USA Destories Latvia in the WJC Relegation Round

Wanting to show that it wasn't happy competing in this year's Relegation Round at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships, Team USA showed no mercy against Latvia in their 1st of 2 Relegation Round Games with a 12-2 win over Latvia this afternoon at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. With this win, it secures the Americans Place at next year's World Junior Hockey Championships in Ufa, Russia.

They will finish up this year's WJC Tournament tomorrow at at 4:00 PM against Switzerland who thinks their victory against Denmark yesterday, they will be battling for pride and for 7th Place as the winner of the Relegation Round. However for Latvia & Denmark, it's a battle for survival as they will play at at 12:00 PM Tomorrow.

The winner will earn the final spot for next year's WJC Tournament, while the loser will finish in last place and will be relegated down to the WJC Division 1 Tournament with the likes of Norway, Austria & Slovenia next season in a location that is TBD.

As for tonight's Semifinals, 1st up is Sweden VS. Finland at 4:00 PM where Sweden ended up winning Group A with a 2-2-0-0 record with OT Wins over Sweden (4-3) & Switzerland (4-3), while also getting regulation wins over a plucky Latvia Team (9-4) and crushed Slovakia (9-1) with a 5 goal outburst in the 3rd period.

While Finland finished 2nd in Group B coming out to a bad start with an 8-1 loss to Canada in the Tournament's Opening Game. The Finns have comeback impressively with wins over the USA (4-1), Denmark (10-1) & the Czech Republic (4-0). Then in yesterday's Quarterfinal Game against Slovakia, it was the Finns winning a scoring fest with a 4 goal outburst in the 2nd period to win 8-5 over Slovakia.

The other Semifinal Game will come down to one of the world's oldest rivalries as Canada VS. Russia will duke it out in a rematch of last year's Championship Game where Russia pulled off an unlikely comeback from 3-0 down in the 3rd period to win 5-3 in last year's Gold Medal Game to win the WJC for the 1st time since 2003.

Canada had a perfect Group Stage with wins over the USA (3-2), Finland (8-3), Czech Republic (5-0) & Denmark (10-2) as they look to win the Nations first Gold Medal since 2009 when Canada won in Ottawa, Ontario.

Finally for Russia, a strong 3-0-1-0 record with an impressive +18 GD and a with one of the better Defense's in a very long time. It was wins over Switzerland (3-0), Latvia (14-0) & Slovakia (3-1). So far this year, their only loss came in their Group Stage Finale against Sweden 4-3 in OT. Then in yesterday's Quarterfinal, it was a tough battle against a Czech Republic team with arguably this year's best goalie Peter Marek who made 50+ saves in a 2-1 OT Loss against the Czech Republic.

The Russians are looking to win back-to-back Gold Medals since 2002 & 2003 as well. Also with the WJC Tournament in Ufa, Russia next season, back-to-back Gold Medals would really spark the Russian Fans to really support the Russian National Team next season.

So far this year, the Russians went 3-0-0-1 in the Group Stage with

USA 12  Latvia 2  (4-0, 7-1, 1-1)

Press Release by Andrew Podnieks of the IIHF Website

USA VS. Latvia Game Photos

From Calgary, Alberta: Austin Watson scored three goals in the first period and seven points in total to lead the United States to an easy but crucial 12-2 win over Latvia. The win ensures the U.S. will not be relegated to Division 1 for 2013 and will be in Ufa, Russia next Christmas.

Latvia's loss places a huge importance on tomorrow's game with Denmark. The winner joins the U.S. in Ufa with the rest of the Top Division Teams while the loser gets relegated.

"The biggest thing we wanted to prove is that we believe we shouldn't be in the Relegation Round," Watson said. "We wanted to come out and have a strong game. We showed that were capable of playing with the guys in the Medal Round. It was about playing for country, playing for the crest on our jersey, not worrying about what happened in the past. Just worrying about the present and the moment we're in."

The Americans finish their tournament with a game against Switzerland for 1st Place in the Relegation Round standings at stake.

"We're not where we want to be tonight, but we need to keep our heads up," added Nick Bjugstad. "We've had a rough outing, but we're playing for the sweater and it was great to have a good performance (Against Latvia). It was kind of good to show up this game from an offensive standpoint."

In addition to Watson's seven points, Nick Bjugstad had 3 goals and 5 points and Brandon Saad added four assists. The Americans doubled their opponents in SOG, 58-29.

