OT: World Juniors Semifinals - USA vs. Canada (spoiler)
Not sure if anyone is awake for this, but the puck just dropped out in Russia on my favorite matchup in all of hockey, USA vs. Canada. Of course, it's not quite an Olympic Gold Medal game, but the World Junior tournament is a treat to watch, especially with no NHL.
Both teams have had stellar goaltending - Canada starts P.K Subban's little brother, Malcolm, while the US sticks with John Gibson, who is coming off of a 31 stop shutout of the Czechs.
Canada features NHL stud Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, while the US is led by Habs prospect Alex Galchenyuk and Michigan's own Jacob Trouba.
Should be a good one. Beat Canada!
-----------------------------------------------------
UPDATE #1 - Captain Jake McCabe scores from the point, 1-0 USA outplaying Canada here halfway through the first.
UPDATE #2 - McCabe puts another one in, 2-0 USA after one period
UPDATE #3 - USA puts two more goals in over halfway through the second period. Now rolling 4-0! Canada pulls Malcolm Subban in favor of their backup.
UPDATE #4 - Canada gets one back short handed early in the thrid to make it 4-1.
UPDATE #5 - Gibson is standing on his head in net for the US in the third as they kill off a ferocious Canadian powerplay.
UPDATE #6 - RNH hits deflects one off the post for Canada, but play goes the other way and BC's Gaudreau snipes on the breakaway for his second of the game. 5-1 USA
--------------------------------------------------
FINAL - USA defeats Canada 5-1 to advance to the Gold Medal game! What an incredible game played by the United States; they had more jump, hustled harder to every puck, and looked hungry to avenge their loss to Canada from a few days ago. Surprising two goals from the Captain Jake McCabe, while Johnny Gaudreau continued on his tear (7 goals in last 3 games). John Gibson played an outstanding game in net as he has all tournament, and I like the US's chances in the final.
Sweden defeats the home team Russia in a shootout, 3-2, to advance to the Gold Medal Game with a chance to defend their title.
Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Sweden, Saturday 8 AM (et)
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:54 AM ^
Team USA played it's best period of hockey of the tournament. Taking nothing away from yesterday's destruction of the Czechs, but so far they really controlled the puck, won battles, and out chanced team Canada 2-1 in the 1st Period.
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:17 AM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
Beautiful!
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:21 AM ^
Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College) and Jim Vesey (Harvard) have both scored in the second for Team USA.
Currently 4-0 USA with 6:21 remaining on the second. NOTE: Suban has been pulled, and Binnington (Owen Sound) is now in net for Team Cananda
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:32 AM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:35 AM ^
Man, I wish we hung on to Gibson. He was amazing.
January 3rd, 2013 at 7:55 AM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 8:03 AM ^
Well, I know what I'm doing at 4am this Saturday...
Oh that's right, sleeping. Let's all thank the guy who created the digital video recorder.
January 3rd, 2013 at 8:36 AM ^
How'd the Pride of Michigan Hockey do? He's also been one of the best players of the tourney so far.
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:08 AM ^
Gaudrea is so little. He looks like he got called up from the peewee team. And he scores ALL the goals.
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:31 AM ^
BC always seems to have those guys. Nate Gerbe, the Giontas, Chris Collins, Ben Eaves. We could sure use another mighty mite like Hensick.
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:48 PM ^
He's from Michigan...how the hell did Red let him get away?
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^
The gold medal game is at 8 AM on Saturday. Bronze is at 4.
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:45 AM ^
Looking at the way they separated the schedule I thought the bronze game was on Friday.
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^
me watching john gibson kick ass...
at first i was like :D
then i was like :(
now i'm like :|
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^
Thank goodness for the late start time of the Gold Medal game against Sweden. I can sleep in for the start of this game ;-)
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/3/3831186/canada-vs-usa-angry-fans-world-junior-hockey-2013
Such a nice little country...until it comes to the flatball.
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
We own hockey.
Nice little upset for you there.
Congratulations.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^
Not. Today.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
As I said, congratulations on the upset.
Gibson played the game of his life; as an OHL regular (and non Kitchener Rangers fan) I'd prefer he not play that well for the rest of the year.
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:28 PM ^
RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS...NHL!!!!
If the CHL explains why the USA kids are doing so well this year, what explains why they finished in 7th place last year despite having CHL players on that team, too (including Gibson)?
Maybe it's the CHL's fault Canada sucked so badly this year. After all, all of their players are products of the CHL. as Capt. Malcolm Reynolds once put it, "I'm thinkin' (they) weren't burdened by an overabundance of (NCAA) schoolin'".
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 PM ^
I am implying that giving credit for Team USA's recent success because A FEW of their players
chose to play in the CHL instead of the NCAA makes about as much sense as blaming the CHL for Canada losing since ALL of their players metriculate from there.
But whatever helps you deal with the butthurt. Like I said, I generally dig Canadians, but when it comes to hockey, you guys act a lot like (United States of) Americans, especially on the occasions, rare though they may be, when you lose at it.
Good luck with the Soviets on Saturday.
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:24 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:25 PM ^
We've got something to talk about now; you guys got beat by the Jim Morrison score...by a bunch of college guys.
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:01 PM ^
And coming down South.
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:47 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:48 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:29 PM ^
U-S-A! U-S-A!! U-S-A!!!
Man, we're on a roll! 9-3 over Slovakia, 7-0 over Czech Republic, 5-1 over Canada. Hopefully we keep it going.
Bork Sweden!
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:34 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:25 PM ^
Wait, do you mean Jonathan Quick, the Goaltender? Because he's an American....
As for the skaters. The US has some good guys of it's own, Kane, Kessler, Kessel are pretty damn good, probably on par with most of the guys you mentioned.
This win doesn't mean the US is better than Canada, but christ, let us celebrate. And as far as the gap? Well I think it's a lot closer than a lot of Canadians want to admit
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^
So you think the World Juniors are not a good measuring stick, then go on to cite Canada's record in the World Juniors? Nice.
"Canada still won the first game" - USA beat Canada (and went undefeated) in the Round Robin of the 2010 Olympic tournament as well, so was that the true measure of the better team? They both ultimately ended up with the same record of 1 loss in the tournament.
Yes, Canada has beaten the US in two major Olympic games (one of which was in overtime), but the gap is not "not even close" like you want to believe. Face it, we are getting better at your own game.
USA! USA! USA!