Watched a few games from the World Juniors in Minnesota. Team Canada slithered thru a couple tough outings vs. Czechia and then Latvia in OT.
Why the gruelling results? First, kids 17 to 20 in Europe, particularly Germany, Czechia, even Finland & Sweden generally mature into men a bit faster than Canadian kids. Our top kids aren’t used to being muscled around like they never have before, particularly from names they’re unfamiliar with (WHL, QHL, U.S. college leagues, etc.). When that happens Canadians generally blow their lids and take idiotic penalties, like their captain did when he gave a Czechia player a wedgie after pocketing an empty net insurance marker. That was silly - and as a devout Canadian, embarrassing to our flag. Good on you, Cappy Insanity!!!
Americans have implemented Canadian heart ‘n soul into their game, they’re every bit as good, if not better than our group of Canadian superstar kids that Red Button, the failed NHL GM has fawned over the last few weeks.
Imagine if Russia was still allowed to play international hockey? We’d be lucky to apply for bronze medals. Right now, I’d be inclined to favour the Canucks for bronze, but not for silver or gold. Too much of a reach.
Euro goaltenders also seem to step up in international competition and unsurprisingly fill a lots of NHL rosters as either starters or primary back-ups.
Problems for Canadians won’t really start manifesting until the knockout round. Hope I’m wrong!