Monday, December 26, 2016

World Juniors take centre ice for Boxing Day start to annual tournament



Americans have Bowl Season to tide them over the holidays, but for Canadians, in addition a strong interest in how the football picture sorts itself out, there is an added diversion as the break between Christmas and New Year's arrives. As Canadians continue to embrace the Boxing Day launch to the World Junior Championships, this year hosted by Montreal and Toronto.

Since the early days of the tournament, it's held a special place in the sports rankings for Canadian fans, drawing large audience for host broadcaster TSN, which devotes much of its assets towards production of what comes close to to two weeks of international puck.

The ten team tournament digs into the ice at 1 PM this afternoon in Montreal, 10 AM for British Columbians just putting the wraps on breakfast and with that start ten days of high tempo Junior hockey takes it's share of the sports highlights packages.

The highly anticipated event provides, stirs the passions of the land that considers itself home to the game and offers up a glimpse at some of the names that will be part of this summer's NHL draft and potentially for many years to come among the member teams of the professional experience.

Tournament play starts in Montreal and for the next ten days you can find Canadians within eyesight of a television set somewhere whenever the team with the Maple Leaf steps out on the ice.

Participating Teams for the 2016-17 World Junior Tournament Include:

Pool A

Finland 
Sweden
Denmark
Czech Republic
Switzerland

Pool B

Canada
Russia 
USA
Slovakia
Latvia


You can get a preview of some of the atmosphere for the World Juniors from a range of websites listed below dedicated to the event.

IIHF Website

Hockey Canada Website

TSN website

As well, we will post the results of each day at the World Juniors as well as track items of interest over the course of the ten days leading up to the January 5th Championship match.

Tournament Standings

The World Junior Schedule 2016-17
All Games on TSN


January 5, 2017
Gold Medal Game 

USA wins GOLD Medal
Canada receives SILVER Medal


Canada 4 vs USA 5 Shootout ( Game Summary @ Montreal


IIHF -- Terry scores shootout gold
IIHF -- Chabot named MVP
IIHF -- Fasel, Hockey Canada meet press

Heartbreak for Canada as U.S. win junior gold in shootout
Canada settles for silver after losing to U.S. in shootout
Canada falls to US in heartbreaking gold medal shootout loss
World Junior championship springs to life in final 48 hours
Canadian juniors get sterling silver in shootout loss to U.S.
World juniors are Canada's pay-to-play (and watch) program
Heartbreak for Team Canada as U.S. works overtime to capture world junior hockey gold in shootout
Thomas Chabot shines on the big stage leading Team Canada to a silver medal at world junior hockey tournament
Terry the shootout hero again as U.S. tops Canada 5-4 in world junior final
Montreal shouldn't be embarrassed by world junior attendance
World Junior Classic: Gold or Silver, Hold your heads high
Team USA wins gold at World Junior Championships in dramatic shootout



January 5, 2017
Bronze Medal Game
Russia wins Bronze Medal

Russia 2 vs Sweden 1 ( Game Summary  ) @ Montreal

IIHF -- Bronze goes to Russia

Russia strikes quickly in OT, beats Sweden for junior bronze
Russia beats Sweden 2-1 in overtime to win world junior bronze
Disappointing performance still wins Sergachyov a medal 
Sweden can't beat Russian goaltending in bronze medal loss
Guryanov's OT winner to give Russia 2-1 win over Sweden in bronze medal game
Ilya Samsonov snares a bronze medal for Russia


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Semi Finals

January 4, 2017

Sweden 2 vs Canada 5 ( Game Summary @ Montreal
USA 4 vs Russia 3 Shootout ( Game Summary @ Montreal

