#53/2013 IIHF WJC Blog
Biscuits and Breezers
World Junior Championships:
Day 5
Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! There was four games in Ufa today and some teams' stay in Russia might come to end sooner then they would have thought. Consisting in the total games we had today the pre-regulation games between Slovakia and Germany and the Czech Republic and Latvia. Then we had the big game. A major rivalry between two neighbors. Canada vs. the USA. Then we had a group standings game between Finland and Switzerland. There were some major let downs for some teams, but others grew up and won the next step in survival. All will be revealed momentarily. I am happy with which teams are still in the running but I just wish once that a smaller team would make it to the top like Team Czech Republic did. Second place in Group A. Maybe Slovakia could move up to prove themselves. I certainly hope so. I definitely like the atmosphere the "already drafted" are putting out to the "up and comings". They are showing them how they need to play and how they need to perform on and off the ice if they want to make it to the show. For example, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is making the up and coming draftees work harder and harder each game. He is making them play their own game and show everyone what they can handle out there with the intensity of each and every game. If you can't keep up with the stress and pressure of the World Juniors, you will crumble in the AHL and the NHL. Just because it is harder, more demanding, and definitely more stressful. That is your source of income and your lively hood. Yes you can't let your country down, but it takes people not "a" person to make up a country. Look at the present and work towards the future. Hard work makes everything. Anyway, enough rambling for now, let's get onto the game reviews!
Game 1 - Finland vs. Switzerland
Well this game was definitely closer than I thought it would ever be. It ended in a shoot out with Finland winning 5-4. The stronger players shown through brightly in this game and took charge of what needed to happen. Actually, some of the weaker players took charge as well especially on the blue line. Going into the first period Switzerland took the lead with Lino Martischini and Sven Andrighetto both scoring to give it to the Swiss going into the first intermission. But, this lead would not last because Finland was slowly approaching. Coming into the second, Finland was roaring and ready to go. Markus Granlund and Teuvo Teravainen struck forcefully to tie it up in Team Finland's favor. Then the seesaw started rocking back and forth. The Swiss went up first to make it 3-2 with Alessio Bertaggia's goal less than two minutes into the third period. Dario Simion then scored again for the Swiss to make it 4-2 in Switzerland's favor. To Finland's rescue, Teuvo and Granlund came. Teuvo scored just 1:36 minutes after Simion scored his goal to cut the lead in one. The Finns replaced their goalie Joonas Korpisalo with Markus Granlund as an extra attacker, and he scored the tying goal with just enough time for the Finns to relax and regroup. It was Granlund who scored the overtime winning goal for Team Finland. Finland will play rival and neighbor Sweden in a must win situation in order to advance to the second spot in the standings. Switzerland will find themselves in a must-win game against the Czech Republic.
Game 2 - Canada vs. USA
This game was incredible! A clash between border brothers, this game proved to be one of the most watched games of the tournament so far. It was a battle between the goaltenders. A battle between the blue line grinders. A battle between the snipers. Of course, a battle between the founders of hockey and the progressives. Gibson vs. Subban. Nugent-Hopkins vs. McCabe. The result of this game was 2-1 in Team.........Canada's favor. It was a very stressful game with the reffing and the unneeded penalties, but all in all it was a really good game. Canada struck first with captain Ryan Nugent Hopkins' goal early in the first. Then Ryan Strome's goal followed to give Canada a 2-0 leaving the first period. The Americans could never score in the second. Jacob Trouba scored the Americans' lone goal in the third with an assist from Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk set up Trouba with a Canadian rebound from Gibson's pads and the US was on the board. Unfortunately, the Americans never rallied with a 5-3 power play late in the third in Canada's favor. In my opinion, where was Seth Jones? The star player, the number one draft pick, the Americans' momentum. I was a little disappointed that he never put one up for the USA. Hey I can't complain about the performance given in this game! It was a great game with some great plays by both teams. I also think Jacob Trouba is really showing himself and what he is worth in this tournament. Great game! Malcolm Subban saved 36 shots for Canada and was literally a brick wall. A string of luck that came for the Americans was when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins went in the sin bin a minute before the end of the game. Canada can clinch a quterfinal spot if they beat host country Russia tomorrow. The USA will have to beat Slovakia to advance.
