#56/2013 IIHF WJC Blog
Biscuits and Breezers
Semifinals Recap
Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! We have finally reached the semifinals of the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships! Today we had games against major competitors USA and Canada and also between Sweden and Russia. These were very exciting games because we get to see who will go into the gold medal round and who will battle it out for the bronze medal. I really wish I could have been at these games because it would have been so exciting to see all of the top prospects for this year's and last year's NHL Entry Draft. All the players are working very hard and are passing expectations every one has set for them. They are helping each other get along and move forward. Building a stronger bond than the night or even play before just by stepping out on the ice and working as a family. Family is a key role in this tournament because if you know how your team mates play and how they work, you can meld that in with how you play. It works like the gears in a clock. It runs smooth and clean fitting perfectly in with the player next to you. Always in sync. We have finally come to the end days of the tournament unfortunately, but I bet the players have a glimmer of happiness that they won't have to play so much once the tournament is over. Let's get to the game reviews now!
Game 1 - USA vs. Canada
A new found confidence has mustered through Team USA just enough so that they could triumph over Canada's "Dream Team" rightfully. This will be Canada's fourth consecutive year without a gold medal. It seems to be coming clear now that the USA is the team to beat in these games. The Americans won the game 5-1 and shut down Canada. The first goal from a strong American force came at 7 minutes into the first period from captain Jake McCabe with a beautiful pass from Riley Barber. Malcolm Subban never saw it coming. Dubbed "Captain America" Jack McCabe scored 9 minutes later that Rocco Grimaldi set up. Getting back from the first intermission, Canada looked sluggish and slow on their feet. Maybe even discombobulated a little bit. Early in the second period, John Gaudreau scored his sixth goal in three games. Coming to the midway point of the game Jim Vesey, Harvard freshman, scored another goal past Subban and effectively ended his day in the net. Often criticized by the Canadian fan base, Malcolm will probably the biggest scapegoat for Canada's loss in this game. He was definitely not on his game today which was definitely unexpected. John Binnington finally got his chance to prove himself in this tournament. As an Anaheim Ducks prospect, he received great praise for his saves in the cage. The only way that the Canadians got on the board was because American defenders stopped playing and Ty Rattie snuck a goal in. Now the goal stood despite the evidence of a whistle. Jacob Trouba and Seth Jones were quite impressive throughout the whole day. Any shots that got past them Gibson saved. As the time winded down in the third period, Canada never scored again. With just four minutes remaining, John "Johnny Hockey" Gaudreau took advantage of the struggling Canadians and scored his seventh and final goal of the game. He is now sitting on top of the tournament goal scoring chart and is a huge threat. He is a HUGE advantage for the Americans. Unfortunately, the Canadians never rallied after their first couple of losses. Team USA will participate in the gold medal round on Saturday.
Game 2 - Sweden vs. Russia
In this semifinal game, the host country was pitted against the reigning champions. Yes you have that right, Sweden vs. Russia. In the 2012 IIHF WJC, Sweden won 1-0 in overtime over Russia to claim the gold. Guess what? Russia won't have it again this year because Sweden won this game 3-2 in overtime. Sweden didn't have all the best of luck in the world either. Oh no. 3 of their best defenders were out. They were Jonas Brodin, Oscar Klefbom, and Hampus Lindholm. In the first period the Swedes out shot the Russians 14-2. Both of the Russian shots never made it into the goal. Russian goaltender Andrey Vasilevskiy was bombarded the entire 20 minutes of the first period. Elias Lindholm put the Swedes on the board first with a power play goal 6 and a half minutes into the game. Elias is a potential first rounder for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. I might mention that this goal was a five-hole goal. 3 minutes later, captain Filip Forsberg doubled the lead to make it 2-0 in favor of Team Sweden. He had assists from Rasmus Bengtsson and Robert Hagg. The only goal in the second period was from Russian Andrei Mironov. He was set up from Nail Yakupov and Kirill Kapustin 7 and a half minutes into the second period. Then, the last goal in regulation time was from a very familiar face. Mikhail Grigorenko. He shoved a Swedish rebound past Swedish goaltender Niklas Lundstrom to tie it all up. Grigorenko has been Russia's best skater so far in this tournament. Lundstrom and Vasilevskiy held their ground in the first two rounds of the shoot outs, denying every shot. In round 3, Sebastian Collberg went top shelf and even got the puck stuck in the netting. Even though they had a 5-0 record in this tournament, the Swedes are expected to be the underdogs to the Americans. They could never reach the scoring outbursts Team USA had throughout the tournament. They will face Team USA in the gold medal round on Saturday to determine the 2013 IIHF WJC champions.
3 Stars of the Game
1. John Gibson USA
John Gibson has ultimately carried Team USA on his back blocking shot after shot. He saved 33 shots out of 34 today against Canada. If Ty Rattie wouldn't have scored the goal after the whistle, that would have been his third shut out so far. He denied goals from snipers such as Ryan Strome and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He almost gained all of Team USA's confidence back.
2. Andrey Vasilevskiy Russia
Undoubtedly, Andrey was one of the best players out on the ice against Sweden today. He made 32 saves out of 34 shots to give his team one last chance at the gold. Although he did surrender one to Collberg in the shoot out, he deserves many praises for his performance today. Even though Russia won't go to the gold medal round, they will still get a shot for bronze.
