CANADA WINS GOLD

Here we are, the Gold medal game of the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championships. As two hockey power nations brace themselves for what is expected to be the game of the tournament. These two teams haven't played each other in the tournament, so there is no stats or results to guess what to expect. How will Canada and the Russians match up? Both played a great semifinal game, and now they prepare to duke it out for Gold. Canada will be playing the exact same lineup as last night, right down to Zach Fucale.


1st Period

Before the puck even dropped, both wingers on each team were pushing and shoving, Domi and Duclair versus Buchnevich and Leshenko. As the puck was dropped, Sam Reinhart won the draw back and Canada moved into the Russian zone. Anthony Duclair battled for the puck on the boards, slid the puck to Max Domi down low, who swiftly hit Duclair on the way to the net and Duclair made no mistake, burying a one timer top shelf less than thirty seconds into the first period. The crowd was on their feet. Just two minutes later, Brayden Point blazed by Russia's defense men wide, and slide the puck cross crease to a net-driving Nick Paul, who tapped home Canada's second goal of the game.

For the first five minutes of the first, every scrum was a shoving match and the refs had difficulty keeping the two sides from going at each other. The animosity was clear, that both teams wanted it badly. Both benches were warned about the scrums, meaning the refs were prepared to assess penalties from now on. The Russians were down by two early, and were only trying to stir the pot and knock Canada off their game. As the period continued, there were many hits and hard ones at that.

With just over ten minutes left in the first, Russia got on the board as Dmitri Yudin blasted a bomb past Zach Fucale. However, just after the Russian goal, Sharov took a roughing penalty, giving Canada a power play after the goal was scored. Canada's power play put some pressure on the Russian's but didn't really generate any high quality chances. After the Canadian power play, Russia began putting pressure on the Canadians, using momentum from their goal and penalty kill.

The period continued, as both sides exchanged chances. The game was on a very even field now, as teams were in and out of each side of the ice. Canada had a bit of trouble clearing the puck a few times, which may cost them later on in the game. The period continued and eventually the buzzer went, and no more goals would be scored in the first period as the goalies stood tall when called upon by their teams.

Shots were 12-9 for Canada at the end of period one.


2nd Period

The period started with Russia trapping Canada in their own zone, as Canada continued to either turn it over or ice the puck. Eventually, no harm was done. The line of Ritchie, Gauthier, and Crouse was able to get Canada some zone time in the Russian end of the ice, creating some turnovers themselves.  As Canada established some pressure, the Russians were forced to ice the puck. Once the Russians got the puck out of the zone and began their change, Josh Morrissey spotted Connor McDavid loose behind the Russian defense. McDavid was on a clean breakaway after not being covered due to the Russian change, and he didn't think twice shooting five hole on Ilya Sorokin, beating the Russian net minder  restoring Canada's two goal lead.

Less than two minutes after the McDavid goal, the top line for Canada took to the ice, as Max Domi grabbed the puck in his own end and sped into Russian territory. The soviets backed off and cut off passes to line mates Reinhart and Duclair, and Domi had all the time in the world to pick a spot on Ilya Sorokin, setting off the red light for Canada's fourth goal of the game. On the top line's next shift, Max Domi sent Canada to the penalty kill as he took a charging penalty. On the Russian power play, Canada only gave up one scoring chance , turning the puck over to Vyacheslav Leshenko, who was snubbed by Zach Fucale. After that chance, the Canadians did a good job of clearing the puck.

As Domi escaped the sin bin, Sam Reinhart joined him on the rush. Domi stopped up, as Reinhart drove the net. Domi, seeing Reinhart streaking, just through a puck on net that was tipped just through Sorokin's pads by the Buffalo draft pick, putting Canada up 5-1. Once again, just after Team Canada's goal, the Canadians would take another charging penalty but this time it would be Jake Virtanen committing the crime.  On the power play, Russia would convert by throwing the puck on net, and having Ivan Barbashev jam a loose puck through Zach Fucale. Just seconds after the Russian power play goal, Bowey would make a bad play and give the Russians a two on one, and Nikolai Goldobin would feed a cross crease pass to Sergei Tolchinsky who would blast the puck by Fucale. Bowey has been at fault for a lot of odd man rushed this tournament, not impressed with him.

