I’d pump the brakes on assigning predictive quality to good performance from a Canadian player in early WC rounds, but it’s still better than the alternative.
His shortcomings aren’t really as much of an issue in this setting but you can’t argue with the production.
1. Cozens came off a great showing at the WC the last time with a great 30+ goal season.
2. Peterka came off a great showing at the WC including being player of the tournament by being our leading goal scorer.
3. Ruff has already mentioned Cozens by name as someone who he plans on relying on next season and you know he's going to coach him up.
4. Cozens was upset at the end of the season about both his game and his teams and he's taking it out on the other teams in the WC.
5. Cozens got his ass kicked in an early season fight and never really recovered for months.
I'm not pumping any brakes. This is a huge confidence booster for Cozens and shows how much he can bring when he's healthy and feeling it. They are using him in every situation and he is excelling. He's the best player on Team Canada and that's on a roster of stars.