World Juniors 2016

[Per]

So, only 19 days till the Juniors!

This time it's held in Helsinki between Dec 26th and Jan 5th.

Group A:
Canada, Sweden, USA, Denmark, Switzerland

Group B:
Russia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Finland, Belarus

Canada and Sweden square off on New Year's Eve.

[Per]

Sweden has announced its preliminary roster (three players must be cut):

Goalies:
Felix Sandström (Brynäs)
Linus Söderström (Djurgården/Vita Hästen)
Erik Källgren (Linköping/ Oskarshamn)

Defence:
Sebastian Aho (Skellefteå)
William Lagesson (UMass)
Jacob Larsson (Frölunda)
Adam Ollas Mattsson (Djurgården)
Andreas Englund (Djurgården)
Marcus Pettersson (Skellefteå)
Gustav Forsling (Linköping)
Gabriel Carlsson (Linköping)

Forwards:
Lukas Vejdemo (Djurgården)
Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson (Boston University)
Fredrik Olofsson (University of Nebraska-Omaha)
Carl Grundström (Modo)
Dymytro Timashov (Quebec Remparts)
Rasmus Asplund (Färjestad)
Alexander Nylander (Mississauga Steelheads)
Joel Eriksson Ek (Färjestad)
William Nylander (Toronto Marlies)
Oskar Lindblom (Brynäs)
Jens Lööke (Brynäs)
Axel Holmström (Skellefteå)
Christoffer Ehn (Frölunda)
Anton Karlsson (Frölunda)
Adrian Kempe (Ontario Reign)

Kempe and Nylander have been released from the AHL, and Nylander's kid brother also made the cut.

[Per]

Canada has announced a preliminary roster of 30 players that will be narrowed down to 22 during a training camp Dec 10-14:

Camp Roster Team Canada
Goaltenders:
Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie (OHL)
Mason McDonald, Charlottetown (QMJHL)
Defencemen:
Thomas Chabot, Saint John (QMJHL)
Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia (OHL)
Travis Dermott, Erie (OHL)
Vince Dunn, Niagara (OHL)
Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL)
Joe Hicketts, Victoria (WHL)
Brandon Hickey, Boston University (HE)
Noah Juulsen, Everett (WHL)
Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL)
Travis Sanheim, Calgary (WHL)
Jake Walman, Providence College (HE)
Forwards:
Mathew Barzal, Seattle (WHL)
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Rourke Chartier, Kelowna (WHL)
Lawson Crouse, Kingston (OHL)
Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL)
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Julien Gauthier, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)
Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon (WHL)
Travis Konecny, Ottawa (OHL)
Mitchell Marner, London (OHL)
Nick Merkley, Kelowna (WHL)
Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL)
Brayden Point, Moose Jaw (WHL)
John Quenneville, Brandon (WHL)
Mitchell Stephens, Saginaw (OHL)
Dylan Strome, Erie (OHL)
Spencer Watson, Kingston (OHL)

[Hockey Widow]

We get to see Virtanen against Boeser opening game!

Hope it doesn't hurt too much watching Forsling play.

[The Brown Wizard]

We get to see Virtanen against Boeser opening game!

Hope it doesn't hurt too much watching Forsling play.

Ya that one really sucks

[Per]

Really weird dress rehearsal between Canada and Sweden.

First period: 1-1
Both teams try to get a feel of the other team. Canada (virtanen) of course runs Sweden's goalie. Par for the course.

Second Period: 4-0
Sweden does stupid mistakes and Canada capitalises. Canada very dominant. Almost embarassingly so.

Third period: 2-5
The Swedish players got a wake up call from the coach and come out in the third period firing on all cylinders. Sweden scores five goals, on three of them the puck goes right through the net...! Weird.
After catching up, tying the game 6-6, the Swedish goalie gives away the puck behind the net and gift wraps the victory for Canada.

Canada wins 7-6 after a very weird practice game.

So what do we learn?
- both teams have crap goalies
- both teams can capitalise on mistakes
- both teams look really good at times
- both teams look really bad at times

It's possible that the Swedes were a bit awed in the second and the Canadians got a bit cocky in the third.
If so, both teams should have it out of their systems now, and hopefully they will play a more consistent game once the tournament starts.

Looking forward to the real Canada vs Sweden game on New Year's Eve!

[BurningBeard]

So what do we learn?
- both teams have crap goalies
- both teams can capitalise on mistakes
- both teams look really good at times
- both teams look really bad at times

One of the things I've always liked about the juniors is just how fragile the teams can be, especially when they have bad goal-tending. Anything can happen and no lead is safe. It's been awhile since Canada hasn't had any question marks in net for the juniors.

[SKYO]

Can't fucking believe Canada didn't do much on that long powerplay.

Matthews isn't playing all that impressive.

*edit now that Matthews is with Boeser they form a good combo.

[TDA Rum]

I really like Julien Gauthier would like the Canucks to grab him with their first rounder if possible...

[Island Nucklehead]

Was about to post how I was impressed with Hicketts play, and then he goes and scores for USA. Quick way to ruin an otherwise strong game.

USA looks to be a tough team to beat this year. Definitely out-worked Canada and deserved the win.

Canada looks like they have some chemistry issues to sort out.

Virtanen with a very uninspiring game. Looked like he was trying to do too much and didn't realize he had line-mates out there.

Boeser looks good on the US top line.

[rats19]

Chunks were blown.....

[Doyle Hargraves]

Cue the dude in his rubber pants crying about how the US is taking over hockey

[Strangelove]

Dunno about you, but I love hearing Bob Mckenzie cry like a baby on behalf of Leaf fans everywhere.

Nice hit!!

[Rumsfeld]

Fuck man. Verts is awful at taking and receiving passes. He just floats all over the place and can't protect the puck well even at this level. Oh well, he's young and at least he's got a mean streak.

How rad would it be if he stretchered Nylander in a medal game.

The Americans have some really good forwards.

[Per]

Egli got a three game suspension for his hit on Nylander and will miss all remaining groupplay games:

”The hit in question occurred near centre ice with just over five minutes remaining in the first period. Nylander had just gained possession of the puck and was turning to move up the ice when Egli came in and delivered a check to the head to Nylander, who dropped to the ice and then had to leave the game.
The Panel confirmed that Egli’s hit is in violation of rule no. 124 Checking to the Head or Neck. The Panel also determined had Egli had ample time to alter his approach to avoid violently checking Nylander in the head, that his actions endangered the safety of his opponent and that supplemental discipline is applicable”.

Nylander will not play against the USA, but remains on the roster. Hopefully he will be able to return to the tournament. Either way, Sweden punished the dirty Swiss team by outplaying them and winning 8-3. Four assists for the younger Nylander. Kempe and Timashov also looked good.

Forsling will return in time for the game vs the USA.