Month: December 2024

WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Game two:  vs Germany

OK, are we all over the shock, anger and embarrassment ?

Today is another day.  The Finns beat the USA in a great overtime win this afternoon to tighten up group “A” just a little.  This goes to prove that on any given day, anyone can win.  That’s what makes this such a GREAT tournament.

Canada’s worst fear became a reality when it was reported that 17 year old stud d-man Mathew Schaefer was done for the tournament with a broken clavica.  His replacement, Sawyer Mynio (#7) is a point per game player known for his defensive play.  Ain’t depth grand ?  Upfront, the need to shore up the 1 for 7 power play will be on Carson Rehkopf  (#16) bringing his 47 points in 27 games to the table.

Germany has lost both games to date including their close 3-1 loss to the Finns.  Julius Humpf will be worth keeping an eye on.  The draft eligible youngster plays for Moncton in the Q and has 1 goal and 1 assist in the tourney to date.  The Germans claim to fame so far has been their strong penalty kill, holding off opponents in 7 attempts to date.  Canada has never lost to theGermans (17 wins, 108-26 in goals for).  Whoops, where have we heard that one before ?

Another scrambly start by Canada led to a 4-2 shot advantage for the Germans.  The coaching staff have got to look at that.  One of the major adjustments made was moving Sam Dickenson up to quarterback the first power play unit as he does for the London Knights.  It paid off at the 10 minute mark as London teammate Oliver Bonk put in the opening goal  from another London mate Easton Cowan and Berkly Caton.  It was Dickson who kept the puck in to start that scoring play.  The Germans had their own power play later in the period, but “by George, I think we have a goalie !”  SOG 9-9.

At the end of the second period, it was hard to know what to report.  1-0, shots on goal even, maybe a very slight edge in play for the Canadians.  Dumb penalties and generally undisciplined play.  Key point being it was only 1 to zero.

Calmer heads prevailed for the home side as they enjoyed the edge in territorial play throughout the final frame.  Defenseman Caden Price knocked in a fluke goal off the dasher board to pretty much seal the deal at the 5 minute mark.  Germany pulled their goalie with 3:18 left to no avail.  In fact, Bonk salted an empty netter with 2.4 to go to make the final 3-0.

HOPPER NOTES:  Final shots on goal were 36-25 Canada…my ace reporter, pointed out our clubs decorative sox – they looked even better in our reds…hey there Georgie Boy – second shutout and player of the game award…I kinda miss the old days when we would simply kick the shit out these “lower teired” countries…”A” division standings now stand at USA 7 points, Canada 7 points and Finland with 5…over in “B” , Sweden has 9 and so does Czechia…CANNOT wait for the New Years eve showdowns in both divisions – CHEERS !

GAME 2 vs LATVIA

Tonight’s game vs Latvia could give many Canadian fans fits of anxiety anticipating potential performance lethargy, embarrassment and grief for the playoff placements at the end of the preliminary round.  Just sayin’.

The Canadian A- performance against the Finns last night would lead many to believe that more of the same (x10) was in order.  But this is a funny tournament, and upsets have happened over the years.  Preposterous right?  Canada has never lost to the Latvians and have in fact outscored them 41 to 4 over the years.

For the second game in a row, the Canadians started a little tentatively without any aggression, pressure or physical contact.  Their first powerplay showed a lot of fancy dan crap creating only one shot on goal.  The only notable play was when potential first round pick Mathew Schaffer took a nice give and go to the net only to jam his left shoulder off the goalpost.  He went straight to the room and was not seen for the rest of the period.  The TSN announcers kept professing the Latvians were a hard-working team and that showed.  They gave Team Canada a game.  0-0 after one and only a 12-9 shot advantage for the Canucks.

Throughout the second frame, the pesky Latvians just wouldn’t go away !  Jett Luchanko finally gave the Canadians the lead 4 minutes in with a backhand deke on a shorty.  That started what many thought may have been a trend setter.  Jett is another product of the London hockey factory (Knights or not ).   Latvian goaltender Linards Felberg was steady throughout the frame as Canada started to exert their pressure, making 21  saves.  You must take your hats off to the team in Purple for their feisty and tenacious style.

