2011 WJHC - Russia stuns Canada for gold, USA wins bronze

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

From the beginning of the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC) and right up until the end, the quality of performance and character of the participants at this tournament was brightly highlighted on Wednesday night as Team Russia fought back and stunned Team Canada with a 5-3 win to steal the gold medal at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. Leading 3-0 after two periods, it seemed as though Team Canada was ready to ascend back up to its lofty perch in WJHC supremacy, but was stunned in the final period by being outscored 5-0 to lose the gold medal game for the second consecutive year. The comeback win by Team Russia, just as much as the collapse of Team Canada, truly illustrated the unpredictable and exciting nature of the WJHC as the world's top young players competed against one another once again and did not provide for boring and expected results.

Team USA finishes on the podium

Team USA ensured that it finished with a medal as it beat Team Sweden 4-2 in the day's earlier preview game building up to the gold medal shocker. Team USA's Chris Kreider, who stated after losing to Team Canada in the semi-final game, that his team "did not play USA Hockey", led his team to the podium with two goals over Sweden. Winning the bronze medal provided USA Hockey with its first consecutive medal finish at the WJHC and fourth medal in 10 years.

Not a bettor's game

With eight returning players, Team USA was considered a favorite to repeat as gold medal winners, and were undefeated through group play. Teams such as Russia, Sweden, and even Finland were not to be overlooked, let alone Switzerland, but the focus was on Team USA and Team Canada, the 'local' favorites to capture this year's championship. However, the WJHC are about endurance and skating until the final seconds tick down on the clock - Team Russia's play during the third period and winning the gold medal game couldn't have exemplified this point more.

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Maybe it was too much enjoyment and celebration too early by Team Canada and its fans as they expected to win - and why not. Holding a 3-0 lead with one period left to play is a secure situation to assume that if you continue competing  the way you did during the first two periods, you will win. However, it was forgotten that Team Russia was a team that had a 2-0 lead in its semi-final match-up with Team Sweden, and it too had lost the lead early in the third period. Russia had to fight back to tie and win the game in a shootout in order to have the opportunity to contend for the gold. They knew how to play a strong third period, and that is what they did once again, this time against Team Canada to win the gold medal.

Future of hockey looks even brighter

When the puck first dropped at this year's WJHC, Team Russia's NHL five competing prospects might not have been getting as much notice and recognition for their performance as those of Team Canada, Team USA, or Team Sweden's roster. After Wednesday night's gold medal finish, Team Russia should find that many of its players will get ample attention leading into the 2011 NHL Draft. Many may consider that Team Russia's unexpected comeback provided a dull polish to this year's tournament, but it has actually provided a shinier finish heading into the 2012 WJHC.

Just as this year's WJHC might have had some strong assumptions for a traditional ending to take place, next year's tournament comes on the heels of three tournament years that have had three different champions (Canada, USA, Russia). Good luck to the prognosticators on attempting to choose a favorite. It will be a lot of fun.

Rest assured, the future of hockey shines bright.

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Raleigh Sports Examiner - Getting ready for a busy 2011

Over 250 articles later and 2010 has ended. Whether it was college or professional sports, the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, or just the sports world in general that had a Raleigh twist to it, the goal was to offer as much of it as possible to the Triangle-area sports fan. As is already apparent and never-ending, many new and exciting stories will take place and keep everyone glued to their Twitter feeds, Facebook pages, and other social media to share with one another to ensure that we don't miss any of the action in 2011.

Best wishes on a great 2011 and look for the Raleigh Sports Examiner to help bring sports events and news to you with the 'local twist".

