Post by Zipper14 on Jan 6, 2009 14:30:01 GMT -5
It was a hell of a tournament. Those kids play with so much heart it puts some of the NHL guys to shame. It's also pure enertainment. The guys are so excited and worked up the whole time so they forget about defense and go for the big play or the big hit. It's fantastic to watch the goals keep coming, a two or three goal lead isn't safe.
I thought Canada's round robin game against the US was a tremendous game, but the semi-final against Russia was one of the best hockey games I have ever watched, at any level.
Here's some highlights of Canada at the tournament, sorry I'm a little biased. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PijanSVNJjQ
I'm just wondering what kind of attention the World Juniors gets in the US. Is it completely buried in the NFL playoffs and Bowl games? Is it on TV at all down there?
Canada can't get enough of the World Juniors. It's almost covered year round as the media speculates on who will be on the team. Once December comes it's on every sport broadcast as the team is finalized and the guys prepare to go for gold.
It was also great to see the top prospects face off against each other. I only closely watched Canada, so I can't tell you a whole lot about other teams. However, the top three Canadian guys were John Tavaras, Cody Hodgson and Jordan Eberlee.
As a Canucks fan, I am very excited about Hodgson. He was the most well rounded plater on the Canadian team. Sure Tavaras was the best offensive guy out there, but he didn't kill a single penalty. Hodgson was out there for every critical moment, PK, PP, last minute of a close game etc. On top of that, Hodgson finished with the most points in the tournament.
Tavaras is the real deal for sure. He's got all the skills to put up big points at every level: nice hands, great vision, good footspeed and a strong shot. Look at his goal at 0:15 of this clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-zmRP0e3kE&feature=related
Edmonton prospect Jordan Eberle was the hero for Canada. He scored with five seconds left to tie the semi-final game with Russia. Later he went on to score in the shootout. That kid has amazing hands. Here's the shootout goal: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8iHM30rSE
I thought Canada's round robin game against the US was a tremendous game, but the semi-final against Russia was one of the best hockey games I have ever watched, at any level.
Here's some highlights of Canada at the tournament, sorry I'm a little biased. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PijanSVNJjQ
I'm just wondering what kind of attention the World Juniors gets in the US. Is it completely buried in the NFL playoffs and Bowl games? Is it on TV at all down there?
Canada can't get enough of the World Juniors. It's almost covered year round as the media speculates on who will be on the team. Once December comes it's on every sport broadcast as the team is finalized and the guys prepare to go for gold.
It was also great to see the top prospects face off against each other. I only closely watched Canada, so I can't tell you a whole lot about other teams. However, the top three Canadian guys were John Tavaras, Cody Hodgson and Jordan Eberlee.
As a Canucks fan, I am very excited about Hodgson. He was the most well rounded plater on the Canadian team. Sure Tavaras was the best offensive guy out there, but he didn't kill a single penalty. Hodgson was out there for every critical moment, PK, PP, last minute of a close game etc. On top of that, Hodgson finished with the most points in the tournament.
Tavaras is the real deal for sure. He's got all the skills to put up big points at every level: nice hands, great vision, good footspeed and a strong shot. Look at his goal at 0:15 of this clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-zmRP0e3kE&feature=related
Edmonton prospect Jordan Eberle was the hero for Canada. He scored with five seconds left to tie the semi-final game with Russia. Later he went on to score in the shootout. That kid has amazing hands. Here's the shootout goal: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8iHM30rSE