2009 World Junior Hockey Championships - Two Things

Tuesday, December 29


Firstly:

Group A is shaping up into a two horse race between the United States, and Canada. I cannot imagine either Slovakia or Switzerland earning enough points to challenge for one of the top two spots in the group.

If we use the results of USA v. Latvia and Canada v. Latvia as a predictor, it seems clear that the USA is playing for second place in the group. America defeated Latvia by a score of 12:1 today, and earlier on, Canada defeated Latvia by a score of 16:0.

What have we learned?

We’ve learned that Canada scores more goals than the USA, and also defends better - at least against Latvia. When America play Canada on New Year’s Eve, we will know more. What makes this matchup even more attractive is that both America and Canada, provided that both sides continue to play up to their potential, might actually end up facing one another in the gold medal match.

To assume Canada will reach the final is fair enough. Perhaps it is even expected, as they are hosting the tournament, and are by all accounts a very fine team.

For America though, there will be stern tests. The group match against Canada, what will likely be a quarter-final match against either Finland or Czech Republic, and a semi-final match against the high flying Swedes.

Starting now, every mistake the United States Under-20 hockey team makes, will likely result in a goal against.

Can the United States manage to get through all of these stern tests? Of course. Will they get through the murderer’s row of stern tests? This is another matter entirely.

The Latvia predictor says Canada defeat United States in the upcoming group match. When the puck is dropped on New Year’s Eve all previous predictors can be thrown out the window. May the best team win.



Secondly:

Canadian supporters: I implore you to not boo the Americans whenever they touch the puck. You and your nation, are better than this. It is behavior that I would more likely expect from Americans.

Canadian hockey is amongst the finest that is played on this earth. I would like to think that most Americans (I know that I will) wish you every success should America be eliminated first. Have the class to let the teams settle it on the ice. Rather than booing our side, cheer on your stalwart Canadian lads who have heart that cannot be measured with existing technology. Cheer as loud as you can manage, it makes for great hockey...and I like great hockey.

Best of luck Canada. And if America should go down, I for one hope you win it all.