Raleigh Sports Examiner - 2010 Top Picks 


EDITORIAL FEATURE

• NCAA Violation 2010: Coaches are pros, not your average Joe's

   

COLLEGE SPORTS

• Duke Blue Devils win fourth NCAA Basketball Championship

• NCAA Basketball National champions Duke Blue Devils honored at the White House

• 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship: Duke Blue Devils capture first national title

• 2010 Champs Sports Bowl: NC State claims 23-7 victory over #22 West Virginia

 Golf

• 2010 Ryder Cup: Captains' picks are the most exciting

• Carl Pettersson chases down RBC Canadian Open title

• 2010 Masters: Phil Mickelson captures his third Masters title

• 2010 Masters: Par 3 contest sets stage for golf season to begin

• 2010 Open Championship: Louis Oosthuizen earned his title

• 2010 U.S. Open: Graeme McDowell wins while Phil and Tiger struggle on Father's Day

• 2010 Rex Hospital Open: John Riegger wins after 54 holes of play

• 2010 Players Championship: Tim Clark captures title and first career PGA Tour win

• 2010 Quail Hollow Championship: McIlroy roars past the field to capture first PGA Tour win

• Haas wins, Clark finishes tied for second at Bob Hope Classic

• Championship Sunday: Spain wins World Cup; Creamer captures U.S. Women's Open title

• Home on the range

Winter Olympics

• 2010 Winter Olympics: Success, passion, and legacy

• 2010 Winter Olympics: Shaun White wins gold and vaults Team USA back into medal lead

 Hockey

• 2011 NHL All-Star game coming to Raleigh

• Team USA captures gold medal at World Junior Hockey Championship

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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2011 WJHC - The puck has dropped

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Play is underway at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo, NY as the opening game of the tournament saw Nino Niederreiter led Switzerland to a 4-3 win over Team Germany. Team Canada battled Team Russia to a 6-3 win while Team Sweden handily took care of Team Norway 7-1.

Team USA took on a pesky Team Finland and finished with a 3-2 win in its first game in defending its title on Sunday.

Team USA 3,Team Finland 2

Game Notes: Team USA vs. Team Finland

2011 WJHC - Team USA and Team Canada face off on opposite ends of bracket


Carolina Hurricanes fans - one-stop watching

Carolina Hurricanes fans got a special opportunity to watch all of their team's prospects during the USA/Finland match-up. All four players - Brian Dumoulin (USA), Justin Faulk (USA), Rasmus Rissanen (Finland), Tommi Kivisto (Finland) - are defensemen and provide a look at the future of the the Hurricanes blue line corps. As the Carolina offensive corps has grown in depth, so too will the defensive roster. The WJHC provide the opportunity for these players to compete in a high-profile tournament while trying to win a gold medal for their country and gaining valuable experience to further their development.

2011 WJHC: Carolina Hurricanes prospects battle in Team USA win over Finland

Quality of play

Play so far has not disappointed as games have been fast, hard hitting, and providing fans more than enough excitement to cheer for. As the tournament progresses each team's goaltenders will become the focal of each game as they will make the difference in their respective teams' success. Soft goals will end a team's chances of getting to the medal round very quickly.

NHL prospect watch at the WJHC

Anaheim: 

Sami Vatanen - D, Finland
Igor Bobkov - G, Russia
Kyle Palmieri - F, USA
Emerson Etem - F, USA

Atlanta:

Fredrik Petersson-Wentzel - G, Sweden
Carl Klingberg - F, Sweden

Boston:

NA

Buffalo:

Zack Kassian - F, Canada
Marcus Foligno - F, Canada

Calgary:

Joni Ortio - G, Finland
Tim Erixon - D, Sweden
John Ramage - D, USA

Carolina:

Tommi Kivisto - D, Finland
Rasmus Rissanen - D, Finland
Brian Dumoulin - D, USA
Justin Faulk - D, USA

Chicago:

Dylan Olsen - D, Canada
Mirko Hofflin - F, Germany
Nick Leddy - D, USA
Jeremy Morin - F, USA

Colorado:

Tyson Barrie - D, Canada
Sami Aittokallio - G, Finland

Columbus:

Ryan Johansen - F, Canada
Petr Straka - F, Czech Rep.

