WJC Review
WJC Review, Disappointments and surprises
As the WJC preliminary round comes to an end. We will look at some of the surprises and some of the disappointments.
First let’s look at the surprises.
1. Team World
Team World was expected to come into this tournament and not do anything at all. Get blown out every game and hardly score many goals. This team really only had one line that was producing on a regular basis. The line of Hischier-Balcers-Malkin was a huge surprise. Hischier leading the tournament in Goals and Malgin leading the tournament in points. If it wasn’t for below average goaltending this team would still be playing today.
MVP Pick: Nico Hischier
2. Team Alberta
I really didn’t have high on the list. But wow did this team surprise everyone. First this team was in a tough division as well. Riding on the back of potential tournament MVP Carter Hart. Alberta getting solid production from it’s top line. At the start of the tournament thought wouldn’t score much and wouldn’t be able to keep the puck out of the net. But here we are Alberta Sitting 2nd in the Division and about to take on Sweden in the first round.
MVP Pick: Carter Hart
Now that we have looked at the surprises lets look at the disappointments.
1. Team Quebec
A lot of people had Quebec labeled as a contender. Quebec now sits last place in the whole tournament. Only scoring 17 goals and letting in 31. Huge disappointment for this team that thought they had a chance at gold. Huge let down team wide. This team needs to come back stronger next year and prove to everyone this wasn’t just a fluke.
MVP Pick: Thomas Chabot
2. Team Russia
Team Russia had the offensive pedigree and the goaltending to take them to the top of the division. The one area were everyone had them pegged at the top really disappointed. Goaltending was horrible. Before the tournament began if you asked most GMs they would of picked Illya Samsonov as Tournament Best Goaltender. This team produced well, but just couldn’t keep the puck out of the net. Even with having likely the best defenseman in Ivan Provorov. Look for Russia to try and surprise Finland in the first round of the playoffs.
MVP Pick: Ivan Provorov
Now that we have the surprises and disappointments out of the way lets look at the rest of the teams.
1. Team BC
Team BC put in a strong effort, but just didn’t have the production they needed. Although they did get a surprise win against Team Prairies. Overall this team just didn’t have what it takes to talent wise to be in the medal round.
Team MVP: Patrick Bajkov
2. Team Ontario
Offense, Offense, Offense. If this team had a decent defense, it would be the #1 team coming out of the preliminary round. Although because all this team knows how to do is score goals, we have them falling out in the first round to the powerhouse USA team. The likes of Marner and Konecny really made teams look silly.
Team MVP: Mitch Marner
3. Team Prairies
A team that was a bit of surprise by some. Beating out the likes of Ontario for 3rd in the pool. Although they will be in tough against a strong Czech team. This team had great offense. Second best offense in the tournament. But had the 6th worst defense.
Team MVP: Connor Hobbs
4. Team Maritimes
Did this team even know how to compete? Only mustering 13 goals. The worst offense in the tournament and the 2nd worst defense allowing 34 goals against. This team could have been one of the surprise teams but their lack of overall team play is what killed them
Team MVP: Bradley Kennedy
5. Team Czechslovakia
Definitely a medal contender, with the likes of Zacha, Hronek, and Chlapik. This team doesn’t have a problem scoring goals. 3rd best offense in the tournament. They could really make some noise going forward. Team needs to play more disciplined! Averaging 11.2 PIM per game. If they can’t stay out of the box they could be an early upset.
Team MVP: Pavel Zacha
6. Team Sweden
Another Powerhouse over in the Tretiak pool. Having the 5th best offense and 5th best defense defiantly bolds well in their favor for getting a medal. To no surprise this team had Eriksson-Ek and Dahlstrom leading the way offensively. Although they will be in tough against a strong Alberta team in the first round.
Team MVP: Joel Eriksson-Ek
7. Team Finland
What is there to say about this team? They can score! They can play defense. Finland having the best offense and the best defense in the tournament. Not just by a little either. They are in a league of their own. Aho and Laine are just tearing up the opponents. Unless something major happens, look for this team to be in the gold medal game.
Team MVP: Sebastian Aho
8. Team USA
Another powerhouse team, having the 4th best offense and the 2nd best defense in the tournament. Auston Matthews and Zach Werenski are propelling this team forward. USA only allowing on average 22.7 shots per game is amazing. The next closest team to them is team Finland with 27.4 shots per game. USA will be in tough for right off the hop in the medal round against Team Ontario. Matthews vs Marner? This one is anyone’s game. Although because of the tight defensive game the USA plays as well as their offensive production so far, we have to give the slight edge to USA.
Team MVP: Auston Matthews
Playoff Predictions:
Round 1
USA vs Ontario: USA
Czech vs Prairies: Czech
Finland vs Russia: Finland
Alberta vs Sweden: Sweden
Round 2
USA vs Czech: USA
Finland vs Sweden: Finland
Gold Medal Game:
USA vs Finland: Finland
Bronze Medal Game;
Czech vs Sweden: Czech
