some Countries where it is Gold or shame.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Imagine every single one of your forwards being a first round pick and getting shut out in a gold medal game... Hopefully that doesn't happen.

 

[Nineteen67]

Overall we do. We've won 5 more golds than anyone else.

5 in a row early. But head to head the US has won all 4 GMGs

 

[Future]

Ya that might be it for us. Oh well. Good for the Americans.

But I am so tired of us choking in the big games.

 

[keonsbitterness]

5 in a row early. But head to head the US has won all 4 GMGs

That argument only works if Canada and the US were the only two countries in this tournament.

 

[Nineteen67]

Hope for the shutout now

 

[Fogelhund]

Canadian and American prospects looking great. Really wish Leafs prioritized selecting Canadians in the draft given how many of those kids grew up Leafs fans, but I guess we like the Euros.

Unfortunate to see a guy like Amirov be unable to produce anything once the competition got the most challenging.

And just like that, the Canadian kids couldn’t produce anything when it counted too. When the competition was the most challenging, Nada Do Canadian kids all suck now? Guess we can’t draft them either right?

 

[Twine Tickler]

Tough break for Canada. They played as well of a tournament as I can remember. USA played a perfect game. Gotta tip the cap

 

[IrishInOntario]

Bahahaha clown show!

Shutout With all that talent.

 

[Nineteen67]

Much better team won.

 

[keonsbitterness]

And just like that, the Canadian kids couldn’t produce anything when it counted too. When the competition was the most challenging, Nada Do Canadian kids all suck now? Guess we can’t draft them either right?

We should only draft Mongolian kids. They won the D pool.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

"Is this the best Canadian team ever"? Well, there's your answer. Better team won.

 

[Nineteen67]

Zegras was right. He knew they were much better and could out skate them.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Niemela named top defenseman of the tournament!

 

[Nineteen67]

Playing in the easy pool was detrimental in the end.

 

[Gabriel426]

5 in a row early. But head to head the US has won all 4 GMGs

As long as McDavid and Mackinnon are healthy, Canada will be on top more often than not.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Niemela named top defenceman

That feels slightly watered down when Stutzle got named top forward in a tournament that had Zegras and Cozens. I know Stutzle was amazing, but that's a bit strange.

 

[Future]

TOPIIIII

 

[Steven1562]

Tough loss. Didn't trail all tournament and that 1st goal it looked like it took the wind out of our sails. Never had a response. We looked shook after the 2nd goal.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Niemela named top defenceman

That feels slightly watered down when Stutzle got named top forward in a tournament that had Zegras and Cozens. I know Stutzle was amazing, but that's a bit strange.

Meh, if Stutzle was on Canada he's right there in points.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Zegras was right. He knew they were much better and could out skate them.

Our kids played super tight early on, while the USA played like they had nothing to lose.

I've seen it too many times recently at the World Juniors, especially against the Americans. I'm about 90% sure our kids our intimidated by theirs and I can't explain why!

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Niemela named top defenseman of the tournament!

Back-to-back years with having the top Dman.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Having back to back top WJC defenseman was very neat!

 

[Menzinger]

They care about international competition on a level that is hard to really explain. I lived down there for a while and was around an elite university sports program. There is a distinct pride in being the best in the world at what they do that seems to permeate all that they do... It's a very "you're 1st or you're last" mentality that you don't seem to see nearly as much in Canada. They seem to hate losing on a level we can't really comprehend.

JMO.

I think Hockey Canada gets to be overconfident way too much. Hockey is a global game now, there's a LOT of harsh competition out there