World Juniors 2021

[herman]

I missed the Russia/US game because I forgot about it.

I feel vindicated, in small sample so far, for my tire pumping of Amirov and Niemela.

 

[Bender]

I missed the Russia/US game because I forgot about it.

I feel vindicated, in small sample so far, for my tire pumping of Amirov and Niemela.

I got to Finland when it was already in the bag. Kevin Papetti seems to really like Niemala.

 

[herman]

I missed the Russia/US game because I forgot about it.

I feel vindicated, in small sample so far, for my tire pumping of Amirov and Niemela.

I got to Finland when it was already in the bag. Kevin Papetti seems to really like Niemala.

https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2020/12/26/22200221/toronto-maple-leafs-boxing-day-prospects-at-world-juniors

I liked his profile before the draft because he was good at defense (stopping plays in NZ and DZ) and pinning pucks in the OZ with nothing flashy but always getting it to good spots with high percentage passes.

So when I giggle gleefully about trading down from 44 (Tyler Klevan lol) to also get Roni Hirvonen, both players what most people would be okay with getting in the bottom third of the 1st round, it is mostly because we got Niemela.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Seems the boys need to work on the discipline a bit.

 

[herman]

Seems the boys need to work on the discipline a bit.

https://twitter.com/davidnestico200/status/1342976371799293954
Niemela would never

 

[L K]

Germany is not very good

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Not that'd it likely be a close game regardless, but Germany hasn't been able to practice, and are missing an entire fwd line+ D pairing.

That Stutzle (sp?) kid looks pretty good.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Not that'd it likely be a close game regardless, but Germany hasn't been able to practice, and are missing an entire fwd line+ D pairing.

That Stutzle (sp?) kid looks pretty good.

And their #1 goalie. These guys look like houseleague goalies not that it makes a difference.

 

[herman]

https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/wjc/2020/12/26/22200360/maple-leafs-prospects-at-the-world-junior-championship-day-one-recap

Topi Niemel?
[...]
Ignoring his points, because they are point-shot based, though well-executed, he?s been showing up defensively as a very good player. He?s small, and he can?t win a board battle against your random hulking Canadian or American, but he sure knows what he?s doing.

I like watching him without the puck so much, I?m developing a hatred for his partner Eemil Viro, who I just don?t think is anywhere near Niemel??s class. The coach is rotating the D so that Niemel? plays some micro-shifts with Kokkonen, and that?s a pairing I would legitimately use in this tournament.

I felt this within two shifts of the exhibition match.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Not that'd it likely be a close game regardless, but Germany hasn't been able to practice, and are missing an entire fwd line+ D pairing.

That Stutzle (sp?) kid looks pretty good.

And their #1 goalie. These guys look like houseleague goalies not that it makes a difference.

The goalie that started the game played excellent vs Finland. They should have started the goalie that finished the game vs Canada so the same goalie didn't get shelled both nights.

 

[herman]

So Niemela ended with 2A, neither of which really figured into the play significantly, but played well and helped drive his team into the OZ with regularity. Hirvonen could have had a couple of goals but puck stayed out.

https://twitter.com/nickdesouza_/status/1343305373919404038
https://twitter.com/hockey_robinson/status/1343305431892967424
Hirvonen assist on the PP
https://twitter.com/bringerofraine/status/1343294443496103938
https://twitter.com/eprinkside/status/1343276140736049153

 

[herman]

Seems the boys need to work on the discipline a bit.

https://twitter.com/davidnestico200/status/1342976371799293954
Niemela would never

https://twitter.com/sportsnet/status/1343299682265653256

 

[Bender]

Czechs playing very admirably thus far vs the Ruskies.

 

[Bender]

Holy crap! That Czech goal!!!

 

[herman]

Holy crap! That Czech goal!!!

This is like watching a Columbus game

 

[Bender]

Holy crap! That Czech goal!!!

This is like watching a Columbus game

Lol very true! They are great at counter punching.

 

[herman]

Holy crap! That Czech goal!!!

This is like watching a Columbus game

Lol very true! They are great at counter punching.

Russia settling for a lot of long shots with one man parked at the crease while the Czechs just throw up a wall of bodies.

 

[Bender]

Russia looking frustrated. Some not great passing happening. Chippy game happening, Czechs taking penalties.

 

[Bender]

Historic loss for Russia. Haven't lost in a shutout since 2000.

 

[herman]

Credit to the Czech team buckling down on their strategy after getting embarrassed by the Swedes.

Definitely shades of Toronto vs Columbus in that both team styles matched and the result also matched. Russia needed to do less standing around at the 'handle' of their OZ umbrella and get more movement inside and pucks through the 5-man box to break it down. I thought their defense and their high forward did a lot of moving up top, but had to settle for low-percentage chances.