Game 3 - Czech Republic vs. Latvia
This was Latvia's last hope to win some points in the group standings. Ah, but did they prevail? No. Czech Republic won the game 4-2. Now, Latvia won't win a group stage and are now favorited to be regulated from the top division. They suffered brutal losses from Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland. They have an 0-4 record and has run it's group schedule. Petr Beranek started the Czechs off with a goal midway through the first period. Nikita Jevpalovs was the first one to step it up for Latvia and tied the score right before the first intermission. Martin Frk scored early in the second with assists from Radek Faksa and Petr Sidlik. Then feeling a little pressured, Roberts Lipsbergs tied the game at two for Latvia. This would be the last time Latvia would get on the board. Dmitrij Jaskin scored again for the Czechs with 6 minutes to go in the third. Martin Frk scored again with his second goal of the game to seal the victory for the Czech Republic with just 27 seconds remaining on the clock. The Czech Republic will face off against Switzerland tomorrow for a possibility to advance in the standings.
Game 4 - Slovakia vs. Germany
Slovakia is determined to not be the team left behind. They proved that here tonight against Team Germany. They were one point above last place Germany and now with this 2-1 overtime win, they are tied for third with the United States. Who would have thought? The game was scoreless until the middle of the second period when Germany's star player Tobias Rieder scored with assists from Leon Draisaitl and Dominik Kahun. Goaltender for Germany Marvin Cupper was having one of his best performances of the tournament stopping 40 shots but unfortunately, not all can be stopped. Slavokia's Bruno Mraz scored at 4 minutes into the third period and then it was all forced to overtime. Peter Ceresnak was Slovakia's prime time player scoring the goal to win it all for his country. Slovakia is set to go against the USA for a knockout spot. Germany is set to go against Latvia for a spot in the 2014 tournament in the beginning of the relegation round.
3 Stars of the Game
1. Malcolm Subban Canada
Malcolm overcame great criticism and harsh reports to lift Team Canada over the USA with a crucial win. Subban saved 36 shots out of 37 and now appears to have won the starting goaltender position from Coach Steve Spott. Now he has that spot over back up Jordan Binnington.
2. Markus Granlund Finland
Markus scored two huge goals for his team to bring them back for Switzerland's grasp. He beat Swiss goalie Melvin Nyffeler in the shootout today to gain a desperately needed victory. Granlund is now tied for the most goals scored in the competition with four.
3. John Gibson USA
Gibson was Team USA's rock in their last ditch effort to gain a win. He fended off a Canadian team that scored 15 goals in their first two days of the tournament. He also made great saves and incredible blocks to ward off a 5-3 attacking force to try to give his team a shot at winning.
IIHF Group Tournament Standings:
Group A GP W OTW OTL L GF GA Pts
Sweden 3 2 1 0 0 12 4 8
Czech 3 2 0 0 1 8 7 6
Republic
Finland 3 1 1 0 1 11 8 5
Switzerland 3 1 0 2 0 13 10 5
Latvia 3 0 0 0 4 6 21 0
Group B GP W OTW OTL L GF GA Pts
Canada 3 3 0 0 0 17 7 9
Russia 3 2 1 0 0 12 3 8
USA 3 1 0 0 2 10 4 3
Slovakia 3 0 1 1 1 7 8 3
Germany 3 0 0 0 3 4 26 0
Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!
Game 1 - Finland vs. Switzerland
Well this game was definitely closer than I thought it would ever be. It ended in a shoot out with Finland winning 5-4. The stronger players shown through brightly in this game and took charge of what needed to happen. Actually, some of the weaker players took charge as well especially on the blue line. Going into the first period Switzerland took the lead with Lino Martischini and Sven Andrighetto both scoring to give it to the Swiss going into the first intermission. But, this lead would not last because Finland was slowly approaching. Coming into the second, Finland was roaring and ready to go. Markus Granlund and Teuvo Teravainen struck forcefully to tie it up in Team Finland's favor. Then the seesaw started rocking back and forth. The Swiss went up first to make it 3-2 with Alessio Bertaggia's goal less than two minutes into the third period. Dario Simion then scored again for the Swiss to make it 4-2 in Switzerland's favor. To Finland's rescue, Teuvo and Granlund came. Teuvo scored just 1:36 minutes after Simion scored his goal to cut the lead in one. The Finns replaced their goalie Joonas Korpisalo with Markus Granlund as an extra attacker, and he scored the tying goal with just enough time for the Finns to relax and regroup. It was Granlund who scored the overtime winning goal for Team Finland. Finland will play rival and neighbor Sweden in a must win situation in order to advance to the second spot in the standings. Switzerland will find themselves in a must-win game against the Czech Republic.
