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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Let Raleigh Sports Examiner be your guide - 2011 NHL All-Star Week in Raleigh:

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Email with your questions today for personalized advice on where to stay, eat, and have a great time in Raleigh

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NHL All-Star Weekend in Raleigh - taking it all in

As it is only over a month away from the 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend that will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina,  Former NHLer Brendan Shanahan and current NHL Vice President of Hockey and Business Operations, has taken a great approach to putting together a fun event: ask others for their thoughts and try it out. With the biggest change introduced to this year's event being the selection of each team by two selected captains, Shanahan has taken in all thoughts from those participating in the event.

"We're going to have 42 All-Stars who are selected for the game and what we're going to do is reach out to them and they're going to select two captains," Shanahan said. "And on the Friday night before the game at 8 o'clock, we're going to have a live draft on Versus where those two captains will be sitting in a room with the other players in front of them. They're going to flip a coin (to see who drafts first). They'll be flanked by two (alternate) captains up on stage with them, so those six guys will have 36 players out in the audience to draft from."

It seems that 'Shanny's' approach and infusion of new ideas will make for an exciting set of events in Raleigh in late January. We can't wait to all be a part of it.

Note to Shanny

Here's a suggestion for a slightly more exciting team selection process:

Instead of sitting in a room, imagine the selected team captains standing at the center ice circle at the RBC Center with fans in attendance, and with a spotlight on all the 42 selected players' sticks, labeled with their names, piled up and ready to be selected 'shinny style'. Shanny is standing with the captains and flips the coin to determine who picks first. Winner throws the first stick towards his end, then the other does the same. The process continues until both teams are fully selected.

Music blaring, lights go on and practice takes place in front of a packed house at both ends. Game on. What a great Friday night event.

Just imagine it for a second.

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More details: NHL Wide Open
Carolina Hurricanes: All-Star Fan Fair
Carolina Hurricanes: All-Star 5 K Run
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Let the Raleigh Sports Examiner be your guide to 2011 NHL All-Star Week in Raleigh:
Local tips and news about the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Raleigh
Email with your questions today for personalized advice on where to stay, eat, and have a great time in Raleigh
Follow the Raleigh Sports Examiner on Twitter @pksport
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NHL All-Star Weekend in Raleigh - update to be announced Wednesday

Updated news and information regarding the City of Raleigh, North Carolina and activities related to NHL All-Star Weekend will be announced at the Winterfest Outdoor Rink located in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday.

According to a local news report, the mayor and local leaders working with the NHL will announce a number of activities that will be taking place from Jan. 27 -30 for all hockey fans in North Carolina including a "wide-open" event that will take place during the weekend. Raleigh is known for its Raleigh Wide Open events programming that usually includes a number of local and nationally-known high profile events, activities and performers that entertain the local community.

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Let the Raleigh Sports Examiner be your guide to 2011 NHL All-Star Week in Raleigh:

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Hockey Night in Canada and the United States

Any true hockey fan knows that the gold standard of NHL hockey broadcasts is Hockey Night in Canada.

A great Canadian franchise to be admired by all fans

Having grown up watching this show every Saturday night and now having the opportunity to watch and listen to the best analysis and insight in the game from Raleigh brings great joy to me every weekend. What better source exists for Canadian expats and hockey fans in the US and around the world to get their fill of Coach's Corner with Ron MacLean and Don Cherry or the HotStove with Mike Milbury, Pierre Lebrun, and the selected third media personality willing to sustain the intensity of each segment's discussion. The internet has provided the platform for this great Canadian franchise to be shared by everyone, and with much more content and perspectives on the game than was ever possible years ago.

HNIC will be coming to Raleigh

With the 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend and Game coming to Raleigh, North Carolina from January 27-30, HNIC will be there along with all major sports networks and this should excite local hockey fans. When else will the royalty of NHL hockey broadcasting be in the City of Oaks? Only if and when the Hurricanes return to the Stanley Cup Finals, particularly when facing a Canadian team.

