OT: World Juniors - quarterfinals (spoiler)
IIHF World Junior quarterfinal action today. For anyone planning to watch the replays later today, disregard.
USA dominated the Czechs today in a 7-0 win to secure a spot against Canada in the semifinals. USA-Canada will be tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM (ET).
Michigan's Jacob Trouba had 4 (!) assists in the game, and is the 3rd leading scoring in the tournament so far, with 4 goals and 4 assists. Canada's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leads all scorers, but that's hardly even fair...
Russia is currently on major upset alert, trailing Switzerland 3-2 with just over 5 minutes left in the 3rd period. This should be a good finish, and the winner will take on Sweden tomorrow morning.
Update -- Russia ends up tying the game with a minute and a half remaining, then goes on to win it in a shootout.
Semifinals will feature USA-Canada and Russia-Sweden.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:14 AM ^
And Russia puts the puck in the net with 1:56 remaining, but the goal is waived off. Looks like the net was off before it went in.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:18 AM ^
Russia on the powerplay with 1:36 to go. Russian crowd goes wild
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:31 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:34 AM ^
That's part of the reason it was so awesome when the US beat them in 2010 in Saskatoon. Also why it would have been so glorious to win the Olympic Gold Medal Game in Vancouver...
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^
Also, I wish there was that much passion for the tournament here in the US.
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
The Swiss didn't have a chance once it went to a shootout, Russia has too much individual talent.
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:23 PM ^
This tournament is huge in Canada, just huge. I remember many a Christmas break from school watching games at random hours of the day. Canada is hot right now, and if Subban can keep playing the way he has I don't see how the US wins this game. And The Nuge has been unstoppable. Canada's D has been stellar as well, with 3 or 4 guys who were top 10 picks in their draft year.
Trouba has been pretty awesome and Gibson has also played well but the ultra-hyped Seth Jones has been MIA, especially in the last Canada-US game.
January 2nd, 2013 at 3:36 PM ^
pull this game out. 4 of the last 5 games between the US and Canada in the WJC have been decided by a goal. Gibson is more than capable of stealing a game. Also, one of the biggest hurdles for North American players is getting use to the European style of officiating games. It makes the PP and PK so important in this tournament... the US has been on a tear the last few games on special teams. I would not be surprised by a US victory tomorrow.