There aren’t many voices calling for more nations at the World Juniors. After the 2020 tournament, though, such chatter could very well begin. In fact, you can make a case that the 2020 relegation playoff involves its strongest pair of teams seen in years. Germany has built an impressive U20 […]
World Junior Championship
WJC 2020: Suomi Swarms Kazakhstan 7-1 Following 1st Period Fireworks
For a while on Sunday, it appeared as though Kazakhstan’s U20 squad was going to produce another tight outcome against a Group A stalwart. But the Finns were packing a Puistola. Carolina Hurricanes prospect Patrik Puistola scored the opening goals of the 1st and 3rd periods and led Finland with […]
Day 2 WJC Recap: Kazakhstan Goes Down Swinging at an Emotional Time
My efforts to preview Friday’s Slovakia vs Kazakhstan game at the World Juniors were stopped cold by a chilling news flash. A passenger plane carrying 100 people had slammed into a building in the Kazakhs’ homeland, and I feared the absolute worst, not believing the initial estimates of only a […]
WJC 2020 Recap: Kazakhstan Surprises in Tough Loss to Switzerland
Hate to break it to you, Kazzies, but it looks like we’ve got at least a fringe contender on our hands. Kazahkstan didn’t win its opener in the Czech Republic, but finished the day looking like the stronger of 2 likely relegation-round opponents. Team Kazakhstan U20 bothered Switzerland for 3 […]
IIHF World Junior Championship: Team Finland Preview
It really couldn’t have gone any better for the Fins in Vancouver last year. A 3-2 win of the Americans secured their fifth World Junior Championship. What’s even crazier is how only two years earlier they were one loss away from being relegated to Division A. I’m sure that thought […]