IIHF -- Fired Up Canada wins
IIHF -- Americans going for gold

Canada defeats Sweden in world  junior hockey semi-final
U.S. advances to world juniors final with shootout win over Russia
Canada wins Hart-stopper of a semifinal
Strome steps up to help lead Canada over Sweden
Troy Terry scores three in shootout as U.S. advances to gold medal game
It's Canada-U.S. for gold as hart saves day against Swedes
Troy Terry's shootout heroics send U.S. to junior final
What's keeping fans away from world juniors? Hockey Canada hopes for better turnout in semis
Canadian Juniors going for gold as Carter Hart comes off bench to backstop 5-2 win over Sweden
Dylan Strome quiets the critics with big third period for Canada in semifinal triumph over Sweden
U.S. celebrates a new sports hero as Troy Terry scores three times in shootout to defeat Russia in world junior semifinal
Canada to face U.S. in world junior final after win over Sweden
Semifinals prove to be festivals for the fearless
American's beat Russia in controversial shootout, reach WJC gold-medal game
Canadian Hockey wins the day as Swedes get sunk
Team USA finally slays Russian and Troy Terry is the Hero
Team USA tops Russian in shootout to advance to final of World Juniors


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Quarter Finals

January 2, 2017

Canada 5 vs Czech Republic 3 (  Game Summary @ Montreal
USA 3 vs Switzerland  2 (  Game Summary@ Toronto
Sweden 8 vs Slovakia 3 ( Game Summary@ Montreal
Denmark 0 vs Russia 4 ( Game Summary @ Toronto

IIHF -- Canada to face Sweden in Semi Final
IIHF -- Parsons saves the day
IIHF -- Swedes subdue Slovaks
IIHF -- Russia on to semis

Canada clinches top spot in semis of World Juniors after roller-coaster win over Czech Republic
Canada cutting it close in quest for gold at world juniors
Canada downs pesky Czech Republic, to play Sweden in semi-final
Referee assists Czech Republic goal against Canada
U.S. survives Swiss scare, will face Russia in semi-final
Canada sets semifinal date with Sweden at world juniors
Canadian juniors make noise in crunch time
U.S., Sweden, Russia advance to world junior semifinals
Team Canada goalie Connor Ingram took unique route to world juniors crease
Stephens leads Team Canada to quarterfinal victory over Czech Republic
Sweden simply dominant through five games at the world juniors
Canada vs. Sweden semifinal promises to be must-see hockey
Team USA 'dodges bullet' against Hischier and Swiss
Mitchell Stephens returns to lead Canadian juniors in quarter-final win over Czech Republic
Chabot and Stephens save Canada's bacon vs. Czechs
Gauthier scores two, Stephens returns as Canada tops Czechs 5-3 at world juniors
Russia, Sweden easily advance, U.S. struggles to subdue Swiss in world-junior quarter finals



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Relegation Round 

January 3 -- Finland 4 vs Latvia 1 ( Game Summary @ Montreal
January 2 -- Finland 2 vs Latvia 1 (Game Summary @ Montreal

IIHF -- Finns finish off Latvia
IIHF -- Finns win relegation opener


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Preliminary Round

December 31 

Sweden  5 vs Czech Republic 2 ( Game Summary )  @ Montreal
USA 3 vs Canada 1 ( Game Summary )   @ Toronto
Finland  2 vs Switzerland 0 ( Game Summary )   @ Montreal
Russia 2 vs Slovakia 0 ( Game Summary )   @ Toronto

IIHF -- USA ends NYE drought
IIHF -- Fourth Straight Swedish win
IIHF -- Finns blank Switzerland
IIHF -- Russia takes 3rd Place

Canada no longer the favourite at world juniors after 3-1 loss to U.S.
Canada's defenceman Phillipe Myers out for world junior quarter-finals with concussion
Canadians drop world junior showdown with U.S.
Losing hurts, but Canada's world junior quest has just begun
Leaf's prospects shine in USA's win over Canada
Russia shuts out Slovakia to set up quarterfinal clash with Denmark
Canada falls to U.S. to finish second in group
Jussi Ahokas thrust into coaching duties after Finland cleans house
Team Canada blinks against United States, heads to Montreal for world junior quarter-finals
Finland's faceplant at world juniors results in fired coaches and desperation for relegation round
U.S. deals Canada 1st loss at world juniors
Russia hold off Slovakia to take 3rd in Group B
Closely ranked junior prospects having different experiences at junior tournament


