The wait to open up gifts is over! And for me the wait to start the World Jrs. is a day longer and it's over too! I'll be up at 5:30 eating Cheerios in my PJ's and watching team Canada start its way out of the Group of Death by beating the Russians. Team Canada is in with The Czech Republic, Sweden and Russia. One of these teams is done after round robin! I don't think it'll be the Swedes because they outplayed Canada in pre-tourny action. So I have to hope the Czechs and Russians didn't put together as strong a team as the Swedes. We'll see.
My pre-tournament guesses as far as line match-ups were, uh, not so good. But I put a lot of guys together based on what hand they shot and one of the huge trends in hockey nowadays: off-wing one-timer goals. I'll concede that Dave Cameron probably knows who plays well together a wee bit better than I do. So the lines we've seen are probably better than mine. And to show you how good DC is, he actually HAS paid attention to the off-wing one-timer trend and has been putting Ellis a right-handed shot on the left point, and Schwartz, a left-handed forward on the right point on the power play. And check the vid kids, it's already working. They both have one-timer goals and are getting good chances like that.
So the following are the revised lines player by player with their stats and performance rating by me.
Line 1
C Brayden Schenn- He Only has a goal and an assist so far. He didn't score in the first game against the Swiss either. But he was my pick for player of the game vs. the Swedes. He's making sweet moves close in and looking like the NHLer on the squad.
RW Jaden Schwartz- Got a goal in game one, 2 assists and lots of shots in game two and set up a goal in game three vs. the Fins. He'll get lots more to add to his 4 pre-tourney points if they keep him on the right point on the power play.
LW Louis Leblanc- Spectacular in game one! Got a goal and an assist. He set up Schenn's goal against Sweden but didn't get credit for an assist. He played a more defensive role in the second two games. I hope he gets back to offense against Russia.
Line 2
C Sean Couturier- Leads team Canada with 6 points, 4 of them in game one vs. Switzerland. He is MAGIC with Foligno although I've heard the same about Hamilton. Although the second line isn't the one I had picked, they have been the best.
RW Zack Kassian- He's not with the linemates I chose for him but he has been a bull in a China shop as expected. He got no points in game one but his linemates got 6 and he was a big part of that. In game two he drew a penalty barging to the net then scored on the ensuing power play. And in game three he got two assists and showed some good hands. He's already hitting everything that moves and scoring well. I still like this guy!
LW Marcus Foligno- I picked him as the first star of game one. He was a darkhorse to make team Canada but has done EVERYTHING for them so far. Got a goal and assist game one and put up a screen on another goal. He threw more hard hits than anyone in game two, got an assist and hit the post on an open net. Solid in game three as well although Cameron was experimenting with lines.
Line 3
C Ryan Johansen- I predicted he might center a line and he is doing so. Getting better every game too. He didn't score in game one but hit the post twice and got lots of power play time. Got a goal and an assist in game two and was the best player in game three in which he became the first Canuck to get his second and third goals AND he was a screen on the Ellis goal. However he had such a great game without Eakin and Connolly. This line is probably done for.
RW Cody Eakin- Hasn't been all that noticeable and probably should be the 13th forward for this team. Hasn't played bad at all though. Got an empty net goal in game 2 and an assist in game 1. I think he'll be used mostly for penalty killing and sparingly on offense.
LW Brett Connolly- Looked like the sniper he is in game one putting a lot of rubber on the net and hitting the post once but only got one assist. Also set up Barrie for a sure goal but he didn't score. Unfortunately he got sick and we saw less of him in game two and none of him in game three. Hope he's back for the opener vs. Russia.
Line 4?
C Cody Cizikas- Got a goal and an assist in the first game. He has looked good but not outstanding. I think coach Cameron will find him a spot on a line with Howden and Ashton for the tourney. And it will be line 4.
RW Quinton Howden- He has been a stand-out in every game. Got an assist in game one but sort of disappeared in favour of Hamilton in the third period. Some great penalty killing and 2 assists in game two. Then got third star of game three. He got an assist and a goal. Missed on the first but not the second. I think he's just getting stronger.
LW Carter Ashton- I think he's been playing mostly right wing but it doesn't matter much. He's a big, skilled player and versatile. Got a goal and assist in game one but hasn't scored since. I think when he gets some regular linemates and figures out their chemistry he'll be back. Till then he'll just keep throwing punishing body checks.
#13 Curtis Hamilton- Didn't notice him too much in game one; good penalty killing in game two; and he played very well in game three. Had one awesome rush to the net that got him an assist. I think he'll become a fixture on the third line and get lots of either Eakin's or Connolly's ice time.
The D
Ryan Ellis- An assist in game one, 2 key shot blocks and a post in game two and second star of game three with a goal and assist. He established himself on the left point of the p.p. getting some good one-timers and showing NHL composure. I predicted he was the likely choice for captain and DC agreed. He IS the man!
Jared Cowan- I think he's been the second best defenceman so far. His experience is showing.
Tyson Barrie- Got a goal and an assist in game one. He was good offensively but I don't think he gels with Ellis. I think Cameron has decided team Canada doesn't need his offense so much. He didn't score in games 2 or 3.
Dylan Olson- He's been very good.
Calvin De Haan- Also very good. Got a goal in his junior home rink in game one and played solidly in games two and three. Had some great power play chances but hasn't cashed in for a while.
Eric Gudbranson- Haven't noticed him and that means he's playing exactly the way he's supposed to.
Simon Despres- You may never notice this player in this world championships unless there's an injury. Riding the pine a lot so far.
Well time to hit the hay. I'm setting the old alarm clock for 3 AM so I can watch the football but I'll be switching over to hockey at 5:30 AM. I'm so glad I am not working right now!!!
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