Any time Canada and the United States meet at the world juniors, there's a heightened sense of importance to the game - and that even goes for the preliminary round. Make it the gold medal final with everything on the line, throw in the recent track record and long-standing rivalry between these two teams and it seems fans are in for another thrilling night of entertainment in Saskatoon.
You can see the gold medal game Tuesday night on TSN, TSN HD, and TSN.ca beginning at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt.
Just a few days ago, on New Year's Eve, with first place in Group A on the line, Canada scored a comeback victory over the U.S., winning 5-4 in a dramatic shootout to clinch a bye into the semifinals of the world junior hockey championship. It was the highlight of the tournament thus far, and no doubt had many fans hoping for a rematch later in the proceedings.
They got their wish.
Thanks to a 5-2 upset victory over Sweden, the U.S. will indeed get another crack at the Canadians, this time for world junior hockey supremacy.
The Canucks, who beat Switzerland to lock down their spot in the final, are looking for a record sixth straight championship, but there a few potential obstacles in the way of that prize.
First of all, the last time these two countries faced off in the championship game of this tournament was 2004. The winner? The U.S.A., with a 4-3 win to claim that year's tourney in Helsinki, Finland.
It was the Americans' first world junior title, and it came at the expense of the boys in red and white.
In addition to that historical tidbit, there are roster issues as well. Canadian defenceman Travis Hamonic will miss the final as he is out 6-8 weeks with a shoulder separation.
"It's a potentially devastating loss," says TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. "Team Canada loses a guy that can hammer the puck from the point on their power play. They also lose a penalty killer and they lose one of their shut-down defencemen. It's an absolutely huge loss for Team Canada, and they're a little thin on the blue line to begin with." [Read the rest of the article]
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
No shortage of history as Canada, U.S. clash in Championship.
This is what TSN has to say about the WJC final tomorrow night. I must be theon of the only people that doesn't see USA beating Sweden as a upset. I expected it. Tomorrow night game is also on the NHL Network which is 215 on Direct TV and 307 on Midco.net in Grand Forks, ND.
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Funny that they say Canada losing Travis is a huge loss?
ReplyDeleteYet, you talk to any Blues fans, they think Alex Pietrangelo is a god! Should've been the only player on Team Canada that should've stood out. He's played the most NHL Games in 18, and the most experienced, yet the young lad, still can't show intensity.
This is another reason why the Blues aren't great, their 2 highest draft picks in Erik Johnson and Pietrangelo can't/didn't even make statements in the World Juniors...
Think they'll find their games in the NHL???
A friend of mine at HockeyBias told me that (for cheapskates like me who don't splurge for NHL networks) you can watch tonight's game at http://www.justin.tv/mcanimx#r=l0FaleY
ReplyDeleteI saw the USA beat the Swedes there, and it was certainly not HD, but it was VERY tolerable.