Watson's three goals in the first were all set up by different teammates. On the opening tally, at 5:40, he redirected a Jared Tinordi point shot. On the 2nd, it was a nice fed from Jon Merrill to the side, and on the third it was Kyle Rau who found Watson in the slot.

Latvian starting goalie Kristers Gudlevskis was replaced early in the 2nd period after the fifth American Goal, but his replacement, Rihards Cimermanis fared worse, allowing six more goals in 19:04 of the 2nd. As a result Gudlevskis was back in for the 3rd period, allowing just one goal.

The first Latvian Goal came at 2:03 of the 2nd period on a shot by Zemgus Girgensons that beat Jack Campbell under the blocking arm. Their 2nd, near the end of the game, came when Teodors Blugers passed the puck in front of the U.S. Net only to have U.S. Defensemen Austin Czarnik redirect it passed his own goalie.

The huge win allowed the Americans to pad their stats, as it were. After scoring only five goals in their last three games, they piled on the goals even without even trying to hard, they were sent to the Relegation Round was an unlikely scenario, but the team bit the bullet and took it to the Latvians.

"We still have to beat Denmark, no matter what," Bulgers said. That's the big game, we need to refocus. We definitely need to play better on defense, man-to-man coverage, getting back. We had to many guys caught up in the rush and gave up too many odd-man rushes.

IHWC Qualfiying Round Group F: Canada crushes Norway, Sweden Controls Latvia

Canada used a 7 goal 2nd period turned what was a decent effort by Norway and into an absolute blowout as Canada used that to springboard them to a 12-1 win. Bettering Denmark's 6 goal 1st period earlier in the day.

Meanwhile between Sweden and Latvia had little issues to deal with Latvia with 3 first period goals by 3 different players gave them a 4-2 win over Latvia who's still looking for their first points of the 2nd Round. So far, their only win came against Kazakhstan which got them to the 2nd Round.

From the International Ice Hockey Federation Website: www.iihf.com

From Andrew Pondieks

Sweden 4 Latvia 2 (3-1, 0-0, 1-1)

Sweden VS. Latvia Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/SWE%20-%20LAT.html

From Mannheim, Germany: Sweden had little trouble defeating Latvia, 4-2, tonight at SAP Arena. Four different goalscorers contributed to the victory while Martins Karsums had both Latvian Goals.

The win gives Sweden six points and a place in top spot of Group F with Switzerland and Canada, although the Swiss have a game in hand. Latvia remains in 6th and last place with no points in three games.

"We let the game slip away," Latvian defensemen Janis Sprukts said. "We made it easy for them. They have a lot of speed from their forwards, and we couldn't shut them down."

"It was a pretty good game for us," Henrik Peterson suggested. "We got the three points and have time to work on a few things now."

The game started out with a feverish pace, the first minutes packing more action into it then most of the rest of the game. It began with Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson picking up a rebound in his own end to open the scoring. He simply blew by defensemen Georgijs Pujacs and slid the puck along the ice to Edgars Masalskis fell sideways to give Sweden a 1-0 lead just 37 seconds into the game.

On the ensuing faceoff, the Latvian's replied. This time Sprukts made a nice pass from the side of the net of to net to Karsums, and his quick shot to the far side surprised Markstrom. Only 56 seconds from the opening faceoff the game was tied, 1-1.

Four minutes later, the Swedes took the lead again when Olivier Ekman Larsson's harmless-looking wrist shot from the point made its way through traffic in front past a screened Masalskis.

Tre Kronor upped its lead to 3-1 at 14:30 on a beautiful three-way passing play off the rush. The attack ended with a great pass by Rickard Wallin bring to the trailer on the play, Mikael Nylander, who walked in and drilled a great shot to the side of Masalskis. The play started with a pass coming over the blue-line from Christian Backman.

The Swedes dominated the 2nd period and Markstrom had previous few difficult saves to make in the middle 20 minutes. At one point, Tre Kronor had the puck in the Latvian end for about four minutes straight.

During this time, Fredrik Pettersson enlivened the proceedings when he had the puck behind the net and tried to score a lacrosse style goal. That is, he flipped the puck onto the blade of his stick and tried to stuff the puck in the short side. Masalskis got his shoulder and head over to the near post in time to keep the puck out, but full marks to Pettersson for originality and entertainment.

