2015 World Juniors Report: Tournament Recap
Hockey Canada and the IIHF couldn’t ask for a much better finish to a great tournament in 2015. The tournament itself was one of the better ones in recent memory as the divide between teams shrunk once again. For one Denmark actually competed in only their third time in the top tier of the tournament and won their first game in the top tier. Meanwhile last year’s champions took a fall in the standings and while the usually solid Czechs did the same.
2015 World Juniors Report: Semi-Finals
While the quarter-finals at the World Juniors were all about the rivalries the Semi-Finals were about rematches as teams got their chance to avenge earlier losses. On one side were the Russians and Swedes who had faced off in what was for the lead in Group B. The game was one of the best in the tournament as the Swedes came out on top 3-2. On the other side of the bracket were the Canadians and Slovaks who had played on the first day of the tournament.
2015 World Juniors Report: Quarter-Finals
The first round of the playoffs in the World Juniors featured plenty of great rivalries and a few surprises. Quart-Finals day began with a battle of two teams looking to stay in the top tier and that series itself had a surprise participant. The Swiss started the tournament well enough and looked to be safe in earning a wuart0final spot while the Danes struggled. Then it all got a little muddy as the Danes won a game and the Czechs struggled leaving a three-way fight to stay out of last place. When everything was set and done the Swiss landed in last place with a date with the Germans as they tried to remain in the top tier.
2015 World Juniors Report: Day 6
The round robin is over for the 2015 tournament and the biggest games are just about to get started. After the change in standings and the wins and losses were tallied two teams stand at the top of the tournament with 12 points each and will head into the playoffs as the two best teams in the tournament. After a big battle in Group B the Canadians will get the Danes who squeaked into the playoffs after Switzerland lost their final game and the Czechs won their game.
2015 World Juniors Report: Day 5
One day is left in the round robin as the playoff spots are coming down to the wire but in Day 5 it was one team that had their hopes on the line. The Danish Junior team had only ever been in the top tier of the tournament twice before and had yet to earn a win. After a great performance in Division I in 2014 the Danes had earned their way to the top tier for a third time.
2015 World Juniors Report: Day 4
The round robin is beginning to wind down as teams have limited games left before the playoff rounds begin. Day 4 in the tournament marked a tie for teams to separate themselves and clear up the playoff picture before New Year’s Eve. December 31st marks the final day of the round robin and often marks the biggest games of the tournament. These New Year’s Eve games are generally between the two biggest teams in each group.
2015 World Juniors Report: Day 3
Day 3 was not a particularly active one for the World Juniors but it was a chance to send a message for the four teams in action. The Juniors are a tournament that brings a lot of excitement and yet is over so quickly. There is a short time between the start and end of the tournament and one game can change everything. Before teams know it they have found their way out of contention or played their way into contention.
2015 World Juniors Report: Day 2
Day 2 in the World Juniors tournament saw top teams solidify themselves as medal hopefuls while the rest of the pack fought it out. As the tournament continues on there are a handful of teams that look to be true contenders for the gold medal. So far Sweden and Canada have planted themselves on the top of each group. They were expected to be near the top alongside the Americans and Russians but the latter two have struggled to start their tournament.
2015 World Juniors Report: Day 1
The World Juniors is officially underway as the Boxing Day tradition continued with eight teams in action on the first day. For many of the top teams in the tournament it was not a tough start to their tournament. As usual most of the top teams faced the weaker teams to begin their tournament leaving the biggest games for New Year’s where first place in each group should be on the line. Those easy starts are not necessarily the best thing though as some teams can be lured into a false sense of security.
Home Ice and Advantage? (2015 World Juniors)
The Finns did not necessarily take home the title on home ice last year but it was close enough as they took home the gold in Sweden. Next year they will get the chance to win on home ice when the tournament goes to Helsinki. Before they get the chance to win on home ice the Canadians will get the chance as Montreal and Toronto. They are once again a team that on paper seems to have almost everything to win gold at home.
The Sport Addiction 