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spade632
Rookie
Canada
247 Posts |
 Posted - 12/31/2011 : 10:44:57
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Hi folks,
The US, one of the favourites going into this year's World Jrs. has, following losses to Finland and the Czech Republic - and a Finnish win over Denmark last night) been completely eliminated from the medal round in this year's tournament.
This means that tonight's game against Canada is only a matter of personal pride and has no bearing on standings - the US can't make the medal round and Canada at 3-0 already has a guaranteed bye to the semis.
How big a shock is it to you that the US didn't manage to qualify for the medal round. Admittedly, the Group CAN-USA-FIN-CZE-DEN was a tough one as Finland and the Czechs are fairly well reputed as hockey nations but it's still a rather large shock to me that the US didn't make the medal round. (Of course, I'm cheering for Canada to take the Gold though).
Your thoughts?
As an aside, from the games I've been to in Calgary so far, I'd have to say the best two have been the SWE-SUI game (4-3 shootout win for the Swedes) and last night's SUI-LAT game (5-3 SUI win, but the Latvians battled hard to tie it up at 3-3). TOnight's RUS-SWE game should be a doozy (as, no doubt, will the CAN-USA game). - Looking forward to the medal round!
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2011 : 11:12:57
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I think it is quite a shock, the US should have been first or second in that group IMO.
While Finland and Czech are both "hockey nations", neither one of them are terribly accomplished at the junior level, especially in recent history. The Czech's haven't been dominant since the early 2000's and have only one bronze medal since that time. Finland has a smattering of bronze medals since 2000. Neither team has medaled since 2006. The US on the other hand, gold medalists 2 years ago and bronze just last year, and was considered a favourite coming into this tournament.
The loss to Finland was just plain shocking (just a day after getting hammered by Canada). The Czech game, not so much - after watching the Czech's play Canada closely for much of their game, it was evident that they were a pretty good team. Nonetheless, it took a 50-save performance by their goalie to win that game against the US.
You can argue that the US ran into hot goalies in both those games - they outshot their opponents by 2-1 in them both and failed to win. However, IMO they just could not finish their chances, and it cost them.
Yeah, its pretty shocking. |
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sahis34
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
591 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2011 : 21:50:09
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I just think it's funny how badly the americans suck .The mocking that will surely follow should bring us all together . |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 01:44:47
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| Certainly no need to "mock" the Americans from my end, but yes, a huge shock to not see them in the medal round! Considering they have/had Jack Campbell in net who's in his third WJC, they looked to have as good a shot as anyone to win gold! |
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Guest4306
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Posted - 01/01/2012 : 14:11:27
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As identified, the loss to Finland was a key loss for the US team! I was at the game, and It was like a home game for the Finnish team.
It's also the only game Jack Campbell didn't play in net for the US. John Gibson played okay, but the Finnish goalie was better. It wasn't quite 2-1 in shots against the Finnish team (it was 39-27), but in my opinion, the turning point in the game (and one could say for the tournament) was a bonehead play by the US goalie.
The game was tied 1-1 near the midway point in the 3rd period, when US went on the power play at the 8:54 mark. Early in the power play a Finnish forechecker skated past Gibson's crease, and the US goalie knocked over the Finnish player, and Gibson got an interference penalty. It was a selfish, undisciplined, and unnecessary penalty, and it nulled the US power play.
Finland scored on the ensuing 4-on-4, and they scored shortly after their power play expired. Game over US, and it forced a do-or-die game with the Czechs, an opponent tougher than the Finns.
There are lots of reasons for the US team being relegated, but John Gibson's penalty was
the turning point in my opinion.
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Statman
Rookie
Canada
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 14:37:59
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Shocking indeed!
There will be plenty of finger pointing as always happens in these events when a tourney favorite goes down in flames, but the fact is the US fielded a strong team but just didn't have things fall into place. There were some chemistry issues and as was mentioned before, ran into hot goaltending as well as some opportunitic scoring by Finland and the Czechs.
In a seven game series the States demolish both of those countries at this level, but that's not how tournament hockey works. My point is don't get too down on the US and their development system. They will be back next year as a favorite again and will be hungry to prove themselves.
And lest we forget, in 1998 Canada finished eigth in the tournament including a final humiliating loss to Kazakhstan. S**t happens... |
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Oilearl
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
268 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 20:38:30
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Very surprising!! For anyone that has played in tournaments like these they would know every game is big and you need to win the games you're supposed to. Hot goaltending has sent a few talented teams packing in this format.
GO CANADA!!!!  |
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Guest9555
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Posted - 01/02/2012 : 15:34:31
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| USA is a joke they have been lucky the last couple years with young talent. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 22:40:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest9555
USA is a joke they have been lucky the last couple years with young talent.
They've been "lucky the last couple years with young talent".....lol, lucky cuz they've got talent!!! May as well throw my ears away, cuz now i've heard everything!  |
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Statman
Rookie
Canada
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2012 : 04:10:28
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quote:
USA is a joke they have been lucky the last couple years with young talent.
Not surprised you posted that anonymously. I wouldn't want that quote on my record either. Maybe after you watch hockey for a few more years and learn about the USNTDP and the States' recent record in other junior events, you might actually figure things out. We can onlly hope! |
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WJC - USA in relegation round 