Game 2 - Canada vs. USA
This game was incredible! A clash between border brothers, this game proved to be one of the most watched games of the tournament so far. It was a battle between the goaltenders. A battle between the blue line grinders. A battle between the snipers. Of course, a battle between the founders of hockey and the progressives. Gibson vs. Subban. Nugent-Hopkins vs. McCabe. The result of this game was 2-1 in Team.........Canada's favor. It was a very stressful game with the reffing and the unneeded penalties, but all in all it was a really good game. Canada struck first with captain Ryan Nugent Hopkins' goal early in the first. Then Ryan Strome's goal followed to give Canada a 2-0 leaving the first period. The Americans could never score in the second. Jacob Trouba scored the Americans' lone goal in the third with an assist from Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk set up Trouba with a Canadian rebound from Gibson's pads and the US was on the board. Unfortunately, the Americans never rallied with a 5-3 power play late in the third in Canada's favor. In my opinion, where was Seth Jones? The star player, the number one draft pick, the Americans' momentum. I was a little disappointed that he never put one up for the USA. Hey I can't complain about the performance given in this game! It was a great game with some great plays by both teams. I also think Jacob Trouba is really showing himself and what he is worth in this tournament. Great game! Malcolm Subban saved 36 shots for Canada and was literally a brick wall. A string of luck that came for the Americans was when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins went in the sin bin a minute before the end of the game. Canada can clinch a quterfinal spot if they beat host country Russia tomorrow. The USA will have to beat Slovakia to advance.
Game 3 - Czech Republic vs. Latvia
This was Latvia's last hope to win some points in the group standings. Ah, but did they prevail? No. Czech Republic won the game 4-2. Now, Latvia won't win a group stage and are now favorited to be regulated from the top division. They suffered brutal losses from Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland. They have an 0-4 record and has run it's group schedule. Petr Beranek started the Czechs off with a goal midway through the first period. Nikita Jevpalovs was the first one to step it up for Latvia and tied the score right before the first intermission. Martin Frk scored early in the second with assists from Radek Faksa and Petr Sidlik. Then feeling a little pressured, Roberts Lipsbergs tied the game at two for Latvia. This would be the last time Latvia would get on the board. Dmitrij Jaskin scored again for the Czechs with 6 minutes to go in the third. Martin Frk scored again with his second goal of the game to seal the victory for the Czech Republic with just 27 seconds remaining on the clock. The Czech Republic will face off against Switzerland tomorrow for a possibility to advance in the standings.
Game 4 - Slovakia vs. Germany
Slovakia is determined to not be the team left behind. They proved that here tonight against Team Germany. They were one point above last place Germany and now with this 2-1 overtime win, they are tied for third with the United States. Who would have thought? The game was scoreless until the middle of the second period when Germany's star player Tobias Rieder scored with assists from Leon Draisaitl and Dominik Kahun. Goaltender for Germany Marvin Cupper was having one of his best performances of the tournament stopping 40 shots but unfortunately, not all can be stopped. Slavokia's Bruno Mraz scored at 4 minutes into the third period and then it was all forced to overtime. Peter Ceresnak was Slovakia's prime time player scoring the goal to win it all for his country. Slovakia is set to go against the USA for a knockout spot. Germany is set to go against Latvia for a spot in the 2014 tournament in the beginning of the relegation round.
3 Stars of the Game
1. Malcolm Subban Canada
Malcolm overcame great criticism and harsh reports to lift Team Canada over the USA with a crucial win. Subban saved 36 shots out of 37 and now appears to have won the starting goaltender position from Coach Steve Spott. Now he has that spot over back up Jordan Binnington.
2. Markus Granlund Finland
Markus scored two huge goals for his team to bring them back for Switzerland's grasp. He beat Swiss goalie Melvin Nyffeler in the shootout today to gain a desperately needed victory. Granlund is now tied for the most goals scored in the competition with four.
3. John Gibson USA
Gibson was Team USA's rock in their last ditch effort to gain a win. He fended off a Canadian team that scored 15 goals in their first two days of the tournament. He also made great saves and incredible blocks to ward off a 5-3 attacking force to try to give his team a shot at winning.
IIHF Group Tournament Standings:
Group A GP W OTW OTL L GF GA Pts
Sweden 3 2 1 0 0 12 4 8
Czech 3 2 0 0 1 8 7 6
Republic
Finland 3 1 1 0 1 11 8 5
Switzerland 3 1 0 2 0 13 10 5
Latvia 3 0 0 0 4 6 21 0
Group B GP W OTW OTL L GF GA Pts
Canada 3 3 0 0 0 17 7 9
Russia 3 2 1 0 0 12 3 8
USA 3 1 0 0 2 10 4 3
Slovakia 3 0 1 1 1 7 8 3
Germany 3 0 0 0 3 4 26 0
Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!
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