Dallas:

John Klingberg - D, Sweden
Jack Campbell - G, USA

Detroit:

Andrej Nestrasil - F, Czech Rep.
Teemu Pulkinnen - F, Finland
Calle Jarnkrok - F, Sweden
Mitch Callahan - F, USA

Edmonton:

Olivier Roy - G, Canada
Curtis Hamilton - F, Canada
Toni Rajala - F, Finland
Martin Marincin - D, Slovakia
Anton Lander - F, Sweden

Florida:

Erik Gudbranson - D, Canada
Quinton Howden - F, Canada
Joonas Donskoi - F, Finland
Nick Bjugstad - F, USA

Los Angeles:

Brayden Schenn - F, Canada
Maxim Kitsyn - F, Russia
Derek Forbort - D, USA

Minnesota:

Erik Haula - F, Finland
Johan Larsson - F, Sweden
Jason Zucker - F, USA

Montreal:

Louis Leblanc - F, Canada
Joonas Nattinen - F, Finland

Nashville:

Ryan Ellis - D, Canada
Patrick Cehlin - F, Sweden

New Jersey:

Jon Merrill - D, USA

NY Islanders:

Calvin de Haan - D, Canada
Casey Cizikas - F, Canada
Nino Niederreiter - F, Switzerland
Brock Nelson - F, USA

NY Rangers:

Roman Horak - F, Czech Rep.
Jasper Fasth - F, Sweden
Ryan Bourque - F, USA
Chris Kreider - F, USA

Ottawa:

Jared Cowen - D, Canada
Robin Lehner - G, Sweden

Philadelphia:

NA

Phoenix:

Mark Visentin - G, Canada
Oscar Lindberg - F, Sweden
Chris Brown - F, USA

Pittsburgh:

Simon Despres - D, Canada
Tom Kuhnhackel - F, Germany

San Jose:

Konrad Abeltshauser - D, Germany
Charlie Coyle - F, USA

St.Louis:

Jaden Schwartz - F, Canada
Vladimir Tarasenko - F, Russia
Sebastian Wannstrom - F, Sweden

Tampa Bay:

Carter Ashton - F, Canada
Brett Connolly - F, Canada
Adam Janosik - D, Slovakia
Richard Panik - F, Slovakia

Toronto:

Sondre Olden - F, Norway
Jerry D'Amigo - F, USA

Vancouver:

NA

Washington:

Cody Eakin - F, Canada
Philipp Grabauer - G, Germany
Dmitri Orlov - D, Russia
Yevgeni Kuznetsov - F, Russia
Patrick Wey - D, USA
 

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2011 WJHC - Watching the stars of the future

The Christmas holiday season not only provides college football fans the opportunity to watch college football bowl games with future NFL stars playing, but hockey fans are treated to great hockey and to bear witness to future National Hockey League stars in action while competing for their countries. Team USA enters this year's World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC) tournament as defending champions and tournament hosts as the competition takes place in Buffalo, NY. NHL draft-eligible prospects and draftees travel from around the world, representing the top 10 countries in the U-20 division of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), to play for the coveted gold medal.

WJHC is a hidden gem to watch

Just as many will either watch or DVR their favorite teams' NCAA college football bowl games to watch, many sports fans also have the opportunity to watch the future of the NHL taking to the ice at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC). Team USA is defending the gold medal that it earned by beating the previous and consecutive five-time champion Team Canada in last year's overtime thriller in Saskatoon, SK. While Team Canada should never be counted out to play for the gold medal, one must also consider the Swedes, Russians and Fins to contend seriously for a medal each year at this tournament.

With so much on the line for the players and coaches, it is understandable how overwhelming it can be for fans to keep track of so many high profile players competing against one another at the same time and all in one location. Most NHL teams' faithful only begin to recognize these young stars when they are drafted and/or 'make it', but similar to college football, it is great to look back and remember when you first watched them play at this elite level of competition. This is an event not to be missed by veteran or new hockey fans alike.

Where to watch

The NHL Network provides the best programming for the WJHC in the United States and also relies on the great coverage that TSN provides in carrying coverage in Canada while also providing a feed for countries around the world. If you are in the area, catching the games live at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY or Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, NY, will provide a live game experience and excitement unmatched in viewing junior-level hockey players as they prepare to make the jump to the NHL. Otherwise, if you don't have time to watch it live or on television, follow reports here online and/or through these trusted outlets for the best coverage of the tournament.

Watch pre-tournament play online via TSN.ca

NHL Network television schedule

Watch USA Hockey's online coverage at FastHockey.com

Up next: Team previews (coming Dec. 25) - Merry Christmas

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2011 WJHC schedule

Video: Team USA prepares for World Juniors

Follow the Raleigh Sports Examiner's coverage of the WJHC

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