2011 WJHC - Reality hits

Team USA's Justin Faulk - Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Now that the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships are fully underway with teams playing at least two games in group play, the reality of what this competition is truly about is evident - the future of NHL hockey looks bright. Even during a tournament year that has not been touted as 'star-studded', the performances put forward by the current rosters of players is exceptional. What is also apparent, as it is each year, is the disparity that still exists between the 'haves' and have nots' in IIHF U-20 competition.

Slow beginnings lead to accelerated pace and intensity

Both the 2010 defending champion Team USA and silver medalist Team Canada began the tournament with hard-grinding wins against Finland (3-2) and Russia (6-3) respectively while bronze medalist Team Sweden jumped right out of the gate with a dominating 7-1 win over Norway. However, Team USA punished Team Slovakia with a 6-1 drubbing on the ice and on the scoreboard. Team Canada matched that performance with a similarly-played physical performance against Team Czech Republic with a solid 7-2 win. On the other side, Team Sweden played Team Russia to a conservative, but physical 2-0 win to keep pace in the win column.

Hit parade is showcased

For WJHC veteran fans and followers, it comes as no surprise that perennial medalists Team Canada and Team Sweden are playing well while Team USA and Team Finland are matching their performances. The placement of these teams at opposite ends of the brackets in group play will bode well for an exciting medal round of play. What has become evident over the past few days is that the intensity level of play has increased and resulted in the true colors emerging from each participating nations' players; along with some cuts, blood and bruises. Many teams are playing with modified lineups as a result of injuries and suspensions to players for imparting hard impacts on their opponents - most notably Team Canada's Zack Kassian and Team Slovakia's Martin Marincin.

 
Borderline hits

Aside from the debates that have ensued regarding Kassian's hit on Petr Senkerik (Czech Republic) and whether it was clean or not, to Marancin's take-out of Jason Zucker (Team USA) from behind, the IIHF has been steadfast in maintaining a record of assessing heavy penalties on the ice and subsequent suspensions. As the medal round approaches, all coaching staffs will need to balance how their players' intensity levels stay in line following their quest to win the gold medal while ensuring that they all make it in one piece.

"Enough already"

Aside from the action on the ice, the other big news comes from fans and players' apparent dislike of the host city, Buffalo, NY. For whatever reason, much has been said about this to the point that the IIHF's Director of Communications, Szymon Szemberg, let it be known on the IIHF blog on Thursday: "Enough already". A great read for everyone involved: fans, players, coaches, administrators, and the media.

Big props to Buffalo on its presence as a true hockey city as per Szymon.


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