S71 WJC Update #1

[FrostBeard 2,061]

The World Junior Championship has started once again! For S71 we have rebranded these and dropped a daily review part of it, right now we will be going with a simple WJC Update. These series are about best players, surprises, and let downs from the most recent games. Stick around and follow us as VSN is here to be the media outlet for you and your entertainment!

 

Also, don’t forget to check out other cool VSN Content produced weekly for your entertainment. From lovely podcasts hosted by Berocka to stat-filled content on weekly news, history and more!
VHL Weekly | VHLM Weekly | League History | S71 WJC Team Rankings | VSN Radio

This season, as always, VSN has rated Asia very low but they seem to be full of surprises each season. With 3 wins in 3 games played they are simply playing better than every other team. It is interesting though that every other team is having similar scoring numbers and seem to be quite fairly balanced. Even the last-place Team USA looks almost identical in terms of goal difference and goalscoring to 2nd rated Team World. With the tournament only just starting, we don’t know how these standing will change and who will be at the top at the end of the day 2.

Team Asia

Asia seems to be completely unstoppable. With Shaposhnikov leading the charge with 8 points in just 3 games they don’t seem to have any weaknesses. They have 7 point-per-game players and a brilliant netminder in Nicolas Fomba who is showing his best with 0.942 Save percentage and 3 Goals against average. It almost seems that Asia was tired to be undervalued every tournament.

Team World

2nd place, not a bad place to be in. That said,  we know how close every other team is so we don’t know for how long will Team World be able to keep this position. Their scoring has been very much centred around their all-star first line with Pengu, leFlamant and Kiak. Zamboni Driver has been proving to be a great piece for Team World but at this moment hasn’t really been able to show his full potential.

Team Canada

The only team with fewer games played than every other. Canada has been very much lack-lustre as their offence just doesn’t seem to be able to click and they are extremely dependant on their goaltender to provide the team with a chance at winning games. Shouldn’t a team with a clear S72 VHL Draft 1st Overal draftee be better? Shouldn’t a team with one of the favourites for S72 Rookie of the year award be better?

Team Europe

Europe seems to be in an interesting situation. They have a strong group of players leading the offence and defence. Derek Eriksson, Ray Sheilds, Roque Davis and Ola VIkingstad have all been known across VHL and VHLM as players you can trust to get the job done. Extremely good depth scoring with 7 point-per-game players. So what is the big problem? Their goaltending. Joakim Bruden has not been able to find his game and with 0.883 Save percentage, it is just doesn’t seem like it will change any time soon.

Team United States of America

Okay, so… What is going on Team USA? With highly talented skaters and a future all-star goaltender in Stone Wolski, you should be doing a lot better. The good thing is that you are keeping goals scored and goals allowed close so at least there is a hope they will turn it around. There is still a lot of optimism here as many of these players are just having their chance to share the ice together with their countrymen. 

 

But for now, that will be it from us today, do you agree with our assessment or do you think VSN is completely wrong? Tune in to the next WJC Update when it comes out! See you there!

People mentioned: @DollarAndADream, @DirtyDerek, @Zetterberg, @Josh, @Dil, @Pengu, @PadStack, @BarzalGoat, @Grant, @Tape-to-Tape, @ng1291, @efiug

[Pengu 87]

NOOT NOOT!

[BarzalGoat 728]

NOOOOT NOOOOOT