Canada the underdog in WJC final

by James Mirtle on Jan 5, 2009 3:14 PM CST Comment 13 comments

You've got to hand it to Sweden. They've made going 5-0 at the world juniors look easy to this point, and after not having won a gold medal at the even in 28 years, they've got a great chance to end that drought.

Tonight, they're the favourites.

For one, goaltender Jacob Markstrom has looked like the second coming of Henrik Lundqvist, as the 18-year-old Swedish netminder has a 1.25 goals-against average heading into tonight's final. (The Panthers are lucky to have him.)

Markstrom's been miles better than Canada's Dustin Tokarski, who gets the start despite allowing a few shaky goals the last two games. (More bad news for the Lightning.)

Sweden's also got Victor Hedman, although he's been battling an injury all tournament. (Some reports have it as being his shoulder, which would explain his lack of physicality in the tournament. Even so, he's a huge body and a great skater and looks like the real deal.)

Even more impressive have been some of the team's more unheralded players, the likes of Erik Karlsson, who has been incredible on the blueline. (The Senators are lucky to have him.)

Sweden even has a good luck charm in assistant coach Peter Sundstrom, the twin brother of former NHLer Patrik Sundstrom (who's perhaps most well-known for holding the record for most playoff points in one game). Both of the Sundstroms were on the team that last won gold for Sweden, way back in 1981, and one imagines Peter would have a pretty inspirational speech to offer up.

As for the Canadians, well, if you're a fan, it's time to hope that coach Pat Quinn has learned something over the past few games and acts accordingly. Several notable players, including captain Thomas Hickey, have not been very good, and in a game of this magnitude, should be shifted out in favour of players who have shown they deserve that ice time.

So far, Quinn's been too loyal, and that could cost them tonight.

Will it be a record-tying fifth straight gold medal for Canada? Or does Sweden end the incredible 28-year streak without winning it all?

It's going to be a good one.

Poll

Who will win the 2009 world junior tournament?

Canada

43 votes

Sweden

44 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 13 comments | Add comment |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Tokarski’s sloppy goaltending will cost the gold to Canada… We need to score 5 goals tonight to win and it won’t happen against Sweden!

by Fred Poulin on Jan 5, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I love him…but I expect the worst for this game.

Ain't nothing but puck drops and poke checks, babydoll.

by wrap around curl on Jan 5, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Two sides to every story...

It’s good to put things in perspective, I hope Canada wins, but it will be a hard game.

-Justin

by thehockeycardshow on Jan 5, 2009 3:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Tokarski’s let in too many soft goals for me to be confident this game. I know he’s “made big saves when it counted” according to the announcers but these last few games vs USA and Russia shouldn’t have been as close. Now I fear we’re screwed: Tokarski isn’t playing well and our other option hasn’t played in what, 9 days? Tokarski never should have started the last game. Quinn isn’t making me happy this tournament.
Also, Quinn’s junior squad isn’t playing with enough discipline and looks disorganized in the neutral zone and defensive zone. Canada will have to overcome their coaching to win this game tonight. I fear for the Commonwealth.
Can someone slap Della Rovere in the back of the head for me? I’d like to straighten him about before gametime.

by Larsen on Jan 5, 2009 3:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I said to someone yesterday that this team sort of looks like the Leafs under Quinn.

by James Mirtle on Jan 5, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Leafs under Quinn had spectacular goaltending.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Jan 5, 2009 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In terms of systems and defensive play I mean!

by James Mirtle on Jan 5, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Can someone slap Della Rovere in the back of the head for me?

Looks like everyone got their wish; Della Rovere takes a couple of undisciplined penalties in the second and spends the rest of the game on the bench.

by Doogie2K on Jan 6, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly, James. They can score, play fire-wagon hockey and if their goalie is outstanding (he needs to be) they can win games.
Is that a recipe for success in a one-game final? Perhaps. But his coaching inadequacies didn’t have post-season success in Toronto, they were entertaining however.
I’d love a solid, physical yet disciplined game where the Canadian side won 3-1 tonight. Two games of me on the edge of my seat is enough.

by Larsen on Jan 5, 2009 4:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Canada painted themselves into a corner regarding goaltending in the group stage. Playing Tokarski against both the Czechs and USA left Pickard with no decent game in the tournament, and therefore essentially unplayable barring a total disaster from Tokarski – and his play isn’t quite disastrous yet, see McCollum, Thomas for an example of that. I see no middle ground for Tokarski in the final: I expect him to either shine or suck. But…

should be shifted out in favour of players who have shown they deserve that ice time

…with this I agree definitely.

by Malurous on Jan 5, 2009 4:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

By the way, when a Canadian team (this or a later one) doesn’t get the gold, I don’t want to know what will go on inside the heads of those poor kids, considering the gold streak that precedes them. With the sense of honour Canadian players approach the game and the country, they’re going to be heartbroken.

And honestly, there would be no realistic reason for it. This Swedish team is awesome, they’ll have important players coming back next year, the Russians have a couple of ridiculous classes coming after some lean (in comparison) years… It can’t go on forever.

Anyway, only a couple more minutes to go now before it begins, yay! I’m expecting some of the best hockey we’ll see this year, no matter who wins. Just hoping it ends before the shootout…

by Malurous on Jan 5, 2009 6:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dang the voting is pretty much even now…I don’t have NHL Network, but found the game on Justin.tv (http://www.justin.tv/johnnyquid) for those who can’t find the game.

"Simply Sensational!" Washington Capitals Blog

by Simply Sensational on Jan 5, 2009 6:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs