WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY

                                                      Game 4: Canada vs the USA !!

Canadian World Junior hockey fans took off their party hats for a couple of hours tonight to witness the most anticipated game of the 2025 World Junior tournament to date – CANADA vs the USA.  Not only were the usual bragging rates and rivalry grudges at stake, but the outcome would finalize the final line-ups for Thursday’s quarterfinal matchups.

After the Finns beat Latvia in regulation this afternoon, they leap frogged both North American squads into first place in the A division.  Tonight’s winner will jump back into first place and win the division.  That would lead to playing a lesser team (Switzerland or Slovakia) in the quarters, providing a clearer path to the semi-finals on Saturday.  The loser would then have to face either the Swedes or Czechs on Thursday.

The US are the defending champions, with a dominating top line who play together at Boston College.  Their nation has won 6 Golds, 2 silver and 7 bronze medals over the years.  They are likely still smarting from Sunday’s rather lackluster performance against the Finns in a 4-3 OT loss.  The European team pumped 44 shots toward the Americans.

Team Canada had their best start to date, but the attack/counter attack soon took over.  At first it looked like this could be anyone’s game.  The inevitable chirpiness set in before the 10 minute mark – these guys were here to play.   Lane Hutson’s brother,  Cole put the US team ahead @ 7:40 ringing in a pp shot off the post from the point.  Fisticuffs then entered the scenario with under 6 minutes to go which sent a pair off.  A feisty, high skill contest in which the USA team had a slight edge.  Canada’s 11-6 SOG advantage was not indicative of the play.  We and the Ottawa crowd were in for a DOOZY !

You could feel the hate building as the second period progressed.  Canada took the play mostly to the US, at one point outshooting them 20-6 by the 10 minute mark.  They had a solid PP opportunity (which has only been 2 for 13 so far) resulting in a wild goalmouth scramble, to no avail.  That sequence was followed closely by an 8 shot barrage by the Americans.  Dickenson went off for his second dumb penalty, but our boy George stepped up again.  This guy has been Team Canada’s netminder for 12 wins in a row, dating back to U17’s and U18’s and now again tonight.  This reporter feels the Canadians need to be a little more Canadian ie physical, in your face hockey.  Can you say “overtime” ?  The US team started the third period a man down.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before – Canada must STOP taking dumb penalties !  I can remember my Dad and I having this kind of conversation back in the late 60’s.  Canada was tied with the Czechs 3-3 late in a medal game and sure enough another dumb Canadian penalty led to us losing a medal.  Can Canada score in the medal round ?  They’ve only had 10 goals through the preliminary round.    Bradly Nadeau got one for the home team to make it interesting, but the Americans’ Andy Nelson and some other guy made it a 3-1 final.  When you are down 8 penalties, outplayed 6 ways to Sunday and leave your all-star goalie out to dry, it’s pretty hard to work up any sympathy for those (many) who did not show up.

So, on Thursday here’s how the quarters line up:

USA vs Switzerland        Sweden vs Latvia

Finland vs Slovakia        Canada vs Czech

HOPPERS NOTES:  I wish to extend all my very best to ALL my friends and family – everything that you wish and hope for in the coming year.  You are my strength.  CHEERS