Top 10 2009 World Junior Moments

It was a glorious year for Team Canada at the World Juniors. They went undefeated, won their fifth straight gold medal, and did it all in front of their hometown fans in Ottawa.

But guess what. Other countries besides Canada did some pretty impressive things at the tournament too. What were they? I don't know. I was too busy cheering for Team Canada to notice.

Thankfully TSN was paying attention and that's why they've put together the Top 10 moments from the 2009 World Juniors. Now that I've watched it, I would have to say the best thing the other countries brought us was Jaroslav Janus, the goalie for Slovakia. Hehe, what a funny last name.

Team Canada: By The Numbers

Five is the number that's being talked about most in regards to Canada's gold medal win on Monday night. And no it doesn't refer to how many drunk chicks I hooked up with after the game. It's of course for the fifth straight gold medal the Canadian juniors have won. As far as the amount of drunk chicks I hooked up with goes, I actually lost count.

Other than five, let's take a look at what were some of the other numbers that had special meaning for Team Canada and the World Junior tournament.

9.3 million- The number of people who watched the gold medal game at some point in Canada.

30% - The percentage of the country that watched the game. By comparison, if 30% of Americans watched then roughly 90 million people would have tuned in. To give you an idea of how impressive that is, 94 million Americans watched last year's Superbowl.

453,282 - The total attendance for the tournament, a WJHC record.

20,380 - The size of the crowd at Scotiabank Place who took in the Gold Medal game in person, a single game record for the WJHC.

106 - The total number of saves made by Dustin Tokarski.

46 - Goals scored by Team Canada.

16 - Points scored by Cody Hodgson, the most in the tournament.

15 - The total number of gold medals won by Canada in the World Junior tournament's 36 year history.

12 - Goals scored against Team Canada.

10 - The number of Canadian players eligible to return to next year's team.

8 - Goals scored by John Tavares, tied for 1st in the tournament.

5 - The number of seconds away Canada was from losing their semi-final game against Russia and playing Slovakia for the bronze medal.

2 - The number of times Canada has won five World Junior gold medals in a row. (1993 -1997)

Five Alive!

As you may know by now, Canada's drive for five is complete with a 5-1 victory over Sweden on Monday night. The win gives the Canadian juniors it's fifth straight gold medal, which ties the country's record of five consecutive titles in this tournament set between 1993 and 1997. Canada's 15th gold at the world juniors also tied Russia/Soviet Union for the all-time lead. Take that you former Commies!

There was immense pressure on this team to win a fifth gold medal and do it on home ice. But the majority of Canadian players were making their first and only appearance in the world juniors and they just wanted their gold medal.

"Coach always stressed this was our story," said John Tavares who was tied for the tournament lead wiith eight goals. "It's obviously special to be a part of the fifth, but it was never about tying the record. It was just getting a gold for everyone and winning on home ice for all these Canadians."

Goaltending had been a question mark all through out the tournament but it was not at all an issue on Monday. As Dustin Tokarski of the Spokane Chiefs rose to the occassion, only allowing one goal on 40 shots, and backstopping Team Canada to the gold.

"Tokarski was very good tonight and I was happy to see that because there was some question in the other games," Head coach Pat Quinn said. "But tonight he was one of the keys ... because he made some key saves when he had to have them."

Each of the last three years, it looked like the run of gold could be over. There was a semifinal shootout win versus the U.S. in 2007, an overtime win against the Sweden last year and another narrow 6-5 shootout victory against Russia in this year's semifinal.

Canada was only five seconds away from playing for bronze versus Russia when Jordan Eberle tied the game.

"It's the heart and our passion for the game of hockey," said Tavares. "No matter is what is thrown at us, or what people say, or the adversity we face we learn how to deal with it and we become so close as a team. We really learn how to be strong as 22 guys playing as one."

