2014 World Junior Update (Day 5)
Just when the tournament seemed to be figuring itself out and teams began showing their true colours Day 5 came in and blew everything up. The second last day of the round robin would be a thrilling one as teams would come close to being upset while others would find themselves on the wrong end of an upset. The day was the best so far this year and it did not even feature the biggest game of the tournaments. The day would start off with a very important game between the Germans and the Czech Republic. The game was essentially for the playoffs as the Germans had won nothing yet while the Czechs had a shootout win over the Canadians in Day 3. If the Germans won the game they would earn 3 points putting them over the Czechs and out of the last place spot in the pool meaning they could actually avoid the relegation series. The Germans would come out on top in the game and after a tournament where they would not come close to beating anyone. After being blown out of every game the Germans found a way to win and would beat the Czech Republic. Now they sit waiting with their round robin over hoping that the Czech Republic lose their next game to give them a chance at the playoffs. The Czechs will take on their archrivals in Slovakia looking to get the win and move into the playoffs avoiding an embarrassing venture into the relegation series. The Meanwhile in Pool B the Russians were in action looking to match the Swedes at the top of the pool when they took on the Finns. The Russians had walked through the entire tournament leading into Day 5 and now they would take on their toughest test yet. The Finnish team is a good team but not a team that many expected to give the Russians much of a test. Yet that is exactly what would happen with Finland taking the win against the Russians in another big upset on the tournament. The Russians would take the loss and move to their although they will remain in the playoffs the Russians will now have to take on the better teams in Pool A. That could mean more trouble for the top teams in Pool A as they will not get a very easy road to the medals if they have to play the Russians to get there. The surprises would continue throughout the day although upsets would not come. The Canadians would get by the Slovakians but would do so without leading for most of the game. They would struggle for the second time this year against a team they should have had little problem with as the Slovaks led the entire game until the third period when the Canadians would finally go ahead and would take the win avoiding another upset. Meanwhile the Swiss would take a win over the Norwegians in a game that was the difference between relegation and the playoffs for both teams. Now the tournament moves on to one of the biggest days of the year as New Year's Eve marks some of the most anticipated games in the tournament. The Slovakians will take on their archrivals in the Czech Republic as both teams look to try to stamp their ticket to the playoffs and earn bragging rights against each other. Meanwhile the North American rivalry continues as the Americans and Canadians face off for the top spot in Pool A. The Swedes and Russians will also face off for a battle for Pool B as they are both able to take the top spot with a win. The round robin is almost over and there is still plenty to play for on New Year's Eve as the round robin closes out and the medal rounds are right around the corner.
Scores:
Germany 3 – 0 Czech Republic
– The Germans had not won a game the entire tournament but the Czechs may have been a little too up from their big win against the Canadians a day before and overlooked the Germans who took the win and could force the Czechs to the relegation series
Finland 4 – 1 Russia
– The Finns are a good team but they were not considered a top team in the pool as they took on the Russians who were expected to win this game but it was the Finns that would come out on top taking second place in Pool B
Canada 5 – 3 Slovakia
– The Canadians had not led a game since the third period of their game against Germany and that would continue as they would not lead in this game with penalty trouble getting in the way but the Canadians would finally get ahead in the third and avoid another upset
Switzerland 3 – 2 Norway
– The Swiss and the Norwegians would fight it out to stay out of relegation and move into the playoffs as neither had won a game but the Swiss would come out on top this time getting their first win and clinching a berth in the playoffs
Pool A:
1. USA (9)
2. Canada (7)
3. Slovakia (3)
4. Germany (3)
5. Czech Republic (2)
Pool B:
1. Sweden (9)
2. Finland (6)
3. Russia (6)
4. Switzerland (3)
5. Norway (0)
Slovakia vs. Czech Republic (Tuesday December 31st; 7:30 am ET)
– The bitter rivals have had interesting tournaments so far and now they face off against each other with the Czech looking to avoid relegation with a win and the Slovakians are hoping to keep their rivals out of the playoffs
Sweden vs. Russia (Tuesday December 31st; 8:00 am ET)
– The Russians are coming off of an upset loss while the Swedes are trying to go through the entire tournament undefeated and take the top spot in the pool against their biggest competition in the pool
USA vs. Canada (Tuesday December 31st; 11:30 am ET)
– The Canadians have not had the easiest road to this point in the tournament but there is no way they do not get up for this game as two of the most bitter rivals face off once again in a fight for the top spot in the pool
Finland vs. Switzerland (Tuesday December 31st; 12:00 pm ET)
– Finland is coming off of a big win against the Russians while the Swiss are coming off of a win to clinch their playoff spot as both teams have something to fight for in this game with the Finns looking to be the second best team in the pool
Filed under Hockey · Tagged with 2014 WJC, 2014 WJC Day 5, 2014 World Juniors, 2014 World Juniors Day 5, 2014 World U20 Hockey Championship, 2014 World U29 Hockey Championship Day 5, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Russia, WJC, World Juniors, World U20 Hockey Championship, World U20 Hockey Championship Day 5
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