World Juniors 2021

[Kepler]

Mid 3rd period, US 10 Österreich 0, shots are 68-5, and the Austrian goalie just got hurt.

Replacement is a kid from Finnish D-III. US scores their 11th within 30 seconds. Woof.

 

[Kepler]

Simon Gnyp had a bad day.

Germany had 7 players out with COVID and skated 14.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Czechs up 2-0 on Russia in the 3rd. As if that group couldn’t get any closer.

 

[SJHovey]

The funny thing is, as easily as Canada will roll through the preliminary rounds, they're probably going to get a pretty tough draw for that first elimination game. Sweden, Russia, US or the Czechs.

 

[Kepler]

Czechs up 2-0 on Russia in the 3rd. As if that group couldn’t get any closer.

Kdo neskáče, není Čech!

The Slovaks with a game effort against Canada, too, losing just 3-1 with an eng.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

USA knocks off the Czechs 7-0.

A win over Sweden likely means that the USA will top the group...unless Russia pummels Austria by like 15-20...which could happen. : - 0

 

[SJHovey]

USA knocks off the Czechs 7-0.

A win over Sweden likely means that the USA will top the group...unless Russia pummels Austria by like 15-20...which could happen. : - 0

So, if Russia beats Austria, then beats Sweden, and the US beats Sweden, aren't Russia and the US tied, with Russia winning the head to head? Or does it go straight to goal differential?

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Looks like they got rid of relegation this year with all the lower divisions canceling. Good news for Austria.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

So, if Russia beats Austria, then beats Sweden, and the US beats Sweden, aren't Russia and the US tied, with Russia winning the head to head? Or does it go straight to goal differential?

Yeah, head-to-head is the first tiebreaker in a 2-team tie. If it's a 3-team tie, (and assuming they all went 1-1 against the other 2) then it actually goes to goal differential in the games played between the three tied teams. So, we need Sweden to beat Russia (preferably by 2 goals), and then the US to beat Sweden by 3 or more goals. Tall task.

For whatever reason, I thought the old tiebreaker system went straight to overall goal differential, but I could very well be wrong.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Stay Positive, Test Negative.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Russia-Sweden tonight will be huge for USA. If Sweden wins, USA remains alive for the top spot, needing a regulation victory over Sweden tomorrow night. This result would also push Russia to the #4 spot (and likely QF matchup with Canada), presuming the Czechs beat Austria (they have the tiebreaker over Russia).

If Russia wins, USA would need a victory over Sweden tomorrow night to avoid finishing third (and a QF matchup with the loser of CAN/FIN).

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Russia beats Sweden in OT. That currently leaves the following:

1. Russia - 8 points - No games remaining. They can finish either 1st or 2nd.
2. Sweden - 7 points - Game today v. USA. They can finish either 1st or 3rd. If Sweden wins (either regulation or OT), they finish 1st. If they lose (either regulation or OT), they finish 3rd.
3. USA - 6 points - Game today v. Sweden. They can finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd. If USA wins in regulation, they finish 1st. If they win in OT or SO, they finish 2nd. If they lose (either regulation or OT), they finish 3rd.
4. Winner of Austria/Czech Republic = 4th place.

On the other side, the Canada/Finland winner will finish 1st, and the loser gets 2nd. Germany will be 3rd and Slovakia will be 4th.

 

[Kepler]

Swiss and Austrians both dreadful so the Czechs and Slovaks are both into the elimination. Woohoo!

Both of tonight's games are meaningful. Canada-Finland for their group 1/2, Sweden/US for their group 1/3.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Canada knocks off Finland to take 1st in their group.

So we have:
1a. Canada v. 4b. Czech Republic
2a. Finland v. 3b. USA/Sweden
1b. USA/Sweden/Russia v. 4a. Slovakia
2b. USA/Russia v. 3a. Germany

USA wins in regulation: USA = 1b. / Russia = 2b. / Sweden = 3b.
USA wins in OT/SO, Russia = 1b. / USA = 2b. / Sweden = 3b.
Sweden wins, Sweden = 1b. / Russia = 2b. / USA = 3b.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

USA with two quick goals early in the first to take a 2-0 lead in the first 4 minutes of action!

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

USA takes down Sweden 4-0 to win their group.

So here are the Quarterfinal matchups (overall rankings in parentheses):
1a (1) - Canada v. 4b (7) Czech Republic
1b (2) - USA v. 4a (8) Slovakia
2a (3) - Finland v. 3b (5) Sweden
2b (4) - Russia v. 3a (6) Germany

Reseed after the QFs based on overall rankings.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Despite no fans in attendance they're still doing 50/50 drawings at the Tournament with tickets available to people in Alberta online.

The winner last night got $3.8 million.

And Canada doesn't tax lottery winnings.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Russia (4) squeaks by Germany (6) 2-1 to advance to the Semifinals.

Finland (3) v. Sweden (5) up next.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Finland (3) rallies past Sweden (5) to the Semifinals with a 3-2 victory.

If Canada (1) and the USA (2) both win, the Semifinals will be:

Canada (1) v. Russia (4)
USA (2) v. Finland (3)

If either Canada or USA or lose, the Semifinals will be:

Canada/Czech Republic winner v. USA/Slovakia winner
Finland (3) v. Russia (4)

If both Canada and USA lose, the Semifinals will be:

Finland (3) v. Slovakia (8)
Russia (4) v. Czech Republic (7)

 

[Kepler]

Czechs and Slovaks are both into the elimination. Woohoo!

And... they're gone.

But it was a fun WJC. Next year in Jerusalem.