World Juniors 2016

[SportsDoc]

Tournament started yesterday. Russia beat Czech Republic in a shootout 2-1. USA over Canada 4-2. Finland and Sweden will be strong. Swiss will steal a game, probably. Playing in Helsinki this year. Last time in Finland was 2004 where USA, led by Zach Parise, won the gold over Canada when Marc Andre Fluery misplayed a puck late in the third.

[wlu_lax6]

So this Auston Matthews kids the real deal right? Consensus #1 pick may end up in Arizona playing for his hometown team next year. Interesting that he went pro in Europe instead of junior/college puck.

[SportsDoc]

So this Auston Matthews kids the real deal right? Consensus #1 pick may end up in Arizona playing for his hometown team next year. Interesting that he went pro in Europe instead of junior/college puck.

Real deal, yes, but he is not in the McDavid, Eichel category. Still should go #1.

[SportsDoc]

Swiss almost did it today. Took Canada to a shootout before losing, 3-2. This should solidify seedings, as long as USA beats the Swiss in regulation getting all 3 points, they would get #2 seed, with Sweden #1 and Canada #3. This is true even if Canada beats Sweden. Not sure how other Pool is setting up yet. Russia seems vulnerable, Finland and Czechs seem better than Slovakia. I'd suspect Finland gets #1 seed, playing at home.

[degenerasian]

russia is going to finish 1st, will beat Slovakia for to get 11 points.

QF shaping up to be (if Finland beat Czech thursday)

Sweden-Slovakia
USA-Czech
Canada-Finland
Denmark-Russia

[SportsDoc]

Canada vs. Finland in Helsinki would shape up as best QF match, by far.

[SportsDoc]

Russia scores extra attacker goal in final minute against Denmark to tie. Russia wins in OT 4-3. Sweden wins easily 6-0 over Slovakia. In relegation, Swiss over Belarus 5-1.

Canada trails host Finland 4-3 after 2. USA vs. Czech Republic up next on NHL Network. Semifinals on Monday.

[mister d]

New favorite NYR prospect ...

[SportsDoc]

Update: Finland eliminates Canada 6-5. This will not go over well North of the 49th parallel!

[SportsDoc]

Semifinals Monday: Sweden vs. Finland, Russia vs. USA.

Matthews absolutely dominant today in QF. Hat trick.

[Nonlinear FC]

Update: Finland eliminates Canada 6-5. This will not go over well North of the 49th parallel!

That game was BANANAS. CAN went up 2-0 in the first and then FIN rallied to take an eventual 4-3 lead and they see-sawed goals until the canuckers ran out of clock. They had 3 or 4 very good chances in the final 30 seconds of play. NUTS.

[govmentchedda]

Nice kill of a 5 on 3 Russia PP in the 1st. Yanks up 1-0.

[wlu_lax6]

No "Oh, mama don't you cry" USA Chant this year. Will be playing for Bronze.

If you don't know that reference
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck- ... 28646.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SportsDoc]

Finland over Russia 4-3 in OT for Gold. USA over Sweden 8-3 for Bronze. Next year back to Toronto/Montreal.

[sancarlos]

Interesting article on how Finland recently revamped their junior program to better compete against the rest of the world.