Check out the video highlights below, complete with Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom's soccer-like diving all over the ice, and singing of "O, Canada." As James Duthie said during the broadcast on TSN, "The original lyrics of 'O, Canada' never contained the word 'woooo!', but tonight it fits."

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Notable Quotable of the Day

"There's nothing like this. There's nothing like it at all. Listen to these fans. That's five, Canada."

- An excited John Tavares on the ice in Ottawa after just beating Sweden 5-1 to capture Canada's fifth straight World Junior gold medal.

Scores & Schedule

NHL Scores - Jan. 5/09
Penguins 0 @ Rangers 4
Islanders 2 @ Oilers 3

2009 IIHF WJHC Scores - Jan. 5/09
Bronze Medal: Slovakia 2 @ Russia 5
Gold Medal: Sweden 1 @ Canada 5

NHL Schedule and Predictions - Jan. 6/09
Home team in ALL CAPS
BRUINS over Wild - 7pm
SABRES over Senators - 7pm
CAPITALS over Flyers - 7pm
Devils over HURRICANES - 7pm
Panthers over MAPLE LEAFS - 730pm
PENGUINS over Thrashers - 730pm
RED WINGS over Blue Jackets - 730pm
Avalanche over PREDATORS - 8pm
Blackhawks over COYOTES - 9pm
DUCKS over Kings - 10pm
Sharks over FLAMES - 10pm

Canada vs. Sweden: Tale of the Tape

The only thing that stands between Canada and it's fifth straight gold medal is the land of meatballs and Ikea... Sweden.

Can Canada beat the powerhouse Swedes, or will Sweden win it's first world junior gold medal since 1981? It's hard to say. Both teams are strong and have been dominating thus far in the tournament, with neither losing a game. Okay that's not completely true. Canada did beat Sweden 4-2 in an exhibition tune-up.

Exhibition games mean nothing though. What does mean something is what each country brings to the world stage. And that's how I will predict who will win. Other's may compare strategies and players and things that actually affect the game, but not me.

Let's find out who will win the gold medal with The Power Play's... 2009 World Junior Gold Medal Game Preview!

Canada vs. Sweden

Population:
Canada: 32 million
Sweden: 9 million

Winner: Canada

Famous Person:
Canada: Celine Dion
Sweden: Any Swedish model ever

Winner: Definitely Sweden

Biggest Musical Act:
Canada: Celine Dion
Sweden: Abba

Winner: Sweden. Celine Dion loses everytime.

Famous Food:
Canada: Back bacon
Sweden: Meatballs

Winner: Canada. Meatballs are good, but back bacon edges it out in the tastiness department.

Prime Minister:
Canada: Stephen Harper
Sweden: Fredrik Reinfeldt

Winner: Sweden. Stephen Harper's a douche.

Famous Actor:
Canada: Jim Carrey
Sweden: Ingrid Bergman

Winner: Canada. Jim Carrey sure can make some funny faces.

Most People in Hockey Hall of Fame:
Canada: 219
Sweden: 1 (Borje Salming)

Winner: Canada

There you have it. Based on my not at all scientific research, Canada wins 4-3. I did one of these last year and I had Canada winning 3-2. Sure enough they won 3-2. So if they actually beat Sweden 4-3 this time around, then I'm obliged to tell you that I get 10% of any money you win from betting on Canada winning 4-3. And I will collect...I break thumbs. Well, my goons break thumbs. The whole act of breaking thumbs makes me rather nauseous.

Notable Quotable of the Day

"Championships aren't easy. They never are. We are where we wanted to be and while you can't say it was dominant in any way, we have been terrific scoring and not so terrific on the other side."

- Team Canada head coach Pat Quinn admitting his team hasn't been perfect, but they've done what they've needed to do to get to the gold medal game.

