• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Minor League Report

Stories from the 2012 IIHF WJHC: Thoughts from Day 1

By Salim Valji December 27th, 2011

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

The first day of the tournament is in the books, with four games being played on opening day.  Team Canada easily extinguished Finland with a touchdown 8-1 victory, Sweden nearly hit double digits with a 9-4 win over Latvia, the United States did hit double digits winning 11-3 against Denmark and Russia handled Switzerland 3-0.  The atmosphere in Edmonton, where the tournament’s unofficial opening ceremonies were, was electric and the home town fans were clad in red and white to cheer on the hosts.  It was a great ceremony featuring kids wearing jerseys of all 10 nations skating on the holy Rexall Place ice.  After that though, it was all business for the teams.  There is, after all, a tournament to be won.  Here are some thoughts on the day’s events:

 

-In case you haven’t heard, Team Canada forward Devante Smith-Pelly is out 6-8 weeks with a broken foot after blocking a Finnish shot on Monday afternoon.  He’s done for the tournament.

-Finnish defenceman Olli Maatta is suffering from concussion-like symptoms and left the game in the first period after getting rocked  by Team Canada forward Boone Jenner.

-Classless move by Hockey Canada not to play the Finnish national anthem before their game against Canada.

-There were plenty of spectacular performances on the opening day.  Canada’s Jonathan Huberdeau with a 5 point night, Max Friberg of Sweden had 4 goals and Mark Stone of Canada had a hat trick.

-Team Canada Head Coach Don Hay called out forward Brett Connolly again at today’s media scrum.  Hay said that Connolly needs to play with more determination.

-The average difference in goals between winners and losers on the opening day of the tournament was 5.75 goals/game.  I don’t believe that is a good thing for the growth of the sport if teams are getting blown out this early in the tournament.

-My tournament darkhorse Finland did not come through for me yesterday against Canada.  Finland’s team defence overall was terrible.  Christopher Gibson was hung out to dry.  Their offense did show signs that they could take games over.

-Denmark impressed me with their quick-strike ability in spite of their loss against the United States.  I do hope they qualify again next year.

-Scott Wedgewood, Team Canada’s backup goalie, is very comfortable with the media and fun to talk too.

-With the Czech Republic and Denmark remaining before a date with the States on New Years Eve, it’s very conceivable and likely that the game will be for top spot in Group B and a bye into the semi-finals.

-For their own good I think that European teams need to change their philosophies to focus on physical play more than skill.  Team Canada ran all over the Finnish players, who rarely finished their checks.  I don’t think that in this tournament a team can beat Canada by purely out-skilling them.  There needs to be a physical presence.

-Jon Merrill played great for the US.  Not having played competitively since last year, he showed few signs of rust.  It’s a testament to his commitment to the game in spite of his off-ice issues.

 

Those are some observations from Day 1.  Day 2 features the Czech Republic against Denmark at 6pm in Edmonton and Slovakia against Latvia at 8pm in Calgary.

 

The 2012 WJHC are coming to THW.  Myself and Chris Ralph have been granted full media access for the duration of the tournament, including all round robin and medal games.  Together we will bring breaking news, game analysis, player interviews and stories to THW.

 

Follow Salim Valji on Twitter for the latest WJC updates

Like Salim Valji on Facebook to join in on the WJC discussion

  • Tags
  • 2012 WJHC
  • Brett Connolly
  • Devante Smith-Pelly
  • Jon Merrill
  • Olli Maatta
  • Team Canada
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 11:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Caufield, Dobes, Power & More

Jan 22nd 11:15 AM
Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars Road Schedule Ravaged By COVID-19

Jan 22nd 10:55 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Riley vs. Riley, Family Members Faceoff Behind the Bench

Jan 22nd 10:45 AM
Nashville Predators

Predators: 3 Early Observations From the Young Season

Jan 22nd 10:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Backstrom Is Most Underrated Player in the NHL

Jan 22nd 10:25 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Kings Turn Tables On Avalanche For 4-2 Win

Jan 22nd 10:15 AM
Dallas Stars

3 Focuses for the Dallas Stars on Opening Night

Jan 22nd 10:05 AM
New York Islanders

Islanders Top Devils as Mat Barzal Continues to Grow

Jan 22nd 9:55 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Will Never Replace Joe Thornton in the Locker Room

Jan 22nd 9:45 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

4 Takeaways From Blackhawks’ Series With the Panthers

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information