It's not everyday the World Juniors feel like the Olympics to Canada, but that's in fact the case this year as the national team had to settle for the "4th place medal", dropping a 5-4 OT decision to Russia in the bronze medal game. This marks the first time since the infamous train wreck known as "Team Canada, 1998" walked into Helsinki, did their best to try and get relegated (including a loss to Kazakhstan) and finished 8th. Many people will probably ask what's wrong with the national program after this tournament. The answer to this is simple... there's nothing wrong with it! The same four to six teams essentially reach this stage of the tournament every single year. If anything, the law of averages in itself dictates this country finishes off the podium every so often. Ask the Swiss - who came oh so close to being in the semi-finals this year and haven't won a medal since that same 1998 tournament - if they would be willing to accept a fourth place finish after finishing in the medals 14 straight years. They'd probably not decline the offer.
Congrats to Team USA on winning gold, 3-1 over Sweden. Looking back on the tournament as a whole, given the balance the Americans had at all three positions (including the sensational netminding of tournament MVP John Gibson), their ability to score key goals at key times and to come back from a 1-2 start proves that the best team really did win this year. Phil Housley's crew definitely took a road less traveled to get to the finals, but they made good on every opportunity given them when it mattered most.
In other news, let's welcome Team Norway back to the fold for the 2014 tournament in Malmo, Sweden. Of course, the most riveting question I can think of regarding this development is do they still wear those jerseys with the polar bears on the front? Those were awesome!
Cats get back to work in a under an hour, facing the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in a 7PM start at the Coliseum. Although I've stated my opinion on the state of Cats more than enough this week, I"ll say one thing; no matter how hard they potentially sell the farm, they will not come out of it as dysfunctional as the Screaming Eagles, who are still searching for their first playoff win (not a series... a single game) since Game 4 of their 2010 first round series against Moncton. That win will likely elude them again this season. With ownership changes and muddled management, the Screaming Eagles have become, quite sadly, one of the most wayward franchises in the league... and with players jumping ship and allegedly asking for trades, the ship has yet to be steered in the proper direction. If the Eagles want to be what they once were, trading every marketable asset that will not still be around in 2015 and going for the lottery pick in this year, while stockpiling other prime picks in what is supposedly a deep 2013 entry draft is the way to go. Build around your 16 year olds currently on the roster (forwards Clark Bishop and Zach Moody and goalie Alex Bureau) and within three seasons (hopefully), turn this team back into the consistently competitive club it once was.
As for Moncton, it's anybody's guess who might be in the lineup to replace missing forwards Yannick Veilleux, Dimitri Jaskin and Kyle Haas. Callups are incredibly difficult given the fact the Flyers (playing Fredericton) and Commandos (see below) are both in action tonight. Guess we'll find out the resolution to this problem soon enough.
The Commandos make their first visit to Amherst this season when they face the Ramblers at 7PM. Dieppe, 1-1 in the season series against the Ramblers this year, are looking for their third straight win and momentum heading into yet another key tilt with Miramichi at the AJL tomorrow afternoon. Zach Cahill did all the damage in regulation in Miramichi on Wednesday night in a 3-2 shootout win for the visitors. Great to see one of the hardest working guys on the roster get rewarded, especially after a subpar 2011-2012 season, statistically speaking. Let's see if he can continue that trend in the border town tonight.
As for me, it's off to the Coliseum... and just like Thursday night in Halfax, all bets are off once again.
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