Norway vs. Czech Republic

Niagara University, NY – Team Czech Republic looks get off to a good start in their first game of the tournament tonight against Norway (0-1), who will be eager to avenge last night’s opening loss to Sweden.  The puck drops at 7 PM at Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena. 

The Czechs finished the preliminary round of the 2010 tournament with a record of 1-3, losing to Sweden, Finland, and Russia, while defeating Austria.  They went on to win all three games in the relegation round, resulting in a 7th place finish overall. 

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Day One

With four games taking place today to kick off the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, it's been a busy day in Western New York.

Fans with tickets to games held at the HSBC Arena can enjoy pre-game and post-game festivities in a heated indoor lodge located adjacent to the arena that was built especially for the Championship. Inside, fans can enjoy food and drink, listen to live music and watch the other games taking place on dozens of flat screen TVs.


Canadian fans watching the Canada-Russia game.

Germany rallied within one goal against Switzerland, but key goaltending kept Switzerland on top to win 4-3. Sweden ousted Norway 7-1 at Dwyer Arena in Niagara Falls, but the real fun was the Canada-Russia game held at 4 p.m. at the HSBC Arena.

With the teams tied at 3 to start the 3rd period, Team Canada put up 3 goals to secure the 6-3 victory over Russia. As ecstatic fans poured out of the arena, they headed to the lodge to celebrate. Accompanying the Canadian fans were Team USA fans who were inside the lodge preparing to watch the United States take on Finland at 8 p.m.


Fans entering the lodge after the Canada-Russia game.




Inside the lodge.


Canadian fans celebrating Team Canada's victory over Russia.


Team USA fans heading to the HSBC Arena to watch the USA-Finland match up.

The mood was light and fun, with Canadian fans overjoyed from the exciting game they just witnessed, and eager USA fans awaiting to see their team take the ice. While the United States and Canada are friendly border neighbors, the hockey rivalry between the two nations has been heating up since Team USA beat Canada for the gold medal in the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championships that were held in Saskatoon, Canada. It will be interesting to see how these two loyal fanbases interact as the Championship progresses, with both fanbases hoping that their respective teams take the gold.

USA vs. Finland

Team USA looks to defend their gold medal as they face off versus Finland in their first game of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship tonight at 8:00pm. USA won the gold last year after defeating Canada 6-5 in overtime on Canada’s home soil. Last year, Team USA was forced to defeat Finland in the quarterfinals in order to advance to the gold medal round. USA won 6-2 and Finland finished 5th in tournament play.

Team USA finished last year’s tournament with a 3-0-1 record. This year, USA will be led by head coach Keith Allain from Yale University, with eight returning players that include four players on loan from NHL teams.  Returning are forwards Jerry D’Amigo (Toronto), Jeremy Morin (Chicago), Kyle Palmieri (Anaheim) and defensemen Nick Leddy (Chicago) and captain John Ramage (Calgary). D’Amigo and Chris Kreider are expected to lead the team offensively after a successful 2010 IIHF World Juniors in Saskatoon. Both players were tied with 6 goals in last year’s tournament. Palmieri had 1 goal and 8 assists and Morin scored twice and added 5 assists.

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Sweden vs. Norway

Sweden and Norway start the first of 10 games throughout the tournament taking place at Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena at 4 PM. Team Sweden looks to find their way back to the Gold medal game after losing in the semifinals last year, while Norway hopes to make their presence felt after a four year absence from the Top division.

In last year’s tournament, Sweden finished the preliminary round with a perfect 4-0 record, defeating the Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, and Finland. After losing to the United States in the semifinals, Sweden claimed the Bronze medal over Switzerland after a 11-4 victory. Prior to the 2010 tournament, Team Sweden advanced to the gold medal game two years straight in 2008 and 2009.

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Canada vs. Russia

Team Canada will take on Team Russia in a preliminary matchup today in Buffalo, New York.  In this year’s tournament, the Canadians will try to win their 16th gold medal, while the Russians hope to win their first gold since 2003.

Last year, Team Canada grabbed the top seed of the tournament after going undefeated in the preliminary round.  However, the Canadians settled for the silver medal as they fell 6-5 in overtime to Team U.S.A. in the championship.

Team Russia has not earned a medal since earning a Bronze in 2009.  In the last tournament, the Russians dropped their quarterfinal game to Switzerland 3-2 in overtime. Their struggles continued to the fifth place game where they were defeated 4-3 by Finland.

