Dec 29, 2015
Hot Button Issues: WJC Day 4
Each day throughout the World Junior 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 Championship, TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button brings important issues and topics surrounding the tournament to the forefront.
HBI 1: It’s a Mac or Jack debate
If there were any questions about the race for No. 1 in the 2015 Draft being a two-man battle, they should have evaporated. Nobody has been more impressive than Jack Eichel so far in the tournament. For the likes of Edmonton and Carolina, the draft decision should be a Mac or Jack debate and not a Connor coronation.
HBI 2: Canadian goaltending faces test
Canadian goalies have yet to allow a goal (on only 29 shots against), but the rubber hits the road (or goalie) when Canada faces Finland which is more dangerous than two goals in two games would suggest. Zach Fucale allowed four goals on 22 shots vs. Finland in a semifinal loss last year. He gets a chance to avenge that loss today.
HBI 3: Competitive gaps remain
Four different countries have won gold four consecutive years for the second time in tournament history, but the gap between top and bottom end teams remains large. Five of 10 games have featured differences of at least four goals, including a 5-1 Swedish win over Denmark and 7-0 Russian rout of Switzerland.