If you haven't had the chance to watch what HNIC has to offer, tune in now and get to know what to expect to see and hear when they are in town.

Watch Hockey Night in Canada in the US

Television:  Saturdays - NHL Network

Online: - Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) - Hockey Night in Canada

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Let the Raleigh Sports Examiner be your guide to 2011 NHL All-Star Week in Raleigh:

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Raleigh Sports Examiner's Column on Examiner.com
 
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Thanksgiving sports talk: Giving thanks for having so many choices

As the the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, it must be recognized that there is reason to appreciate how many choices we have to make. How many friends and family can we visit and reunite with at one time? How many shopping deals can be found on Black Friday? How many different sporting events take place during this special weekend of the year? When you really think about it, quite a few.

This then begs the question, how do you decide what to pay attention to? Here are a few methods to help you decide:

It's still football season - start watching basketball now

If  you are an NC State Wolfpack football fan, a bowl-eligible team at 8-3 overall will play for a spot in the ACC Championship game. The Wolfpack takes on the Maryland Terps in College Park, Maryland on Saturday. Follow the action on ESPN 2 or online on GameTracker (cbssports.com).

If you are a UNC (6-5) or Duke (3-8) football fan, Saturday's kick-off takes place at 3:30 pm in Wallace Wade Stadium, and watching this game will be a great pre-cursor for the basketball season. Tickets are still available online. If you don't want to weather this one in the cooler Carolina weather, catch it online on GameTracker (cbssports.com).

It's basketball season - start watching hockey too

The long and short of it so far in the Triangle is this:

The #1 Duke Blue Devils are 5-0 and recently beat Kansas State 82-68, captured the O'Reilly Auto Part CBE Classic, and coach Mike Krzyzewski earned his 800th career win. The Blue Devils beat Marquette 82-77 in the semi-final game before beating the Wildcats.

The #25 UNC Tar Heels (3-2) lost two straight road games to Minnesota (72-67) and Vanderbilt (72-65) in San Juan, Puerto Rico last weekend before coming home to beat UNC Asheville 80-69 on Tuesday. Next games for the Tar Heels are the College of Charleston (Sunday) and Illinois (Tuesday).

The unranked NC State Wolfpack (4-1) experienced some defensive lapses with its recent 82-67 loss to the #20 Georgetown Hoyas in the Charleston Classic, the first ranked opponent the team has faced season. The loss comes on the heels of two previous wins against East Carolina (85-65) and George Mason (78-65). Bright spots to watch each game are Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown. Watch them when you can.

Even if you are too excited about basketball season starting the Carolina Hurricanes have some good things going on. Have a look.

It's hockey season - don't forget about football and basketball season


The host of the 2011 NHL All-Star game, the Carolina Hurricanes, have made personnel moves recently to spark the team's performance after finishing 9-9-2 during the first quarter of the NHL season. It is still too soon to determine the effect of these changes in the locker room, but the theme for the entire season will be: how do you strengthen the defense while not spending any money?

A few exceptional young offensive prospects are developing in Charlotte providing for some great trade-bait to be offered later in the season. Some great deals may be made by mid-season. Wishful thinking? Maybe. However, like the old economy worked: if you don't want to spend money for something you want, you trade for it. If you are really curious about what/who I am talking about, email me.

The 'Canes are in Boston leading the Bruins 2-0 after two periods. Hopefully they hang on for the win (there's the reference to 'defense wins games'), and head to Washington for a rematch with the Capitals on Sunday. Ovechkin and his boys are 2-0 over the Hurricanes so far this season in Raleigh. Hopefully Staal, Skinner, and Ward will return the favor in the nation's capital.  

Stay tuned.

(Updated: The Hurricanes beat the Bruins 3-0 - great win as the defense held on to give Ward his first shutout of the season)