December 30 

Switzerland 5 vs Denmark 4 ( Summary ) @ Montreal
Slovakia 4 vs Latvia 2  ( Summary@ Toronto

IIHF -- Finland changes coach
IIHF -- Slovakia avoids Finns
IIHF -- Swiss shoot down Danes

Finland, heading to relegation round, fires entire coaching staff
Swedish hockey player Rasmus Dahlin impresses at world juniors
Canada's world junior hockey coach mum on goalie decision
Canada vs. USA: 'This is redemption'
Americans confident they are rounding into form in time to face Canada
World juniors get real with Canada-U.S. tradition
Prospects Eeli Tolvanen, Nico Hischier have spotlight to themselves
Team Canada's preparation infused with recent sting of losing to U.S. in under 18 event earlier this year

December 29

Latvia 2 vs Canada 10 ( Summary ) @ Toronto
Finland 1 vs Sweden 3  ( Summary ) @ Montreal
Russia 2 vs USA 3 ( Summary ) @ Toronto
Denmark 3 vs Czech Republic 2 ( Summary ) @ Montreal

IIHF -- Canada routs Latvia 10-2
IIHF -- Sweden clinches Group A
IIHF -- U. S. hangs tough to beat Russia
IIHF -- Danes pull another surprise

Canadians roll over Latvia en route to U. S. showdown
Canada wins, faces U.S. for first in Group A at world juniors
Team Canada's Jeremy Lauzon has renewed purpose after larynx injury
Team USA beats Russia at world juniors, goes to 3-0
Raddysh's scores 4 times in Team Canada squashing of Latvia
Canada thrashes Latvia to set up showdown with U.S.
U.S. defeats Russia to remain unbeaten

December 28 

Slovakia 2 vs USA 5  ( Summary @ Toronto
Switzerland 2 vs Sweden 4 ( Summary @ Montreal

IIHF -- Americans look sharp in 5-2 win
IIHF -- Swedes stay perfect

Maple Leafs' prospect Martins Dzierkals soaking up atmosphere at world juniors
Team Canada not taking anything for granted at world juniors
Team Canada is confident but not cocky at world juniors
Team Canada modest ahead of potential laugher vs. Latvia
Maple Leafs' Woll stands tall in Team USA net vs. Slovakia
Swedish Maple Leafs prospect Grundstrom plays 'Canadian' style
Canada's Dylan Strome doesn't want to fall into a Latvian-sized trap at world juniors on Thursday


December 27 


Canada 5 vs Slovakia 0 ( Summary ) @ Toronto
Denmark 3 vs Finland 2 ( Summary ) @ Montreal  
Latvia 1 vs Russia 9  ( Summary @ Toronto
Czech Republic 3 vs Switzerland 4  ( Summary @ Montreal 


IIHF -- Canada explodes in 2nd for 5-0 win
IIHF -- Danes stun defending champs
IHHF-- Russia rebounds with win

Canada cruises to win against Slovakia team that only musters six shots
Team Canada taking charge
Is it time for world juniors to move back to smaller communities?
In losing to Denmark, Finland digs big hole at 2017 world juniors
Latvia's blowout loss doesn't get Dzierkals down
Canada overpowers Slovakia at world juniors
Undrafted Myers stands tall on Canadian blue line
Russians rebound with blowout win over Latvia at world juniors
Team Canada  breezes past Slovakia; Connor Ingram pitches easy six-save shutout
Team Canada's Philippe Myers represent the relentless pursuit of the NHL dream
Canadian Philippe Myers embraces the spirit of Luc Bourdon
Finland remains winless after upset loss to Denmark



