The World Junior Championship does not often get as much press in the United States as diehard hockey fans would like, but the NHL lockout has turned on the spotlight on the annual tournament in its absence.
For Philadelphia Flyers fans, it also marks the first tournament in years in which a prospect is playing- defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.
The first games of the 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia began yesterday with Team Canada garnering the most attention. Canada routed Team Germany 9-3 in their opening game while Russia, Sweden and Finland won their respective matches.
Unfortunately for Germany, they had even less success against Team USA. Eight different players hit the back of the net for the United States in their 8-0 victory, including Gostisbehere. During a powerplay, Gostisbehere jumped onto the ice just as Team USA kept the puck in the zone. Racing to the right point, he one-timed a pass that beat German goaltender Marvin Cupper (with some screening help from New York Rangers prospect J.T. Miller).
For all the flack that southern NHL teams receive when it comes to the health of the NHL, athletes like Gostisbehere, who hails from Florida, would never have developed their game had the NHL not expanded into the sunbelt. That’s not to say that contraction or relocation of unprofitable franchises isn’t a good idea, but the talent level in the United States wouldn’t be where it is today had the NHL not expanded into new territories.
Due to the time zone differences, many of the games are airing at odd hours of the morning in North America. For those interested in catching Gostisbehere in action next, Team USA plays Team Russia tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. It will definitely be aired on the NHL Network, and may also be aired on NHL.com (as Game One was this morning).
UPDATE: Game Two for USA versus Russia can be streamed online for free at NHL.com here.
For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
Good grief..
Great article JJ because of the info leading to me watching, I watched the 2nd and 3rd period of the game.( I watched some of the Finland game but couldn’t stomache the whole game)
Unfortunate result but that was a great game. (2-1 Russian victory)
That one coast to coast move by Nichushkin around Seth Jones that set up the 2nd Russian rebound Tkachyov goal was awesome —-
Gostebehere looked good but I guess it helps partnering up with Trouba.
That cheap shot by Kapustin on Pietila almost came back to haunt Russia again but the USA couldn’t get set up, even with 2 extra men on the ice in the last 1:30
Thanks, eagles0. USA had a lot of energy to start the game, but was just sloppy. Both John Gibson and Andrei Makarov were great in net too, so one can’t be too worked up about the outcome.
Seth Jones is expected to be drafted within the top 3 picks next June, which made that goal all the more frustrating. Still, he played great otherwise.