U.S. EH!
It can be argued that winning a goal medal should not be gained by virtue of a shootout. It can be argued that the format of deciding victory by shootout should be abolished. But there is no doubt that the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game between Canada and the U.S.A. was one for the ages.
Let’s begin by giving credit where credit is due.
Rather than say Team Canada twice blew two-goal leads in the gold medal game, let’s instead say that Team U.S.A. twice rallied from two-goal deficits to eventually score the 5-4 shootout triumph.
In a classic confrontation that was as close to a draw as there ever may be in a game of that magnitude, the two world junior hockey powers went end-to-end through three periods of regulation and a full 20-minute overtime before Team U.S.A. scored the only goal of the shootout to give it a glittering gold over the shiniest silver that Team Canada could possibly wear.
It was not a game that determined any sort of bragging rights. That’s because both teams have plenty to brag about for the show that was put on over the course of a January 5, 2017 date that will be re-lived for years to come.
Rather than say the Hockey Canada model needs to be fixed let us instead say that the U.S.A. Hockey blueprint has been well-copied from those who have set such a high standard for the game.
There were winners from this year’s WJHC gold medal game. But there were no losers.
And if those who cheered and ultimately teared when Team Canada was awarded silver while Team U.S.A. took home gold, there is a sidebar to the sliver lining.
Which is that not only is Team U.S.A. goal-tending standout Tyler Parsons developing his game in the Canadian Hockey League as a member of the Ontario Hockey League’s — and 2016 Memorial Cup champion — London Knights, so too are two of his American teammates.
Just as the American-born Parsons chose to play in the CHL rather than a college or junior option in the U.S.A., so too did forward Jeremy Bracco of the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and defenseman Caleb Jones of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.
Which, to be sure, says a lot about how the Canadian Hockey League continues to define choice, opportunity and success.
Canadian hockey fans have a right to be feeling a bit down after winning silver when gold was there before our eyes.
But can anyone with an allegiance to Canadian hockey honestly say that Team U.S.A. deserved to lose?
Let’s just say, as corny as it may sound, that there was no loser in the epic classic between the two teams.
And really, there wasn’t.
Team U.S.A won gold. Team Canada won silver.
And that’s how the story goes.
PHOTO: Team U.S.A. celebrates after scoring a 5-4 decision over Team Canada in the gold medal game. (Photo by Associated Press.)
well said
Love the Headline! …. and a great article well said Randy!
Great game and I totally agree about doing away with the shoot-out format. Who wouldn’t have wanted to see another overtime like the one we saw before the shoot-out. No matter your country’s allegiance, that was fantastic game to watch with emotions bouncing back and forth the whole game. Hockey at it’s purest.
I can’t really agree with your conclusion that “both teams won.” Any time a team gives up a two goal leaf (oops, Freudian slip) not once but TWICE in the same game – the second of which came in the third period. Canada came out for the tjird period like the game was theirs. What happened to the forecheck that kept the American D on their heels most of the night? We’re they too tired to sustain that pressure ? And the cycle, executed to perfection for most of two periods, became a broken tricycle. Talk about a terrific game? Talk about the numerous giveaways by canada in the third, not just the ones that went in, but the 4 or 5 that led to superb scoring opportunities, where only top notch goaltending saved the Canadians. Twice canadian players lost the puck in the defensive zone while trying some variation of a drop pass. One.of the best juniors in.the world (playing a regular shift on one of the world’s top junior teams ) missing empty net on a soft pass, no traffic? I appreciate the sentiment that everyone who plays should get a ribbon, but that’s for primary school, NOT the world championship
Like your.writing, and love the red leaf, but appreciate objectivity as well..Just saying.
ray knox,
You see it the way you do and I see it the way I do. Nothing to do with objectivity.
Thanks for reading and regards.
Randy
Well said Randy. I’m not a fan of the shout-out but the IIHF has developed the structure for the tournament and it’s a pointless use of energy to focus on the long standing regulations.
I have followed the World Juniors for as long as I can remember and this year’s game is the best I can recall that didn’t end in Canadian gold. Although I’m an extremely proud Canadian and was choked by the loss I’m also a lover of the game of hockey and couldn’t be happier with the pure competition that was Canada vs. USA for the gold.
Canada is the only team that has never finished without a medal of any color while hosting the World Juniors.
2017 (MTL/TOR)-Silver
2015 (MTL-TOR)-Gold
2012 (CGY/EDM)-Bronze
2010 (SASK/REG)-Silver
2009 (Ottawa)-Gold
2006 (Vancouver)-Gold
2003 (Halifax)-Silver
1999 (Winnipeg) -Silver
1995 (Calgary)-Gold
1990 (Saskatoon)-Gold
1986 (Hamilton)-Silver
1978 (Montreal)-Bronze
Thanks Randy. Your column certainly expresses comments that many overlook. It was a great game and the best team that night won the Gold. I met the American exec’s in the airport on my way home and the comment revolved around both teams being winners. One thing I point out, as you did, why do these other countries have top players selecting to play in the CHL and our female programs to develop. Canada wants the game to progress . We do much with both the male and female programs to help this happen. I often hear that we should not have them play here and then they return to their countries to play against us. We have helped the game develop and improve world wide and that’s why Hockey Canada is a sports leader.
Joe