Some Thoughts on World Juniors Criticism
Photo From Hockey Canada
So, I haven’t done write ups for the last
few games because what can you say about Canada’s 11-1 win over Slovakia the
score describes the game and the game against Czechia on Saturday, I was at the
Blue Jays game and only caught the third period. On Monday, Canada completed
their preliminary round with a perfect record after beating Finland 6-3 and now
wait to see who their opponent will be for the Quarter Final round on Wednesday.
The reason for this article is I would like to give my thoughts on some of the
criticism this tournament has gotten. I have seen some hockey fans say it isn’t
the same because it is being played in August, everyone who watches this
tournament is more accustomed to watching the World Junior tournament in
December simply because of the affect marketing has on this event. TSN since
1991 has broadcasted this tournament taking over from CBC but since 91 in
Saskatoon TSN has promoted this tournament as a “Christmas Tradition” and made
it sound like every December the World Junior Championships is the only thing
that matters, and you know what? It worked because in my house my dad and I
refer to December 26th (Boxing Day) as our Christmas because we get
to watch both the Spengler Cup tournament and the Juniors. I am perfectly fine
with the Tournament being moved to this August after its cancelation last December
because for a hockey mad fan like myself watching the U18 Championships and now
this fills the void while I wait for Leafs training camp to open, and yes, I’ll
be watching this Women’s World Championships in a few weeks too. For me there
is now something to watch because let’s be honest right now the Blue Jays are
beyond frustrating so thankfully there is something worth watching this month.
I have enjoyed this tournament regardless of what month it’s being played in
because the hockey has been entertaining, but not worry fans because in literally
four months we will be watching the 2023 tournament in December from Halifax
and Moncton.
Next, I want to talk about fans complaining
about the level of talent on some of the teams. Every single tournament each
year I see and hear Canadians complain when Canada plays a team and blows them out.
This tournament as I mentioned Canada beat Slovakia 11-1 unfortunately these
games happen in tournaments like this, and I think Canadians just complain
because they have nothing better to do. Look at the first game Canada won 5-2
over Latvia, now Gord Miller mentioned it on broadcast that when Canada
dominates a team fans then think there wasn’t competition but if Canada say
Canada beats Latvia 2-1 like they did in Sochi at the Olympics everyone was
worried about Canada because they didn’t dominate. Instead of being happy their
team won Canadian fans think they need to over analyze things instead of just
being happy for the win. If people think Canada has always been a powerhouse in
this tournament let me educate you a little bit because trust me that was not
always the case. Canada in 1998 the Tournament was held in Finland and Canada
was heading into the tournament as obvious favorites having won the five
previous events, but in 98 Canada wound up in the relegation round where they
played Nik Antropov and Kazakhstan to see who would stay up in the main group
for the 1999 tournament. After avoiding relegation Canada would finish 2nd
in 1999, 3rd in 2000, 3rd in 2001, and then three
consecutive silver medals before winning the tournament in 2005 with a team
that was loaded with talent thanks to the NHL Lockout at the time. Canada has
obviously had stretches where they’d win consecutive gold medals but there was
also a time when Canada would finish off the podium all together 2013 in Ufa
Russia and 2014 in Malmo Sweden. Canada usually does well in this event because
in this country hockey is the sport the country federally gets behind the most.
Look at our other National teams, how many Olympic medals has our Men’s
Basketball team won? Or better yet how many Olympics has our Men’s team played
in? Athletes for the longest time would turn down an opportunity to play
basketball or baseball for this country because if there was a tournament over
seas the player would have to pay is way whereas if you played hockey for the
men’s team your trip was paid for. The women playing hockey in this country face
all kinds of challenges but that’s a story for another day. So, instead of
always crying the blues over Canada dominating a team lets look at the fact
that other countries are improving in quality. As I’m writing this Sweden is
leading Germany 3-1 and honestly if it wasn’t for the Swedish goalie Germany
could easily be tied with them and their game could be an entirely different
story. This tournament every single year has a team that becomes the story of
the event. In 2010 it was Nino Niederreiter leading team Switzerland passed the
much more talented Russian team. In 2015 the story of that Tournament was how the
fans in Toronto adopted team Denmark as their own because they were a group
that played their hearts out every game and managed to reach their first ever
knockout round thanks to taking Russia to a shootout, they ended up losing but
they then would beat Switzerland in a shootout punching their ticket to the
knockout stage which no one saw happening. This year Latvia is the story as
they managed to shock Czechia with a 5-2 win their first every win in the
preliminary round and they will be in the Quarterfinals on Wednesday. For
everyone that thinks the IIHF should shorten the number of teams allowed
because of the difference in quality put yourself in the shoes of those kids
playing for a “weaker team”. For the kids on Latvia are they going to win the
tournament? No but for them representing their country at this event will mean
more to them then anything else in their career because that is an
accomplishment that will stay with them forever. There are many great athletes
in their respective sport that will never have that moment to play for their
country on an international stage so for the Latvian’s or Austrian’s
representing their country give them the respect they rightly deserve instead
of complaining about fact Canada has to play a “weak team” because there will
be a day where Canada once again has to go back to the drawing board and
rebuild their team, there will be a day where Canada goes through a stretch
where they don’t win the gold where they’re the “weaker team” and when that
happens I can guarantee everyone crying and complaining will be crying for an
entirely different reason.
So, for now let’s give these kids, remember
that they’re just kids but let’s give them the respect they deserve regardless
of who they play for and just enjoy the hockey being played. Canada will be playing
Switzerland on Wednesday in the Quarterfinals so tune in and enjoy it.
One last thing, this blog has reached over 5000 all time views thank you so much to everyone who has given their support and followed along.
It's hockey, it's the juniors, it's about to get competitive. What more can you ask for if your a real hockey fan.
ReplyDeleteexactly sure blow out games happen but overall the quality of hockey has been worth watching
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