Minutes later, Sam Morin would take down another Russian player and send Canada to another penalty kill. Russia would score again, making it a one goal game. This time it is Nikolai Goldobin potting the goal, off of Frederik Gauthier's shin pad and past Zach Fucale. As the period came to an end, both Canadian defense would get caught up ice, leaving Sam Reinhart alone to defend Pavel Buchnevich on a partial breakaway. Reinhart was forced to take a hooking call, lucky to not get a penalty shot called. The period ended and Russia will start the third period on the power play. A great start to the second period, but a sloppy ending as turnovers and penalties got them in trouble.


3rd Period

With nerves at an all time high, Canada begins the period by killing off the penalty on Sam Reinhart taken in the second period. Despite the good kill, the Canadians were still unable to get any momentum going against the Russians. Russia had the first five shots of the period. The Canadians were strapped in their zone, and could not get the puck out. It seemed like they couldn't pass to each other, as they either went incomplete or landed on a Russian stick. Finally, Russia started to get some zone time, as chances were generated for Canada finally. The teams went back an forth, the crowd cheering wildly in excitement.

The refs seemed to put the whistles away, as they missed a too many men call on Canada and a tripping and interference call on Russia. Russia began take the momentum again, forcing the Canadians to ice the puck, with the red shirts nearly doubled over in exhaustion. Canada lost the draw, but was able to get the puck out and change. This was some of the best back and forth hockey I've seen in a while, and Sorokin and the Canadian defense were both able to make huge plays to keep the score the same.

The crowd was cheering and going to silence in seconds, over and over again, as Russia and Canada exchanged rushes. Some heart stopping hockey going on in the last five minutes. As Russia pressed with the net open, Canada would hold on

CANADA IN GOLDEN IN TORONTO

Semifinal Day: Canada vs Slovakia

After Russia defeated the Swedes by a score of 4-1, the second semifinal game of the day between Canada and Slovakia would determine who meets Russia in the gold medal game. Obviously Canada comes in as the heavy favourites, sporting a 5-0 record in the tournament and already beating the Slovaks 8-0 on Boxing Day to open the tournament. However, Slovakia seems to have lost their nervous chills and has come together as a team, making quick work of Team Czech Republic in the quarterfinals to advance and meet Canada for a second time in the tournament. Slovakian goalie Denis Godla, who was pulled after allowing five goals in their last meeting stated that he and his teammates would need to play "the game of their lives" to get past the Canadians. Most fans and analysts would agree, but in an elimination situation you can sense Slovakia was going to give this game all they have,

In place of Robby Fabbri, Brayden Point will play on Connor McDavid's line along with Curtis Lazar. As Fabbri entered the Air Canada Center on crutches, no Canadian player passed him out of respect. And so,  Fabbri led the Canadians into battle against the Slovaks.

1st Period 

Less than five minutes in, Canada was sent to a power play, which was clicking at an amazing 46.7% efficiency so far in the tournament. Within a minute of the power play being called, Curtis Lazar dished the puck to Nic Petan at the hash marks on the right face off circle, where Petan roofed a shot past Godla's glove hand. The Petan power play marker put Canada on the board first, one to nothing.  Connor McDavid drew the second assist on Petan's goal. Two minutes later, McDavid was at it again, blasting by the Slovakian defense, and making Godla bite on the shot. But the crafty McDavid opted to go around the net for a wrap around, where he couldn't quite finish into an empty net.

Away from the play just a few moments later, Ottawa prospect Nick Paul was given a slashing penalty, for taking the stick away from Montreal prospect Martin Reway's hands. On the power play, Zach Fucale would go on to make a great save on a pass out front to Peter Cehlarik. After the good chance by Cehlarik, Slovakia had trouble putting anymore pressure on the Canadians and even iced the puck on their power play. As play continued, the Slovaks were noticeably clogging in front of the net, as opposed to the back door. TSN's Ray Ferraro reported that the Canadians were talking about this on the bench , and were saying how the back door pass was definitely an available option.