"It's something I've tried before, but tonight the goalie saw me I think and was able to get over. But I was in a good position to do it, and if I see the chance I'll try again."

The Swedes were on a constant to puck-possession hockey, and the Latvian's had no seeming answer to cut into the lead. But five minutes into the third period, Markstrom muffed a routine play allowed Latvia back in the game. Karsums came off the left side and barged in on goal, jamming the puck between Markstorm's pads.

The puck trickled down behind the goalie who then knocked the puck over the goal line in trying to squeeze his pads. This made for a move interesting finish then what Sweden had hoped for given their significant territorial and shots advantage in the game.

Tony Martensson finished the scoring late in the game with a bullet slapshot just inside the blueline that caught Masalskis napping.

Both teams play on Sunday. Latvia plays Norway in the afternoon followed by Sweden-Canada.

"We played a pretty good game tonight," Pettersson said, "but we still have a lot of little things we have to work on. We're much better as a team today then we were a week ago, but we can still improve."

Canada 12 Norway 1 (1-1, 7-0, 4-0)

Canada VS. Norway Game Photos: www.iihf.com/channels10/iihf-world-championship-wc10/pictures/page/0/game/CAN%20-%20NOR.html

From Andrew Podnieks

In Mannheim, Germany: Canada scored an easy 12-1 win victory over Norway this afternoon at the SAP Arena. Jordan Eberle, the 19 year old activated to the roster because of injuries, had a goal and 3 assists. Evander Kane had two goals and an assist, and the third member of the line, Rich Peverley, chipped in with a goal and two assists. It was Eberle's international debut at the senior level. He had played at the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships.

John Tavares had a hat trick for the winners in the tournament's leading total to six. Canada wore retro jerseys to honor the 2009 U20 U20 team, a fitting tribute that four of the players in today's game wore a year and half ago.

"The game almost gets a little easier when you're playing with such good players, Eberle observed. "Passes are always right on the tape, and you can do things you can't do in juniors. The guys are always talking to you."

The win puts Canada into first place tie with Switzerland in Group F of the qualifying round although the Swiss have a game in hand. Norway remains in 5th place with three points.

Canada's defensive trouble's cost the team the opening goal. Chris Mason made a save off a harmless shot, but the clearing in front of him was poor and the puck ended up on the stick of Jonas Holos at the top of the circle. His quick shot went under the blocker arm of Mason just 1:35 into the game for an early and surprising 1-0 lead for Norway.

"It's not the start that we wanted," Marc Staal said, "and it happened to us in the last game as well. It wasn't a good thing for our confidence, but we knew there was a lot of time left and we could score."

The period was mostly an unmitigated disaster for Canada and team was as flat as the crowd was small and quiet. The low point came midway through when defensemen Kris Russel and got the puck and at the same moment Corey Perry broke out of his end.

All Russell had to do was put the puck on his stick and Perry had a 40 meter breakaway. Instead, he drilled a too-hard pass easily three to four meters wide of his teammate, and instead of a breakaway, it was an icing call.

Canada tied the game at 13:09 off the rush. Marc Staal's original shot was stopped by Ruben Smith, but Evander Kane backhanded the rebound between the goalie's pads to tie the game. Smith was playing because number one goalie Pal Grotnes was serving an automatic one game suspension for a match penalty in the team's last game.

Later in the period, on a power play, Mac Zuccarello Aasen hit the post, but the period ended 1-1.

Canada found a bit of its mojo at 3:51 of the 2nd period on the power play. Ray Whitney's point shot was nicely tipped by Perry in front past Smith to give Canada a 2-1 lead.

"We didn't control the game in the first period," Marc Staal admitted, "but we were patient and then got some shots some time on the power play and got some goals."

Jordan Eberle made a fine little play to key Canada's third goal later in the third period. He made a nice back pass off the boards at the Norway blue-line to Matt Duchene. Duchene took the puck to the net and passed off the trailing defensemen, Marc Giordano made no mistake with his shot from the slot.

The 19 year old Eberle was called into action with injures to Ryan Smyth and Steve Stamkos and was a solid if unspectacular player. He didn't dominate the game by any means, but he also played smart, shifted well, and gave the team some valuable minutes.

