The Friday matinee Buffalo Blizzard Bowl between Canada and the United States. A game that will be remembered for plenty of reasons; for me, all the wrongs ones.
The game was a spectacle, no doubt, but at the expense of player safety for many teams prized possessions and at the expense of the game of hockey itself. The quality of hockey witnessed today by the 40,000 plus at New Era Field, and the thousands tuning in around the world was abysmal. For me, this gimmick has to end soon. Anyways, let’s take a look and what went down this afternoon.
Cool time-lapse of New Era Field’s transition for the USA-Canada game pic.twitter.com/KBhqsLKrAs
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 29, 2017
It was quickly apparent that the football stadium wasn’t designed for hosting a hockey game. I’m not sure where they had the camera wells, but it felt like the camera was stuck on zoom in x1000 for the duration of the game. I find it hard to believe this day in age that an alternate primary angle wasn’t possible.
The camera angle for this game is horrid.
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) December 29, 2017
Now to the hockey, USA controlled the play at even strength until the 2:43 mark when Dylan Samberg took a penalty. On the ensuing power-play, Cale Makar walked in front the blueline and unleashed a wicked wrister that beat Jake Oettinger through the five-hole to make it 1-0 Canada.
Cale Makar gets Canada a 1-0 lead on the power play. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ox3ojNKR37
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Not look after that, the Canucks own, Jonah Gadjovich took the first of a few bad penalties taken by the Canadian squad this afternoon. The lack of discipline would ultimately cost Team Canada the game; we’ll see more of that later on.
Unfortunately for Canucks fans, there’s not much to report on Gadjovich from this game as he didn’t see much playing time after the penalty. He finished with one controlled entry, one dump in, two shots on goal and one primary shot attempt assist.
Jonah Gadjovich gets two minutes to think about the decision to run Lindgren into the boards. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/hBdDlOU1uO
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
It didn’t take long to realize that not only would the elements play a factor in this important game, but the ice quality as well.
It’s 10 minutes in and the ice looks like a disaster. This hockey is awful and it’s going to get a lot worse.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 29, 2017
Bad ice, nice pass by Anaheim Ducks, first rounder, Sam Steel to feed Dillon Dube who made no mistake and ripped a wrister over the glove of Oettinger to make it 2-0, Canada.
Great pass by PEP athlete Sam Steel on Canada's second goal! #WJC2018 #rethinkyourtraining pic.twitter.com/HQrSRfByAk
— Power Edge Pro (@PEPHockey) December 29, 2017
The rest of the first was fairly uneventful until Canucks prospect, William Lockwood attempted to make a buzzer-beating dash towards the net that would lead to Victor Mete taking a penalty for the slash to the hands. The powerplay would carry over into the second period.
Great play by Will Lockwood as he stick-handles through three Canadians and beats the goalie, but hits the post. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/8lLO2lHUBZ
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
The event did provide some unique imagery, I’ll give it that. When else are you going to see a snow shower of that quality? Only in the great outdoors.
How 'bout that snow shower ❄️ #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/PUEuzrI9bm
— Vanessa Jang (@vanessajang) December 29, 2017
Best Sign, something Team Canada fans can hang their hat on.
Canadian trash talk pic.twitter.com/9fQsgQ9REq
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) December 29, 2017
You can see the snow really started to fall in between periods. That didn’t slow down Mete, who capitalized on the time of his penalty expiring with a breakaway coming out of the box but was stopped by Oettinger with a critical save.
#GoHabsGo Victor Mete comes out of the penalty box, steals the puck, and goes on a breakaway. #GoStars Oettinger with a crucial save for Team USA. pic.twitter.com/3kSUYpxT3J
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
You can say the hockey was good all you want; it wasn’t.
Joey Anderson attempts a one-timer, puck just bounces around in the snow. Not a chance. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/JE9wJPItOy
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Other than the fact that no one can complete a pass or successfully execute a move because the ice is such an abomination I think this is great hockey
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) December 29, 2017
Again, the snow did make for some fantastic images.
