Winning the games that need to be won

There’s nothing like matching up with your best rival to bring out your best game, and on Friday Team Canada discovered its most impressive game thus far at the World Juniors, as they took on a hard working American squad.

A Canada USA game seems to define the concept of intensity in hockey these days, especially when there is something of value on the line. Friday’s semi final provided a fitting stage for the North American teams as they put forward sixty minutes of the North American style of the game.

The Americans came out flying to open the first ten minutes of play, looking every bit ready to send the Canadians off to the bronze medal game, they controlled the play in that first ten minutes, fast breaks out of their own end, fierce body checks and had more than a few chances to set Canada back on its heels.

While the Canadians regained some of their equilibrium, Steve Mason held down the fort holding off the American attack, cutting down scoring angles, refusing to give up much in the way of a rebound and most importantly, denying the Americans access to the twine behind that red goal line.

For Mason it was solid performance under perhaps the most trying of times for a young goal keeper, more than aware that the decision to name him as the starter for the semi final had unleashed some of the most intense second guessing in Canadian junior history. And just in case there wasn’t enough on his plate on Friday, he learned just before game time that his junior team London had traded him to Kitchener, an unusual announcement from the OHL at a most unusual time. Regardless, he seemed to thrive on the pressure, putting in a stellar game as he held off the Americans when they were at their frantic best.

As Canada got back onto its game, you could sense the momentum beginning to move ever so slightly in their direction. A cause that was helped out by some sloppy play by the US and penalties that should never happen in a game with so much on the line. Surprisingly the Americans were called twice for too many men on the ice, indicative of a few of the mental breakdowns that they suffered as the game became more intense and they began to fall behind.

The Americans and Canadians were scoreless through the first twenty minutes of play, but the second proved to be the Achilles heel for the USA, as Canada stormed their end of the rink and began to fill their net with pucks. By the time the Canadian onslaught had ended, they had a four to nothing lead and while the Americans wouldn’t give up, and you could sense that it was a hill that they weren’t going to be able to skate up over.

Mason’s shut out came to an end late in the third as the Americans gained one goal back, but time quickly ran out on any attempt at a comeback and before they knew it, 4-1 was posted as the final score and they were listening to the strains of O Canada, probably a song that won’t be on their iPods anytime soon, if ever.

For Canada, it was simply a matter of playing their best, when their best was needed. Seemingly able to put aside all the baggage of the last few days of the streaks, the past gold medals and the past domination of this tournament that they were constantly bombarded with. They managed to ignore all the second guessing and focused on the job that was at hand, that of matching their American rivals shift for shift, shot for shot and as it turned out more than goal for goal.

They now can turn their attention to a new rival, Sweden who provided Team Canada with a wake up call a few days ago when they came from behind to take advantage of Canadian mistakes and a third period melt down to take away what many considered a shocking victory.

There were lessons to be learned from that game and judging by the Canadian play against first the Finns and then the Americans, they have picked up the pace and made their corrections.

The final exam however comes up on Saturday, if they can continue on with the effort and approach that they brought to the semi final on Friday, then Saturday’s gold medal game should provide for a very different outcome than that of a few days ago. While at the same time they could very well provide the same outcome that has happened at the last three World Championships.

When sixty minutes is up (maybe a few more if really necessary) on Saturday, there’s a very good chance that there will be one more chorus of O Canada to be heard before they bid farewell to the Czech Republic.

Globe and Mail--Canadians going for gold
Globe and Mail--Canada has revenge on its mind
Canada.com--Canada's Mason stands tall in win over U.S.

Canoe.ca--Going for another Gold
Toronto Star--Canada advances to final

CBC Sports--Canadian Juniors going for 4th straight gold

The above post first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!

More like The Hockey News rather than The Daily News

We’ve been a bit remiss in our self appointed task of archiving the Daily News big story of the day this week; we let Monday and Tuesday slip by without cataloguing the important stories of Podunk for perpetuity.

So we’ll take advantage of this Wednesday night to get our site in order and caught up to date.

Our first effort comes from Monday’s Daily News which took advantage of Canada’s gold medal at the World Junior Championships to put Canada’s goaltender Carey Price as the front page lead story of Monday’s edition.

PRICE STIRS UP FIRST NATIONS PRIDE ON THE WAY TO GOLD
B. C. goalie hailed as a role model after his recent heroics in Sweden
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Monday, January 8, 2007
Pages one and three

With the stellar backstopping of Carey Price, Team Canada brought home the gold yet again on Friday.

While the victory will be cherished across the nation, it’s also being hailed as particularly sweet for aboriginal athletes.

“On behalf of the member communities of the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs we would like to extend our congratulations to Team Canada on its third consecutive victory at the World Junior Championship in Leksand, Sweden,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs. “In particular, we would like to congratulate Carey Price… We share the great pride of the Ulkatcho First nation in Price’s achievements.

Price, who moved to Williams Lake to pursue his hockey career, grew up just two hours east of Bella Coola in Anahim Lake. The goaltender, who was drafted fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2005, was name Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, selected to the All-Star Team and given the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Best Player Award as goalie.

