[GT] WJC: Finals. RUS vs SWE 1:30pm MT. USA vs CAN 6pm MT

[sureLoss]

It is medal day!

4 out of 5 Flames prospects at this year's tournament will have some hardware hanging around their neck before the night is over.

The semifinals proved to be some great hockey, and it almost seems cruel to make these kids play again so quickly after those intense games that were so emotionally and physically draining.





Bronze medal game
Russia vs Sweden 1:30pm MT TSN

Flames prospects:
Sweden #7 Kylington 6gp 0g 4a 4pts +3 17sog
Russia #19 Karnaukhov 6gp 2g 2a 4pts +1 9sog

Traditionally this is a hard game for teenagers to show up to after losing gold medal hopes the night before. Hopefully both teams realize they are still playing for national pride and that taking home a bronze coloured medal is better than none at all.


Gold medal game
USA vs Canada 6pm MT TSN

Flames prospects:
Canada #9 Dube 6gp 0g 3a 3pts +5 5sog
USA #8 Fox 6gp 0g 1a 1pts +1 3sog
USA #1 Parsons .9167sv% 1.92gaa

Rematch of the NYE game. It looks like Canada has figured some things out since they last played the USA. I expect a more even match up this time around.

Canada will stick with Hart in net after pulling Ingram early against the Swedes.

I am not quite sure on how many have done it, but Parsons has a chance to join a brotherhood of CHL players that have won both the Memorial Cup and have won the IIHF world juniors.

[sureLoss]

As if there was any doubt?

Mike Morreale
@mikemorrealeNHL
USA coach Bob Motzko confirms that Tyler Parsons will, indeed, start against Canada tonigh

[dash_pinched]

(((Corey Pronman))) ‏@coreypronman

My World Juniors ballot:

F
Kaprizov (RUS)
Barzal (CAN)
Keller (USA)

D
Chabot (CAN)
McAvoy (USA)

G
Samsonov (RUS)

MVP
Kaprizov (RUS)

Not sure I'd agree with putting a goalie on the ballot whose team didn't make the gold medal game, but the other picks look solid.

[Cinephile]

I'm curious to find out what outcome of the game would please others the most:

A dominating performance by Parsons or a dominating performance by Team Canada?

[HappyGilmore]

Originally Posted by Cinephile

I'm curious to find out what outcome of the game would please others the most:

A dominating performance by Parsons or a dominating performance by Team Canada?

Canada winning 2-1. Parsons standing on his head

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by HappyGilmore

Canada winning 2-1. Parsons standing on his head

Yup, pretty much (if the final is 3-1 with the 3rd goal into a yawning cage, that's okay).

[Cecil Terwilliger]

World Junior Gold Medal Game has been played on my birthday pretty much annually since 1999. Only a few years does it end on the 4th.

When played on my birthday, a quick unofficial count says Canada has made the final 11 times, including this year, and have won 5.

3-2 Canada.

[SportsJunky]

Happy birthday.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Happy birthday.

Happy New Year!

[Strange Brew]

The US gets pumped. Taking bets...

If I like the odds.

[hockey.modern]

Cheering for the US this year. I want Parsons and Fox win the gold medal

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Cheering for the US this year. I want Parsons and Fox win the gold medal

Really? Just curious as to how you can do that. Are you Canadian? Do you have any attachment to the US?

I suspect you will have a hard time actively cheering against your own country when it comes down to it.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

The US gets pumped. Taking bets...

If I like the odds.

Canada is basically a 2 to 1 favourite according to most betting sites.

[hockey.modern]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Really? Just curious as to how you can do that. Are you Canadian? Do you have any attachment to the US?



I suspect you will have a hard time actively cheering against your own country when it comes down to it.

Yes I'm Canadian, but being born outside of Canada helps I guess.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

...
I suspect you will have a hard time actively cheering against your own country when it comes down to it.

Agree 100%

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Really? Just curious as to how you can do that. Are you Canadian? Do you have any attachment to the US?

I suspect you will have a hard time actively cheering against your own country when it comes down to it.

I find myself of a similar mindset to hockey.modern: I am undecided about actively cheering for Team USA to win the tournament, but I am absolutely fine with them doing so. Having said that, it wouldn't be the first time for me: by way of comparison I was actively cheering for a Team USA victory in 2013, and was ecstatic about Gaudreau's performance in that tournament, and against Canada in particular. I was born and raised in Canada and have lived here for almost all of my life, and I don't think this has anything to do with the matter.

I harbour some pretty strong views about shape and function of my Canadian patriotism—and the value of national patriotism more generally. This probably affects some of the way I approach this question. But moreover, I rationalize my approach by how I feel relative to my own perceived value of each international tournament:

· The Annual IIHF World Championships is basically meaningless
· The Annual IIHF-U20 Championship is significant, but not an accurate indicator of international rankings.
· The World Cup should be theoretically more reflective of international rankings, but is not adequately incentivized or nostalgic to evoke a strong sense of my own patriotism.
· The Olympic Hockey Tournament which features NHL players is the most important international tournament.

I would never cheer for another nation over Canada in the Olympics, but have and would consider doing so in all other tournaments, as they are relative.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Shots are 18-4 for Sweden, but Russia up 1-0 courtesy of red hot Kaprizov.

[puffnstuff]

Swedes tied it up.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I find myself of a similar mindset: I am undecided about actively cheering for Team USA to win the tournament, but I am absolutely fine with them doing so. Having said that, it wouldn't be the first time for me: by way of comparison I was actively cheering for a Team USA victory in 2013, and was ecstatic about Gaudreau's performance in that tournament, and against Canada in particular. I was born and raised in Canada and have lived here for almost all of my life, and I don't think this has anything to do with the matter.

I harbour some pretty strong views about shape and function of my Canadian patriotism—and the value of national patriotism more generally. This probably affects some of the way I approach this question. But moreover, I rationalize my approach by how I feel relative to my own perceived value of each international tournament:

· The Annual IIHF World Championships is basically meaningless
· The Annual IIHF-U20 Championship is significant, but not an accurate indicator of international rankings.
· The World Cup should be theoretically more reflective of international rankings, but is not adequately incentivized or nostalgic to evoke a strong sense of my own patriotism.
· The Olympic Hockey Tournament which features NHL players is the most important international tournament.

I would never cheer for another nation over Canada in the Olympics, but have and would consider doing so in all other tournaments, as they are relative.

Everyone certainly has their own reasons for who they cheer for. I have lived in the US for almost 20 years now but would never cheer against Canada or Calgary in any athletic competition. Most of my reasoning is probably rooted in nostalgia. Bigger fan now than when I lived in Canada.

I do find your reasoning rather clinical for describing your "rooting interests" which I consider to be more of an emotional consideration. How the competition factors into international rankings means little to me. I like the experience of seeing Canada win things.

[GioforPM]

If Fox and Parsons get a gold (hooray for the Flames) so do Woll and Bracco (Leafs), Jones (Oilers), Foley and Roslovic (Jets), Terry (Ducks).

By chance, Canada has Dube, but no Oilers, Ducks, Leafs, Jets or Canucks. There are 4 Lightning draftees if you still bear a grudge from 04.

I guess I hope that Canada wins despite stellar performances by Parsons and Fox.