3. John Gaudreau USA
John has become quite the goal scorer lately, scoring almost frequently and ending up as one star of the game. He has 3 multi-score games. He exhales confidence and it looks like it is taking up throughout the whole team. John will be quite a threat for Team Sweden and especially their goaltenders. If he goes as red hot as he is now, there is no stopping him. Sweden will have to be ready for him or they have almost no chance.
Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! In every episode there will be 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 - USA vs. Canada
A new found confidence has mustered through Team USA just enough so that they could triumph over Canada's "Dream Team" rightfully. This will be Canada's fourth consecutive year without a gold medal. It seems to be coming clear now that the USA is the team to beat in these games. The Americans won the game 5-1 and shut down Canada. The first goal from a strong American force came at 7 minutes into the first period from captain Jake McCabe with a beautiful pass from Riley Barber. Malcolm Subban never saw it coming. Dubbed "Captain America" Jack McCabe scored 9 minutes later that Rocco Grimaldi set up. Getting back from the first intermission, Canada looked sluggish and slow on their feet. Maybe even discombobulated a little bit. Early in the second period, John Gaudreau scored his sixth goal in three games. Coming to the midway point of the game Jim Vesey, Harvard freshman, scored another goal past Subban and effectively ended his day in the net. Often criticized by the Canadian fan base, Malcolm will probably the biggest scapegoat for Canada's loss in this game. He was definitely not on his game today which was definitely unexpected. John Binnington finally got his chance to prove himself in this tournament. As an Anaheim Ducks prospect, he received great praise for his saves in the cage. The only way that the Canadians got on the board was because American defenders stopped playing and Ty Rattie snuck a goal in. Now the goal stood despite the evidence of a whistle. Jacob Trouba and Seth Jones were quite impressive throughout the whole day. Any shots that got past them Gibson saved. As the time winded down in the third period, Canada never scored again. With just four minutes remaining, John "Johnny Hockey" Gaudreau took advantage of the struggling Canadians and scored his seventh and final goal of the game. He is now sitting on top of the tournament goal scoring chart and is a huge threat. He is a HUGE advantage for the Americans. Unfortunately, the Canadians never rallied after their first couple of losses. Team USA will participate in the gold medal round on Saturday.
Game 2 - Sweden vs. Russia
In this semifinal game, the host country was pitted against the reigning champions. Yes you have that right, Sweden vs. Russia. In the 2012 IIHF WJC, Sweden won 1-0 in overtime over Russia to claim the gold. Guess what? Russia won't have it again this year because Sweden won this game 3-2 in overtime. Sweden didn't have all the best of luck in the world either. Oh no. 3 of their best defenders were out. They were Jonas Brodin, Oscar Klefbom, and Hampus Lindholm. In the first period the Swedes out shot the Russians 14-2. Both of the Russian shots never made it into the goal. Russian goaltender Andrey Vasilevskiy was bombarded the entire 20 minutes of the first period. Elias Lindholm put the Swedes on the board first with a power play goal 6 and a half minutes into the game. Elias is a potential first rounder for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. I might mention that this goal was a five-hole goal. 3 minutes later, captain Filip Forsberg doubled the lead to make it 2-0 in favor of Team Sweden. He had assists from Rasmus Bengtsson and Robert Hagg. The only goal in the second period was from Russian Andrei Mironov. He was set up from Nail Yakupov and Kirill Kapustin 7 and a half minutes into the second period. Then, the last goal in regulation time was from a very familiar face. Mikhail Grigorenko. He shoved a Swedish rebound past Swedish goaltender Niklas Lundstrom to tie it all up. Grigorenko has been Russia's best skater so far in this tournament. Lundstrom and Vasilevskiy held their ground in the first two rounds of the shoot outs, denying every shot. In round 3, Sebastian Collberg went top shelf and even got the puck stuck in the netting. Even though they had a 5-0 record in this tournament, the Swedes are expected to be the underdogs to the Americans. They could never reach the scoring outbursts Team USA had throughout the tournament. They will face Team USA in the gold medal round on Saturday to determine the 2013 IIHF WJC champions.
3 Stars of the Game
1. John Gibson USA
John Gibson has ultimately carried Team USA on his back blocking shot after shot. He saved 33 shots out of 34 today against Canada. If Ty Rattie wouldn't have scored the goal after the whistle, that would have been his third shut out so far. He denied goals from snipers such as Ryan Strome and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He almost gained all of Team USA's confidence back.
2. Andrey Vasilevskiy Russia
Undoubtedly, Andrey was one of the best players out on the ice against Sweden today. He made 32 saves out of 34 shots to give his team one last chance at the gold. Although he did surrender one to Collberg in the shoot out, he deserves many praises for his performance today. Even though Russia won't go to the gold medal round, they will still get a shot for bronze.
3. John Gaudreau USA
John has become quite the goal scorer lately, scoring almost frequently and ending up as one star of the game. He has 3 multi-score games. He exhales confidence and it looks like it is taking up throughout the whole team. John will be quite a threat for Team Sweden and especially their goaltenders. If he goes as red hot as he is now, there is no stopping him. Sweden will have to be ready for him or they have almost no chance.
Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! In every episode there will be 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!
Comments
Post a Comment