by Redwing77
Ok, I'll leave the more stat-based report to Goon, but Team USA just defeated Team Canada in the Preliminary Round 4-2. It is the first win for Team USA against Canada in the Prelim round since 1999.
The goals were scored by Colin White (BC), Louis Belpedio (Miami), Zack Werenski (Michigan), and Auston Matthews (somewhere in Switzerland).
The big storylines to me: Team USA winger and leading scorer in the OHL gets the dumbest play of the WJC thus far by taking a spearing penalty in the 1st Period. Look at the replays. Team Canada player gives DeBrincat (USA) a little shove to the shoulder and DeBrincat spears the player in the groin. What. a. MORON.
Perhaps it is just the media that covers Major Juniors but you see a LOT of stupid major penalties and suspensions coming out of Major Juniors these days. In fact, the leading Canadian excuse for losing is because of one. The projected #1 goaltender for Team Canada, Mackenzie Blackwood, is serving the final 2 games of an 8 game suspension due to a slashing incident. Mackenzie Blackwood is a good goaltender, but WOW. Watch the video.
Anyways, that's how the first period ended and the second period began. USA goaltender Alex Nedejkovic (OHL goaltender and Carolina draft pick) was positively stellar. Starman was right on when he said that Nedejkovic's challenges to the puck were almost clinic-like good.
In any case, Brock Boeser spent the game on the first line after "Bonehead" DeBrincat got the ejection. In my armchair coach's opinion, I think Brock should stay there until DeBrincat proves that he belongs on the first line through responsible gameplay. I think Boeser had a pretty good game. He and Tkachuk were great screens on Werenski's goal. Schmaltz was not that noticable to me. I'd love to know the faceoff figures but I think Canada was pretty dominant in the faceoff circle.
Canada's two goals today were due to adversity on Team USA's part.
Canada's first goal came thanks to a blocked shot in the Canadian zone
brought back and a few mistakes later, they scored. The second goal was
a power play goal that TRULY highlighted Canada's talent. In other
words, if you play gritty, grinder style hockey and you don't do anything stupid... you have a good chance of being competitive. Team USA got lucky on the major PK to kill it off.
How Did USA Look:
It's their first game. As far as that is concerned, they looked DARNED GOOD. Flashy? Nope. Outskilled Canada? Not a chance. They outworked Canada. This is a "workman-like" team. If you want flashes of skill and such, this is NOT the team to watch. Team USA won by grinding Canada down to nothing.
The only storyline about the scoring is really this: The only goal scored by someone NOT in the NCAA is someone currently playing pro hockey in Europe. Yup. 0 Major Juniors scored for Team USA. Does that mean anything at all? Not unless you are majorly hung up on the MJ vs. NCAA argument.
How Did Canada Look:
It's their first game. I think they're scary good. Then again, they're ALWAYS scary good. Too bad their fanbase isn't as classy as the skill level of their players. I mean, during the camera pan while the National Anthem of the US was being played, it showed a LOT of Canada jerseys doing ANYTHING but giving respect to our Anthem. I mean, not even standing silently. Lots of talking and goofing around. Sad.
In any case, Team Canada and Team Sweden, in my opinion, are the early on favorites. Sweden has 12 returning players and Canada is just really talented.
What does this game mean for both teams?
For Team Canada it's a loss. Certainly not something unrecoverable. As much as I'd love to see them continue to falter, they won't. This game proved that they're not invulnerable. However, they're not going to be easy to beat if you try to play their game style of run and gun, talent vs. talent.
For Team USA it probably means a bit more. First, and most importantly, it gets the monkey off their backs. They faced their biggest rival. This is only something like the 7th win in 40+ games vs. Canada. Canada is the benchmark and this win is a huge boost for USA Hockey.
That being said, it's the PRELIMINARY ROUND. Beyond that symbolism, that's it. Team USA could face Canada again and Canada could drop 6 goals on them. It's a good win for Team USA and now they can focus on just playing hockey. Canada will bounce back and, if USA keeps winning, I'm fairly certain that they'll square off again. Certainly will be a fun game to watch... if you don't have heart or blood pressure issues.
Good first game for us. Let's keep workin'.