Holly Lippshitz !  This game is going to overtime !!  The Canadians were outplayed, out hustled and just did not play hard, Canadian hockey.  Credit the Latvians, heavily out shot and out chanced.  Power plays ruled the third.  One by us, two by them.

Holly FUCK !!!  Latvia wins 3-2 in a shootout.  Their 3^rd win in WJH history.

HOPPER NOTES:  The Latvian coach’s motto was “Let’s stay in this as long as we can”…Canadian Head Coach Dave Cameron was heavily quoted as saying, “don’t look past this one”…let’s hope that future star d-man Mathew Schaffer is only bruised and not separated…compared to last night, I cannot come  up with one outstanding Canadian player.  STUNNED

G’night and CHEERS !

Hockey Championships  CANADA vs FINLAND    

Hey everyone, hope you are all having a great Holiday Season and we all know what comes with it – THE WORLD JUNIORS !!      Welcome back to HOPPER on HOCKEY.  Truly the most wonderful time of the year as this year’s edition looks to be another heart stopper. 

What are your favorite memories ?  Jordan Eberle’s virtuoso performance (’09), Gretzky’s debut way back (’78) at the start from the Montreal Forum or how about the Gold Medal Winners from a pair of unheralded pluggers named John Slaney (‘91) or Nigel Dawes (’05).   Two words: The Connors.  I will personally never forget the diligence of Jonathan Toews in that shoot out victory over the USA (’07).  Honorable mention MUST go to the “Punch up in Piestany”.

Earlier in the day, Sweden beat Slovakia 5-2, the USA dominated Germany 10 to 4 and then the Czechs took Switzerland 5-1.

Team Canada played in 3 WJC tune ups winning all 3 against the Swiss 7-1 (Easton Cowan hat trick), Czechia 3-2 and Sweden 4-2.  Tonight’s matchup has long time nemesis Finland vs the hometown Canadians and their deep roster looking to make amends for last year’s 5^th place finish. 

After an initial feeling out process, Canada began to dominate, leading 6 to 1 in shots on goal during the first 5 minutes.  The top line of Calum Ritchie (Oshawa), Easton Cowan (London) and Bradley Nadeau (Chicago AHL) lived up to their billing with smothering offensive shifts throughout the first.  The teams exchanged power play opportunities in last 6 minutes to no avail until just turned 17 year old phenom Gavin McKenna pumped in his own rebound in the final minute of the frame.  Finland would start the second with man advantage.  SOG 17-6 Canada.

Finland had zero shots to start their second period PP attempt.  In fact, the best chance belonged to Drummondville’s Ethan Gauthier on a clear-cut breakaway that Petteri Rimpinen got in the way of.  Not long after, Cowan stepped in to pick a loose puck thanks to Nadeau’s forecheck and then used Ritchie as a decoy to hammer Canada’s 2-0 goal on the short side.  The home team continued to out work and overpower the Finns with their superior speed, size and grit.  Final SOG 12-5/29-11 overall.

WOW, what a difference a period can make.  To say it was charitable that the Finns were only down only 2 zip would be an understatement.  They turned it around bigtime in the third, outshooting the Canadians 20 to 11. Goalie Carter George proved why he was chosen for the number one job in the Canadian cage.  Wave after wave (including a 6 on 4 for 2 minutes) George stood solid, earning Player of the Game status.  He only had to stop 11 attempts in the first 2 periods.  Canada persevered with goals from Luca Pinelli off a beauty feed from Caden Price and then another 17 year old, Mathew Schaffer, put the final nail in the coffin with a 200 foot empty netter tomake the final 4-0.  GREAT GAME !

HOPPER NOTES:  Before the third period it was hard to pick a soft spot in the Canadian game…dumb penalties and poor clearouts changed that in the third…standouts for me, other than the obvious, were the defense pair of Andrew Gibson and Tanner Molendyk and forward Berkly Catton…does Gavin McKenna remind you of someone…Canada goes against Latvia tomorrow, Germany on Sunday and then the biggie vs the USA on New Year’s eve…who is your favorite 5 Golds in – a row era-1993 to 1997 or 2005 through 2009…Canada is trying for their 21st GOLD medal – the closest rival – the USSR, CIS/Russia with 13…NOW let’s not take a nap on Latvia tomorrow !  CHEERS.