And then the roof fell in for Norway. Canada scored three late goals in the period to make it 6-1. That last goal, by Steve Downie, resulted in two penalties for Norway. Ole-Kristian took a roughing minor and Captain Tommy Jakobsen took a five minute major and match penalty for bumping a ref. during discussions.

On the ensuring 5-on-3, Ray Whitney made it 7-1 and with the major penalty still in effect, Kane got his second of the game standing to back side and drilling a delicate and perfect pass from Eberle past the beleguered Smith.

In all, Canada scored 5 goals in a span of 3:06 at the end of the 2nd period. It had 7 goals in the period, four of which were on the power plays.

"We had a good first period, but then we took some stupid penalties and let them play their game," Mathis Olimb said. "We didn't follow our game plan, and then we got a couple of goals and then it just fell apart."

Eberle got his first goal of senior play early in the third period on a nice shot from in close. Tavares added two goals later to finish his hat trick performance and Duchene got the 12th goal on a pretty shot from in tight.

"I knew before the game i'd be on the power play with the second unit, but our line played very well early on and he (Coach Mactavish) kept playing us. It's nice to earn your playing time like that."

Canada's next game is Sunday Night against Sweden while Norway plays Latvia earlier in the day.

Group F Schedule

5/14: Canada 12 Norway 1 (1-1, 7-0, 4-0)

5/14: Sweden 4 Latvia 2 (3-1, 0-0, 1-1)

5/15: Switzerland VS. Czech Republic

5/16: Latvia VS. Norway

5/16: Sweden VS. Canada

5/17: Norway VS. Switzerland

5/17: Czech Republic VS. Latvia

5/18: Canada VS. Czech Republic

5/18: Sweden VS. Switzerland


Group F Standings as of 5/14

1. Canada 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 19-3

2. Switzerland 2-0-0-0 6 PTS 7-2

3. Sweden 2-0-0-1 6 PTS 10-5

4. Czech Republic 1-0-0-1 3 PTS 4-4

5. Norway 1-0-0-2 3 PTS 6-19

6. Latvia 0-0-0-3 0 PTS 4-13

Twitter Updates during U.S.A. Men's Olympic Hockey Games

Be sure to check out twitter for updates during the Men's Olympic Hockey Tournament Opener which will start at 3:00 PM Eastern/2:00 PM Central Time as the Americans will open up Group A play and the entire tournament against Switzerland. I will be providing updates of goals, fights and every moment that helps turn the tide as the Americans quest for Hockey Gold gets underway on the USA Network.

In addition to the USA VS. Switzerland game, Canada will start the tournament against Norway. Also Group B gets underway later tonight as former Soviet Rivals Russia VS. Latvia will take on each other tonight.

Look for updates during the 1st and 2nd intermission of the all the U.S.A. Games during the Men's Olympic Tournament and select Women's Olympic Tournament Games as well.

Today's Schedule

U.S.A. VS. Switzerland 2:00 PM on USA Network

Canada VS. Norway 6:30 PM on CNBC

Russia VS. Latvia 10:55 PM on CNBC


For more, here's my twitter page. www.twitter.com/tanman9

Team Latvia Roster and Profile

Latvia along with Norway will be consdiered the major underdogs this year. One of the few things they will have going for them this year is team chemistiry and experience. Despite being the smallest nation in this year's tournament, this team has a lot of experience as the Latvans have made it to their 3rd straight Olympic Tournament.

Also, a majority of the players will be fimiliary will help them out as 15 of the players are from Latvia's only team in the KHL being Dinamo Riga. In addidition to the Olympics, the Latvia team has surprsily been able to be a regular in the IHWC since 1997. Other then the 2 full time NHL players in Skrastins and Bartuls, a handful of players playing for teams like Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg and Krefeld Pinguine of the German DEL.

In addiditon to the IHWC Experience, the LAT national team has made it to the IHWC Quarterfinals on 4 different times including last year, which had a very strong run which included a SO Wins over Sweden in the Prelim Round. And Switzerland in the Qualfiying Round which was the difference that helped them make the Quarterfinals before losing to Canada in the QFS.

After the Dinamo Riga Players, they looking to their NA players and some of their players that are playing elsewhere in the KHL. Only 2 active NHL players are on this roster as Karlins Strakins (DAL) and Kaspars Daugavins (OTT/Binghamton) who recently made his NHL debut who has played just 1 game so far. He will need to be a be a big time team leader as one of the only NHL Regular's on the roster and have the ability to get the puck to the forwards on a high level.

