Lil about the 2009 World Junior Championships

If you have been following the IIHF World Jr Championships in Ottawa, you have probably heard all about how the tournament should be an 8 team tournament so there are not as many blow outs (See Canada vs Kazakhstan..or anyone vs Kazakhstan). The logic of bring 2 teams up was that if they played the big boys they would see what the need to do to beat the big boys and then would get better. That only works if the team is at least close in skill level. Also there is a wonderful in the IIHF tournaments that when a tie occurs it goes to goals. This means if you are winning 5,6,7 or 8 to 0 you can't just lay off and not score because it could mean the difference between getting a bye to the semis or playing in the quarters. This is a wHeak rule and really should be changed if the tournament is going to stay in its current format. (The IIHF was considering making it a 12 team tournament but that idea got trashed after Canada trashed Kazakhstan 15-0)

Anyone watch the game everyone was waiting for in the preliminary round? Canada vs rivals USA. Always a good game, and everyone knew this one was going to be no different. But boy was it ever, one of the best games of the tournament and of recent memory. Canada went down by 3 early but were sparked by (at least Don Cherry and I like to think) one of the American players going by the Canadian bench after the 3rd goal with his hand to his ear. TSN turning point anyone? It may not have been the reason but Canada came back and scored 3 and ended up winning 7-4 (2 homo goals, one by Tavares to complete the hatrick) and got the bye to the semis. Fun fact to note, USA lost to Slovakia in the quarters and are out of medal contention. Canada plays Russia Saturday night for the chance to play for gold on Monday. Go Canada Go!