Pre-Game Talk: 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship

[surixon]

I dont care what anyone says, Krebs is a disaster with the puck.

 

[BigZ65]

I see Byfield’s career following a trajectory like E Kane’s. Physically he’ll be in the NHL at 18 or 19 and he’ll always just be a little underwhelming based on his production from his skill level.

 

[BigZ65]

I wish they made the Gold Medal for this Best of 3...nobody needs the rink and none of these players will be playing soon. Great battles between these countries.

 

[surixon]

Canada juat not capitalizing on their chances.

 

[Finster8]

Definitely out coached. Perfetti has been as good as any Canadian F. That breakaway would have helped that McMicheal blew.

 

[surixon]

US deserved that. Can't fall asleep for 15 minutes and expect to win.

Glad Cole upped his game in the final and played well. Now onto the AHL for him for hopefully the year.

 

[tbcwpg]

Definitely out coached. Perfetti has been as good as any Canadian F. That breakaway would have helped.

Hard to say outcoached - the US had a plan and played very well, and Canada didn't play that well at all.

 

[Teemusalami204]

Nice to see Perfetti out in the last seconds, he is a great playmaker, that’s the most positive thing I’ve noticed. Couple years away though

 

[surixon]

Hard to say outcoached - the US had a plan and played very well, and Canada didn't play that well at all.

I think the main coaching thing for me was the number of lines that were juggled in the 3 prior games. It just didn't look like there was a heck of a lot of familiarity at times.

 

[BigZ65]

Two of the best teams either country has iced in this tournament. US was up to the task tonight and Knight really locked in after the opening game.

 

[snowkiddin]

On the bright side, Heinola, who I was told was severely outclassed by Byram, outplayed him in both the semis and the medal games.

 

[tbcwpg]

Top defenceman for the tournament is a Finn - but not Heinola.

 

[bustamente]

Canada had it their way throughout the tournament, everything went their way except for tonight, full marks to the Americans who for tonight were the better team

 

[tbcwpg]

Hard to hate the American team for me.

 

[BigZ65]

On the bright side, Heinola, who I was told was severely outclassed by Byram, outplayed him in both the semis and the medal games.

Byram is a high event player for better or worse. He’s not gonna be Pronger but he’ll be pretty good anchoring a pair for the Avs.

 

[razorsedge]

I'm not at all shocked of the outcome. Boys still had a great tournament and no shame in silver.

TSN did hype this canadian team up like it was a Dream Team. Gave the USA extra motivation.

 

[Finnflash]

Well. This just sucks.

on to the jets.

 

[tbcwpg]

On the bright side, Heinola, who I was told was severely outclassed by Byram, outplayed him in both the semis and the medal games.

Not sure about that - I thought Byram was very good.

 

[snowkiddin]

Too many players were MIA today ...

Cozens, Byram, McMichael ...

speaking of MIA, Caufield was a non-factor. He feasted on the Euro teams but against Canada, who play more like an NHL team, he did nothing. Will need major adjustments to make the NHL

 

[None]

Cozens was completely removed from the game and as has been mentioned there was a lot of individuals out there tonight.

As much as the commentary was talking up Byram activating offensively I felt like it was throwing off the forwards. Every time he went deep into the o-zone the play and cycle seemed to die.

I thought Byfield was one of the better forwards this game. One of the few that seemed to be pushing play out of Canada's zone with consistency.

 

[BigZ65]

Too many players were MIA today ...

Cozens, Byram, McMichael ...

speaking of MIA, Caufield was a non-factor. He feasted on the Euro teams but against Canada, who play more like an NHL team, he did nothing. Will need major adjustments to make the NHL

NHL comparable...Phil Kessel

 

[snowkiddin]

Not sure about that - I thought Byram was very good.

The second goal he was out of position cheating up ice. The penalty was also partially his fault because he was behind the American net which led to the 2 -on-1. He’s a fantastic skater and good offensively, but if he isn’t scoring, he’s a negative asset, and tonight he wasn’t scoring.

Meanwhile Heinola was steady as she goes munching BIG minutes for the Finns - making smart, high IQ plays offensively and mostly a rock defensively.

 

[SM]

Really liked Perfetti’s game. Thought he looked very strong in his playmaking ability, and quite poised even in the dying seconds. Lots of creativity in his game, that will absolutely be fine tuned, but very excited to see him dishing assists from the half wall to Laine, KC, Scheifele, and Heinola some day.

 

[snowkiddin]

NHL comparable...Phil Kessel

Not a bad comparison ... I’ll be interested to see if Caufield can stay as healthy as Phil though

 

[surixon]

Really liked Perfetti’s game. Thought he looked very strong in his playmaking ability, and quite poised even in the dying seconds. Lots of creativity in his game, that will absolutely be fine tuned, but very excited to see him dishing assists from the half wall to Laine, KC, Scheifele, and Heinola some day.

I think he also put 5 shots on net as well. He played well and was showing some real nice creativity on his zone entries.

Love his patience on zone exits, doesn't panic and makes good reads and will reverse if necessary.