Check out my new YouTube video about the top 5 moments of the World Cup of Hockey. I hope you enjoy it!
Yes, all the goals are from Team Canada (WCH Champions!!!) and Team NA because these are the games I watched and the goals i thought were the best,
Just a quick note - numbers 1 and 2 are not based on skill. I made them the top 2 because they were the most exciting. Team Europe was leading Canada 1-0 until the last 2 minutes of the game, when Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand scored two quick goals to tie it and win the game in regulation. If you missed that game, you missed one of the most exciting hockey games you will ever see.
When I found out that the NHL had decided to include Team Europe and Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey, I thought, this is a marketing ploy. Add on to the fact that I, like most NHL fans, was already annoyed that there were ads on the shoulders of the jersey. However, I soon changed my mind.
Team North America was supposed to be a team of under-23 talent from the United States and Canada, including so-called "generational players" such as Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. It didn't make sense to most people, because why would such a team field talent that could be used to give Team Canada and Team USA a large boost?
However, Team North America won the hearts of the crowd, and soon, I was one of their biggest supporters. I watched them beat Sweden in overtime on a SICK Nate Mackinnon goal, and that was it. I, along with Morgan Reilly (comment if you get the reference), thought that they were going to the semifinals.
Look at those hands!
Except there was one problem. Team Russia was also battling for the final spot in the semis, and they had to have a loss to Team Finland the next day in order for Team North America to make the semifinal. That day, there were lots of Finland fans all across the continent, hoping that North America would win it. But what would've been a Cinderella story came to an abrupt end when Finland lost to Russia, allowing them to take the final spot.
Team North America was no more. They were a team that used dedication and determination, combined with skill, to get where they were. But they didn't go all the way. Next World Cup of Hockey, whenever that is, the same group of amazing young players will never get together again. And that is what saddens me the most. Team North America, you have come so far.
Canada has been dominating the World Cup of Hockey, right from the start until the end.
First, they went undefeated in the preliminary games, beating the Czech Republic, USA, and Europe. The USA game was the most anticipated of the tournament, and Canada ended up beating a team specifically designed to beat them 4-2 and knocking them out of the tourney.
Next, they faced Russia in the semifinal, beating them 5-3. Many players were outstanding during the game, and Brad Marchand had two goals.
The final series started yesterday, and Marchand continued his excellence, scoring once and being dominant on the powerplay. The final is a three-game series between Team Europe and Team Canada, and Canada took the first game 3-1. The next game is on Thursday, and if Canada wins, then they are crowned champions. If Canada loses, there will be a game next Saturday, and the winner will win the championship.
Just because PK Subban was left off of this team does not mean it is not a dangerous team. They have home ice advantage, some of the greatest players in the world, and there are no obvious holes in Team Canada. Also, in the past few tournaments, they have dominated.
2. Finland
Finland has been slowly but surely rising on the international hockey spectrum. Ever since Sochi 2014, they have been rising in rank. Not to mention that gold medal in World Juniors this year.
3. Sweden
Sweden has had a trend lately: win or bust. They either come off so high and win gold or silver, or they end up losing very early. Other countries have slowly caught up with Sweden and if there is any time to win gold, it is now.
4. Team North America
All the rising youngsters that have been unnamed to a specific country team have been named to Team North America. Consisting of the likes of Brandon Saad and Connor McDavid, this team, although young, is looking dangerous.
5. Russia
Just as with Sweden, Russia has also had the trend of medal or bust. They either finish so low in the standings or make it to the gold or bronze medal game. There is much speculation about Russia, especially since it is difficult to tell what team managers are thinking when they pick Slava Voynov.
To be continued.... Numbers 6 to 8 coming soon!
Let me know what you think in the comments, and whether or not you agree with my power rankings! Adieu and go Canada!
Yesterday was the deadline for teams to announce the first sixteen players they have selected to play in the World Cup of Hockey, and the remainder of the players has to be selected by June 1. Luckily for the GM, he does not have to select younger, 18-23-year-old players, as there is Team North America for them. However, Canada is the team with the most roster depth in the world, so it is incredibly hard to choose who goes, and world-class players often get left out.
Below is the roster:
Goaltenders
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
Defencemen
Drew Doughty, LA Kings
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
Forwards
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
As can be seen here, the most notable commissions are PK Subban and Corey Perry, but they can be added later. However, the biggest surprise comes when seen that since all three goaltenders have been picked, Roberto Luongo is not on the list. For the first time since 2002, Luongo has been left out of a best-on-best tournament with Team Canada. In my opinion, I think he should go ahead of Corey Crawford, because he is about the same level but with more experience. He was very accepting of this and said that the GM told him that he is next on the list for an injury replacement. Here is Luongo's Twitter reaction:
Other notable omissions include Claude Giroux, Alex Pietrangelo, Kris Letang, Brent Burns, and Brent Seabrook, Taylor Hall, Matt Duchene, Joe Thornton, Tyler Toffoli, Ryan O’Reilly, Brendan Gallagher, Mark Stone, Wayne Simmonds, and Logan Couture, but again, all these could be named to the final 23-man roster.
However, Marc-Andre Fleury was another goaltender not named to Canada. They have incredible depth at that position and it was a challenge for GM Doug Armstrong to pick.
Here is the staff picking the players:
Staff
Tom Renney, President Scott Smith, Chief Operating Officer Scott Salmond, Hockey Operations Doug Armstrong, General Manager Marc Bergevin, Assistant General Manager Rob Blake, Assistant General Manager Ken Holland, Assistant General Manager Bob Murray, Assistant General Manager Mike Babcock, Head Coach Claude Julien, Assistant Coach Bill Peters, Assistant Coach Joel Quenneville, Assistant Coach Barry Trotz, Assistant Coach
