WJHC (World Junior Hockey Championships) 2016

[herman]

How's his brother look?

I heard William is lazy on the backcheck. Any merit to this?

Haven't noticed Alex much actually.

As for the backchecks, I don't recall any specific examples of it. In a very general sense though he's seemed like a guy who always wants the puck, and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to get it.

Actually just as I was typing this he had a rather short backcheck where he lifted a Canadian's stick right as he entered Sweden's zone and stole the puck from him. Made it look like it was nothing.

I think that's where the 'lazy' comes from. He makes it look so easy he does not appear to be 'trying'.

Alex looks pretty much like a younger, less dynamic William. Decent shot and wheels. Not as creative, but also because he doesn't have the centreman's opportunity.

[herman]

Eriksson Ek with a nice cycle, deke, and pass to assist on a Swedish marker. 6-4 CAN.

[herman]

W. Nylander is now centering A. Nylander and D. Timashov 

[herman]

Sweden converts on a 5 on 3 goal, blasting another puck through the net (it's a terrible net). A. Nylander with the primary assist.

The refs initially waved it off, but the Swedes were like, screw it, and started circling in the middle to celebrate.

6-5 CAN.

[Potvin29]

Uh, might want to get some new nets there Finland.

[herman]

And on the remainder of the power play, Sweden scores another goal through the net. Same guy as the first time. 6-6.

[CarltonTheBear]

New rule to improve scoring: Use these nets, but if the puck goes through the mesh it a) counts as a goal and b) doesn't stop play. Genius!

[CarltonTheBear]

Marner, so clutch. 7-6 CAN

[herman]

I missed the finish because I got called into a meeting.

Good to see Marner hit the score sheet.

[LuncheonMeat]

Wow, I went back to work at 5-1. Guess I missed an exciting finish.

[herman]

http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/wjc/2015/12/24/10631846/2016-world-junior-championship-preview-five-leafs-finland-sweden-canada

These are the three teams to watch for me (CAN, SWE, FIN) due to the Leaf prospect presence, and in the case of Sweden and Finland, a chance to see potential Leaf picks at the 2016 Draft in action: Alex Nylander, Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrik Laine.

[RedLeaf]

I have some serious doubts that this team is capable of repeating. The defence doesn't look as sound. The goaltending looks good though. Fingers crossed. I'd bet on the Americans this year.

[hockeyfan1]

I have some serious doubts that this team is capable of repeating. The defence doesn't look as sound. The goaltending looks good though. Fingers crossed. I'd bet on the Americans this year.

The Americans have definitely pegged as favourites, what with their dynamic offense (as demonstrated in their pre-tourney games).

Canada is no slouch offensively neither, but the Canadians are going to need, yes, better defence, and, better discipline -- staying out of the penalty box or else find themselves seriously shortchanged (in that pre-tourney game against Sweden was a case in point).

It's too bad that Canada's first game is against the US tomorrow.  A win would boost the player's confidence and a loss...

GO CANADA GO!!!

[CarltonTheBear]

So, the good news: Nylander and Timashov have both scored a goal in the 1st period of the SWE-SUI game.

The bad news: Nylander left the game in the middle of the period after taking a blindside hit to the head. He apparently looked pretty woozy afterward 

[CarltonTheBear]

Timashov picks up his 3rd point of the game, another beauty goal on the PP.