Cinderella Slovaks upsets United States at WJC

Wow. It may be shocking enough to hear Slovakia beat USA in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championships. Perhaps even more shocking that it was a 5-3 score in which the Slovaks never lost the lead. But you had to see the game to realize what a stunner it was. (Highlights here.)

USA thoroughly dominated until the third period, when the Slovaks realized their carriage would in fact not turn into a pumpkin before the final buzzer sounded. Credit to the Slovakian team, who kept battling despite being out shot 47-18. Though the game was hardly back and forth action, it was a goaltenders duel.

Slovakia's Jaroslav Janus was undoubtedly the star of the game. His initial saves seemed more dumb luck, often leaving the netminder searching for his own rebounds. But as the game rolled on, luck turned to confidence and he made a number of big saves to win the game for his country. Janus called it "the best game of my life." An understatement if ever I heard one.

On the other end of the ice, USA's Thomas McCollum struggled. Perhaps a classic case of rarely seeing the puck, he let in 3 of 8 shots in the first period and 2 of 9 in the third. I wonder what the Red Wings think of their first round draft pick in pressure situations?

While there were many possible turning points in the game for USA - Jordan Schroeder's missed penalty shot in the first minute, Janus' glove save on Tyler Johnson, center ice turnover which lead to Tomas Tatar's empty netter - it was more than just a moment, it was surviving the second period which brought the Slovaks victory. Though they only managed two shots on net, Slovakia kept USA off the scoreboard. If USA had managed to get one, it would have been a different third period.

The upset clears the road for Canada on their "Drive For Five". They'll next meet Russia in the semis. USA plays Czech Republic for 5th place. And Slovakia has a shot at a medal. This could perhaps turn into an Eastern Bloc Miracle on Ice.

Props to James van Riemsdyk's third period goal in an otherwise disappointing game. It's up there with Pavel Datsuyk's backhander at the Winter Classic.

WJC puts focus back on Tavares

The annual World Junior Championship began today in Ottawa. The team to watch is Canada, who has won the last four gold medals. The expectation is they'll make it five in a row, as Hockey Canada has cobbled together no less than 10 first round NHL draft picks plus future first rounders John Tavares, Evander Kane, and Ryan Ellis. And that's without Steve Stamkos, Drew Doughty and Luke Schenn being released from their NHL gigs.

Tavares was the star of the night for Team Canada, potting two goals and an assist in an 8-1 trouncing of Czech Republic. More importantly, his points came early in the game before Canada was rolling full steam and the Czechs still had some air in their sails. His goals weren't quite as pretty as his hand-eye test in exhibition play, but Tavares kicked off the scoring and shook Canada out of its opening night jitters.

It's been a rough year for Tavares by his standards. He's out grown major junior, and many pundits say his game has stagnated in the OHL. He failed to increase his point totals from 2006-07 (the year he broke Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record) to 2007-08. And his points-per-game is down from 2.0 last season to 1.7 this season-to-date. Worse yet, after being the undisputed top draft prospect for the 2009 class since his OHL debut as a 14 year-old, a pre-season TSN scouting poll had Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman displacing Tavares from the top of the draft ranking.

That may all be behind him starting tonight. Well, actually starting a few days ago, when the TSN scouts reversed their pre-season picks. A strong WJC showing will vault Tavares back to undisputed status and have NHL teams tanking the season to "earn" his rights.

Regardless as to what happens in Ottawa over the next few days, Tavares won't return to the OHL next season thanks to the 'Jason Spezza' rule, which allows a player who has played four years of major junior to be assigned to an AHL team. Somehow I think his days riding a bus will be coming to an end after this season.