USA vs Canada WJC (Shootout - wrapup)

Canada shoots 1st, Eberle goes shortside and beats Campbell off the post...

Kristo for USA... beats Allen high glove side. 1-1

Nazim Kadri (Toronto) dekes and beats Campbellto the left

Jeremy Morin answers for the US... 2-2

Brandon Kozun puts Canada up by beating Campbell...

US needs to score...

Jake Allen stops Jordan Schroeder, Canada wins...

USA will take on Finland in the Quarterfinal. Canada scored on all 3 shootout attempts, which is unfortunate since Campbell outplayed Canada's Jake Allen tonight. Canada erased a 2 goal deficit in 4:15. US should be deflated after this one. they outplayed Canada for 50 minutes, but Canada showed that you cannot take your foot off of this team's throat. They are too talented, and can just turn it on at will it seems. The US needs to use this as a learning experience. They are capable of outplaying Canada, and they showed that. But for them to medal, and they still have a chance to win this tourney since this was just a preliminary game, they have to bring it for the full 60 minutes.

This was a great game. Lots of emotion, the crowd was electric, and 15 first round draft picks on display. US goalie Jack Campbell and Candian counterpart Jake Allen both showed flashes of brilliance. Danny Kristo, Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Brian Lashoff and Tyler Johnson all looked very impressive. I hope these two play again, but for the gold medal.

Canada vs USA WJC observations (OT)

3:50 After Matt Donovan missed on a far side shot, Canada had a 4-on-2 and Derek Stepan, the US captain, leveled Hall with a nice hip check to prevent a shot...

1:24 Fowler makes a nice defensice play on Hall. Canada is definitely giving this kid a chance to make a difference, but he hasn't been able to get the puck on the net it seems...

0:25 Eberle with a break in on the US G Campbell and Campbell stones him. the US gets a good chance as well at the other end as time expires...

SHOOTOUT...

Canada vs USA WJC observations (3rd period)

Canada starts w/ :55 on PP...

19:00(ish) After 2 early clears, Taylor Hall tries to take over on the PP, missing the net twice. Then Stepan (fresh out of the penalty box) springs Danny Kristo (Montreal) on a break as the penalty expires and he scores. 4-2 USA...

Only 5 1st rd picks on US roster, compared to 10 for Canada...

US still getting chances and putting a heap of pressure on Canada G Allen. He has to stop the bleeding to give Canada a chance to come back...

16:10 2 mishaps by Cam Fowler. tried to clear puck and failed twice, luckily, Canada was off sides on the 2nd...

14:20 BIG chance for the US, turned away by Allen. Kristo was invloved again...

13:16 To give you an idea of how fast the US is playing in this game, Luke Walker (undrafted) gave Canada's Ryan Ellis about a 10ft lead at center ice, yet beat him to the puck behind the Canadian goal line.

13:00 nice break for Canada as Della Rovere (there's that name again) shoots and the rebound just out of Taylor Hall's reach...

12:12 The US just controled the puck for 40 secs in Canadas zone again, Kristo with the shot that Allen saves...

11:49 Chris Kreider is gonna be a difference maker for the Rangers. this kid plays fast and has great anticipation.

Kyle Palmieri (Ducks) took a hit near the bench and just went to the US dressing room

10:00 Jordan Eberle of Canada deflects in a point shot to get Canada back in it 4-3, and the crowd in Saskatoon is going nuts. Big shift in momentum, can the US withstand the Canadian pressure?...

8:50 Seems like Canada flipped a switch. Much more intensity in their play. Just drew another penalty on the US. Seems like since Palmieri took that hit, Canada's a different team. Plays been in the US end since...

8:00 Canada PP, USA G Campbell made about 3 huge saves... Zucker makes a nice dicving clear from the point, Canada regroups and Campbell makes another nice save... Lot of blocked shots for US, including one that stung Schroeder. Penalty killed...

5:04 Jordan Eberle called for highsticking, USA PP...
Alex Pietrangelo of Canada steals it at centerice and roofed it past Campbell SH. 4-4. An NHL play by a player who has played in the NHL for the Blues... Allen makes a nice save as the penaly ends...

The US has given up a 2 goal lead in the 3rd. Gonna be hard to get over this momentum shift...

