OT-ish: WJC Update, Copp Scary Moment
Team USA improved to 3-0 with a win over Germany 8-0 on Sunday, to move 5 points clear of second place Canada in Group A. This all but assures the American's of advancing to the playoff round.
In Michigan news, a scary moment yesterday when Germany's Leon Draisaitl (WHL- Prince Albert) hit Andrew Copp from behind. Draisaitl was given a 5 minute match penalty, and is supended from Germany's game today (12/30) vs. Czech Republic. Copp did return to the game after being on the ice for a few minutes. The video is below, play begins at about 1:44 minute mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YsHrwOIPHk&feature=youtu.be&t=1m44s
December 30th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^
The US is will advance to the playoff round. The top 4 teams in each group advanced to the QFs. They changed the format this year taking away the bye for each group winner and thus making the round robin matter a lot less.
FYI Germany played the game with 17 skaters (instead of 20) due to injuries. They also played their backup goalie, likely because they believed they have a better shot of beating the Czechs today (up 1-0 so far).
December 30th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
December 30th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^
The Canadian loss to the Czechs (in the shootout, but still) is looking more and more surprising with Germany taking it to them. Hopefully Canada goes medal-less again this year, because screw those guys.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
Canada beat the full strength German team 7-2.
December 30th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
Yes, I know that, but the Czech team lost 5-1 to the US and just lost 3-0 to basically the same Germany that the US pounded 8-0. I didn't say Canada sucked, I said that them losing to the Czech was surprising.
December 30th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^
I wouldn't put a lot of stock in the US beating Germany 8-0. They were down players and at the point they knew full well they would likely have to beat the Czechs to advance. You often see the lower ranked teams play their back up goalies in certain games to rest their start for a game they have a better shot of winning.
Sweden thus far looks like far and away the best team. I would have said after them it would be Russia, but Finland beat them 4-1 this morning.
December 30th, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^
December 30th, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^
I'm not saying our 8-0 win over Germany means any more or less than Canada winning 7-2. I'm saying Canada appears to be struggling by losing to the Czech, not to mention being currently behind after 2 periods to Slovakia. You know, the same Czech team that you're suggesting the Germans decided would be made easier by graciously accepting a blowout loss to the Americans.
I'm hoping for the dream scenario of Canada losing this game, a Czech win over Slovakia, and the US beating Canada tomorrow forcing Canada to deal with Sweden on their home ice in the first elimination game.
Edit: Ugh, Canada scores two late goals in the third period to go up 4-3, and ices it with an empty netter to win 5-3. Gross.
December 30th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
Every year you see the bottom teams decide to rest their starting goalies against a Russia/Sweden/US/Canada so that they have a better chance of avoiding the relegation round.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:24 AM ^
December 30th, 2013 at 9:42 AM ^
Question about the U17 Hockey Challenge, it appears to not be an iihf event? Also, Canada seems to have 5 teams and the other 5 teams are Russia, Germany, Sweden, Czech, and Sweden. Is the format the same as WJC, and why does Canada have 5 teams?
December 30th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
December 30th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
Thanks, I knew there had to be a reason they had 5 teams. It also makes a lot of sense for scouting purposes.
December 30th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
Its under 17 actually and BC does not have their own team. The 5 Canadian teams are West, Pacific, Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic. Next year they are going down to 3 Canadian teams and 5 international teams.
December 30th, 2013 at 1:32 PM ^
The U17 Challenge isn't an IIHF event, so it doesn't tie a player with dual-citizenship to playing for the country they play for. A number of years ago, Jason Bailey, who went on to play for Michigan, played for Ontario at the U17s, and then the next year, played for the NTDP U18s and represented the US at the World U18s(which is an IIHF event, and tied him to the US internationally).
December 30th, 2013 at 2:41 PM ^
Daniel Sprong, who would one of Quebec's best players, is not playing for them because of citizenship issues. He is originally from the Netherlands.
December 30th, 2013 at 9:46 AM ^
December 30th, 2013 at 9:56 AM ^
We need him back. We're 2012 Michigan Hockey all over again without him