“Based on his awesome performance, Price has become one of Canada’s leading Aboriginal role models for our youth,” said Grand Chief Phillip. “Price has ably demonstrated hard work, focus and full commitment are the essential elements of achieving one’s dreams. Undoubtedly, the incredible level of support he received from his parents played a significant role in his success. Like many fans, we will watch Price in the years to come and we wish him well.”

The board of directors, staff and members of the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of B. C. (ASRA) also offered their congratulations to Team Canada and Price.

“The 2007 squad has been a very special place amongst the Aboriginal population in British Columbia,” said Adam Olsen, communications coordinator, ASRA. “He will have to brace the awards case when he returns to his home… Price sets an incredible standard for Aboriginal athletes all across Canada.”

Price who narrowly missed representing Canada in last year’s tournament in Vancouver, came back for the 2007 try-outs with a fresh approach and spent ever minute for Canada between the pipes finishing with the tournament’s best goals-against average and save percentage. Team Canada only allowed seven goals throughout the entire tournament and finished unbeaten, extending Canada’s winning streak to 18 games and earning the third gold medal in as many years.

“Netminder Price showed true leadership and skill backing Canada’s third gold medal effort – and winning the MVP and goaltender awards for the tournament, as well as being named to the all star squad,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “There’s a good chance that the players we cheered on over the past few days will compete for Olympic gold on home ice in 2010.

“The excitement that hockey fans feel for this win is just a taste of the excitement there will be when the world comes to Vancouver and Whistler for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

Other B. C. players included Cody Franson of Sicamous and Kendal McArdle and Karl Alzner of Burnaby. Canada has won a medal in the past eight World Junior Championships.

Expectations fulfilled!

Canadian hockey teams whether professional, junior or a pee wee rep team all have one thing in common it seems, when they enter an international tournament, all the pressure, all the expectations fall on their shoulders.

From the Olympics, to World Championships and all things in between, the pressure to play at your peak increases when you don a jersey with a maple leaf stitched across your chest.

The 2007 World Junior championship was no exception, in fact unlike other tournaments, of late this one has been ours to own. Going into today’s Gold medal showdown with the Russians, Canada was the two time defending champion. They had not lost a game in three tournaments and were the prohibitive favourites to claim the gold once again. The only possible fly in that ointment, a rather poor success record while on European ice.

And with the drop of the puck, this junior team came out as if to prove that they were the rightful heirs to those that had skated before them. Coming off a hard fought and potential near miss against the Americans in the semi final, Canada was back on track in the Gold medal game.

They had a jump in their pace as the lines rolled over the boards, the took possession of the play through the first period and knocked the Russians off their game plan, three quick first period goals set the scene for the Canadians as they closed down the Russian attack time and time again.

The hero of the tournament and especially that semi final match with the USA, Carey Price once again was rock solid in the Canadian nets. With a strong defensive corps that refused second chances and back checking forwards that heard the message of Craig Hartsburg to take care of their end, it seemed for a while that Russians would be left on the sidelines in the showcase game of the tournament.

But, as is always the case a wounded bear is always the most dangerous bear and the Russian team began to climb their way back into the game as the second period progressed, Canada by then had jumped to a four to nothing lead, but as had been the tradition in this tournament for Russia, they would soon chip away at that lead and begin to claim some of the play as their own.

The testimony to Canada’s success however was the fact that the Russians could only score when given a man advantage, on even terms Canada controlled the game. The Russians would find a bit more space with Canada one man down, and would find success on two of those occasions.

The third period was a fast paced affair, the two teams trading zones and launching attacks. The key portion of the game came when the Russians were short handed but still took the play to Canada on a breakaway, Price stonewalled Anton Krysanov and at that point perhaps Canadians felt destiny on their side.

That feeling would be cemented when the Russians pulled their goalie during a power play and still could not score with a two man advantage, with time fast running out Canada played perfect defence, chipping the puck to the boards and then down the ice, never giving the Russians an opportunity to set up, let alone score the two goals needed to send the game to Overtime. The clock wound down, the Na na na song started up and Canada were gold Medal champs with a hard earned 4-2 victory over the previously undefeated Russians.

As the young if slightly off key chorus of Canadians finished singing O Canada and accepted their medals, you could almost see a weight lifting from their shoulders. Their team would not be the one to surrender the title of world’s best, they were perfect at this tournament on the ice for the most part and on the score sheet and official records.

Canada brought the game they needed to find to the rink on a Friday in Sweden. It was a combination of hard hitting and strong defensive play, which finally found some of the missing offensive of past Canadian teams.

Sometimes we tend to put too much pressure on these young people who play with such pride for their country. One day again the tide will turn, someone else will be collecting gold medals and hearing their anthem played in a foreign land.

But today wasn’t that day. Today, once again, Canada’s juniors proved that Canadian hockey played with enthusiasm, desire and heart can trump all obstacles.

This year’s class did well, for their nation, for their coach, for the game and for themselves. They are deserved champions, a collective group with memories that they will take with them through the years. They are a team that is now destined for their place in the lore of a hockey mad nation, joining those that went before them and rose to the occasion and succeeded at the most competitive level.

(Picture discovered at Toronto Star site)

The above post first appeared in my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!