S71 WJC Update #2

[Mr_Hatter 1,608]

 

Welcome back to another S71 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!
 
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With another seven games gone by, Team Asia maintains their run of dominance. Other than that, the standings are completely shaken up, with only Europe maintaining their position. Things are still very close between teams not named Asia. The points difference between second-placed Canada and last-placed World is only four; one less than the gap between Canada and Asia. There is still time to play, but for now, this Red Robin round is certainly setting up an engaging playoffs, as all five teams this season seem to have a shot at the gold. 
 
Team Asia
 
Speaking of all five teams having a shot at the gold, I may have spoken a little too soon; a shot at silver might be more accurate. Though Asia is certainly not unbeatable (as evidenced by their Game 8 loss to Europe by a score of 5-4, what a game), they are in the driver's seat, and their goal differential doesn’t lie. Sitting right now at a +8, with 30 goals scored, they have been dominant offensively. Vladimir Shaposhnikov maintains his impeccable form with a tournament-leading 18 points and has been truly massive this tournament. He is followed by teammate Kyl Oferson whose 8 goals in only 6 games is the highest of all players. Asia’s goaltending has been strong as well, with Nicolas Fomba maintaining his .925 SV% despite having faced the highest number of shots throughout all goalies in the competition. Nikita Kulikovich leads all defensemen in points with 11 after 6 games, thanks to his impressive 10 assists. 
 
Team Canada
 
Team Canada has rallied hard, and the perennial competitors are looking like they have a good shot at challenging for the gold. Despite being 5 points back off leaders Asia, they do have a game in hand. While Asia is offensively dominant, Canada has been relying on an airtight defence. In fact, they have the lowest goals scored with only 17 despite being second in the standings, but thanks to their tournament-best 15 goals allowed, they are still at a +2. This is of course in part due to their goaltender, who has so far been the best out of anyone, with the top SV% of .929, and top GAA of 2.72, almost a full goal better than Asia, Mr Woody McPine. McPine has been helped out tremendously by the strong defensive efforts of the whole roster, as he has faced almost 100 shots less than Asia’s Fomba (although he has played one less game). Alex Letang has been tremendous with this defensive effort, blocking 17 shots over 5 games, and Hugh Jass is currently second in defensemen leaderboard by points with 7 after 5 games. 
 
Team United States of America
 
The United States has rebounded quickly as well, going 2-1 in their games this time around, and only losing to Asia in a tight 5-4 barnburner that saw Asia take the win on two powerplay goals in the third period; basically, the Americans came very close to a big victory here, almost winning all three matches. In fact, they have had a lot of close games so far this tournament, with five of their six games being decided by two goals or less, and the sixth being their big 7-4 win over Team Europe in Game 12. The Americans are the second-best offence in the tournament, only 4 goals scored behind Asia, and only 2 more goals allowed. This is despite not having a single person in the top five for points; they have really been relying on all their players contributing, and have a strong offensive core of Joe Proto, Thomas Landry II, and Alex Bridges with ten, ten, and nine points respectively. Landry leads the team with 5 goals. Their netminder Stone Wolski has had some solid performances so far, maintaining a .914 SV%, but they might need a little more out of him in the games against the top teams this tournament. 
 
Team Europe
 
The Europeans have been somewhat of an enigma thus far this tournament. They are the first of our teams this update that is in the negative in goal differential, and they have struggled at times. With that being said, they are also the only team so far that has managed to win against Team Asia. So what does that tell us? Issues with consistency could certainly be a factor. Their top man is certainly Derek Eriksson, who is in third in points with 11 despite having only played five games; in fact, along with Gabriel Gutzweiler, they are the only two players in the top ten for points who have played five matches. So how can Europe make a run for the gold? Obviously they can do it, they beat Asia. They need to just improve each game, and start playing like that in repeat performances. Additionally, their goaltender Joakim Bruden will need to start playing to his potential, as his .866 SV% will struggle to take them all the way. Plainly said, they just need their players to step up. 
 
Team World
 
Team World struggled with this round of games, losing all three, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to the Canadians in Game 11. With that being said, there is still a chance for them to turn around, as they have been unlucky -  yes, unlucky. That game against Canada was the only one truly out of reach, as every other game was decided by two goals or less. Furthermore, two of their losses came in overtime, with one being decided by a shootout. Pengu has been scoring well for them with eleven points, albeit a -3 on the ice. They just haven’t been enough; each game tends to seem just a little too much for them to handle. Things aren’t too late for them to turn around, and their goalie Zamboni Driver has been holding things together decently considering the situation, with a .911 SV%, but they will need to switch something up sooner rather than later if they want to have a shot. Considering that if they manage a win in the play-in match they are rewarded with a game presumably against Asia, things aren't looking too hot for our World brethren.  
 

 
But for now, that will be it from us. 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!

 

Players Mentioned: @ng1291, @Nykonax, @efiug, @Lockdown Defense, @HearnNation67,

@Spartan,@TheFlash, @Proto, @Doomsday, @Alex Bridges, @DollarAndADream,

@DirtyDerek, @PadStack, @Pengu, @Tape-to-Tape
 

 
VSN Writer Mr_Hatter