Dec 28, 2015
Hot Button Issues: WJC Day 3
Each day throughout the World Junior Hockey Championship, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button brings important issues and topics surrounding the tournament to the forefront.
By Craig Button
Each day throughout the World Junior Hockey Championship, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button brings important issues and topics surrounding the tournament to the forefront.
HBI 1: FINNS HAVE NO FINISH
Defending gold-medalist Finland has scored just two goals in two games vs. USA and Slovakia - both by Mikko Rantanen and one of those was an own goal by American Auston Matthews. The biggest scoresheet no-shows so far are 2014 Pittsburgh first-rounder Kasperi Kapanen and 2013 Montreal second-rounder Artturi Lehkonen.
HBI 2: CZECHS AREN'T CHECKING
The Czech Republic has not won a medal since 2005 and indications are it will be hard-pressed to do so this year, surrendering 10 goals in losses to Sweden and Switzerland. The Czechs have a tournament-worst .839 team save percentage (with Vitek Vanecek between the pipes) and are a turnover machine on defence.
HBI 3: SWEDES LOOKING GOOD
The Swedes looked ripe for the picking in exhibition action, but have opened the tournament with victories over Czech Republic and Denmark, outscoring them 10-3 and looking like the team that has reached three straight gold medal games. 2013 Montreal second-rounder Jacob de la Rose has been the best of the Swedes.