Brayden Schenn just vailed out the US by falling on a diving US goaltender. Campbell dove out to clear a rebound and the puck went right to a Canadian defenseman who buried it, but the goal was waived off.

The US hasn't beaten Canada since the gold medal game in 2004 (Thank you NHL network graphic!). They're letting this one slip away...

0:59 Campbell stones Hall...

OVERTIME.....

Wow, the wheels just seemed to fall off for the US over the last 10 minutes of the game. Some of the names who have been very noticeable for the Canadians on this comeback... Colten Teubert for throwing some big hits, Jordan Eberle seems to have a puck magnet on his stick. And overall, the Canadian defenseman seem to be more confident and fast...

Canada vs USA WJC observations (2nd period)

The Americans have really stayed with the Canadians. Can they keep up the pace and the discipline they've shown thus far?...

17:45 US seems to be trapping, dumping and chasing to start. Canada just out skated the trap and the US goalie just bailed them out twice. Jack Campbell is the goalie. US on the PP...

They can't get setup and now they're chasing Taylor Hall. I mean all over the ice as he's just killing time skating laps it seems...

13:39 Campbell just made another nice save from in close. This kid is draft eligible for the first time in 2010. He's putting on a show so far...

13:13 Canada on PP as US captain Derek Stepan (Rangers) takes a penalty... Tyler Johnson (undrafted) makes a nice play to spring Jordan Schroeder for a SH breakaway and the US takes a 2-1 lead! The US PKers are really doing a good job of not giving any lanes to the Canadians...

12:00 Brian Lashoff (Red Wings) has been assigned to Taylor Hall and is teaming up with Johnson to provide excellent PKing for the US...

10:00 US just had puck possession in the Canada zone for over a minute. Canada's Tuebert laid a nice hit, but US winning races to loose pucks...

Jordan Eberle (Oilers) took a nice pass and went in against Campbell and tied it up for the Canadians. 2-2. Nice play, just beat Johnson on the play...

Chris Kreider just intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and broke in on Canada's goalie and was taken down by Teubert. Penalty shot... missed the net wide left...

7:15 US pressuring Canada again... seems like most of this period has been played in Canada's zone...

Last year, John Tavares was far and away the best player in this tourney. this year, you can tell how much talent Taylor Hall of Canada has. Cam Fowler of the US is very impressive as well, but doesn't stand out as much as a defenseman.

6:20 US on a breakaway... Jake Allen comes up BIG for Canada!

3:50 Della Rovere (Capitals) just drew a penalty in front of the US net. Can PP....
Different PKers on the ice for US. Same results so far. No lanes for Canada, and US clears for the 2nd time... 3rd time, Canada couldn't even set up... US kills the penalty. US captain Derek Stepan (Rangers) had the best opportunity on a shorthanded break but Allen turns him away again.

Ten 1st rd NHL picks (5 each forwards and defense) on Canada's roster. Wow!...

1:06 Della Rovere just drew another penalty. He already has a goal, I don't think we're done hearing from him...

Jerry D'Amigo gets the puck and springs a 2-1 SH rush for the US, actually looks up at the scoreboard on the rush, fires it to generate a rebound, which Tyler Johnson buries. 3-2 US, on the back of 2 SH goals!...

End of 2nd period...

So far, Della Rovere of Canada seems to be a man among boys. Has drawn 3 penalties, but the US PK unit is being very disciplined and making Canada impatient, and as a result they've generated at least 4 SH odd-man rushes, which have resulted in the 2 SH goals the US has scored to go ahead...

I haven't mentioned Jason Zucker's name very iften, but he's one of 3 draft eligible players for the US (Campbell the goalie and Cam Fowler are the others). I've noticed him dump the puck in a few times, but he's been silent otherwise.

I started talking about this before so let me finish before I post this... Taylor Hall's talent stands out, but you have to give the US credit. Particularly Brian Lashoff (Red Wings), who has drawn the assignment of defending Hall in this game. Hall hasn't really jumped out at me at all other than his speed and puck handling. The kid is very talented, but isn't taking control of this game like Tavares did last year. I have to admit I'm surprised the US is up at this point. Their doesn't seem to ba any difference in the level of play. The US has controlled 5-on-5 play. Canada seemed to have some jump at the start of the period, but the US trap seemed to stifle it a bit. And then the US started pressuring again about halfway through. Canada just can't seem to get rolling. The US has to come out strong, continue the strong positional play and continue winning the races for loose pucks.