He's also not used to being a big physical presence, but he will need to be that if the Latvian's will have a strong performance in what a lot experts are calling the toughest of the 3 1st round groups.

For the most part, he's been with the AHL afflaite in Binghamton. Despite making his NHL Debut, he has plenty of North American Experience and international experience as he has already has played in the World Championships twice where he has 12 games in 2 trips to the IHWC. He also had two very successful seasons for the Mississauga St. Micheal's Majors of the OHL by scoring 134 points in 123 career games in the Ontario Hockey League.

Coming to Vancouver with NHL Experience is another youngster who made his NHL Debut this year is Oskars Bartulis of the Philadelphia Flyers. At 6'2" 184, he will be need to be the physcial presence for the Latvains to hold off the much stronger teams from the Czech Republic, Russia and Slovakia in the opening round.

So if the Latvians are going to have a strong showing in Vancouver. The Defense will need to lead the team, with the lack of goaltending experience and the lack of big time experience from the forwards of getting a chance to play in the NHL and getting looked at by bigger clubs in the KHL and in other leagues across Europe.

After two releativly strong years with the Adirondack Phantoms (Then Philadelphia Phantoms at the time) he's been trying to work his physcial play into the NHL, but has been better at this at the international level. Prehaps his best showing internationaly was in 2004 at the U18 World Championship where he finished 2nd in scoring that year.

He also led all defensemen in scoring at the 2005 WJC Division 1 Tournament which helped them earn a spot at the 2006 World Junior Championship. He will be making his debut with the full national team.

Latvia may be one of the biggest underdogs here, but they have embraced that role with they loud and colorful fans. And with the experience in both the IWHC and Olympic Tournaments since 1997 when they made they debut as a top level nation and haven't been relegated once in that timespan.


Latvia Group Stage Schedule (All Games are CST)

2/16: VS. Russia 10:55 PM

2/19: VS. Czech Republic 6:30 PM

2/20: VS. Slovakia 6:30 PM


Here's the Player Profiles for the North American Based Players

Karlis Skrastins (DAL): www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8467519&view=stats

Oskars Bartulis (PHI): www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471756&view=stats

Kaspars Daugavins, Binghamton Senators (AHL): http://theahl.com/stats/player.php?id=1763

Latvia Roster

Goalies

1: Ervins Mustukovs, 6'2" 149, 4/7/1984, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

31: Edgars Masalskis, 5'9" 171, 3/31/1980, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

30: Sergejs Naumovs, 5'10: 171, 4/4/1969, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)


Defensemen

8: Oskars Bartulis, 6'2" 189, 1/21/1987, Ogre LAT, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

13: Guntis Galvins, 6'1" 191, 1/25/1986, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

2: Rodrigo Lavins, 5'10" 185, 8/3/1974, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

71: Georgijs Pujacs, 6'0" 211, 6/11/1981, Riga LAT, Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL, RUS)

26: Krisjanis Redlihs, 6'2" 176, 1/15/1981, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

3: Arvid Rekis, 5'10" 198, 1/1/1979, Jurmala, LAT, Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg (DEL, GER)

7: Karlis Skrastins, 6'1" 210, 7/9/1974, Riga LAT, Dallas Stars (NHL)

11: Kristaps Sotnieks, 5'10" 176, 1/29/1987, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)


Forwards

75: Girts Ankipans, 6'1" 194, 11/29/1975, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

21: Armands Berzins, 6'0" 227, 12/27/1983, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

47: Martins Cipulis, 5'10" 178, 11/20/1980, Cesis LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

10: Lauris Darzins, 6'2" 185, 1/28/1985, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

16: Kaspars Daugavins, 6'0" 205, 5/18/1988, Riga LAT, Binghamton Senators (AHL)

9: Martins Karsums, 5'10" 192, 2/26/1986, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

87: Gints Mejia, 6'0" 159, 9/4/1987, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

17: Aleksandrs Nizivijs, 5'9" 169, 9/16/1976, Riga Lat, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

24: Mikelis Redlihs, 5'10" 171, 7/1/1984, Riga Lat, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

88: Aleksejs Sirokovs, 5'11" 176, 2/20/1981, Riga LAT, Amur Khabarovsk (KHL, RUS)

5: Janis Sprukts, 6'2" 229, 1/31/1982, Riga LAT, Dinamo Riga (KHL, LAT)