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Germany vs. Switzerland

 Team Switzerland and Team Germany will take to the ice at HSBC arena Sunday afternoon to start the 11-day World Junior Championship tournament.

Switzerland returns to this year’s tournament after placing 4th in 2010. The team lost their bid for the Bronze medal to Sweden in an 11-4 decision.

Team Switzerland welcomes 1982 World Juniors veteran Richard Jost, as the new head coach. Jost replaces Jakob Kölliker, an 11-year coaching veteran of the national team in the U20 tournaments. Jost previously worked for the Swiss association and also recently worked for the ZSC Lions Zurich organization.

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Today is the day

Puck drop for tonight's Gold Medal game is 8 p.m. USA vs. Canada, the Americans get another chance to slay the proverbial dragon. I will be blogging throughout the game. Stay tuned for updates throughout the day.

USA vs SWE (1/2/10) Semifinal

Team USA scored the first goal against Sweden on Sunday, but the Americans knew they were in for a full 60 minute fight. Tyler Johnson ripped a shot past Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom to give USA the lead. Two goals by Sweden's Anton Lander in the second frame made the boys in blue sweat a little bit. Through 30 minutes of play, it looked like a true semifinal with neither team willing to give an inch. Jerry D'Amigo took matters into his own hands; he used the boards in the neutral zone to spring himself and blew one by Markstrom. Halfway through the third period, Team USA regained the lead and would not relinquish it. Washington Capitals highly touted prosepect, Defenseman John Carlson gathered the puck at the blue line and fired a shot through traffic that leaked in passed Markstrom. The nail in the coffin came while Team USA was shorthanded, Captain Derek Stepan intercepted a puck in the neutral zone and deftly passed it to D'Amigo who froze Markstrom and scored to give Team USA a commanding 4-2 lead. Team USA would add an empty net goal to defeat Team Sweden 5-2.

Quick HITS
PIM's: USA-8, SWE-35
USA: John Carlson 2 pts (1+1) +5
SWE: Jacob Markstrom 30 saves on 34 shots

CAN vs. SUI (1/2/10) Semifinal

Team Canada behind Edmonton Oilers prospect Jordan Eberle and top 2010 NHL draft prospect Taylor Hall sailed passed Team Switzerland 6-1 in the opening semifinal game on Sunday. Canada is guaranteed to win a medal in 12th straight tournament. Even though Canada is loaded with talent at every position, this tournament has been Jordan Eberle's coming out party. He is now tied with John Tavares (NYI) for the most goals scored in a single tournament (12). Eberle never takes a shift off and whenever he is on the ice, it's obivious he makes his presence known. Coming into the 2010 WJC, Team Canada had by far the most talented team; failure to miss the gold medal game surely would have been a huge disappointment.

Quick HITS:
Shots: CAN-44, SUI-21
PP: CAN 1/8, SUI 1/5
Buffalo Sabres prospect Luke Adam: 1 assist.

Canada defeats USA in a 5-4 (SO) WJC classic

Team USA scored two shorthanded goals and a power play goal against Canada on Thursday, but it wasn't enough as the Canadians rallied back to beat the Americans 5-4 in a shootout. Canada opened the scoring in the first period as Stefan Della-Rovere bulled his way to the net and beat USA goalie Jack Campbell. Canada's undisciplined play gave the Americans their first power play shortly after and they delivered. Philip McRae scored his first goal of the tournament, cleaning up in front of the crease out dueling Team Canada goalie Jake Allen. Team USA came out in the second frame on a mission, hoping to erase memories of last-year's collaspe in Ottawa. The Yanks consistently beat their rivals to the puck and out-worked the Canadian squad, depositing two shorthanded goals . After 40 minutes, Team USA led 3-2. Forward Danny Kristo scored his team high fourth goal of the tournament, 1:01 in the third period, giving the Americans a two-goal lead. Canada's Eberle notched his second goal of the contest, half-way through the period cutting the lead to 4-3. Alex Pietrangelo recorded the game's third shorthanded goal, tying the game at 4-4. After a scoreless overtime, the teams went to a shootout. Both teams scored at will on both netminders, but in the end it was Canada's Allen that made the save that counted. Brandon Kozun scored the SDG for the Canadians as they get a bye into a semifinal match-up.
QUICK NOTES:
PP: CAN 0/6, USA 1/4.
CAN: A. Pietrangelo's shorthanded tying goal came with 4:15 left in the third period.
USA: J. Campbell stopped 30/34 shots.