GunnarStahl
Let’s go shake their hands
- Oct 13, 2020
- 2,053
- 2,864
Wasn't that interested in this year's iteration, so it's been weirdly funny to me that Canada crashed out this early.The games today have been VERY entertaining with interesting results.
Their game breaking talent is in the NHLJust not surprised by the result from Canada, I think third was their ceiling this year and they were in that 3-5/6th mix clearly behind Sweden/US. The back end really missed Luneau, no one really stepped up in his absence.
Outside of Celebrini, they lacked game breaking talent overall. Cowan was very disappointing for a player that supposedly made a case to stay with the Leafs this year. Poitras made very little impact for having played in the NHL this season. Savoie doesn't look any where close to competing against men, despite being a top 10 pick in his final year of eligibility for this tournament.
Their game breaking talent is in the NHL
Usually it’s not as drastic as it was this year as far as the amount of talent unavailable. Because there’s such a long list, I do think it’s worth noting. At the beginning of the year I think they anticipated having Korchinski and Benson for sure. Losing Luneau and Molendyk was a tough break as well.I try not to use that excuse for Canada (as a Canadian). The equivalent u20 talent for other countries are also in the NHL (Carlsson etc) and whether Canada has more or not is irrelevant to me. They have a huge number of registered hockey players comparable to everyone else and should be able to field a top notch u20 team every year.
Goaltending development has been a huge concern for many years now. Who are the great Canadian goalies of this generation? No disrespect to Rousseau (who was pretty good for team Canada in this tourny) but how is this undersized, undrafted kid the best U20 goalie you have available between three CHL leagues (plus jr A etc)? They just don't seem to be producing high end goalie prospects .
Which means Germany v Kazakhstan in the relegation next year, with Kazakhstan possibly pulling through. Germany now has some bleak rosters coming up, but once their 2007-and-later players are filling up most of the roster, they'll actually be a candidate for the semis. Finally heading in the right direction.Germany wins in OT. They deserve to stay in the top division (this makes six straight years) so all is right. Have to feel Norway though, they came back from down 4-2 and nearly pulled it off. They have been a resilient team and should be proud of their effort.
Kazakhstan joins the top division for the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa.
Obviously want US to win, but a Sweden vs Finland final in Sweden would be electric.Finland just doesn’t stop coming
2-0 over usa after 1
Tie game now…. Snugg and smith got goals, usa taken over this periodObviously want US to win, but a Sweden vs Finland final in Sweden would be electric.
YesDoes Terrance get a medal even though he didn’t play in a game?
Noah Warren (D, Anaheim Ducks): Sloppy with the puck. When it lands on his blade under pressure, it just doesn’t seem to stick. Really slow to react defensively, too. I don’t love using “urgency” to describe a player, because it can be kind of ambiguous, but he lacks it. Just doesn’t release from the net to pucks quickly enough, so he’s always late on his coverage and to battles. Thought he struggled from selection camp right through the tournament outside of a few moments where he slid down the wall to try to involve himself offensively and made a couple of passes to the net front.
Rodwin Dionicio (D, Anaheim Ducks): A cut above, certainly with the puck, at this level. Maneuvers across the line and shapes shots through so well. Side-steps pressure well carrying pucks through neutral ice (though he did turn some pucks over trying to force entries at times). Navigated his way through traffic in the offensive zone with ease. Four points in five games, but maybe more impressive were his 16 shots and plus-1 rating. It’s hard to finish as a plus player on a team like Switzerland (which won only one game against Norway), especially when you’re playing tough minutes. When he did get caught, skates well enough to track back into the right spots more often than not.
Not having puck skills is like not being a good dribbler in basketball… big flag. Big guys like Cernak, Carlo, etc. are at least average.Scott Wheeler's impression of Noah Warren was not positive.
However, his thoughts on Rodwin Dioncio were much more encouraging.
Scott Wheeler's impression of Noah Warren was not positive.
However, his thoughts on Rodwin Dioncio were much more encouraging.