Canada Is World Class At World Juniors

Coming into the tournament, they were long shots to even win a medal. Once the tournament began, they were long shots to reach the final. Once they got to the final, again, their chances of winning against a powerful Russian squad were said to be very slim. But if we have learned anything about Canadian hockey over the years, we should know never to count them totally out.

After last year’s powerhouse team that included the who’s who of the CHL, this year’s team was devoid of the consummate “superstars”, instead made up of a group of solid, hard working and most of all, determined young men. As the tournament wore on, the team took on the look of their Head Coach Brent Sutter who now holds a perfect twelve win, no loss record over two terms at the helm of Team Canada’s World Junior entry. Everyone on the roster came to the rink knowing their role, perfectly happy to check their ego at the door for the good of the team. From Devan Dubnyk, Canada’s backup netminder who did not see a minute of ice time during the tournament to Andrew Cogliano, a standout offensive star in the NCAA system who accepted a checking role with Team Canada, nobody complained about their role. It was clear everyone on the team knew their role was simply this: win a gold medal which ever way it had to be done.

This team was a pleasure to watch because of their determination and focus. They stayed within themselves, never succumbing to the intimidation of the pre-tournament favorites: the Americans or the Russians. Goaltender Justin Pogge was virtually unbeatable allowing only six goals throughout the tournament. Steve Downie was a super pest of the highest order getting under the oppositions’ skin and netting the game winner in tonight’s final. Defenseman Cam Barker was a key contributor on the blueline for Team Canada and was not on the ice for a single goal against during the tournament. Marc Staal and Ryan Parent were looked upon to shut down the opponents’ marquee forwards. Against Canada, Phil Kessel of the United States and Evgeni Malkin of Russia were invisible.

Someone different stepped up in each game to help Canada to victory. This team will be remembered for years to come for one of the strongest team efforts in World Junior Hockey Championship history. Well done boys, you have made a whole nation proud.