Scores & Schedule

NHL Scores - Jan. 4/09
Panthers 5 @ Canadiens 6 (SO)
Lightning 4 @ Thrashers 1
Senators 3 @ Devils 4 (OT)
Flames 2 @ Blackhawks 5
Wild 2 @ Avalanche 0
Coyotes 0 @ Ducks 2
Stars 3 @ Canucks 2 (SO)

2009 IIHF WJHC Scores - Jan. 4/09
Relegation: Germany 1 @ Finland 3
Relegation: Kazakhstan 1 @ Latvia 7
5th Place: USA 3 @ Czech Republic 2

NHL Schedule and Predictions - Jan. 5/09
Home team in ALL CAPS
RANGERS over Penguins - 7pm
OILERS over Islanders - 930pm

2009 IIHF WJHC Schedule and Predictions - Jan. 5/09
Home team in ALL CAPS
Bronze Medal: RUSSIA over Slovakia - 330pm
Gold Medal: CANADA over Sweden - 730pm

Slovakian Surprise

No, Slovakian Surprise isn't some sort of mystical delicious treat at an ethnic food establishment. It is instead a reference to what happened at the World Juniors on Friday as Slovakia upset the Americans 5-3, and will now move on to play Sweden in the semi's.

Slovak goalie Jaroslav Janus (ed. note: What an unfortunate last name) was on fire in between the pipes as he turned away 46 saves for the shocking win.

The United States outshot Slovakia 49-19 overall and Janus, the 19-year-old Erie Otters goalie who wasn't even selected in last June's NHL draft, made acrobatic saves to keep hold the lead against a relentless American attack. Me thinks that whole not being a prospect of an NHL club thing might be about to change.

Janus didn't do it all by himself as he got some big time support from his teammates. Slovakia scored three times on eight shots in the first period to put the Americans out of it early. Adam Bezak, Tomas Tatar and Jozef Molnar were the guys who scored on American goaltender Thomas McCollum of the OHL's Guelph Storm.

Richard Panik got one in the third and Tatar clinched the win with an empty-net goal with 2:14 left to play for Slovakia, which had not beaten the U.S. and A. in eight games at the tournament since 1998.

The winner of the Sweden vs. Slovakia semi will face the winner of the Canada vs. Czech Republic/Russia contest (game still going on as of post time) for the gold medal.

Meanwhile, American medal hopes have been flushed down the toilet as they will now play the loser of the Canadian quarterfinal in a battle for 5th place.

As a Canadian it's so hard for me to not want to rub this in and make jokes about how embarassing it is for the Americans to lose to Slovakia. Its just because I'm especially worried about karma coming back and hurting Team Canada. So for now I will privately look up Slovakia's national anthem and sing along. Oh yeah, I just remembered I don't speak Slovakian. Forget it then.

Tokarski Saves

Team Canada beat the US 7-4 on New Year's Eve in one of the most exciting and memorable World Junior games I can ever remember seeing. Which isn't saying much because I have a terrible memory. That's what happens when your parents frequently drop you on your head when you're a baby.

The game had everything. Goals, hits, cheap shots by Team USA while Canada was celebrating in front of their bench, and also some big saves. The biggest save of all coming from Canadian netminder Dustin Tokarski late in the second period.

With American player Colin Wilson all alone in front and holding the puck for what seemed like forever, or 48 seconds at the very least, Tokarski played the waiting game to perfection and made one of the most brilliant saves of the year by absolutely stoning Wilson with the glove.

"The guy was left open in front," explained Tokarksi. "I went down and just played it like I should. He made a good move and I was just out of position. I dove at it, battled, and just made the save."

The save is pretty great but analyst Pierre McGuire's reaction is even better. Most people hate McGuire because of this type of over the top excitement. To be honest I like him because any commentator that screams at the top of his lungs and can make nasally play-by-play man Gord Miller shut up for a few seconds is fine with me.

Kazakhstan Is Not Good At Hockey

According to the film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America, or Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, which I assume is a correct portrayal of Kazakhstan, there are a few things that Kazakhs are good at. Ping pong, disco dance, and being the number one exporter of potassium.