Same, buddy. Same. pic.twitter.com/j1rm6DXckn
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
It’s snowing hard, but the crowd has filled in and appear both enthusiastic and cold. pic.twitter.com/c4uR2YCN40
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 29, 2017
Here’s another bad penalty taken by Canada as Alex Formenton decided he’d give the USA a five-on-three opportunity because he wanted to poke the opponent in the face with his hockey stick.
Alex Formenton gives the USA a 5-on-3 by shoving his stick into the face of an opponent…pretty pretty pretty stupid pic.twitter.com/2n0qh9Ls3A
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 29, 2017
This is about when Casey Mittelstadt, the Buffalo Sabres, eighth overall pick from the 2017 draft decided he was going to take over the game with an impressive assist from Oettinger. Oettinger pass —> Mittlestadt entry —> Bellows bomb! The USA makes it a one-goal game, trailing 2-1.
Kieffer Bellows gets USA on the board with a PPG pic.twitter.com/7S6kQfjdVS
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 29, 2017
To the credit of Team Canada, a minute and twelve seconds later they responded with this goal to quickly regain the two-goal lead. Look at that snow fly as nearly all the players on the ice stop within the crease area. Credit to Jake Bean for throwing the puck at the net into that mayhem which would bank off Boris Katchouk for his second goal and third point of the tournament.
Jake Bean scores for Team Canada, makes it 3-1. #Redvolution pic.twitter.com/2dFq3iTcWy
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
The fans are happy and that's all the outdoor game's about, right? ¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/4lPHkkPGEv
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Canada leads 3-1 through 40 minutes of play.
Carter Hart has turned aside 23/24 shots so far!
The lone USA goal that Hart gave up was on a 5-on-3 PP. #WJC2018 #Flyers
— Flyers Prospects (@futureofphilly) December 29, 2017
Play by play guys earning their holiday bonus today
Katchouk…..Tkachuk…..Katchouk….Tkachuk…. pic.twitter.com/mISvWrUxqk
— Instant Pot Having Mike (@50_MissionCap) December 29, 2017
Looks like they're doing two 10-minute segments for the 3rd period. Teams will switch sides midway through, presumably due to the wind.
— John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) December 29, 2017
Things began to heat up near the end of the second period so I wasn’t surprised one of these teenagers couldn’t contain their emotions with 40,000 fans roaring. I was even less surprised to see that player was cheapshot artist, Maxim Comtois. Without a doubt, this hit should have been five minutes plus a game misconduct, no idea how it wasn’t, to be honest. Lindgren was lucky to skate off under his own power of this hit, and Comtois lucky to remain in the game.
Brutal hit by Maxime Comtois against Ryan Lindgren. This was stupid. #WorldJuniors #USAvsCAN pic.twitter.com/RUAKohMUzm
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Thanks to Comtois, USA was handed a golden opportunity to cut the lead to one, and they took advantage of it. Scott Perunovich scores on another beautiful feed from Mittelstadt who clearly wasn’t bothered by the elements.
Scott Perunovich brings Team USA back within one. #WorldJuniors #USAvsCAN pic.twitter.com/iO79Qrn8dc
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Unfortunately, some more bad news for Canucks fans as William Lockwood crashed into the boards awkwardly. He got up clearly favouring his surgically repaired shoulder, all you can do is hope for the best.
Lockwood was helped off the ice after flying into the boards. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/TcNA2BApKA
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
About 30 seconds after drawing within one, the Americans tied the game on yet another sweet dish from Mittelstadt. A performance that will vault him into early tournament MVP consideration. The goal would be scored by 2018 draft eligible, Brady Tkachuk. Tkachuk is one to keep an eye on this year as he’s been ranked as high as third on some draft boards.
Brady Tkachuk ties the game at 3. Mittelstadt had an assist on every one of USA's goals. #Sabres #2018NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/1pTh06IaR6
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
The 154 pound, Kailer Yamamoto was clearly fired up who ended regulation time by finishing his check on the unsuspecting Mete. I’m pretty sure this caught everyone by surprise.
