Canada... long the power in world junior hockey with five consecutive gold medals... loses the championship game to Team USA last night in Saskatoon.
A furious third period comeback was all for naught as John Carlson scored the overtime winner to give Team USA a 6-5 victory over Canada in the gold medal game at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
The victory clinches only the second gold medal for the Americans in tournament history and snaps Canada's streak of five straight gold medals.
After the game Carlson was elated that he was able to come through in the clutch and beat a talented team.
"They're a feisty team, they're a great team and it was unbelievable playing them on New Year's Eve and now here it was just play our game," Carlson told TSN. "We know they're going to get chances and score goals, that's how good they are. We just needed to play our game and tonight it worked out."
When asked the difference between this team and previous American teams that appeared to be stocked with more talent, Team USA head coach Dean Blais gave a tip of his hat to the hosts.
"We played Canadian hockey," Blais stated. "We played gritty."Yup. Beat 'em at their own game... always a good strategy. Congrats Team USA! Read the entire article here, if'n ya care.
On another, yet related note... I'm thinkin' we may not be so lucky in the upcoming Winter Olympics... but that's another story and one we'll talk about here at EIP in due time.
In the 12 years that my SN2 played hockey he and his many hockey friends always wanted to play against a Canadian team. The whole idea was playing in the Hockey Mother Country against the people who start skating shortly after they learn to balance on two feet, you know the sportsmanship that would be in it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the shock of shockers is that upon their one chance to play in the Hockey Motherland we/they found the Canadians to be the ugliest players on ice. None of that 'touch' or 'stick-to-stick' passing, none of that cutie' and 'gentlemanly' play we were all expecting. They played mean and ugly.
The Team USA Coach calling them "gritty" is an understatement. A well done Bravo Zulu to all the members of Team USA. Nothing I like more than seeing Canadians getting their own sport shoved up their... well you know where!!
BT: Jimmy T sends.
I met Dean Blais a couple of times back when I was at Grand Forks. I went to a few of the Fighting Sioux games; this was back when they were first contending for the national title under coach Gino Gasparini. Gino recruited a lot of Canadian players, and they played Canadian style. This was not entirely popular with the rest of the WCHA, and there were many comments from UMinn fans (UM had a tradition of recruiting from MN almost exclusively at the time).
ReplyDeleteOld time hockey?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Young Carlson is related to the famed Carlson Brothers (go look at "Hansonbrothers.net)
We just watched "Slapshot 3", so that's where this all comes form.
The Canadians just get angry with the U.S. because we are such a large nation with diverse sporting choices.
WV: "bonging" None for me, thanks!
Gee, I gotta sepll betir.
ReplyDeleteMaybe too much bonging this morning.
WV: "splain" Really.
Can't wait for the Olympic hockey Buck, I love it, watch as many games as I can. It's the way hockey should be played.
ReplyDeleteCanadian hockey is class, skill, and nastiness, and it's a beautiful thing. That game was spectacular to watch from the opening face-off. Lots of scoring, TONS of hitting, and speed, speed, speed. Loved it. Came out of my seat when they scored the game winner.
ReplyDeleteJimmy: I'm sorry your SN2's experience was that bad. I've had the experience of watching Canadian Juniors before (Windsor being right across the river from Dee-troit) and they played hard but clean.
ReplyDeleteGordon: College hockey is VERY entertaining. SN1 and I went to a CCHA Finals game at Joe Louis once upn a time in the way-back and we were HIGHLY entertained. Being able to go to many UND games is about the only bennie I could see about being stationed at Grand Forks, LOL!
Darryl: "Bonging." Heh. But you are right about our sporting options.
tim: I agree. I posted lots about hockey during the last Winter Olympics... to the sound of crickets chirping. USA was never really in contention the last time around; it remains to be seen what the younger team will do this time.
Andy: You must get the NHL network, you lucky dog. I thought... albeit briefly... of watching NHL.com's streaming feed, but I've had issues with them in the past.
"I posted lots about hockey during the last Winter Olympics... to the sound of crickets chirping."
ReplyDeleteThings will change this time, Buck. Let the Games begin!
By the way, got addicted to the Curling last time. For some reason it's fascinating to watch, can't explain why.
Cool! I've actually picked up a couple o' three readers since the 2006 Olympics that may enjoy... or at least read... my hockey posts.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought I was the only person in all of the USA that actually watched curling! :-)
That was a fun hockey story - thanks for sharing. I do look forward the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteHow in hell did I miss this? I mean, I know I was off the intertubes here for six days, but I still watched some news programs and some ESPN and... damn. Great story.
ReplyDeleteLou: You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteJim: It ain't often I get to play the "ya heard it here first!" card. Thanks for giving me the opportunity!