Not included in that list is hockey. And we saw the reason why during an embarassing 15-0 defeat at the hands of Team Canada on Sunday. That loss coming just a day after being steamrolled 8-0 by Germany.

It was not a pretty game to watch. Canada outshot the Kazakhs 69-11, and you could have fielded a team from the people watching in the stands and it would have possibly went better. Maybe a bantam or peewee team would have even had better luck. Even if Canada didn't dress a goalie, benched Chet Pickard and played the whole game with an empty net, they still would have won.

For those of you who enjoy watching people suffer, here are the highlights (maybe lowlights is the proper word) from the game.

Notable Quotable of the Day

"It's just one of those games where you can't get too excited out there. You got to stay focused out there for the full 60 minutes and we did a pretty good job."

- Team Canada forward Jamie Benn on how to act properly on the ice when you crush a team 15-0. Which Canada did against Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Scores & Schedule

NHL Scores - Dec. 28/08
Bruins 2 @ Thrashers 1
Ducks 4 @ Blues 3
Blackhawks 4 @ Wild 1
Maple Leafs 1 @ Capitals 4
Predators 2 @ Oilers 5
Senators 0 @ Canucks 3

2009 IIHF WJHC Scores - Dec. 28/08
Russia 5 @ Finland 2
Kazakhstan 0 @ Canada 15
Sweden 3 @ Slovakia 1
USA 4 @ Czech Republic 3

NHL Schedule and Predictions - Dec. 29/08
Home team in ALL CAPS
RANGERS over Islanders - 7pm
Canadiens over PANTHERS - 730pm
Sharks over STARS - 9pm
FLAMES over Wild - 9pm
Predators over AVALANCHE - 930pm
KINGS over Blue Jackets - 1030pm

2009 IIHF WJHC Schedule and Predictions - Dec. 29/08
Home team in ALL CAPS
SWEDEN over Latvia - 230pm
CANADA over Germany - 730pm

Sweden's Backup Goalie Is A Tool

Did you ever do something you regretted because it made you look like a complete douchebag, but thought to yourself, well at least I'm not a well known person and this won't make the rounds on YouTube.

Well, if you're Sweden's backup goalie Mark Owuya, then you're not so lucky.

Sweden starts it's quest to up end Canada for it's 5th straight World Jr. gold medal with a game against Finland later today. But it isn't the game that's getting the most coverage for Team Sweden, it's the exploits of Owuya.

Back in 2006, Owuya auditioned for Swedish Idol, hoping to become the next Usher. It didn't work out so well for him.

In the lead up to the audition we see our old pal Mark do an acoustic version of Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone" then followed up by some freestyle raps (that's what the kids call it right?) much to the amusement of fellow auditioners. They're laughing at your Mark, not with you.

In one rap he even tells the female host of the show to "Lick his banana" followed by a wanking motion. That Mark Owuya, what a charmer!

Then in the audition, his throaty, nasally version of Usher's "U Remind Me" gets all negative reviews from the judges. Owuya of course is none too impressed drops the N word in his rant to the judges! That's uncomfortable. Or is inappropriate the right word? Maybe offensive is what I should be going for.

The video of the audition is down below, and in case you can't get enough of this tool's "music", be sure to check out his website Mark in Da Park! Where you can download C-Lebrity: Da Mixtape and listen to songs like "Tobacco", "How We Git It" and the timeless classic "Fucking Loser" By the way that's the actual title of one of his songs, though it could also double as an accurate description of what this guy is.

I think that if Owuya gets to play at all during the World Junior tournament then "Lick My Banana" needs to be blared over the PA system. Or if he is stuck on the bench, then play "U Remind Me." That way he can sing-a-long and at least feel somewhat involved.

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Notable Quotable of the Day

"The fans will be raucous, strong and filled with high expectations and these young men are going to feel the same and that's an area you will pay a lot of attention to. These are important issues for this young group coming in, dealing with Ottawa, the passion of the public, the intensity of the scrutiny and holding up to those high expectations is quite a job for these young men."

