Friday, January 6, 2012

Habs roundup, WJC, Eller, Winter Classic and More

Brendan Gallagher Members of Team Canada wave to fans after defeating Team Finland in the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship Bronze Medal game at the Scotiabank Saddledome on January 5, 2012 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Team Canada defeated Team Finland 4-0.
Good morning hockey fans.

In spite of all of their offensive prowess, the Russians were shutout 1-0 last night as Sweden captured World Junior gold.

With the likes of Max Friberg, Evgeni Kuznetsov and Nail Yakupov in the contest, how many of you would have predicted that score?

Not me, that is for sure.

Meanwhile, Brendan Gallagher, Nathan Beaulieu and Michael Bournival also obtained a medal, although probably not the exact colour they were hoping for. Team Canada defeated Finland 4-0 yesterday en route to a Bronze medal.

The national freak-out about not winning gold cracks me up.

Canada invented the game, it does not own it.

Many European countries have strong hockey cultures and the game is rising in some previously unexpected places such as Switzerland and Denmark. Heck, even South Africa and Israel field teams in international competition.

As Canadians, shouldn't we be proud and happy when others not only take up our national sport, but also excel at it?



Discussion

HW / HA Forum - 2012 WJC Discussion Thread

Habs News

HabsAddict.com - He Said / She Said: The Canadiens' New Conference

HabsWorld.net - Habs 2012 WJHC Grades

Hockey Inside / Out - Happy birthday, Dickie Moore

PowerScout Hockey - Eller's Outburst, Career Night or Stepping Stone of a Budding Star?

Hockey News

ESPN - '24/7' an experiment gone right

ESPN - Why the Leafs must win right now

The Hockey News - THN at the WJC: Sweden subdues Russia for gold

The Hockey News - Proteau: NHL supplemental discipline ineffective as ever

SportsNet - Braving the Cold


(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

3 comments:

I know I am going to get chastised for this but I was not overly impressed with Gallagher.

Now before I get crucified let me explain.

Yes he is the type of player I like. He may be small but he plays fearless. He grinds along the boards, he plays feisty and ultimately is a goal scorer.

And yes he did score some important goals and was arguably the best player for Canada in the game against the Russians.....but....

He lacked the foot speed to beat 17-19 year old defensement to the outside and was easily pushed off the puck whenever a cycle game was implemented. I am just fearful of how this is going to translate in the NHL.

He is too small for the style of play that he plays. Normally smaller guys like this have the foot speed to beat a giant D-man to the outside or to score goals off the rush but again this is something that Gallagher lacks.

Will he make the NHL.....yes I do think that he will however I just do not see him being the type of player that most Habs fans think he will be.

@Bryan

Your analysis may not be completely off, but keep in mind that he is still young and has time to gain both strength and technique to aid him in his board battles.

On another note, I can't say I was overly impressed with Schiefele. I saw him play in the OHL this year as well and was not particularly ga-ga over him then either.

I can see hm being a Fleury type of player if he can improve his foot speed. But if what we see is it then perhaps we have the next Brock Trotter on our hands.

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