Hockey is arguably the most entertaining sport to watch live or on TV. The speed, physicality, passion, and overall excitement make it hard to take your eyes off the ice when the puck is in play. Although you can watch hockey almost anytime between October and early June with the NHL, the most passionate and competitive hockey you will see is in international play. You see it in the Olympics, and most recently in the NHL’s all-star game break alternative 4 Nations Face-Off. The level of competition between the top players in the top hockey countries (most notably the USA, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, and Czechia) is insane. It’s one thing for these players to play for their professional teams and a whole different thing for when they are playing for their national teams. The pride that every player has for their country fuels the fire that brings out the toughest and most electric hockey in the world. Arguably the most exciting international hockey tournament is the World Junior Championship, which occurs every year between late December and early January.
This tournament is played by players under 20, so it’s a way for many of them to showcase their skills to the world to see if they have not been drafted to a pro league or signed with a college team. The pressure to impress on all the top junior and college players while representing their home countries mixed with the young talent makes the World Juniors arguably the most exciting annual hockey tournament other than the Stanley Cup Finals. This year’s tournament was no exception. From the first game to the last, all players left it all out on the ice.
Shockingly, Canada did not make the semi-final round this year after losing to the US 4-1 in the preliminary round and later losing to Czechia in the quarter-final 4-3. This is the second year in a row that Canada lost in the quarter-finals of the World Juniors to Czechia after practically dominating the tournament for the last 20+ years. This has left many wondering if Canada will still be the dominant “hockey country” over the next few years.
Speaking of repeats, the United States won gold in the tournament after being undefeated in regulation throughout the preliminary round, then beating Switzerland 7-2 in the quarter-finals, beating Czechia 4-1 in the semis, and finally beating Finland 4-3 in overtime of the finals. The US is the first country ever to win the tournament two years in a row. Boston University defenceman Cole Hutson led the US and tournament in points with three goals and eight assists in seven games. Following Hutson in points for the US were Boston College’s star forwards. Ryan Leonard scored ten points, Gabe Perreault scored ten points, and James Hagens scored nine points. Not only was the US firepower on display, but Michigan State’s Trey Augustine helped back the US to victory in the net with a save percentage of over 91%.
The star-studded US team put on an impressive show at the tournament that rivals any other World Juniors championship. Who knows, maybe some of those US players will be representing the flag next February in Milano.
