European Union is the Best Union

[CowboyinAmerica 2,911]

 

Prague -- Every year, the World Junior Hockey Championship standings shift up and down. Sometimes, it's the USA roster that's stacked. Other times (perhaps oftentimes), it's Canada. But it's very rare that continental Europe comes out particularly strong. That's why it's special that this year, Europe may have one it's strongest WJHC rosters ever - and are prepared to potentially take the entire crown.

 

Team Europe finished the round robin part of the tournament with the best record among the five teams, losing their first game but winning the next seven to finish with 21 total points. That lined them up against Team Asia in the semifinals, and following a 5-2 win, Europe is now set to face perennial powerhouses Canada in the finals.

 

Europe has been led by a particularly strong front line, with Annie Oaks tying for the tournament lead with 8 goals, and Antonia Bucatini and Maverick Goncalves adding in 11 assists a piece. But it may be the goalie play that truly propelled this team to victory, with the two-headed goalie monster of Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen and David Slezak putting in two of the three highest save percentages in the competition.

 

"It's really been a team effort, we've been strong up and down the roster," Bucatini said after the semifinals win. "I know a lot of the press might go to the flashy forwards, but without the strong back line and goaltending, we'd be nowhere. I don't think there are many holes on this roster."

 

But will that be enough to beat Team Canada in the finals? Although they received an OT scare from Team World in their own semifinal matchup, Canada also boasts a talented netminder in Harold Benson and a strong first line led by Nathan Ecker (16 points in round robin play) and Wayne Gretzky (15 points).

 

Even going against The Great One though, Europe feels confident it can be great enough on its own. "We've got the talent for sure, we've just got to execute," Bucatini added. "It's going to be a great game though, and a great showcase for the WJHC as a whole. I'm excited to get this done for Team Europe!"

[CowboyinAmerica 2,911]

Bucatini uncapped TPE package 1/5

[Victor 11,021]

Did you not apply TPA or something, I thought we weren't eligible for this

[CowboyinAmerica 2,911]

31 minutes ago, Victor said:

Did you not apply TPA or something, I thought we weren't eligible for this

 

Maybe I'm not? Genuinely know zero of the rules. But I didn't apply any TPE above 400 until end of last week, no.

[Victor 11,021]

1 hour ago, CowboyinAmerica said:

 

Maybe I'm not? Genuinely know zero of the rules. But I didn't apply any TPE above 400 until end of last week, no.

I reckon that must have been it, I applied straight after the season ended and must have pushed myself above the max allowed TPA.

[jacobcarson877 2,563]

2 hours ago, Victor said:

I reckon that must have been it, I applied straight after the season ended and must have pushed myself above the max allowed TPA.

From what I understand they use the last Playoff index, so to-be VHLE players are still at 200, to-be VHL players are still at 400