U18 Thoughts - Day 4

Only 2 games on the schedule yesterday and here are my thoughts:

USA- DEN
- Jared Rutledge got his chance to keep USA's shutout streak alive and didn't disapoint his team.  Although not challenged too much he did have to make a few saves in the first that really set the tone for the rest of the game.
- The US defense was stellar once again.  Their ability to move the puck up ice off transition has been the key to the US success so far.
- Up front Matt Lane and Quentin Shore had good games.  Shore has shown some strong ability to fire the puck from the circles and picks his spots well.
- Denmark's Magnus Povlsen was again a pleasant surprise for his team.  He really gets around the ice well and proved he can skate and deny space well against a grittier North American opponent.
-   There is also quite a bit to like about Danish captain Kristoffer Lauridsen.  Strong on skates, was unintimidated by big US defenders Jones and Trouba and fought well to earn space in the net front area.
- US is quickly earning respect and I might need to revise my pre-tournament predictions as they are emerging as the favorites thus far.

SWE-LAT
- The Swedes seemed generally shocked by the speed and physicality the Latvians offered early on in this game.  They really struggled to get much offensive zone pressure early and had an equally hard time breaking the puck into the zone against a very underrated and defensively sound Latvian D group.
- As the game wore on, Swedish captain started to assert himself and was a force in all 3 zones.  He threw some good hits, unleashed a couple rocket shots and was a strong defensive presence as well.
- Top goaltending prospect, Oscar Dansk had the night off for Sweden and the game was no picnic for his backup, Magnus Hogberg.  Hogberg was forced to come up with some very tough saves in the 3rd period to keep a determined Latvian attack from equalling the game.
- Elias Lindholm, a late 94 birthdate, was also very strong for the Swedes.  And while that's easy to say, considering he was given credit on two goals in the 3rd period for the Swedes, it was his faceoff presence and consistency that really helped push his team to victory.
- Swedish 95 born Andre Burakowsky was the other member of Sweden's top line and really showcased his quickness and outside rush ability during this game.  He is a real gem and will be a highly coveted offensive player in the 2013 NHL draft.
- Teddy Bluegers had another strong showing for the Latvians.  He was creating offensive chances all game long in the playmaker role but also had a strong rush in the 2nd period but was robbed after a very nice move to backhand on partial breakaway.
- Rihards Bukarts was also in fine form for most of the game and can prove extremely elusive with the puck on the rush.  He is very good at making last second cuts to avoid checks and continune on with the puck.
- Defender Rinalds Rosinskis was again an impressive physical force for the Latvians.  A defence first player, he can really take away space well and was difficult to get around all night for even the most elusive Swedish forwards.  He is really carving out a name for himself so far at this event.
- Latvian goaltender Ivans Punnenvovs was spectacular.  This was first viewing of the young Latvian, and what I say was an impressive display of competitiveness and skill.  He answered the call almost every single shot and had to make some ridiculous saves with his glove.  If he can show effort like this consistently, we just might have something to talk about as far as pro potential is concerned.


Random Notes:
- The scouts section was packed for the Sweden vs. Latvia game and included a few GMs as well.  Steve Tambellini was in attendance, as was Steve Yzerman.  Yzerman, always the class act, posed for a ton of photos with Czech fans on the concourse after the game.  I remember when I was on the organizing committee in Halifax for the World Championships and Yzerman and Shane Doan would stop to sign every shirt, pose in every picture.  It was tough when it was your job to move them around undetected and on time, but I always had a ton of respect for them for making that time.

U18 Thoughts - Day 2

Day 2 wrapped up with some surprisingly entertaining games.

CZE vs. DEN
- After a couple down years, the Czechs have a very well rounded squad with a lot of underrated and talented players.
- Jakub Vrana was the best player on the ice all game long, significant because he's the only 96 born in the tournament.
- The Czechs were very good at creating scrambles and capitalizing on the bounces around the net.
- Eusthasious Soumelidis is very good at timing his net front attacks and has strong hand eye coordination.
- The Danish offense has some weapons but their top gun Oliver Bjorkstrand was far too selfish in this game.  Sure he scored 2 goals, but I didn't count a single pass made or even attempted after the first period.  Troubling trend if it continues.
- Soren Martensen and Magnus Povlsen both displayed tremendous skill and ability for the Danes during the game and while both aren't the biggest players they were quite effective in this game and deserve further attention.
- The Czechs need better performance from their goaltending but they have the capability to run with the best of this event.

SUI vs. LAT
- This was one of the best games I have ever watched at this tournament...honestly.
- The pace from the start of the game was intense and physical with both teams dishing out a ton of punishment and playing at a speed for a long duration.  The flow slowed a bit once the refs got involved but picked up again in the 3rd.
- The Latvian group is a fun loving, hard hitting, run and gun style team that is very entertaining to watch.
- Latvia's Teddy Bluegers really showed why his name is being bounced around the mid rounds of NHL draft talk and was a prominent player in this game even though he failed to register a point.
- Young Edgars Bukarts is maybe the fastest player in the entire tournament.  Great quickness in hands and feet.
- The Latvian defense must have thrown 40 hits on their own, including some huge open ice crunches by Rinalds Rosinskis and Edmunds Augstkalns.
- Goaltender Elvis Merzlinkins was wired all game long and made some incredible desperation saves, earning him player of the game for Latvia.
- Karlis Ozolins blocked a shot off his chest in the 3rd and was being attended to by paramedics on the bench.  They even called for the paddles at one point, but they were not used and he was conscious and seems to be recoring fine.  Something to keep an eye on as I beleive he went to hospital after the game.
- Swittzerland is really missing that playmaking star they've had in years past but boast some great young power forwards in Lukas Balmelli, Dario Simion and Lukas Sieber.  Balmelli was particularly impressive in this game and just missed two shots late in the game, by the slimmest of margins.
- 95 born Phil Baltisberger plays like he is 5 years older than he is.  Strong, physical and intelligent.
- Julian Schmutz was one of the best offensive players for the Swiss but almost left the game early after getting hammered at centre ice and coming off favoring his right shoulder.  He missed a couple shifts but then scored on his first back and had a fairly good showing after, except for giving up the puck as the last man back on Latvia's second goal.
- Tough loss for the Swiss who will likely have to battle it out with Germany and Denmark in relegation unless they can upset one of the big dogs.
- A huge win for Latvia, which has without a doubt iced it's most competitive U18 team ever, an amazing feat considering their best player in the age group isn't participating.  They are a fun team to watch, on and off the ice.  When the girls who present the Tissot watches came on the ice they all raised their sticks and slapped them down to salute them and then erupted in laughter.  Great to see kids having fun at a hockey tournament!

Day 3 will see 4 games on tap, I plan on taking the Germany-Russia game in Znojmo and then moving over to see Canada and Finland play in Breclav in the evening.  Other games see the Czechs battle the US in Breclav and the Swedes and Swiss locking up in Znojmo in the evening.  Games are moved from Brno to Breclav today as Brno's senior team is still in the Czech league playoffs.