12: Herberts Vasiljevs, 6'1" 211, 5/27/1976, Riga LAT, Krefeld Pinguine (DEL, GER)

2010 World Junior Championship Knockout and Releguation Rounds

As we appoarch the End of the Group Stage. We are starting to set the stage for the Knockout Rounds as we march towards the 2010 World Junior Championship and who half to survive to keep their spot for the WJC 2011 in Buffalo, N.Y. next year. So far, we know that USA, Canada and Sweden have officaly clinched spots at least in the Quarterfinals and have a shot getting the automatic semifinals spots which will gurantee them a spot in the Medal Round on the final day of the WJC on January 5.

In the QF's, the 2nd and 3rd place teams will cross over and will play a single elinmation game where winners will play the group winners in the Semifinals. After that, the QF Losers will head to the 5th Place Game which is used for World Ranking and Seeding Purproses for next year's event in New York State.

Then the SF Losers will play each other for the Bronze Medal while the Winners will play for the Gold Medal next Saturday. Canada has won the Gold Medal at this level 5 straight years while their biggest rivals (Esp. the USA & Sweden) will look to knock them off. The USA was the last team to win the WJC Gold back in 2004 when the event was held in Finland.

For the Releguation Round, the 4th and 5th place teams will battle to survive to keep their spots for next year. Each team will play the 2 teams from the other group while the Game between the 2 releguated round teams will transfer over from the Group Stage. The 1st and 2nd place teams will finish 7th and 8th overall and will stay in this tournament for next season.

While the 3rd and 4th place teams will finish 9th and 10th overall and will be sent down to the 2011 WJC Division 1 Tournament for next year. So far, Latvia and Austria have been guranteed Relegation Round Spots while the loser of Switzerland VS. Slovakia game tomorrow and the 4th place team between Czech Republic and Finland will be battaling to keep their spot.

Relegation Round

1/2: Slovakia 3 Austria 2 (2-0, 0-2, 1-0)

1/3: Czech Republic 10 Latvia 2 (5-0, 2-2, 3-0)

1/4: Czech Republic VS. Slovakia 12:00 PM

1/4: Austria VS. Latvia 4:00 PM

Relegation Round Standings

1. Czech Republic 2-0-0-0 6 PTS 17-3

2. Slovakia 2-0-0-0 6 PTS 11-5

3. Austria 0-0-0-2 0 PTS 3-11

4. Austria 0-0-0-1 0 PTS 1-7

Czech Republic & Slovakia have kept their spot for the 2011 WJC in Buffalo

Austria & Latvia have been relegated to the 2011 U20 Division 1 Tournament

Quarterfinals

1/2: Russia 2 Switzerland 3 (OT) (0-0, 2-1, 0-1, 0-1)

1/2: U.S.A. 6 Finland 2 (2-0, 1-1, 3-1)

If Canada plays in the Quarterfinals, They will play at 4:00 PM.

If Canada reaches the Semifinals, Then the 2B VS. 3A Game will be changed to 4:00 PM will allow for Equal Rest for the teams before the Semifinals.

Semifinals

1/3: Canada 6 Switzerland 1 (1-0, 2-1, 3-0)

1/3: Sweden 2 U.S.A. 5 (0-1, 2-1, 0-3)


5th Place Game

1/4: Russia VS. Finland 8:00 PM


Bronze Medal Game

1/5: Switzerland VS. Sweden 3:00 PM


Gold Medal Game

1/5: Canada VS. U.S.A. 7:00 PM

World Junior Championship Update

We are 2 days into the World Junior Championships in Saskatchewan and the Americans have won both games so far into the tournament where the USA came back from a bad start against Slovakia to come back to win big 7-3 over the Slovaks, then yesterday, the USA had their way against Switzerland with a 3-0 shutout win that got the team to 2-0 overall.

Elsewhere, the first day was a full for blowouts the opening day saw 2 double digit as the tournament favorites Canada took out Latvia 16-0 while Sweden beat the Czechs 10-1, in addition, last year's Bronze Medalist Russia took down Austria 6-2 in their opening game.

