With the prospect of a medal for the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team gone, head coach Ron Rolston has his team focusing on fifth place as a matter of pride.
What we learned: Anything can happen. I think most everyone thought this game would go Team USA’s way, but that’s why they play the game.
In a game for the ages, the U.S. lost to Canada 7-4 on New Year's Eve. The game had everything from big saves, shots, hits and controversy.
What we learned: A U.S. vs. Canada World Juniors game is the best ticket in the tournament no matter what continent you're on. The boys on both sides battle as hard as possible and emotions are extremely high.
We're 7 hours away from the most anticipated group game of the 2009 IIHF World Under-20 Championship. Team USA and Canada will clash in what the entire hockey world is expecting to be an excellent game.
What we learned: This one is a tough one given the style of the game. Coach Ron Rolston said these types of games are tough to play so he gives his players smaller goals to achieve. Good idea coach.
When the Team USA bus leaves for the Scotia Bank Centre tomorrow, it will mark the beginning of a less than 36 hour span in which the U.S. will play Kazakhstan and then prepare for and face rival Canada on New Year's Eve.
What we learned: The U.S. still has work to do, but I don’t think the problem areas are glaring. I saw a team that eliminated the bigger problems of defensive communication breakdowns that led to odd-man situations. Tonight’s version of Team USA was plagued instead by small mistakes that led to goals and scoring chances.
One game down for Team USA and the 8-2 victory Friday night led into a relaxing Saturday of practice, team video and preparation for the Czech Republic.
What we learned: The top U.S. line of Colin Wilson, James van Riemsdyk and Jordan Schroeder is as advertised. It’s kind of like a super hyped summer blockbuster actually coming through.
Sandwiched between two of the major holidays of the year, I'd like to wish you good tidings on the eve of one of hockey's greatest holidays; the World Junior Tournament.
Fresh off a 13-2 victory over Latvia, newly named captain Jonathon Blum took some time to answer a few questions.
The 2009 U.S. National Junior Team descended on Lake Placid, N.Y., for training camp and head coach Ron Rolston took some time to chat with me about camp, downtime and some other talking points out of training camp.
The ink was barely dry on the 2009 U.S. Roster announcement and the analysis kicked off among the hockey community.
USA Hockey and the NHL Network today announced a three-year partnership that will mean every U.S. game of the next three World Junior tournaments will be broadcast live in high definition.
As I write this entry we are exactly four months to the minute from the puck dropping in Ottawa for the opening game between the United States and Germany.