WJC Daily Review #6

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

 

Welcome back to the WJC Daily Review, a series in which we will talk about best players, surprises, letdowns and more! Stick around and follow us as VSN is here to be the media outlet for you and your entertainment!

 

Our two semi-final matches have been played, and it will be Team Asia competing against Team Europe for the gold medal, and Team USA battling it out with Team Canada for the bronze. Asia comfortably won against Team USA in their match with a score of 4-2, but the game of the round was certainly Europe beating Canada in a thrilling 6-5 victory that flattered neither goaltender. How do you think the podium will look after tomorrow’s games? Let us know in the poll above. 
 
 
Semi-Finals 1 : Team USA vs Team Asia
 
Although enjoying a nice winning run in the leadup to this match, Team USA was unable to match the offensive prowess of Team Asia, who blitzed through the Americans with three goals in the first period. However, despite trailing 3-1 at the first intermission, Team USA plugged the holes in their defence, only conceding once more for the remainder of the game via an empty-net goal with less than a minute to play. In fact, Team Asia only led by a single goal going into the final period of play. 
 
The man of the match was easily Hiroshi Okada, whose two goals and one assist earned him a well deserved first star. Both goalies put in strong performances, with Jimmy Spyro’s .933 SV% barely edging out Virgil Ligriv’s respectable .927. Team Asia’s netminder will have a formidable task ahead of him, however, as in the next round they take on Europe whose six goals saw them, past team, Canada in the other semi-final game. 
 
The story of the game though was really written in the first period, as Team Asia capitalized on both penalties the United States took in that period, while Team USA was only able to convert one of their power plays. Despite their good play for the rest of the match, they were unable to overcome the early deficit and will have to settle for playing Team Canada in a North American showdown for the bronze medal. 
 
Semi-Finals 2: Team Europe vs Team Canada
 
A total of 11 goals were scored in this WJC classic between Team Europe and Team Canada. The match was a back and forth affair that saw both teams go on scoring runs, swinging the balance of the match in and out of their reach. Similar to Team Asia in the other matchup, Team Europe came out swinging and scored three in the first period. The game was scoreless up until the 11th minute, in which Guy Lesieur opened up the scoring. Then, just 24 seconds later the Europeans scored again, quickly putting Canada on immense pressure. 
 
Canada responded well, however, and scored two goals in the first half of the second period to bring it within one. The teams then proceeded to trade goals, with Europe widening the gap twice just for Canada to bring it back within one each time, and the teams went into the third period with Europe leading 5-4. 
 
The third period went in much a similar manner, with Team Europe scoring first, only for Team Canada to score once more. However, despite Canada’s 17 shots in the final period, they were unable to put another past Boris Boris, who made up for his poor second period with a fantastic third. This match was fantastic not only due to the high scoring totals but also because amazingly no player on either team scored more than one goal. The scoring depth showcased by both these sides was a pleasure to behold and speaks volumes to the quality of WJC hockey we are currently witnessing. Edu Stava took the first star for the game with his 3 point performance, including the game-winning goal early on in the third period. 
 
 
Predictions for the Next Round
 
Team Europe vs Team Asia
 
The gold medal matchup between Team Europe and Asia is set up to be an exciting finish to the week of WJC hockey we have so far witnessed. Team Europe was expected to finish very high prior to the tournament, but at this point appear underdog to a Team Asia that has hardly faltered all tournament, despite being a dark horse at best in the pre-tournament predictions. Asia is clearly the favourite to win, having beaten Team Europe in both their round-robin matches. Will Team Europe have the firepower to match the deadly Asian first line that has combined for 42 points in 9 matches played? They certainly have the depth, as evidenced by their semi-final matchup against Team Canada, but only time will tell if they have what it takes to upset the current favourites. 
 
Team USA vs Team Canada
 
In the bronze medal match, we see two teams that were somewhat underdogs heading into the tournament. The United States, in particular, has made a remarkable turnaround from the first few days of the competition, and despite falling short to Team Asia in the semi-finals, are looking to sneak out a bronze medal in a competition they were all but set to fall out of. Team Canada, on the other hand, is looking to expand their trophy cabinet, having medaled in all WJC’s outside of the S67 tournament, but they will have their work cut out for them with this gritty United States team. This matchup is a hard one to predict. The teams split their round-robin matches, but it was the United States that won in the most recent, a 4-0 blowout. Will that result still be in the mind of Team Canada? This matchup is bound to be a fun one as these North American rivals go toe-to-toe once more in an effort to get on the WJC podium.
 
 

That is it for today - good luck for now and see you again tomorrow!
 

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VSN Writer Mr_Hatter 

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