- Team Canada head coach Pat Quinn on the pressure of playing for the gold at home.

Notable Quotable of the Day

''I was just trying to put the puck in the net and I felt that was the right thing to do.''

- John Tavares giving very detailed insight on how he scored a very impressive highlight reel goal in Team Canada's 7-0 exhibition victory over Slovakia on Tuesday night.

Now with video update!

Notable Quotable of the Day

"We're not a team yet. We need some development in those areas. Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't. But we've still got time."

- Canadian World Juniors head coach Pat Quinn believes Team Canada still has some room for improvement despite a 7-3 exhibition win over Finland.

Notable Quotable of the Day

"I came into camp a stronger, faster player. I knew what I had to do to make this team."

- Angelo Esposito on what it took to finally make the Canadian World Junior team after being cut three years in a row.

Click here to see who else was named to Team Canada's 2009 World Jr.'s squad.

American World Jrs. Roster All Set

On Wednesday, Hockey Canada named it's tryout roster for their upcoming camp in Ottawa. Meanwhile, USA Hockey announced their actual team roster for the upcoming tournament. Why I failed to write about this yesterday when it was announced is beyond me. It's probably due to my Canadian bias. I was too busy thinking about maple syrup, back bacon, and Anne Murray to be bothered.

Let's take a look at who will take the ice for Team USA in hopes for derailing Canada's bid for a fifth straight gold medal. See, there's that Canadian bias again. I just couldn't leave well enough alone and had to bring up Team Canada.

Goalies
Thomas McCollum - Guelph (OHL) - Detroit Red Wings
Josh Unice - Kitchener (OHL) - Chicago Blackhawks

Defense
Jonathon Blum - Vancouver (WHL) - Nashville Predators
Ian Cole - Notre Dame (CCHA) - St. Louis Blues
Cade Fairchikd - Minnesota (WCHA) - St. Louis Blues
Blake Kessel - New Hampshire (HEA) - New York Islanders
Ryan McDonagh - Wisconsin (WCHA) - Montreal Canadiens
Teddy Ruth - Notre Dame (CCHA) - Columbus Blue Jackets
Kevin Shattenkirk - Boston (HEA) - Colorado Avalanche

Forwards
Drayson Bowman - Spokane (WHL) - Carolina Hurricanes
Jimmy Hayes - Boston (HEA) - Toronto Maple Leafs
Mike Hoeffel - Minnesota (WCHA) - New Jersey Devils
Tyler Johnson - Spokane (WHL) - Free Agent
Danny Kristo - Omaha (USHL) - Montreal Canadiens
Jim O'Brien - Seattle (WHL) - Ottawa Senators
Aaron Palushaj - Michigan (CCHA) - St. Louis Blues
Matt Rust - Michigan (CCHA) - Florida Panthers
Jordan Schroeder - Minnesota (WCHA) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Eric Tangradi - Belleville (OHL) - Anaheim Ducks
James van Riemsdyk - New Hampshire (HEA) - Philadelphia Flyers
Mitch Wahl - Spokane (WHL) - Calgary Flames
Colin Wilson - Boston (HEA) - Nashville Predators

Coaches
Head Coach: Ron Rolston (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assistant Coach: Nate Leaman (Clifton Park, NY)
Assistant Coach: P.K. O'Handley (Waterloo, IA)

Hockey Canada Names World Jr. Hopefuls

If reading about teenage boys is your sort of thing, then your in luck! Earlier today, Hockey Canada put out a list of 38 players invited to take part in Canada's National Junior Selection Camp.

Tryouts will take place from December 11-15 in Ottawa. So there you go puck bunnies, book your trip to Ottawa now.

