International Hockey
2019 World Juniors: Finland’s Luukkonen Proving Clutch in Second Chance
January 3rd, 2019 VANCOUVER — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a tournament to forget in Buffalo at last year’s World Juniors. He’s having a tournament to remember here in B.C., backstopping Finland into the semifinals with a shot at a medal and a chance to be named the top goaltender for...
Finland Dumps Canada From WJC in OT
January 3rd, 2019 VANCOUVER — Toni Utunen scored 5:17 into overtime as Finland shocked Canada 2-1 on Wednesday in a dramatic quarterfinal at the world junior hockey championship. Utunen's teammate Aleksi Heponiemi forced the extra time with just 47 seconds left in ...
2019 World Juniors: Canada Fails to Medal, But Show Goes On
January 3rd, 2019 VANCOUVER — The critics will take aim at a lack of scoring, with consecutive 2-1 losses ending Canada’s tournament earlier than anticipated at the 2019 World Junior Championship. That and a power play that went ice cold, going 0-for-8 in those defeats — 0-for-3...
World Junior Championship: Quarterfinal Preview
January 2nd, 2019 The dust has settled on the first week of World Junior Championship action, and we now know who will play whom in a single elimination tournament, as well as which two teams will move on to a three-game series for relegation. Wednesday may be the best day of WJC...
WJC Quarterfinals Storylines - Grudges & Rematches
January 1st, 2019 VANCOUVER — Round-robin play has wrapped up at this year's world junior hockey championship, and teams and fans alike are now turning their attention to the quarterfinals. Here's a look at what to expect in the tournament's next phase. &...
2019 World Juniors: Urgency Key for Canada in Quarterfinal
January 1st, 2019 VANCOUVER — It wasn’t a must-win game. The next one is. They all are from here on out. The medal round is upon us at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship — beginning with Wednesday’s quarterfinals — and Canada’s road to defending gold on home ice became...
2019 World Juniors: Russia Spoils Party for Canada on NYE
January 1st, 2019 VANCOUVER — It was New Year’s Eve and somewhere Mr. Worldwide was ready to party. Cody Glass didn’t keep Pitbull waiting long, snapping a shot home just two minutes 20 seconds into the first period to spin Canada’s goal song — Don’t Stop The Party — as the...
2019 World Juniors: Canada’s Smith Making Minutes Count
December 31st, 2018 VANCOUVER — Ty Smith has had to make some adjustments at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, starting with his ice-time. An all-situations minute-muncher as the Spokane Chiefs’ top defenceman and co-captain — not to mention the first overall pick from the 2015...
World Junior Championship: Day Six Preview
December 31st, 2018 Day five of the World Junior Championship had two games. Russia stayed strong and held off Switzerland, despite an early challenge, while Slovakia took care of business and battered Kazakhstan, staving off relegation risks. Day six will feature the final...
Coach Hunter: Patience & Honesty Key to Leading Team Canada
December 31st, 2018 VANCOUVER — For head coach Tim Hunter, honesty and patience are the keys to getting the best out of his players on Canada's junior hockey team. "I've learned that patience really pays off," he said in Vancouver this week, where the squa...
2019 World Juniors: Hrabik Getting Great Opportunity With Czechs
December 30th, 2018 VANCOUVER — Krystof Hrabik is trying to make the most of his opportunity at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, getting to play a prominent role for the Czech Republic as an undrafted prospect. Hrabik couldn’t have handpicked two better linemates, flanking a...
World Junior Championship: Day Five Preview
December 30th, 2018 The action is non-stop in the 2019 World Junior Championship, hosted by Canada in British Columbia. Day four featured three victories by four goals, but rewarded viewers with an incredible game between Sweden and the United States to close out the...
2019 World Juniors: Canada’s Depth Outshines Czechs’ Stars
December 30th, 2018 VANCOUVER — Canada is firing on all cylinders, attacking in waves and getting contributions from everyone. Even their 13th forward, who also happens to be their youngest player. Alexis Lafrenière, who isn’t eligible for the NHL draft until 2020, burst out of Tim...