Montreal prospect was able to create a breakaway for himself, but Shea Theodore was able to catch up and prevent Fucale from having to make a save on the shifty Reway. With just over five minutes remaining in the period,  Slovak forward Pavol Skalicky blocked a Madison Bowey shot, and took off on a breakaway. This time there was no defense man that caught the Slovak, but net minder Zach Fucale made a great sprawling save to keep Canada's lead. Late in the period, Christian Jaros used his skate to kick out the foot of Nick Ritchie, earning Jaros a tripping penalty and sending Canada to a late period power play. Canada didn't convert on the first 1:30 of their end-of-the-period penalty, and will have about thirty seconds of power play time to start the 2nd period.

Nic Petan called this period Canada's "worst of the tournament" in an intermission interview.


2nd Period

To begin the second period, the Slovaks would kill off the rest of the penalty, making the Canadians 1/2 on the night so far. The early parts of the period were somewhat slow, however Canada controlled most of the play. They did a good job of playing behind the Slovak net and cycling, creating some chances and jam plays. Despite the zone time and shots, Denis Godla stood his ground, keeping the Canadian lead at one. The line of Lawson Crouse, Frederik Gauthier, and Nick Ritchie was exceptional at cycling and pinning the Slovaks in their own zone. They also had their fair of chances, however no dice.

To break the Canadian momentum streak, extra defense man and Flyers draft pick Sam Morin gave a high stick to a Slovak forward Pavol Skalicky, giving the underdogs a chance for some zone time and quality opportunities. Morin did not like the call, and the replays showed there was little, if any contact between Morin's stick and the Slovakian forward. Slovakia had a good chance on the power play, but it was blocked by Joe Hicketts, a free agent signing by the Detroit Red Wings. The Canadians proceeded to kill off the rest of the penalty. Almost immediately after the Canadians killed a penalty, they got a power play of their own. Slovak Sam Petras took down a Canadian play behind the play, but the ref caught the violation. The Slovaks killed the penalty, with no dangerous chances generated by the Canadians. However, seconds after the penalty expired Oilers prospect Darnell Nurse beat Godla but not the Slovakian goal posts.

Just as the period was winding down, Canada broke out on a 4 on 2,  and the two Slovaks drifted over to 3 of the 4 Canadians, and the open Canadian was none other than Nic Petan, who received the puck from Connor McDavid and made no mistake sniping it just under the bar of Godla's net. Canada got a two goal lead with about two minutes left in the second period. Curtis Lazar got another assist on Petan's goal, giving the entire line two points on the night. With one minute left, McDavid crafted himself another great wrap around chance, but could not slide the puck into an open net once again. The loose puck drifted to Curtis Lazar, who also missed the empty cage. And with 30 seconds left in the period, Anthony Duclair and Shea Theodore were sent on a 2 on 1, and Duclair made a pretty pass to Theodore who was sprung on a breakaway. Theodore and the Canadians beat Godla, for their second goal in 86 seconds to put them up 3-0. Just as everyone thought the period was over, Madison Bowey ran into Sam Reinhart and the Slovaks were sent on a 2 on 1, but as Josh Morrissey tried to block the passing lane,  Matej Paulovic found a hole through Morrissey to hook up David Soltes with Slovakia's first goal of the game with 3 seconds left in the period.

What an exciting finish to an otherwise "slow" period.


3rd Period

In the opening minutes of the period, Canada continued cycling and creating chances. It is nice to see the great chemistry between Nic Petan and Connor McDavid in the pressure filled elimination games. Godla held his ground, until Anthony Duclair was fed a pass by Sam Reinhart, and he chipped it around two Slovakian defense men and continued chasing the puck down, eventually banking in the puck off Godla's pad, making the game 4-1 Canada. Very shortly after the Canadian goal, Brayden Point would go to the box for hooking, giving the Slovaks a power play. 53 seconds into the Slovakian power play, Pavol Skalicky was called on a similar hooking call. There would be a 4 on 4 session for one minute and seven seconds.  Until David Soltes took a slashing penalty, because he snapped Josh Morrissey's stick after getting rocked on a big hit by the Jets prospects. After Canada's 4 on 3 expired and became a 5 on 3, it became the Denis Godla show. He made three huge saves on the Canadians during the 5 on 3, keeping the score at 4-1.

