December 26/21
Thank goodness for our Team Canada Junior Hockey team. We say this every year, but “we” are so stacked with talent, our 4th liners and third pair would be all-stars back in their own leagues. If the opening TSN montage “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” featuring past icons and championships didn’t get you all teary eyed, stop reading here !
The 2021, (D-man Owen Power), slam dunk 2022 (17 year old forward Shane Wright) and likely 2023 (16 year old sensation Connor Bedard) first round draft choices all wear Canada’s colours. And with returnees like Cole Perfetti (F), Kaiden Guhle (D) and Dylan Garand (G) in the room you have got to like Canada’s chances to add to their globe setting pace with a 19th Gold Medal.
During earlier games on day one Finland defeated a determined German team 3-1, while The Swedes hung on to beat the Russians 6-3 despite being up 3-0 in Red Deer. The defending Gold Medallist Team USA and Slovakia play the late game (9:30 eastern).
WOW, that first period was exactly what a hockey starved nation needed !
After the usual nervous, scrambly start to these affairs, Peterborough Pete star Mason McTavish floated through the Czech zone, played an unexpected through the legs move and then roofed the 1-0 goal at the 4 minute mark. Two Jake Neighbors’ offensive zone hits later and the Canadians seemed to be on their way setting the Czechs back on their heels. But, before you knew it a video confirmed goal tied it at the 8 minute mark.
Then, all heck broke loose as 5 goals were scored in the next 13 minutes putting the Czech’s up 3 to 2. It wasn’t until the :30 second mark before Donavan Suprango tied it up from Perfetti and Bedard.
Man, what a period !
The Canadians came back strong in period 2 helped by some boneheaded penalties from the Czechs. At the 13-minute mark, one penalty led to another and then to another, leaving Team Canada with a million opportunities to put this game away. Power from Perfetti and then Power’s hat trick goal (first ever by a Canadian D-man) made it 5-3. The Czechs only had 2 shots on goal in the second while Canada piled it on with 15 of their own. Also notable during this stanza was moving 2023 first overall Connor Bedard up the forward chart.
I should also note at this time (as if it wasn’t already obvious) that I am unabashedly Canadian through and through and if I am ever asked who my favorite hockey team is, it is ALWAYS Team Canada.
One could sense that CZECH was done after two. They were being outshot significantly, out hit and out hustled. This is a team that boasted 10 drafted players. They just didn’t have enough left in the tank after briefly taking that 3-1 first period lead. Owen Zellweger topped things off with a PP goal to finish things off at 6-3.
HOPPER NOTES:
After my Shameless “Homer” admission, may I pile on by saying that this is the 45th Anniversary of this prestigious tournament and Canada has won 18 of them ? Two of our predominant players, (Cole Perfetti and Owen Power) have won a gold medal for Canada before winning a World Junior. I would LOVE to have either on my team ! Our strong “back end” supplied 5 of our 6 goals. Our next game is vs Germany on Tuesday.
Discuss – cheers !