Oshawa Generals star John Tavares tops the list of 38 hopefuls, in which 31 of the players named to the selection camp roster were drafted in either the 2007 or 2008 NHL Entry Draft, including thirteen first round picks and eight second round selections.

Tavares is one of four returning players from the Canadian team that won gold in last year's tournament. The other veterans are Zach Boychuk, Thomas Hickey and P.K. Subban.

Hockey Canada still has the option to add additional players prior to the opening of the selection camp on December 11th, should any NHL teams loan junior-aged eligible players currently playing in the NHL. There are currently eight players in the NHL with tournament eligibility: Kyle Turris (Phoenix Coyotes); Colton Gillies (Minnesota Wild); Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning); Brandon Sutter (Carolina Hurricanes); Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings); Luke Schenn (Toronto Maple Leafs); Josh Bailey (NY Islanders); and Sam Gagner (Edmonton Oilers).

Here's the full roster of scratchy voiced, acne covered, socially awkward kids who have been invited to the tryouts...

Goalies
Jake Allen - Montreal (QMJHL) - St. Louis Blues
Chet Pickard - Tri-City (WHL) - Nashville Predators
Tyson Sexsmith - Vancouver (WHL) - San Jose Sharks
Dustin Tokarski - Spokane (WHL) - Tampa Bay Lightning

Defence
Keith Aulie - Brandon (WHL) - Calgary Flames
Tyler Cuma - Ottawa (OHL) - Minnesota Wild
Ryan Ellis - Windsor (OHL) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Cody Goloubef - Wisconsin (WCHA) - Columbus Blue Jackets
Travis Hamonic - Moose Jaw (WHL) - New York Islanders
Thomas Hickey - Seattle (WHL) - Los Angeles Kings
Kevin Marhsall - Quebec (QMJHL) - Philadelphia Flyers
Tyler Myers - Kelowna (WHL) - Buffalo Sabres
Alex Pietrangelo - Niagara (OHL) - St. Louis Blues
Brendan Smith - Wisconsin (WCHA) - Detroit Red Wings
Jared Spurgeon - Spokane (WHL) - New York Islanders
P.K. Subban - Belleville (OHL) - Montreal Canadiens
Colten Teubert - Regina (WHL) - Los Angeles Kings
Patrick Wiercioh - Denver (WCHA) - Ottawa Senators

Forwards
Jamie Arniel - Sarnia (OHL) - Boston Bruins
Jamie Benn - Kelowna (WHL) - Dallas Stars
Zach Boychuk - Lethbridge (WHL) - Carolina Hurricanes
Matt Calvert - Brandon (WHL) - Columbus Blue Jackets
Patrice Cormier - Rimouski (QMJHL) - New Jersey Devils
Stefan Della Rovere - Barrie (OHL) - Washington Capitals
Chris DiDomenico - Saint John (QMJHL) - Toronto Maple Leafs
Matt Duchene - Brampton (OHL) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Jordan Eberle - Regina (WHL) - Edmonton Oilers
Tyler Ennis - Medicine Hat (WHL) - Buffalo Sabres
Angelo Esposito - Montreal (QMJHL) - Atlanta Thrashers
Taylor Hall - Windsor (OHL) - 2010 Draft Eligible
Cody Hodgson - Brampton (OHL) - Vancouver Canucks
Nazem Kadri - London (OHL) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Evander Kane - Vancouver (WHL) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Riley Nash - Cornell (ECAC) - Edmonton Oilers
Brayden Schenn - Brandon (WHL) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Brett Sonne - Calgary (WHL) - St. Louis Blues
John Tavares - Oshawa (OHL) - 2009 Draft Eligible
Dana Tyrell - Prince George (WHL) - Tampa Bay Lightning

Coaching Staff (they don't have to try out)
Head Coach: Pat Quinn
Assistant Coach: Guy Boucher (Drummondville, QMJHL)
Assistant Coach: Dave Cameron (Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, OHL)
Assistant Coach: Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat, WHL)


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