Yamamoto's such a goon #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/9f10LlljYU
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Three-on-three overtime outdoors! This is going to be exciting, isn’t it? Well, we saw as much of the ice maintenance crew as we did players on the ice. Primarily because of a labelled danger zone behind one of the nets which led to a lengthy delay because of multiple incidents in the area.
Wow.#USAvsCAN pic.twitter.com/c0tUOeQnAG
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Hope these two made it home alive. A little entertainment during the break!
Jesus. pic.twitter.com/ieZJeWRwES
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) December 29, 2017
So. Much. Skill. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/NCjqasa9Uz
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Nothing was settled in overtime, except this linesman’s grudge against the Tkachuk family.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/FWq9qkiErr
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Shootout
Steel,
Steel hits the iron. pic.twitter.com/IGTi57G4sg
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Kieffer Bellows – Fivehole goal
Robert Thomas – Stopped
Tkachuk,
Sick shootout move by Brady Tkachuk #2018NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/OK5nSzV0jE
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
Taylor Raddysh – Miss
Casey Mittelstadt – Pokechecked
Team USA beats Canada 4-3 in the shootout – trailed 2-0 and 3-1. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/hzkw6OO7y6
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
What a performance from Mittelstadt today, look out! He may take over this tournament if he maintains this calibre of play. Three assists today makes it six points in three games which is good for the tournament lead.
No surprise here. Elite performance by Casey Mittelstadt. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/YpVnGrSxvU
— Janik Beichler (@JanikBeichler) December 29, 2017
I literally have no idea why he’s on the team.
That ridiculous hit from Comtois really turned the tide of that game, eh?
Kole Lind, Nick Suzuki and Cody Glass all say hi.
— Will Scouch (@Scouching) December 29, 2017
Observations
- Kyle Clague played a game-high 26:49 today. I don’t dislike Clague, not at all, but he’s clearly not playing well at the moment, and I’m puzzled as to why Mete or Bean can get more minutes on the left side. This is something to keep an eye on for sure as there’s been minimal tinkering with the lineup, we’ll see if that changes following a loss.
- Jordan Kyrou continued his strong tournament despite being held off the scoresheet. He had a team-leading, five controlled entries to go with five primary shot attempt assists, both of which were extra rare occurrences.
- I thought there was progress being made when I saw Makar pencilled as the 6th defenceman as opposed to his usual seven spots. I was fooled, Makar sightings were few and far between today, and I’m beginning to lose hope that we’ll see much more of him. In my books, he’s the best right side defenceman on the team ahead of Foote, Timmins, and Fabbro. When he’s out there, he’s performing well and even scored today. If I could ask the Canadian coaching staff one thing it would be this, how does Cale Makar not start in overtime? Please tell me!
Maybe the gimmick game should be a post tournament All Star game. Not in the round robin where results matter and the players play accordingly despite conditions.
This hockey is too good to be ruined in this fashion. The ice was a mess and they knew it would snow. Stupid idea.
Money talks.
Just a waste of really good, competitive hockey game. I felt bad for the players when the fatigue started to set in towards the end of the game and they started falling all over the place because of the ice condition. Must have been frustrating for them, I know I was.
This was the only game that they could sell tickets for nothing more than trying to make money glad that no one was seriously injured except for Canucks prospect Lockwood. The way this season is going not surprised it was a Canuck prospect who got injured as the injury bug has not been good to Canucks this season, except to keep us in a better draft position and still in the lottery… just don’t send Trevor to the draw.
To all with the heard mentality yapping about this being poor quality hockey: please. this was two intense teams hammering each other for every square inch of ice. Loved it. Hell of a lot better than a couple NHL teams mailing in a mid-week game.
If stupid gimmicks didn’t work on somebody they wouldn’t keep doing them.
Best burn on here for awhile……. ouch.
This was a gimmick game to suck money out of the GTA,an area suffering from event fatigue.