January 5th was the final day of the 2011 edition of the World Juniors and man was the conclusion ever a dandy.
In shocking fashion(understatement of the year so far?), Canada blew a 3-0 lead going into the third to lose the gold medal 5-3 to Russia. It's the second time in two years that Canada has reached the gold medal game only to lose. Last year on John Carlson's overtime goal and this year by giving up five goals in the third period. Two years and two heartbreaking results though the second time the Canadians had the gold in their grasp only to let it slip away.
It has become an expectation for the Canadians to not only be in the gold medal game but to win the gold medal. The feeling is the Canadians own the gold medal until you rip it from their hands. And in the past two years that has happened. Even as a USA fan, I'm shocked at the result of the gold medal game this year. This only adds to the intrigue of next years tournament.
On a brighter note, Brayden Schenn tied the Canadian record for most points in the tournament and was named MVP, and played through a hurt (separated) shoulder sustained in the semi-finals (source). LA Kings fan must be excited about that. Now the waiting game starts in the WHL to see whether or not the Wheat Kings trade him or hold on to him.
Even better though for hockey fans is the fact that Canada's silver and USA's bronze puts them back in the same pool next year at the 2010 World Juniors which is being held in Edmonton and Calgary. What this means is that the USA-Canada game on New Years Eve which has become somewhat of a big event. To me the tournament felt weird without it this year. Being in the same pool also means that a rematch of the 2010 gold medal game could happen. The American-Canadian rivalry always seems to add another page to the book each year regardless of when they meet. All signs point to another fantastic tournament next year, just as it is every year.
I am one of those people who loves World Juniors and will choose to watch World Junior games over NHL games. I guess you could say I have the level of enthusiasm of a Canadian, just for the American team. To me USA hockey beats out the Blackhawks and that is saying a lot. I think the games are that fantastic, plus the tournament is once a year. If you haven't watched you should start next year. The tournament is filled with top NHL prospects, who you may not get to normally see, and great games.
Unlike Canada the USA ended World Juniors on a high note by making history. The USA bounced back from their crushing 4-1 loss at the hands of Canada in the semi-final to win the bronze medal with a 4-2 win over Sweden.
It has become an expectation for the Canadians to not only be in the gold medal game but to win the gold medal. The feeling is the Canadians own the gold medal until you rip it from their hands. And in the past two years that has happened. Even as a USA fan, I'm shocked at the result of the gold medal game this year. This only adds to the intrigue of next years tournament.
On a brighter note, Brayden Schenn tied the Canadian record for most points in the tournament and was named MVP, and played through a hurt (separated) shoulder sustained in the semi-finals (source). LA Kings fan must be excited about that. Now the waiting game starts in the WHL to see whether or not the Wheat Kings trade him or hold on to him.
Even better though for hockey fans is the fact that Canada's silver and USA's bronze puts them back in the same pool next year at the 2010 World Juniors which is being held in Edmonton and Calgary. What this means is that the USA-Canada game on New Years Eve which has become somewhat of a big event. To me the tournament felt weird without it this year. Being in the same pool also means that a rematch of the 2010 gold medal game could happen. The American-Canadian rivalry always seems to add another page to the book each year regardless of when they meet. All signs point to another fantastic tournament next year, just as it is every year.
I am one of those people who loves World Juniors and will choose to watch World Junior games over NHL games. I guess you could say I have the level of enthusiasm of a Canadian, just for the American team. To me USA hockey beats out the Blackhawks and that is saying a lot. I think the games are that fantastic, plus the tournament is once a year. If you haven't watched you should start next year. The tournament is filled with top NHL prospects, who you may not get to normally see, and great games.
Unlike Canada the USA ended World Juniors on a high note by making history. The USA bounced back from their crushing 4-1 loss at the hands of Canada in the semi-final to win the bronze medal with a 4-2 win over Sweden.
While this may seem like a disappointment to many to fall from the gold medal game to the bronze, the positives for USA Hockey are plentiful. Also it was the first time ever that the USA has won a medal on home ice. The first time that USA had earned a medal in back to back tournaments, the bronze medal effort was their fifth try. These accomplishment only further highlight the improvements in the USA Hockey program.
The USA won their first ever World Juniors gold in 2004 & repeated that feat in 2010 while the Canadians won the five gold medals in between. Since then USA Hockey has made great strides seen beyond the Olympic and World Junior level. At the U-17 level in the past five times the World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the USA has medalled every single time winning gold in 2010 and silver this year. At the World U-18 Championships, the USA has medalled in every tournament since 2002 winning gold five times, back to back twice in 2005 & 2006 and again in 2009 & 2010. In addition at the Ivan Hlinka tournament (U-18s) the USA earned silver in 2010 after not medalling since 2006.
Of course the silver earning efforts of the Olympic team and last year's gold medal win of the World Juniors were the most publicized accomplishments which are not to be overlooked in their impact.
The bottom line is that despite not playing for the medal they wanted the USA finally earning a medal in back to back tournaments is another great step for USA hockey. The USA didn't even get eligible returner defensemen Cam Fowler (Ducks) since he's doing so well in the NHL. It's not a hope to make it to the medal rounds or the gold medal game, it's an expectation.
USA Hockey is only improving with the success of the National Team Development Program and developing elite hockey players. You can already see it in the number of USA born players being drafted & making an impact. It's truly exciting to think about the progress that USA Hockey is making and the NHL stars coming out of the program.
So if you happen to see some love for some USA Hockey players on this blog, don't be surprised. Donning the red, white and blue trump NHL ties any day, in my eyes.
So if you happen to see some love for some USA Hockey players on this blog, don't be surprised. Donning the red, white and blue trump NHL ties any day, in my eyes.
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