Canucks Army Postgame: Canada vs USA IIHF U-20

High stakes competition between the United States and Canada is never lacking in intrigue and today’s game didn’t buck the trend.

For the first time in twenty or so years, these North American powerhouses met on boxing day hoping to set the stage for the rest of the tournament. Nerves were apparent off the hop, as offence was sparse and chances an afterthought. That’s not to say that the on ice product was lacking, or emotion decidedly vacant, but that it took time for both teams to put the pieces together.

With regards to average age, both teams were relatively young compared to the roster construction of some of their peers. Unchecked youth can go any number of ways, but for 2016 draft eligible forward, Alex DeBrincat, it was channelled directly into the middle of Travis Konecny’s body in the form of a nasty looking spear. The diminutive forward was given a match penalty for his troubles and the Canadians were awarded a five minute power play. 

The Canadians were unable to convert on the extended man advantage, although, some slack might be cut by the intermission cutting the power play in two. Hard to really find a rhythm in these circumstances. Perhaps somewhat ironically, the Canadians remained strong in their resolve and opened the scoring just three minutes after their power play expired.

Julien Gauthier was the star on this opening tally, as it was his shot block and immediate recovery which forced play into the opposition’s end. The Canadians were robbed by Alex Nedeljkovic, before regaining possession and putting the puck past the sprawled out American netminder.

Not long after though, the Americans notched their first goal on a wonky bounce behind the net. It seemed like a harmless enough play, until an eager Colin White jumped on the puck and put it past Mason MacDonald. 

The Americans were far from finished. Columbus Blue Jackets first round selection, Zach Werenski, would put the stars and stripes ahead for the first time, less than ten minutes into the third on a questionably dolled out power play. It wasn’t a particularly threatening shot in and of itself, but the screen provided by Matthew Tkachuk and Brock Boeser did wonders to keep the Canadian netminder from getting his eyes on it.

On what most would describe as a makeup call, the Canadians were given an undeserved power play of their own. They pressed early, showing all the urgency one might expect from a team down-one in the third. Then on a screen play in front, Dylan Strome skated in from the point and let his players get in position before putting the puck top corner for the equalizer. 

It wasn’t enough for the Canadians, as the Americans would put two past MacDonald in the final five or so minutes to take the 4-2 victory. Both goals were scored on deflections by Canadian skaters, including one especially pungent play by Joe Hicketts. 

With Lukas Jasek not surviving the final round of cuts by the Czech Republic, Vancouver is left being represented by two of their last three first rounders in Brock Boeser and Jake Virtanen. This made today’s game an especially appealing one to watch for Canucks fans, as the future was on full display.

Of the two, Boeser featured much more prominently in his teams game plan, starting on the second line, opposite his North Dakota teammate, Nick Schmaltz. The line as a whole struggled early, but Boeser’s play was especially transparent. The speed of the Canucks 2015 first round selection was apparent, as he covered a tonne of ice. Primarily though, his trade was plied on the perimeter and always a step behind the play. 

Perhaps the most egregious error was on a 2-on-1 rush with Schmaltz, wherein Boeser engages far too late, not taking advantage of the space afforded him to create a passing lane for his linemate. Boeser struggled to reel in the pass and nothing came of the rush.

The game got better for Boeser as time wore on though, as the ejection of DeBrincat at the end of the first opened a spot opposite presumptive first overall selection, Auston Matthews. The promotion did wonders for Boeser, who looked more engaged and comfortable with the puck from that point onward. Boeser was also a staple on the first unit of the American power play.

I can’t imagine expectations have ever been higher for Virtanen, and rightfully so. He’s one of only a few draft+2 players on the Canadian side and a returning member from their gold medal lineup of last season.

The Canucks sixth overall selection from the 2014 draft was used in most situations, on every line. Virtanen started the game being used sparingly on the fourth, but by the time the game had finished, was moved to a line with Brayden Point and Julien Gauthier.

On the whole, this was not one of Virtanen’s better showings. Virtanen’s inability to process the game is still a huge issue and he managed to skate or pass his team out of odd-man rushes any time he was afforded the opportunity. The Canucks blue chip prospect was nearly derailed by Sonny Milano in the second as well, as he was caught trying to corral a loose puck in the neutral zone. 

The Canadians will absolutely need to get more from Virtanen if they hope to go deep in this tournament. As a Canucks fan, the play of Virtanen is becoming perhaps a bit alarming. This is a player who was a full year senior the average age of both rosters and couldn’t manage to generate much, if anything offensively. If anything, he hurt his team on more than one occasion with indecisiveness and poor decisions.

While Dylan Strome was awarded the Player of the Game trophy for Team Canada, there certainly could’ve been a case made for Julien Gauthier. The offensive upside of a player like Gauthier has always been apparent, but his play away from the puck was especially encouraging. The Canadians first goal was scored on a transition play, created by a Gauthier shot block. His speed is top flight and taking him off the puck can prove immensely difficult, given his 6’4 frame.

The ejection of Alex DeBrincat was upsetting, especially given the likelihood that he will fall into the Canucks draft range. This is a player that Jim Benning has wasted no expense in viewing, so I was curious to get an expanded look at his play myself. 

I’m intrigued by Matthew Tkachuk, son of NHL legend, Keith Tkachuk. He plays a similar game to his father, spending much of his time in front of the oppositions net. That said, his play away from the puck leaves much to be desired, particularly in the defensive end.