As Max Domi rushed up the ice, he got laid out by Christian Jaros on a clean hit, however the refs called it as a trip sending Canada to another power play. Once again, Denis Godla was standing his ground. However, he couldn't stand the constant pressure and Nic Petan finally beat the Slovak goalie on the power play, on a beautiful pass from Connor McDavid. Petan's father even threw a hat on the ice to congratulate his son on his incredible hat trick. At the time of Petan's goal, the shots in the period were 20-2, showing Canada's dominance and Godla's great performance in the period.

With six and a half minutes remaining, the Slovaks thought they had scored their second goal of the game but the referee immediately waived off the goal due to a distinct kicking motion.  The play was reviewed , and the call on the ice stood. Seconds later, McDavid spotted Petan alone out front, and as Petan went to his backhand Godla struck out his pad to make an amazing save on Petan. The rest of the period seemed like a neutral zone battle, with few hits. Slovakia admitted defeat and Canada took it easy to prevent any last minute injuries.

Final Score: 5-1 CANADA.


Final Thoughts:

- Pavol Skalicky was all over the ice tonight, drawing penalties and playing a solid game. He was awarded Player of The Game for Slovakia, which I don't understand as Godla played an insane game himself and in my mind deserved the award. Regardless, Godla got a huge ovation from the Canadian crowd.
- Nic Petan and McDavid have some great chemistry, a good new thing for Groulx to discover heading into tomorrow's game.
- Duclair/Domi/Reinhart line was solid in both ends as always.
- Habs prospect Martin Reway had a fairly quiet game, but was in the offensive zone when Slovakia got chances. Offensively one of Slovakia's best forwards, although there weren't many others.
- Ritchie, Crouse and Gauthier had a great start to the game, but I didn't notice them after the second period.
- Wow, Nic Petan is good

Tomorrow, Slovakia will face Sweden in the Bronze Medal Game at 4pm EST.

Canada will face rival Russia in the Gold Medal Game at 8pm EST.


EDIT: I found out you are not allowed to win the Player ff the Game Award more than once in an IIHF tournament, so that is why Godla did not get Player of the Game.

Montreal visits Pennsylvania to take on the Penguins

The night after 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, your Montreal Canadiens play the tail end of a back to back in Pittsburgh. After acquiring him yesterday for their first round pick in 2015, the Penguins will dress left winger David Perron for his first game as a Penguin. Also, despite the back to back situation Carey Price will start against Pittsburgh after beating New Jersey last night. Dale Weise will start on the second line with Plekanec and Desharnais, and Manny Malholtra will draw into the lineup on the fourth line. Here is the rest of the starting lineup:

Pacioretty - Galchenyuk - Gallagher
Desharnais - Plekanec - Weise
Sekac - Eller - Prust
Andrighetto - Malholtra - Bournival

Markov - Subban
Beaulieu - Gonchar
Emelin - Gilbert


1st Period

Less than three minutes in, Tom Gilbert directed a weak shot on net, recognizing two Canadien forwards in front of Fleury. One was Brendan Gallagher, and the other was Max Pacioretty who whacked home the first goal of the game.  Just four minutes later, Dale Weise came racing across the Pittsburgh blue line, and passed the puck to the top of the face-off circle to David Desharnais, who wound up and blasted home another goal for the bleu, blanc, et rouge.

The Penguins finally got on the scoreboard just after the ten minute mark of the first period, as Sidney Crosby spotted David Perron uncovered in the slot, who slapped home his first goal as a Pittsburgh Penguin. Perron had an empty net to shoot at after a beautiful pass from Crosby. After a turnover created by David Perron, Crosby snatched the puck and nearly blazed past Subban. The rush led to several players, including Andrei Markov and Steve Downie, crashing into Carey Price. A scrum would ensue, and Pittsburgh's Steve Downie would get the only penalty. On the power play, Pittsburgh did a great job of boxing out Montreal, creating turnover and dumping the puck down the ice.  The entire penalty would be completely killed off.

As the period dwindled down, the Penguins really started to turn it on and put pressure on the Canadiens. After a big hit on Pens' captain Sidney Crosby, both Crosby and team mate Steve Downie began whining to the refs for a call on the play. As the play continued and Pittsburgh re-entered the Montreal zone, Tom Gilbert hit Downie, and a wrestling match ensued. Gilbert was given an interference penalty, and Downie got two minutes for roughing as he stormed down the home team tunnel, furious at the penalty assessed.

