Team USA wakes up this morning to the biggest game of the tournament and the first gold medal game appearance for the country since winning the championship in 2004.
The sentiment around town and from e-mails sent to the team is that there is a lot of U.S. and Canadian support for this team. I don’t think that means we can expect “USA” chants tonight at the Credit Union Centre. I do think it’s a sign that this hard working team has won over even the fans of its bitter rivals.
Team USA will play in a hostile environment tonight for sure, but they have the respect of the fans and Team Canada after the New Year’s Eve classic. That means the U.S. won’t catch Canada off guard with its speed and leads us to several questions about the game.
1. What adjustments will be made?
I’ll post video of Dean Blais’ answer to this question later in the morning. My take is that Canada is the team that will have to make the most adjustments. Analysis of the group round game showed Team USA had the jump on Canada’s defense and passing lanes for almost the entire game. I expect Canada to shake up its power play and defensive strategies a bit.
2. Is this the biggest junior hockey game ever?
TSN expects record viewership tonight and I’m working on expanding the bandwidth on this blog to avoid a shutdown. The interest is incredible and this is the matchup that everyone wanted to see. Scalpers in town are pushing the price of tickets for the game north of $200 each. What is your opinion? I can’t remember a bigger game since the 2004 title game (Also between the U.S. and Canada).
3. Who is the favorite?
Going into the tournament you’d have to say Canada was the favorite and that’s held true all the way into this game. Team USA will ride the underdog role I’m sure. Canada will have the crowd advantage too, which can never be overestimated. If you were laying odds though, these teams are about as close as you can get. Should be a great game.
4. Will there be more shorthanded goals scored than power play goals?
Quite possibly. Each team has scored three shorties and given up at least one against. Canada has allowed two, both to Team USA. A shorthanded goal broke things open against Sweden in the semifinals for the U.S. You get the feeling that special teams will make the difference tonight. The teams are equally matched 5-on-5 so whichever team executes better on the power play (or avoids the penalty box more) will win the game.
—————————-
Team USA’s head coach Dean Blais talked with the media about the gold medal game rematch with Canada today at practice. … (Large file. Give it a minute to load)
—————————-
USA Hockey’s national office is pumped up for the game too and sent in the following picture to the team. Scores of e-mails are coming in and I’m posting them to this blog and the team prints them out for inspiration. Get yours in today!
This will definately be a close game. I cannot say for sure who the favorite is, i attended the game on NYE and feel fortunate to have seen Canada come out on top because the Americans clearly had us on our heels for 50 minutes of the game. Either way you can bet your bottom dollar there will be no “USA” chant rather all you will hear from 15,500 screaming Canadians will be “Go Canada!!!”
Go USA!!! My son is a Notre Dame Hound in Wilcox, SK and an American, he will be the big minority tonight as the school watches the game. He’s counting on USA to win the Championship!
Will this be televised in the US???
Am really excited about tonight’s game. If the New Year’s Eve game is any indication, tonight will be fast, exciting, great plays and players, and one to remember.
GO Team USA!!!
Just play the way you have been and everything will be alright!!!!!!
Go USA
Yes on NHL Network if you have it other than that not sure
Team USA is gonna win even though canada sports the dirty flow and that sick flop yea thats dow (whistle). but you dont understand that team USA will buckle every lumberjack on the ice. canada will be dippin out of that Credit Union CENTER (notice i didnt use Centre) when they hear the chants of USA all the way!!
candas gonna kick ur asses eh
Good luck USA. This will be a great game between neigbours who have both taken the game to a new level. Canada tends to come through in the crunch. Lets see what happens tonight.
You guys really surprised the Canadian team on New Years Eve. If you play like that again, I know for sure the USA will take the gold. Good Luck to you all.
“TSN expects record viewership tonight “…and they may get it. In addition, since this is the 2nd year that the NHL Network (US) has provided live coverage of the tournament, and since Team USA was upset in the Quarter-finals last year, I would guess that tonight’s game might be a World Junior record setter in both countries!
By the way, Camerone, have you heard anything about TV ratings in the USA, either for last year’s tournament or this year’s tourney? I know it comes at an interesting time, since it must compete with the Bowl season.
I’ve been very impressed with US team this year and even though Canada leads in every statistic but one I would say that the US stands a very strong chance of winning gold tonight. As a Canadian hockey fan who lives for this tournament I am glad that it will be an all North American final. There is no question in my mind that both teams have heart, both teams will be ready when the puck drops and I can’t wait for this one to start. Good luck to both teams and while I will be cheering for the Canadians I want to wish all the American players the best of luck.
Hoping for a Canadian victory, but Team USA looks focused, fast and dangerous. Doesn’t get any better than Canada vs USA in the world juniors. May the best team win.
As a Canadian supporter and fellow Canadian I have to honestly say that this match-up is really tight. I will give Canada the upper hand because of our clutch history and home crowd support. Canada is the most consistant hockey nation in the World with the most national and olympic titles.
GO CANADA GO!
NO CONTEST – CANADA IS GOING TO DOMINATE YOU YANKEES
Is the game audio broadcast live on the net anywhere? I’ll be at work and would like to listen.
As a Canadian living in the US I am bummed to say that we have not heard a word about this tournament. If not for family members keeping me up dated, I would not know who was playing in the final! I don’t have NHL TV, don’t even know who carries it. It will have to be an on-line thing for me tonight, but I’ll be tuned in, one way or the other!
GO TEAM CANADA!! (I am very American, in everything except hockey!)
Oh, PLEASE Cody… These teams are about as evenly matched as can be. And don’t forget… YANKEES are back to their winning ways! Can’t wait for the game!!
As a Canadian and a huge fan of the tournament I would comment that this will be a epic battle tonight. Our whole country is glued as usual. Canada played bad on new years and still won, all they have to do is play how they can, and the US will see a much different team. Canada has fixed the pk, so the short handed opportunities should not be present, which is why the US lead for most of that game. Having said all this and all the other speculating and trash talk, it’s anyone’s game. It what side wants it most in the end. That is why this is so exciting and why this is the greatest game. Can Canada go six straight gold’s or can this strong US team finally get one. Check out LUCAS AYKROYD article SOMETHING TO PROVE ON http://www.iihf.com sums it up best. May be best team win and remember we are friends and neighbours.
Sorry Cody… reply was for CANADA IS #1…