O/T World Juniors
For hockey fans, the World U20 Hockey championships started today in Ottawa. Palushaj and Rust are on Team USA, I am pretty sure that's Michigan's only representation. The US is apparently the favorite, with Canada #2, the reverse of pretty much every other year. Opener is being played right now, US tied 1-1 with Germany.
December 26th, 2008 at 4:05 PM ^
Dec. 21 Latvia (Ex.) K-Rock Centre W, 13-2 -- Palushaj (2 goals, 1 assist), Rust (1 goal, 2 assists)
Dec. 23 Russia (Ex.) K-Rock Centre W, 5-1 -- Palushaj (natural hat trick), Rust (2 assists)
December 27th, 2008 at 2:21 AM ^
poor latvia
December 26th, 2008 at 10:16 PM ^
Dominated the Czechs after a slow start. I thought they looked better than the US did, but Canada had an extra pretourament game, so that should be expected. They both look like locks to meet in the semifinal game (they're in the same pool and therefore can't play in the final IIRC) and the winner of that should win it all.
December 26th, 2008 at 11:37 PM ^
SJUblue:
Just the opposite, actually. If the USA and Canada finish 1-2 in their group, they will not meet until the final. The #1 and #2 teams of each group are placed in opposite halves of the playoff bracket.
Up next for the USA, though, is Czech Republic at 7:30 EST on Sunday. The Czechs are the #3 seed in our group, and Team USA has to get past them to get to the showdown with Canada on New Year's Eve for the group championship and the bye to the Semis.
December 27th, 2008 at 4:50 AM ^
Yup. My bad. As I went to post it it occurred to me that I might be wrong, but I couldn't find the rules with a quick search and therefore just threw in an "IIRC". So, change my prediction to them being strong favorites to meet in the gold medal game.
December 28th, 2008 at 10:33 PM ^
US beat the Czechs 4-3, Rust scored a goal. He and Palushaj were both +1.
December 28th, 2008 at 10:37 PM ^
for the Canadia-US game on the 31st.
December 31st, 2008 at 7:58 AM ^
Palushaj with 2 G, 2 A, Rust with 1 G, 1 A. Both guys are tied for 5th on Team USA in points. Oddly, every US player with at least 4 points is an NCAA player, even though almost half the team is CHL guys. I wonder if that's a one year thing. The important game of the pool is tomorrow, US against Canada.
December 31st, 2008 at 8:40 AM ^
they don't have a lot of size, and aren't head & shoulders above the US in talent. should be a great game. NHL network is good for something.
December 31st, 2008 at 10:31 AM ^
Been all over town last couple days wearing my USA Hockey scarf I picked up for $5 back in Sept. Lots of negative reaction, I'm loving it. The intensity in Canada for this tournament is equal to March Madness in the US. BTW, Rust has gotten much positive pub here for his intensity & contribution. Hoping for a big win tonite!