December 26

Canada 5 vs Russia 3  ( Summary )  @ Toronto 
Czech Republic 2 vs Finland 1 ( Summary )  @ Montreal  
USA 6 vs Latvia 1   ( Summary ) @ Toronto 
Sweden 6 vs Denmark  1 ( Summary ) @ Montreal 

Notes of the Day

IIHF -- Canada Edges Russia
IIHF -- Czechs nip Finns
IIHF -- Americans win Opener
IIHF -- Sweden hammers Danes

Canada kicks off World Juniors with win over Russia
Relentless Canada opens World Juniors with victory over Russia
Captain Strome comes through in Canada's debut at 2017 World Juniors
Canada rises to the occasion with opening game 5-3 win over Russia at world junior tournament
Canada starts off world juniors on a  high note
Canada opens world juniors with victory over rival Russia
Canada sails past Russia to open world juniors with 5-3 win
Canada vs. Russia means the world at juniors
Team Canada goalie Carter hart has the smarts as well as saves
Nylander, Dahlin shine as Sweden tops Denmark 6-1 in world junior opener
United States routs Latvia in world junior hockey opener
Spacek's late goal lifts Czech Republic over Finland 2-1 at world juniors
Team USA survives early-game scare vs. Latvia
It's a no-brainer for AHL players to get loaned out for world junior hockey tournament
Sweden pummels Denmark in world junior opener


Overall Pre-Tournament Notes

December 25 -- Bolts give Canada F Joseph a contract ahead of WJC
December 25 -- NHL draft drama plays out at world juniors
December 25 -- Canadians think world junior gold is in the cards
December 25 -- World Juniors: A team-by-team look at this year's challengers
December 25 -- Strome gets chance to shine for Canada after missing out on NHL opportunity
December 25 -- Team Canada's Captain at World Juniors counts the lessons learned this 'weird' year
December 25 -- Five stories to to watch in the World Junior Championship
December 25 -- Why Canada might/might not win the 2017 world juniors
December 25 -- Parity means Canada is no lock to win it all
December 25 -- Overpricing for world junior tickets has stopped under Renney's guidance
December 25 -- Is it no Connor McDavid, no problem for Canada at the 2017 world juniors?
December 25 -- This year's world juniors will lack draft-eligible star power
December 25 -- Strome gets one last shot at world junior gold
December 24 -- Canada G Hart no stranger to bouncing back
December 24 -- Canada's Nolan Patrick, consensus No. 1 pick in 2017, misses coveted shot at world junior 'coming out party'
December 24 -- Canada looks for world junior redemption at home
December 23 -- Canadian junior team is loaded, even without NHL stars
December 23 -- 10 storylines to watch at 2017 World Junior Championship
December 23 -- Canada gets first scare in final pre-tournament world junior game
December 23 -- Canada to start Carter Hart agains Switzerland
December 23 -- Canadian juniors should appreciate spotlight while it's there
December 23 -- World Junior showcase short on draft sizzle
December 23 -- Canada aiming for a golden finish at world juniors
December 22 -- Team USA and its scary collection of forwards in position to contend for world junior gold
December 22 -- For every Carey Price, who started for Team Canada at the showcase, there's a handful of also rans
December 22 -- Team Canada wants to take full advantage of rare opportunity
December 22 -- Dylan Strome says Canadian World Junior squad are 'having fun'
December 22 -- Anthony Cirelli: Former OHL walk-on living the world junior dream
December 22 -- Team Canada scouting report: A look at the player going for gold at world juniors
December 21 -- Cirelli, Ingram lead Canada over Czech Republic in pre-tournament play
December 21 -- Team Canada chalks up another shutout in WJC pre-tournament play
December 19 -- Team Canada names Dylan Strome captain for world juniors
December 19 -- Canada downs Finland 5-0 in exhibition
December 19 -- Five draft-eligible players to watch at the 2017 world junior hockey tournament


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