Today we will reach the midway point of the group stage with 2 games. Tournament Host Canada will take on Switzerland whose looking to come back after a loss yesterday while the Fins have some things to figure out, where after a 3-0 lead in the 2nd period, the Fins allowed the Czech Republic got a late goal in the 2nd period. Then the Czech Republic scored 3 times in the 3rd including Sami Vatanen for plays for JYP Jyvaskyla in Finland's SM Liiga and is also a recent draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks helped the Czechs comeback to beat the Fins.

The Czechs are dealing with major injury problems this year and with having the smallest roster in terms of number of players this year, that win could be huge towards attempting to get them through to the Knockout rounds of the tournament after New Years.

If the Czechs want to prove that the comeback was no fluke, they need to control an Austrian team that is just looking to avoid being relegated this season after scoring just 5 goals so far in their first two games.

Look for a Standings update after today's games between Canada VS. Switzerland then later today it's Finland VS. Russia.

Tomorrow is the Final Day of the Group Stage which will lead up to the Final game of the day where the USA VS. Canada will determine the Automatic Semifinal Spot in Group A. But first, a critcal game between Switzerland and Slovakia will determine the 3rd and final QF Spot out of Group A.

While in Group B, we have the Scandevindal Rivals Sweden and Finland where a Sweden Win will clinch Group B and the Automatic Semifinal Spot, for Finland, they need this to improve their chances of a Quarterfinal Spot while any slip up, even in OT will open the door for the Czech Republic to sneak in and force Finland to the Relguation Round for the 2nd straight year.

In a tournament where they have been few upsets and everything for the most part has gone to plan, this is where the WJC usually kicks into high gear as we get ready for the knockout rounds and the relegutation where it will determine who will keep their spots for the 2010-2011 season and who will be sent down to Division 1 next year. As for the 2 promoted teams, it will be Germany and Norway that will be bumped up for next season.

Tournament Standings

Group A

1. Canada 3-1-0-0 11 PTS 35-6

2. U.S.A. 3-0-1-0 10 PTS 26-9

3. Switzerland 2-0-0-2 6 PTS 17-11

4. Slovakia 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 8-18

5. Latvia 0-0-0-4 0 PTS 9-43

Group B

1. Sweden 4-0-0-0 12 PTS 28-6

2. Russia 3-0-0-1 9 PTS 14-8

3. Finland 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 15-13

4. Czech Rep. 1-0-0-3 3 PTS 13-20

5. Austria 0-0-0-4 0 PTS 7-30

Sweden & Canada have advanced to the Semifinals

The Quarterfinals will be USA VS. Finland & Russia VS. Switzerland

Slovakia, Latvia, Czech Republic & Austria will play in the Releguation Round

Slovakia and Czech Republic will enter the Releguation Round with 3 points while Austria and Latvia will have 0 points.

Here's the scores from the first 2 days of the Tournament.

12/26

Czech Republic 1 Sweden 10 (0-4, 1-2, 0-4)

Latvia 0 Canada 16 (0-5, 0-6, 0-5)

Russia 6 Austria 2 (4-1, 1-1, 1-0)

Slovakia 3 U.S.A. 7 (2-1, 1-4, 0-2)


12/27

Austria 3 Sweden 7 (0-2, 3-2, 0-3)

U.S.A. 3 Switzerland 0 (0-0, 1-0, 2-0)

Czech Republic 3 Finland 4 (2-0, 1-1, 0-3)

Slovakia 8 Latvia 3 (5-0, 2-2, 1-1)


Here's the schedule for the rest of the Group Stage!

12/28

Canada 6 Switzerland 0 (2-0, 3-0, 1-0)

Finland 0 Russia 2 (0-1, 0-1, 0-0)

12/29

Austria 1 Czech Republic 7 (1-1, 0-3, 0-3)

Latvia 1 U.S.A. 12 (0-6, 1-1, 0-5)

Sweden 4 Russia 1 (2-0, 1-1, 1-0)

Canada 8 Slovakia 2 (3-0, 4-1, 1-1)


12/30

Finland 10 Austria 1 (5-0, 3-1, 2-0)

Switzerland 7 Latvia 5 (2-3, 1-1, 4-1)


12/31

Sweden 7 Finland 1 (1-0, 3-0, 3-1)

Switzerland 4 Slovakia 1 (0-0, 1-0, 3-1)

Russia 5 Czech Republic 2 (1-0, 1-1, 3-1)

U.S.A. 4 Canada 5 (SO) (1-1, 2-1, 1-2, 0-0, 0-1)