1) The 50/50 drawings at the WJC games were nuts. A Kings scout won something like 87-thousand bucks one day. The last two evening games featured total pots (half the money I believe goes to Hockey Canada, the other half to the drawing winner) of more than 200-grand.
2) A little surprised at the Canadian fans in Edmonton and Calgary, cheering for real when an American or Canada opponent was injured for real, and booing when they got up. I’m all for booing the divers, but not kids that are legitimately hurt. These fans smart and savvy enough to know the difference.
3) Part of the pre-tourney gamesmanship, or fans being careful, was Canadian fans poo-poo’ing their chances and praising Team USA and others. Same for USA fans ahead of time; cautious optimism, or building in an excuse, let’s call it. Well, the Canadian fans who thought the Gold Medal game streak might end at ten were correct, but it wasn’t Team USA who put an end to it. North America was left out of the final dance.
4) The people in Alberta were as friendly and hospitable as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Thank you to all the volunteers at the tournament, especially the ones who drove us and our crew all over the place, including to meals and the airport. Gord, Dale, Gary, Phylis, Ken, etc., etc.
5) Congrats to Jack Campbell, Team USA goaltender, who became the all-time winningest goaltender in program history at the WJC, with number ten, the 2-1 relegation victory over Switzerland. It broke the tie he had with Al Montoya, who finished with nine career wins and a Gold Medal in 2004.
6) That said; Campbell gave up one of the weirdest and costliest goals in this years tourney. With the USA up 1-0 on the Czechs in the first period of a must-win, he gave up a bad one to tie it. When a Czech winger fanned on his shot cruising in from the right wing faceoff circle, the puck ended up skidding softly to Campbell, who instead of falling on the puck, opened his legs and looked behind him. The surprised shooter fired the loose puck through Campbell’s wickets to even the score and deflate the Americans who had to wonder what was up. I was standing right behind the net and chalked the goal up as one of the strangest for a goaltender ever. It was the early turning point.
7) I limit my whining as it relates to officiating, at all levels, because unless it’s Denny LaRue, the calls usually even out. However, there is no doubt, at the World Juniors, the ref’s and linesmen were the absolute worst at getting in the way of pucks and people. I have NEVER seen more pucks and/or puck carriers get affected by officials not moving their feet. At least try to get the hell out of the way.
8) Don Cherry teaching moment: “hey kids …” You can’t skate when you leave your feet, that’s why coaches always say, don’t leave your feet. How about two(!) Canadian defensemen diving and sliding to the goal line on Russia’s first goal the other night. Kuznetsov’s goal went in off Murray, who slid into his own net and took out goaltender Wedgewood.
9) Most embarrassing moment: The in-house PA announcer in Calgary, the guy who fires up the crowd and does contests on the big screen during TV breaks and intermissions, had a gaffe of all-time. With 70 or so Team Canada alumni packed on the benches during the 1st intermission of the Russia/Canada game, our Saddledome host went to interview former NHL and WJC coach Pat Quinn, who was standing at the end of the bench. “here’s a man who needs no introduction, but deserves one anyway …” the guy started, before mentioning a career tidbit or two. “Please welcome … MR … PAT … BURNS !!” 17 thousand jaws dropped in unison, while letting out a collective gasp/moan. Quinn smirked. After turning four shades of purple, the announcer recovered with questions. Ouch.
10) While Team USA lost defenseman Derek Forbort to injury early in the preliminary round, the biggest loss came a week before during an exhibition game in Camrose, Alberta. That’s when 17-year-old D-man Seth Jones went down with an upper body (shoulder?) injury. He would have been a top-4 blueliner, and the puck mover/controller the Americans so desperately lacked as things unfolded. He’ll get his chance next year in Ufa.
11) The Danes were the darlings of the tournament, cheered on by Canadian fans because of their underdog status. Unfortunately the sentiment and support wasn’t enough. Denmark lost to Latvia 2-1 in OT in the 9th place game, finishing tenth (last), and therefore dropping out of next year’s top tournament. They go back to Division-one, it’s called, while Germany, winners of that level this year, will move up and get a crack with the big boys for 2013.
12) The salmon at Lux in Edmonton was as delicious as I’ve had in a long time. As were the tapas at the Vin Room in Calgary.
13) Charlie Coyle didn’t have his best tournament in the prelim’s. He was one of many USA forwards not clicking as expected. He did however take advantage of Latvia in the relegation round. Coyle scored three goals and had four assists in the 12-2 victory, tying an American WJC single game mark with seven points. He now shares the record with Doug Weight and Ted Drury.
14) Dean Blais is as honest, open, and cooperative a head coach as you’ll want to find as a “rights holding” media member. Good stuff. Whether he’s back for next year’s tournament is to-be-determined, by him and others.
15) Thank you to Alex Clark and Dave Fischer from USA Hockey for all of their PR/communications assistance. Especially Clarkie, who had to deal with us from day-one. It was pretty much smooth sailing throughout because of them. Good luck to Alex in his new endeavor within the organization.
16) Next year’s Team USA will once again have legitimate high hopes. With nineteen players moving on from this team, there will be a lot of new blood for the WJC, including the aforementioned Jones and the return of Jake Trouba, the youngest, and probably the USA’s most consistent D-man in this last tourney. Plus, the under-17 and under-18 teams have been very good the last couple of years.
17) Plan your trips now: If you can’t make it to Ufa, Russia (which is in Siberia) for next year’s tournament, there’s always Malmo, Sweden for 2014.
18) Julie from Hockey Buzz did a shot like this first: From the catwalk above center ice at the Saddledome. If you’re not a heights person … forget about it. We were wandering around out there during the second intermission of the USA/Swiss game. Here’s the 3rd period faceoff
picture.
19) Thank You to Alberta. Congratulations to Sweden. Back to the NHL.
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