Canada is making a mockery of their pool at the World Juniors. Yes, they still have a long ways to go before they win their sixth straight, but right now its a joke as they pounded the Slovaks 8-2. It means Canada is 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 30-2. The Americans should provide a much tougher opponent on New Year's Eve and then it won't be easy when the medal round begins.
Meanwhile in Regina, there is a slim chance that we could see a three way tie for first in Pool B. Sweden would seem to have the inside track after beating the Russians 4-1 in front of a sold out Brandt Centre crowd on Tuesday night. If Finland can beat Austria on Wednesday and then upset Sweden and have the Czechs beat the Russians, it would create a 3 way tie. I doubt as if that will happen, but you never know.
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Its not getting any better for the Pats. They lose again 4-3 to Calgary. There are fans who are getting very disgruntled with the play of this team and there are whispers again that Jordan Eberle may be on the trading block as the deals to get Carter Ashton, Mitch Spooner and Cass Mappin have failed miserably---at least initially. I thought this team had what it took to not have the world junior funk it had last year, but its evident they don't. Perhaps the veterans on this team just doesn't have what it takes to be a WHL calibre hockey player. I won't sit here and name names because I'm sure if you've been to Pats games, you know what players I might be speaking about. If you don't know, I'm sure these players will be playing for the Cougars or Huskies or some CIS team because they won't be getting NHL tryouts. Then again, they might just end up playing senior hockey where they don't have to deal with the pressure and structure of being a WHL'er. That's something that some of these guys on the surface seem to be failing at. That being said, they have 30 games to right a wrong. How bad do they want it? I guess we will find out. Sadly at this point, I believe we might already know the answer.
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Could Brendan Taman be headed back to Winnipeg? The Riders have apparently given him permission to talk to the Bombers about their vacant vice president of football operations position. Good for Taman if he can land the job, but I would have to think if Eric Tillman is ousted as Rider GM that he would be the obvious choice as his successor. Time will tell! One wonders if Taman were to go back to Winnipeg, if he might lure Paul LaPolice to be Mike Kelly's successor?
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Don't be surprised if productivity goes down this morning around 11. Why is that? Well, Steve Yzerman tells us who will represent Team Canada in mens hockey. It will end one debate that has been going on for months and will start another one. For what its worth, here's what I say the lineup looks like
G-Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury
D-Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Dan Boyle, Jay Bouwmeester, Brent Seabrook, Mike Green, Drew Doughty
F-Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, Jonathan Toews, Jarome Iginla, Mike Richards, Rick Nash, Mike Fisher, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis , Dany Heatley, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton and Brendan Morrow
Notable snubs: Dion Phaneuf, Patrick Marleau, Ryan Smyth, Corey Perry, Steven Stamkos, Jeff Carter
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4 comments:
Interesting picks Mitchell. Overall, good cross section. Even though I like him, I can't see Green on D. Great offensive, liability in his own end. Once he becomes steady in both ends of the ice, he can be on the O team. I'd pick Duncan Keith and Shea Weber before I'd take Seabrooke and Green.
On O, surprized that you took Thorton. He still hasn't taken his game to the next level. What can he do that another player can't do as well, plus be responsible in the neutral and defensive zone? Thorton's a one-trick-pony. I'd take Bergeron, or even a Derek Roy before Thorton. Otherwise, your picks look good.
Brendan Morrow? Drew Doughty? Mike Richards?
I agree with Mike. Thornton might lead the NHL in scoring, but he is slow and he isn't proven in crunch-time. He wouldn't make my team. I don't know if Bergeron would be the guy though. I might lean towards Jeff Carter. To anonymous, what's the matter with Morrow or Richards? You need grit guys like Draper and Maltby to succeed.
Pilzner Pete
It doesn't matter anymore when it comes to the Pats. Just limp to the finish line with or without Eberle and Teubert. Even if they do make it, good luck getting out of the first round where you will play either Calgary, Brandon or the Blades. Regina hockey fans deserve so much better than what they are getting.
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