WJC Daily Review S70 #1

[Mr_Hatter 1,603]

 

 

The World Junior Championship has started once again! And with that VSN is starting another iteration of the WJC Daily Review, a series in which we will talk about best players, surprises, and let downs from the day’s games. Stick around and follow us as VSN is here to be the media outlet for you and your entertainment!

 

To start things off, we’ll give a brief rundown of the standings. Having played the most out of any team so far with three games, we have Team Europe with two wins and a loss. Next in the standings, despite only having played a single game is Team Canada, which won their only match against the Europeans. Tied for 3rd but ahead on goal differential is Team World, which split their two matches. Same as World, Team USA also went one and one on their first day of games. Finally, rounding out the table, we have Team Asia, on just a point after their two losses to Team Europe on the first day, one of which came in a shootout. 

Team Europe

 

Although finding themselves top of the standings after Day One, Team Europe will have a few questions to ask of themselves going into the next day’s games. In their first match, they fell to Team Canada by a score of 3-1. Their penalty kill was lacking, as two of the Canadians, three goals came on the power play. Jim Bob took the team’s first goal in the tournament, but the Europeans will need more from their star-studded roster if they want to compete this year. To their credit, they got just that in the next game, beating Team Asia in the next game by a score of 6-3 after Dagmar Havlova’s four-point, two-goal performance. Their final match of the day went to a shootout with goalie Joakim Bruden closing out a strong 31 save performance with the shootout win; though it must be said, Team Europe did not look convincing in this game either, with all three stars of the game going to Team Asia.  

 

 

Team Canada 

 

Looking at the second place Team Canada now, they started off strong against the Europeans in their first game, but it is difficult to assess them after just one match. Certainly, their goalkeeping, as predicted, looks to be their strong point this tournament, as Jaxx Hextall put together a fantastic 42 save performance, allowing just one goal for a .977 SV%. Their skaters were solid as well, and lethal on the power play, with Kristopher McDagg getting a goal and assist. We will see how they continue to perform as the tournament runs on, but this was a strong first showing for the Canadians. 

 

 

Team World

 

Team World has had an interesting start to the season, and one thing is for sure; they can score. After ten goals in just two games, World has the best goal differential throughout the first day with a +3, but that means their defence is just as shaky, allowing seven goals in two games. Additionally, it is tough to categorize them as they played Team USA in both matches. Their first game was a 6-4 loss, in which goalie Nicolas Fomba struggled, going for 27 saves on 33 shots. However, they looked strong and only capitulated late on in the game, conceding three straight goals (two while a man down) in the final ten minutes or so. The next game they came roaring back with a 6-1 win, the aforementioned Fomba dominating, allowing just one goal on 29 shots. Their power play was absurd, scoring five of their six goals with the extra man, including one just seven seconds into the match after an interference penalty just five seconds in. Gabriel Gutzweiler took the first star with two goals and an assist; Edwin THE Encarnacion added another two goals to the mix for the second star, while winger Lewis Dawson had one goal, two-assist night. All in all, Team World has done well, with ten skaters getting points in two games. 

 

 

Team USA

 

The mirror image of Team World, the Americans also had an interesting start to the tournament, though their performances left us a bit wanting. Samuel Ross had a strong first outing, making a huge 43 saves on 47 shots in their 6-4 victory, but struggled in the second game, allowing 5 goals on just 15 shots before being pulled from the game; that said, 4 of those came while on the penalty kill, something Team USA will need to sort out if they want to continue in this tournament. The Americans top-line performed well, with their winger duo earning the first and second stars of the night. Nate Wright had a two-goal, two-assist performance, while Jaxon Walker found the net once, assisting twice. Blue-liner Shawn Glade Jr had a good night as well, recording a hat trick of assists, good enough for the third star. Their second game same them struggling to find the back of the net, amongst disciplinary issues, as only Walker was able to score. 

 

 

Team Asia

 

Team Asia, despite sitting last in the table, has nothing to hang their head about. They faced current leaders in Europe twice and honestly held their own. Despite conceding 6 goals, goalie Bennet Dahl faced an overwhelming 54 shots, and in the second game earned a well deserved second star, saving 44 of 46 shots, despite failing to make a save in the final shootout. Uhtred had a strong showing across the two games, with one goal and three assists across both performances, and Kyle Andersen also played well, with two goals and one assist over the two matches. 

 

That’s it for now- stay tuned for more WJC coverage!

 

 

Players Mentioned: @jRuutu, @diamond_ace, @PadStack, @ROOKIE745, @Viperxhawks19, @efiug, @DaftRaincloud, @Tagger,

 @Kendrick, @Brrbisbrr, @73MPL4R, @hewasajazzman, @ShawnGlade, @Nothing but goals, @leafsman, @Cusemode

 

 

VSN Writer Mr_Hatter
 

[Banackock 7,632]

GO EUROPE!! Wooooooo

[McLovin 386]

HEADS HIGH, STAND TALL, FLY STRAIGHT, USA, ALL THE WAY!

 

[Ben 200]

Why do I always get a lot of shots shot on me

[Mr_Hatter 1,603]

46 minutes ago, Nothing but goals said:

Why do I always get a lot of shots shot on me

They know you can handle it