Canada vs USA WJC observations

The speed in this game, meaning how fast the flow of action is, is just amazing to me... Taylor Hall is definitely thr best forward on the ice... Canada may be too pumped up, they seem to be making a lot of turnovers... The Rangers draft pick, Kreider, that kid's standing out for the US. He seems to be involved in all of their chances so far... 1-1, Canada on the PP (4:35 left in 1st). US very disciplined on PK, giving up nothing as far as angles... 3:47 left, first time I've noticed Jordan Schroeder as he clears the puck. Penalty killed. Phillip McRae is another US player who seems to make good things happen. He got the first US goal... End of the 1st. I thought the US would be a little overmatched, but they've played pretty evenly thus far. Canada scored 5-on-5 on a nice play crashing the net by Stefan Dellarovere, and the US answered on the PP with McRae's 1st of the tournament.

Rough Rebuild Coming for Hurricanes...

There seems to be some seperation starting in the west, while the east is still very much up for grabs. Talk about parity: 14th place Toronto has 37 points, just 3 behind the 40 points the Flyers have while sitting in the 8th and final playoff spot. While the Hurricanes could mathematically go on a run and make up the 13 points and 7 teams ahead of them, at this point they seem to be the only team out of the Eastern Conference playoff race. So, if GM Jim Rutherford decides to teardown and rebuild, who are Carolina's untouchable building blocks?

You have to figure Cam Ward and Eric Staal are two of them. Ward has been injured and inconsistent, but has proven himself with a Conn Smythe trophy and his stellar play in last years Conference Final playoff run. Staal also hasn't been at his best this year, but he's the franchise player and probably the next captain as soon as Rod Brind'Amour moves on. (More on the current captain in a minute.)

Young Brandon Sutter has shown a knack for scoring goals, and other youngsters should figure to get the opportunity to prove their readiness for an NHL game as the season moves along. But what trade chips does Rutherford have?

Tuomo Ruutu, at 26 and with 11 goals and 25 points this year, brings a power forward game that would be welcome on a contender. Jussi Jokinen is the same age and has put up the same stats, and his shootout supremacy could definitely help a contender gain some valuable extra points while jockeying for a playoff seed. Defenseman Joni Pitkanen is a proven NHL veteran that could help a playoff team as well. But who else can be flipped to expidite the rebuild on Raleigh?

Captain Rod Brind'Amour is having his 2nd straight sub-par season, so it's doubtful anyone would be willing to take on his salary at this point. Erik Cole struggled badly away from Eric Staal while he was with Edmonton, and injuries have diminished his value. Ray Whitney is 37, but still shows signs of being a capable scorer. But, did I mention he's 37? It looks like it could be a rough road back to the playoffs for the Hurricanes...

Seabrook has opportunity against Malkin

I'll bet Steve Yzerman will have his eyes glued to the Penguins/Blachhawks tilt tonight. Most hockey fans will do the same, but Yzerman will be watching for more than just what promises to be an entertaining game and exhibition of some of the leagues best young talent.

And this is where I hope, for his sake, Brent Seabrook capitalizes on this opportunity. There's been talk all season among Hockey Canada followers of keeping Chicago's impressive young defensive pairing of Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The way I've been interpretting it, the general assumption seems to be that Keith is a pretty good bet to represent the maple leaf in Vancouver in February, while Seabrook seems to be viewed as on the bubble.

Seabrook will get a chance to prove he can defend Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin. Malkin, as the reigning Conn Smythe winner as the playoff MVP, figures to be a huge threat for the Russian team many are predicting to triumph over the Canadians at the Olympics. If Seabrook is able to contain Malkin and keep him from having a decisive impact on tonight's game I'm sure Team Canada GM Yzerman will be much more likely to give him a spot on the blueline.

The downside of this is that Seabrook played 24:33 in Chicago's 4-1 loss to Nashville last night. So he may be a little worn out and exposed by Malkin's brilliance if fatigue slows the young Chicago blueliner down.

I was on hand to see Florida get embarassed 6-2 against the Capitals Thursday night, and Florida looked downright exhausted and indifferent after playing a shootout game the night before.

