World Junior Thread II

[Nineteen67]

Yup, may not have been on the best team, but he was the best defenceman for the duration of the tournament.

He did a lot of good things, nothing flashy, just steady. But the soft play on that that zone entry and overall play on the game winning goal last night sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

[Maplebeasts]

He did a lot of good things, nothing flashy, just steady. But the soft play on that that zone entry and overall play on the game winning goal last night sticks out like a sore thumb.

Don't really see what he did wrong on the last goal. He was covering net front. The forward in the high slot was not his assignment. It's never a good idea to have NOBODY near the crease to clear any rebounds or box out the forwards.

 

[X66]

Hopefully this translates at the pro level!

For those interested here are the last winners

Sandin
Romanov
Dahlin
Chabot
Werenski
Gavrikov
Ristolanien
Trouba

now that’s good company

 

[Fogelhund]

Is Byfield playing?

I think he only played in the Swiss game. Otherwise no. He was a major disappointment in this competition.

Six points against the Swiss, one against Germany and nothing else in the whole tournament. No points in five games.

 

[Leaf Fans]

He did a lot of good things, nothing flashy, just steady. But the soft play on that that zone entry and overall play on the game winning goal last night sticks out like a sore thumb.

Yes, he wasn't perfect. Heinola left his guy and Neimela didn't get there in time. On another play he didn't close down one of the Russian players. He was the best defenceman over the duration of the tournament though.

 

[Stephen]

Just once in the matchup vs the USA I want to see Canada play like the more, desperate, hungry, lesser talented team, that need to be assignment perfect and win the compete level in order to pull it off... This century it always seems to be the same thing. The Americans want it more, and they do just enough to overcome the overall talent gap.

Might have to do with the development program and the fact that those kids all grow up together, love each other and want to go to war for each other.

Our kids have a professional philosophy and often end up going on to be great pros. Their kids have a refreshing, cocky, confident, arrogance to them that really creates an energy and swagger that carries them in these competitions. For the record, I think the Finns have bit of that too and it's been a huge part of their emergence as well.

I've been watching a lot less of the WJC's since Toronto hosted a few years ago. It used to be a random little tournament you'd watch over the holidays but has turned into much a massive TSN hype show over the years.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I've been watching a lot less of the WJC's since Toronto hosted a few years ago. It used to be a random little tournament you'd watch over the holidays but has turned into much a massive TSN hype show over the years.

For me, I watch every year! It is a fun tournament to watch in my opinion.

 

[Fogelhund]

Amirov > Schneider

I watched the game with my boys tonight (16 and 18). The 18 year old said Schneider has all the puck handling skills of Polak.

 

[Gabriel426]

This is why some of us cringe when they win a game 16-0 at the start. You develop bad habits but more importantly waste a game.

The other thing is the comments after those easy games from Button, Bobby Mac...can and only be positive bc it is pretty hard to have any negative thing to say if Team Canada is winning easy. When these kids read these comments, slowly they will believe in them and think they are even better than those comments. Thus when they run into adversity, they will often panic.

 

[Voodoo Child]

Hopefully this translates at the pro level!

Correlation doesn't necessarily equal causation but look at the list of winners of WJC Top Defenseman:

Sandin, Romanov, Dahlin, Chabot, Werenski, Gavrikov, Risto, Trouba, Gormley (eww...), Ellis, Pietrangelo, Karlsson, Doughty and so on.

Niemela looked great, and he did so being physically less mature than most of those guys save maybe Ellis and Karlsson. I don't think hell be a sureshot first ballot guy like Karlsson or Doughty but get excited.

 

[Fogelhund]

For those interested here are the last winners

Sandin
Romanov
Dahlin
Chabot
Werenski
Gavrikov
Ristolanien
Trouba

now that’s good company

That’s great company and well deserved. Hopefully we found one of those later round D steals that blossoms for us. Congrats to Niemala.

 

[Nineteen67]

Don't really see what he did wrong on the last goal. He was covering net front. The forward in the high slot was not his assignment. It's never a good idea to have NOBODY near the crease to clear any rebounds or box out the forwards.

He could have been more aggressive on the zone entry. Once the US got in the Finns were all watching and got out of position. He wasn’t alone, they all made mistakes. It may have cost them a gold medal.

 

[Gabriel426]

I watched the game with my boys tonight (16 and 18). The 18 year old said Schneider has all the puck handling skills of Polak.

That’s unfair to Polak. Lol.

 

[Future]

Don't really see what he did wrong on the last goal. He was covering net front. The forward in the high slot was not his assignment. It's never a good idea to have NOBODY near the crease to clear any rebounds or box out the forwards.

I agree. There was a forward right by the open man but he was puck watching. Seemed to me it was the forward’s responsibility but Niemela tried the best he could to snuff that out. Credit to him to recognize the situation even before the pass was sent, just didn’t get there in time.

 

[Gabriel426]

He could have been more aggressive on the zone entry. Once the US got in the Finns were all watching and got out of position. He wasn’t alone, they all made mistakes. It may have cost the a gold medal.

To be fair, I don’t think Finland can beat Canada.
I see your point about Topi but he was the best Dman in the tournament. Byrum, Dreysdale made mistakes in the tournament too.

 

[Nineteen67]

Yes, he wasn't perfect. Heinola left his guy and Neimela didn't get there in time. On another play he didn't close down one of the Russian players. He was the best defenceman over the duration of the tournament though.

I’m glad he’s a Leafs asset. Maybe in a couple of three yrs he’ll be playing here.

I though Bowen Byram was a standout player. Sanderson really came on in the playoff games.

Lots of good players in this tourney that are not far off from the NHL

 

[stickty111]

Had a feeling US would win this one, all though didn't expect Canada to be shut out.
Maybe we don't need players from Canada?

 

[Nineteen67]

To be fair, I don’t think Finland can beat Canada.
I see your point about Topi but he was the best Dman in the tournament. Byrum, Dreysdale made mistakes in the tournament too.

I doubt they would have either.

 

[Nineteen67]

The other thing is the comments after those easy games from Button, Bobby Mac...can and only be positive bc it is pretty hard to have any negative thing to say if Team Canada is winning easy. When these kids read these comments, slowly they will believe in them and think they are even better than those comments. Thus when they run into adversity, they will often panic.

Even fans, like Grapes, have to tone down their comments because of feelings.

I hope they make it known that Canada hasn’t beaten the US in a Junior Gold medal game this century. Canadians need to know that little stat.

 

[Gabriel426]

Even fans, like Grapes, have to tone down their comments because of feelings.

I hope they make it known that Canada hasn’t beaten the US in a Junior Gold medal game this century. Canadians need to know that little stat.

Time will be come. Not too worry about that as long as Canada is winning Gold.

 

[Morgs]

For those interested here are the last winners

Sandin
Romanov
Dahlin
Chabot
Werenski
Gavrikov
Ristolanien
Trouba

now that’s good company

All except for well... the only Finnish player on that list. We might be in trouble.

 

[Nineteen67]

Time will be come. Not too worry about that as long as Canada is winning Gold.

That’s the game they get up for more than any. Canada needs to follow suit.

 

[Nineteen67]

Bring on the NHL.

I’m not as excited about the start as I hoped I’d be, but this schedule and divisions stuff isn’t very interesting to me.

 

[TakeTheBody]

USA!!!!!!!!!

 

[93LEAFS]

All except for well... the only Finnish player on that list. We might be in trouble.

Gormley is also just cut from the list (granted add the two prior its Ellis and Pietrangelo). Either way, a huge accomplishment for an 18-year-old 3rd round pick in his first WJC.