World Junior Hockey Championship...a Boxing Day Tradition

If you've battled to a tie in regulation, you deserve a point. Now, if you want to keep playing 5 minute OTs to decide a regular season game winner, then I could see eliminating the OT-loss point. But that will never happen because we'd have five and six OT games each week.

 

Originally there was no overtime in the NHL for regular season games.

Then they added sudden death 5 minute OT. Then it was two points or nothing so lots of teams just played for a tie. Deathly boring OT.

So, then to open it up they made it four on four and the loser got a point.

And when there were STILL a lot of tied games, they added the shootout.

Love the three points for a regulation time win in this tourney.

 

Yes.

 

Way back in the day, they used to play 10 minutes of OT, no sudden death. So a team could win by two or more goals, or both teams could score and the game would still end up tied.

But back then teams used to do all their travelling by rail and, starting in the early '40s, the train schedules were significantly tightened due to the war. So they jettisoned OT in order to make sure teams could get to the stations on time. Then, just like they did with the New York Americans, they forgot to bring it back.

 

Thanks

JJ, I'd never heard that before. It almost sounds too simple.

I'm pretty sure I'd heard some grumblings about the NHL looking at a three-point scheme last year or earlier this season. Maybe the WJC will be a jumping-off point.

Anyhow, back to the tournament itself - predictions? I'm hoping for a Canada-Russia final. Those are always fun.

 

Canada and Russia are the only two teams with two regulation time wins.

Here are the standings as of Thursday:

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?fid=984

U.S. better win against the Slovaks on Saturday.

 

Is that how it works in Canada? Does everyone just know everyone else?

 

Hey.
I'm not a lumberjack,
or a fur trader...
and I don't live in an igloo
or eat blubber, or own a dogsled...
and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada,
although I'm certain they're really, really nice.

 

Anybody have a good scouting report on Germany?

 

Well, from what I saw of the Germany/US game, their goalie is good.

They were really aggressive on the puck. Wouldn't let the Americans get anything going.

And they've got the trap down pat.

They have four players drafted by the NHL.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061227.WBhockeyblog20061227225845/WBStory/WBhockeyblog

 

I don't give a shit what the tournament is, Germany always gives Canada a hard time. Canucks started with games against top teams like Sweden and USA and must avoid a letdown here.

 

I guess they're still pissed we kicked their ass in Holland.

You're right.

Canada beat two of the big boys in the first two games and you know a letdown is possible.

The incentive, of course, is beat Germany and Canada has a bye into the semis