WJC: Canada after 7.

[David O'Quinn 115]

Or 21, depending on how you see it. (1260?(75600?))

 

 

The World Juniors first of two round robin... rounds, are well underway, and the first round robin is almost finished. After seven, Canada is 3-4-0, tied for third place with Team World, however, team world has one less win (but two overtime losses), so have a lower regulation win%. Anyways, let us analyze the games, and along the way i'll try to mention some interesting (and at times, frankly insane) statistics.

 

 

Game 1: World @ Canada  

Final Score: 3-4 SO, Canada wins. 

 

Through 20 minutes, Team World was up 2-0. It wasn't looking good for Canada, and world was outshooting Canada 13-6. However, after World scored a 3rd goal to 'strengthen' their lead in the third period, Canada, a nation famous for being the 'Comeback kids', did its thing. After two goals fueled by the playmaking ability of winger Kris Rice to finish off the second, Nate Telker tied it with a minute and a half left in the 3rd.  Finally, in the shootout after a goalless overtime, Canada's... D1 scored the winning shootout goal. Oops. 

 

Game 2: Canada @ World

Final Score: 1-4, World wins. 

 

Although Canada took the early lead, three horribly timed penalties later Canada was down 3-1, and Worlds solid defense availed them as Canada went goalless after their first goal, in the first period. 

 

Game 3: United States @ Canada

Final Score: 2-4, Canada wins.  

 

After an early goal five minutes into the game by the United States' team, they managed to hold their single tally lead until the third period (Including an insane second period where a total of five shots were registered between the two teams). However, quickly into the third, just two minutes by, Canada had their own single goal lead, fueled by two assists from RJ Jubis. The United States' managed to tie it, but with 50 seconds left Daldo, and a later empty net goal, Canada came out on top. In the third period, Canada had a 50% shooting percentage.

 

Game 4: Asia @ Canada

Final Score: 3-1, Asia wins. 

 

This was a fast paced, high energy game with low goal totals to show for it. The shot total's tell an interesting story, however. Canada managed to outshoot Asia in every period, but their goaltender Jimmy Spyro, who Canada passed on, was a brick wall. So it was, despite Canada's noble effort, with high possession level's, Asia came out on top holding the lead throughout the game, thanks to superior goal tending. 

 

Game 5: Canada @ Asia

Final Score: 3-5, Asia wins. 

 

A somewhat similar story to the previous game in Canada, while Canada had a decent amount of shots, Asias superior goal-tending and ability to cache in more often on their (high quantity of) chances won them the game. At it's closest point, Canada had it tied 9 minutes into the second. It was not to be, however, as Jerry Wang scored two goals within the span of 8 seconds, both goals assisted by the same faceoff: man Hiroshi Okada. 

 

Game 6: Canada @ Europe 

Final Score: 3-2, Canada wins. 

 

Another game in which Canada boasts a higher shooting percentage than its opponent, Canada held the lead all game. Although almost letting go of their lead letting Europe score two goals in the last eight minutes, Flashback managed to hold on and the team. Canada won noticeably less faceoffs and was less physical than Europe in this game, but capitalized more often, which lead to the win.

 

Game 7: Canada @ United Sates

Final Score: 0-4, United States win. 

 

This was a downright ugly game for Team Canada, because the game was nowhere near 'close'. Obviously, Canada was shutout, and at the end of the day that loss is what matters the most, but it goes deeper than that. Canada was outclassed by the United States on the shot chart by a whopping (USA) 40-21 (CAN). This was felt particularly hard in the first period, where Canada was outshot nearly five to one. Flashbacks respectable-ish 900% save percentage was not enough to save Canada, though. The next area Canada was outclassed in was Faceoffs, as the United States won 13 more faceoffs than Canada. While this particular statistic can be hard to interpret, since you may 'lose' a faceoff and gain the puck immediately afterwords, it's still telling of Canada's shortcomings at center. Canada was also outhit 22-13, and out shotblocked 12-9, which is highly impressive on the United States part considering Canada's lower amount of shots attempted, or so it would seem. The only area where Canada succeeded was discipline, only registering two penalty minutes the whole game. The United States' 3 penalties were never capitalized upon, however. 

 

 

Canada needs to win their final game, but not to make it to the second round.

While Canada is almost certainly going to make the second round of the round robin, Canada still needs to win that last game. Proving the haters wrong, and keeping morale high within the team will be important for Canada, since the second round is looking scary. Secondly, if team world leapfrogs Canada by some miracle, Canada will be stuck facing team Asia, which is almost certainly a death sentence, where Canada won't win a medal. Of course, it's not elimination, but every win counts a helluvalot. Canada is slated to face team Europe when the second round starts, atleast for now. These final four games, one of which Canada play's in will be a determining factor for the medal round. 

 

 

 

Although not as important, I'll also quickly touch on individual stats within Team Canada. Unsurprisingly, though interestingly, RJ Jubis leads the team with 7 points, Daldo leading - but tied with Telker - with 3 goals. Secondarily is Guy Sasakamoose, who has 6 pts. What is a surprise, however, is first line center Nate Telker. He's tied for goal lead with Daldo, but hasn't registered a single assist throughout the tourney. Canada is playing well all things considered, so it will be seen as to whether or not Telker will be demoted in favor of Rice. 

 

 

Obligatory team Canada tags @Jubis @Telkster @Krice13 @Viperxhawks19 @jared @Laflamme @Adil @Harpskii @InciteHysteria @Cxsquared @Jayden Zelinsky @uphillmoss @SlapshotDragon

 

 

1,030 words. Claiming for the weeks ending on the 15th and 29th of December, 2019. 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2019 by JohnOQuinn

[David O'Quinn 115]

Obligatory post for claim #2