second class hockey citizens no more
A favorite story line from the hockey snob neighbors north of the border is why Team USA doesn't have more Major Junior players on the World Junior roster, the not-so-subtle implication is the obvious superiority of Major Junior to NCAA. In Ufa 2013, USA's roster was about 65% college kids. And though there are some terrific Canadian teens playing college puck, not one was selected by Team Canada. If our media was tres obnoxious, we would prod them about why they have no college kids, but we never do, and why bother?
OK...Canada pushed us around in the Round Robin in Ufa, defeating the Yanks 2-1 in a game not that close. But USA gets healthy on lousy teams and finds itself in the semis despite 2 RR losses, facing undefeated and favored Canada. In a game for the USA Hockey time capsule, USA does something WE have never done before (I do have an American passport, so I'll say 'we'). In a game with major international consequences, we not only beat Canada, we blow their doors off. 5-1 smorgasburg, feasting on TWO goalies from the frozen north. And Canada's goal was a fluke, scored after an obvious blown whistle. Of USA's five goals, two came from a Wisco Badger, two from a BC Eagle and one from a Harvard Crimson (or John, but that might be misleading). NCAA 5, Canadian Juniors 1. This little Johnny Hockey from BC had the hardened hockey veterans in the TSN truck chanting his nickname. His goals were marked down by loggers everywhere with 4 stars. As USA clung to a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period, this Jersey kid listed at 150 pounds comes down by himself against 2 hulking defenders wearing red and white. He approaches, pauses, closes in to 25 feet. Then he toe drags the puck like he's going to dangle, forcing everyone to freeze just long enough for him to shoot. WHOOPS! Beats their prized goalie Malcolm Subban on the glove side and I come out from my
straight-faced professional cover in the truck and utter a loud, immensely satisfying groan. Oh baby that was one tasty hockey moment in Mother Russia.
Gaudreau added a delightful dessert in the third after being sprung on a breakaway. Again he chose not to deke, but to fire, again from about 25'. In stride. Bar down, with a loud clang. I think the audio is still haunting Jordan Binnington's dreams. That noisy dagger made it 5-1. Game, set and match. Forgive the mixed metaphors, but it was a precious afternoon in Bashkortostan. USA hockey should gild the scoresheet in gold from that game. Here's a link.
Canada, going into the semis hell bent for gold, fell in OT to Russia in the bronze medal consolation two days later. They returned home in tatters, bearing no precious metal.
A final note on the Yanks: a dozen of them come back to their college campuses with gold medals dangling around their necks, beating Sweden in a tense final. A Badger, an Eagle and a Wolverine return to their frat parties with the honor of being first team All-World. Now that is a good rap while waiting at the keg.