After the buzzer went, the Habs still led 2-1. The 2nd period will start with a brief 4 on 4. Shots in the period were 11 to 8 for the Pittsburgh Penguins.


2nd Period 

As the 4 on 4 expired, Gilbert rushed out of the box and found himself on a partial breakaway, where he sniped one past Fleury, restoring Montreal's two goal lead. Six minutes into the period, Pens defense man Robert Bortuzzo got his stick up on Jiri Sekac, who had to go to the dressing room for repairs. This gave the Habs a crucial 4-minute power play. Through the opening moments of the power play, Fleury held his ground and made multiple good athletic saves. Montreal did not establish many chances after the opening minute of the power play, much to the credit of the Penguins penalty killers. A good kill by the Penguins to keep them in the game.

The mid point of the second period was very back and forth, but more so in the neutral zone where scoring chances weren't created. Lars Eller's line with Bournival and Prust kept the Pens hemmed in their own zone for three shifts in a row. They were cycling well and creating small chances when they could. With about five minutes remaining in the period,  Montreal was given a penalty because Steve Downie's stick was held by a player on the bench. Montreal killed the penalty, in which Pittsburgh got no high quality chances to capitalize. As the period was dying down, and Pittsburgh was entering Montreal's zone, Crosby fell on the ice and tried to sneak in a trip on Tom Gilbert with his skate, giving the Pens a 2 on 1. However, the refs would have none of that. Montreal would head to the power play with 5 seconds left in the second period, giving them 1:55 of power play to start the third period.

With the Pens looking frustrated, Montreal could expect a chippy third period. The shots in the period were 13 to 10 for the Habs, bringing the teams totals to 21 shots a piece in the game.


3rd Period

Montreal had a huge opportunity to crush the Penguins at the beginning of the period, by clicking on the power play. The Canadiens did a good job of keeping possession and controlling the puck, however they could not find the back of the net.  The Penguins only got the puck out once, and it didn't even make it to the Habs' blue line. Montreal has went 0/4 at this point in the game on the power play. The Pens began to take control, and on a 2 on 1 Bryan Rust beat Carey Price, but not the goal post. Due to the pressure, Montreal needed to get the puck out but ended up icing the puck. Michel Therrien called his timeout so his tired troops could get a quick rest after a long shift in their own zone.

Sidney Crosby and his line mate had several strong shifts in the Canadien zone in the first half of the third period , but Montreal was successful in boxing them out and not allowing dangerous scoring chances. Despite a lot of offensive zone time, Montreal only allowed 1 shot from the Penguins. In need of goals, Pittsburgh began putting all their eggs in one basket, as Perron, Malkin, Crosby, Letang and Ehrhoff were all deployed at the same time. The forecheck of Lars Eller's line continued being strong, forcing turnovers and establishing a bit of zone time for Montreal.

As it was getting close to crunch time, Montreal got in Pittsburgh's zone and worked the puck back to the blue line. Alexei Emelin took a big windup, and blasted one past Fleury off the post, putting Montreal up 4-1. What a bomb of a shot by Emelin though, wow.

After the Emelin goal, Montreal did a great job of forcing the Pens to dump the puck in , so they could get it and clear the zone. There was almost a squeaker that snuck by Price, but it was yanked off the goal line. The last 5 minutes were perfectly executed, lulling the Pens to sleep.

4-1 Montreal the final. The shots were 33-31 for Montreal at the final buzzer. Emelin, Gilbert, and Price were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stars. Odd to see the two defense men up there.


Post Game

- Carey Price didn't need to bail out Montreal. Although he had 31 saves, they were mostly outside shots that were not difficult to stop. Great defensive effort by Montreal, keeping the Pens to the outside and not giving up many odd man rushes.
- I really like Desharnais on wing. He has a great shot and now he is forced to use it. One goal tonight and several chances, he could've had another couple goals easily.
- Lars Eller, Michael Bournival and Brandon Prust was an excellent fore-checking line, and they kept the puck in the Penguins end. Was very impressed by that trio tonight.
- Just thought I'd say Emelin's shot was a bomb. Again.