Let's hope, as we near the December 31st final roster announcement for the Canadian roster, this opportunity provides motivation for Seabrook and his fellow Blackhawk teammates and this game lives up to expectations.

My Ballard Take

I feel sorry for Keith Ballard. Everyone seems to be quick to villify him for his temper-induced guillotine swing at Tomas Vokoun the other night. I am far from a professional athlete, but am definitely a competitive person. I hate to lose at Playstation, golf, cards, even get grumpy when someone beats me to a door when approaching a diner or store.

I will admit my flaws, such as breaking a golf club during one particularly subpar golf outing. I have punched the cushions of my couch after giving up a long pass play to lose an NCAA Football video game. I've angrily stomped my foot when my computer locked up before I could save a report at work. I am an emotional, passionate, competitive person. (And did I mention I hate to lose?)

Sports in general are both emotional and competitive. Add to that the lumps of cash that can be made if you (and in turn, your team) are successful at them. Ballard lost his cool. Just like Bo Jackson used to when he struck out and snapped baseball bats over his knee when he struck out. Because we couldn't replicate this muscle bound feat, we thought that was cool.

Ballard showed an error in judgment and succumbed to his emotions. We all do it. The Lord made one perfect man, and we nailed him to a cross. We're all flawed. Most of us that follow sports are competitive and displayed outbursts similar to what Keith Ballard did. We were (hopefully) just fortunate not to have injured anyone but ourselves in the process.

Ballard is a quality NHL defenseman. He plays with emotion and physicality which surpasses his 6-0 frame. I remember watching the Coyotes play the Penguins last year, expecting to be blown away by the physicality of Ballard's partner at the time, Nick Boynton. Boynton is bigger that Ballard, so my buddy and I expected him to carry the hitting load for this tandem. Not so.

Ballard hit everything that moved, and left his heart omn the ice. I'd take him on my team anytime. And I'd be greatly disappointed if everyone's rush to judge caused this to be the defining moment of his career.

Potential Dark Horses for US Olympic Team

Patrick Kane. Brian Rafalski.Ryan Miller. Ryan Kesler. There are certain names that have we've assumed we'd be looking at on the back of the USA jersey come February in Vancouver. But the roster won't be finalized until Dec. 31st. With the amount of injuries we've seen in the NHL so far this season, none of the spots on this team can be assumed just yet.

This leads me to wonder... Just who will be the surprise members on this year's US Olympic entry? What if David Booth doesn't regain his equilibrium, let alone his power forward game? What if Brooks Orpik's physicality leads to a physical calamidy with more lasting effects than Alex Ovechkin's knee shot last night?

James van Reimsdyk, LW, Flyers...
JVR has done an impressive job carving out a top 6 spot among Philly's impressive group of forwards. Recently named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for November, he may yet claim a spot on his own. He's an impressive power forward, and could form a powerful 1-2 punch at LW with Ryan Malone.

Matt Greene, D, LA Kings...
Big, gritty, responsible blue liner who wears an "A" for the Kings due to his impressive leadership qualities. While the US has an apparent abundance of physical defeneman, recent injuries to Mike Komisarek, Hal Gill and Brooks Orpik show the need for depth.

R.J. Umberger, LW, Colombus Blue Jackets...
In a career that has seen him struggle to fit in with the Canucks and Flyers, Umberger's recent offensive outburst hopefully mean he's found a comfort zone in Ohio's capital city. A strong, 6-3 frame would appear to attract Brian Burke's eye toward the grit he wants on his bottom 2 lines. Speaking of bottom 6 grit...

Mike Rupp, C, Pittsburgh Penguins...
Rupp, fresh off his 1st career hat trick, has already passed his career high with 8 goals this year. He's huge, and not afraid to throw his frame around to clear space. He's a long shot, but with the abundance of injuries we've already seen this year Rupp would be an ideal 4th line pivot and penalty killer. Speaking of Penguins...

Alex Goligoski, D, Pittsburgh Penguins...
While the offensive blueline spots have been assumed to go to Brian Rafalski, Erik and Jack Johnson, even Ryan Whitney, you can't ignore this Minnesota native's knack for putting up points. While his defensive game is still developing, his potential impact on the American power-play may be enough to earn him a spot.