2018 World Junior A Challenge begins today

[JerseyDave]

"The 2018 World Junior A Challenge will be held in Bonnyville, Alberta from December 9-16, 2018. Team USA enters the 2018 competition after finishing in second place last December in Truro, Nova Scotia. The U.S. has won first place four of the last six tournaments (2012-14, 2016) and seven times in the last 10 years has occupied the top spot on the podium at the World Junior A Challenge. Team USA will compete alongside Canada East, Canada West, Czech Republic and Russia. The U.S. will open competition against Canada West on Sunday, December 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET."
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show ... -challenge

"Sioux City’s Bobby Brink Getting Used to Big Tournaments"
By Tom Robinson, 12/09/18, 10:15AM MST
* After winning a Minnesota state high school title, Brink will play for U.S. at WJAC
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/974941

"NHL Central Scouting chooses its players to watch at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge"
NHL Central Scouting | December 9, 2018
UNITED STATES
BOBBY BRINK: "skilled forward … fast with and without the puck … ultra quick release … solid puck mover … smart around the net … quick hands and stick … very good vision … consistent point producer"
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/ ... s-to-watch

Roster:
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show ... 018-roster
Ronnie Attard D 6-3 (190) 208 (94) 3/20/99 R White Lake, Mich. Tri-City Storm
Bobby Brink F 5-8 (173) 159 (72) 7/8/01 R Minnetonka, Minn. Sioux City Musketeers
Matt Brown F 5-9 (175) 180 (82) 8/9/99 L Woodridge, N.J. Des Moines Buccaneers
Connor Caponi F 5-8 (173) 180 (82) 3/20/00 R Brookfield, Wis. Waterloo Black Hawks
Parker Ford F 5-9 (175) 170 (77) 7/20/00 R Wakefield, R.I. Sioux City Musketeers
Ethan Frisch D 5-11 (180) 185 (84) 10/29/00 R Moorhead, Minn. Green Bay Gamblers
Trevor Janicke F 5-10 (178) 185 (84) 12/25/00 R Maple Grove, Minn. Central Illinois Flying Aces
Ryan Johnson D 6-0 (183) 162 (73) 7/24/01 L Irvine, Calif. Sioux Falls Stampede
Luke Johnson D 5-11 (180) 174 (79) 1/7/99 L Edina, Minn. Sioux City Musketeers
Zac Jones D 5-9 (175) 172 (78) 10/18/00 L Glen Allen, Va. Tri-City Storm
Cal Kiefiuk F 5-8 (173) 180 (82) 2/28/00 L Macomb, Mich. Central Illinois Flying Aces
Jack Malone F 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 10/13/00 R Madison, N.J. Youngstown Phantoms
Robert Mastrosimone F 5-10 (178) 158 (72) 1/24/01 L East Islip, N.Y. Chicago Steel
Mitchell Miller D 5-10 (178) 204 (93) 12/20/01 R Sylvania, Ohio Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Travis Mitchell D 6-3 (191) 207 (94) 11/25/99 L South Lyon, Mich. Omaha Lancers
Griffin Ness F 5-11 (180) 172 (78) 12/10/99 R Wayzata, Minn. Waterloo Black Hawks
Josh Nodler F 5-11 (180) 204 (93) 4/27/01 R Oak Park, Mich. Fargo Force
Ryan O'Reilly F 6-2 (188) 212 (96) 3/21/00 R Southlake, Texas Fargo Force
Blake Pietila G 5-11 (180) 167 (76) 1/27/00 L Howell, Mich. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Shane Pinto F 6-2 (188) 188 (85) 11/12/00 R Franklin Square, N.Y. Lincoln Stars
Isaiah Saville G 6-1 (185) 190 (86) 9/21/00 R Anchorage, Alaska Tri-City Storm
Grant Silianoff F 5-11 (180) 165 (75) 1/4/01 L Edina, Minn. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

[Stang5280]

A few random comments:
- Not exactly the most physically imposing roster. Only a handful of guys over 6 ft and/or 200 lbs.
- I was surprised that Brink isn’t the youngest player, and there are a few with later ‘01 birthdates.
- Janicke has certainly improved by leaps and bounds in terms of point production this year.

[JerseyDave]

- I was surprised that Brink isn’t the youngest player, and there are a few with later ‘01 birthdates.

I noticed that too. I'm pretty sure the older USHL players aren't eligible for this tourney.

Tonight's game can be watched online here:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2309

[MNHockeyFan]

Tonight's game can be watched online here:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2309

USA outplayed and outshot Canada West but they ran into a hot goalie and ended up losing in a shootout. Brink had two attempts but didn't score.

[GoldenBear]

USA / Canada West

https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2309


Ness with a shorty and shoot out goal, well done Griff! GB

[MNHockeyFan]

Next game for the U.S. is vs. the Czech Republic on Tuesday, 12/11 at 7PM Central. Stream will again be available on HockeyTV.

[JerseyDave]

Another article about Brink moving up the 2019 NHL Entry Draft charts:

"Bobby Brink entering first round conversation"
by John Gove, Elite Prospects Columnist
https://www.eprinkside.com/2018/12/5/bo ... nversation

[JerseyDave]

Next game for the U.S. is vs. the Czech Republic on Tuesday, 12/11 at 7PM Central. Stream will again be available on HockeyTV.

Here's a link to a stream for tonight's game against the Czech Republic:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2312

[MNHockeyFan]

Here's a link to a stream for tonight's game against the Czech Republic:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2312

Congrats to Maple Grove's Trevor Janicke for scoring two goals for the U.S. in their 4-2 win over the Czech Republic.

[JerseyDave]

Today's game at 3 p.m. CT against Canada East can be watched online here:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2313

[massalsa]

MN representing in the game today...Brink and Brink and Janicke and Brink blah blah blah...

Brink is putting on a clinic. 5 on 3's PP galore for US. Too much ice and skill for US.

[JerseyDave]

MN representing in the game today...Brink and Brink and Janicke and Brink blah blah blah...

Brink is putting on a clinic. 5 on 3's PP galore for US. Too much ice and skill for US.

The announcer is gushing about Brink and said he is being talked about as high as a top 15 pick now, not just first round. Brink has scored only one goal but is making quite an impression. Third period coming up.

UPDATE: 7-3 final. Edina D Luke Johnson was player of the game for Team USA. The defense shut down Canada East in the second and third periods.

[MNHockeyFan]

Team USA gave up two early goals to Canada East but came back super strong to win 7-3. Four of their goals (out of eight opportunities) came on the power play. Shots were 38-20. Brink finished with a goal and an assist.

[O-townClown]

Dave and others, thanks for the recaps and update!

[Mite-dad]

Are these games televised anywhere? They used to be on NHL Network didn't they?

[hockeyhockeyhockey]

usa russia will be online here saturday
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2316

[O-townClown]

Are these games televised anywhere? They used to be on NHL Network didn't they?

I doubt it. They usually show the World Junior, but I believe this is online only. 3rd year I think.

[JerseyDave]

usa russia will be online here saturday
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2316

Correction: USA (2-0-1) plays Russia (3-0) on Friday at 3 p.m. Central time.
The semifinals begin Saturday and finals are on Sunday. Teams TBD.

[massalsa]

Are these games televised anywhere? They used to be on NHL Network didn't they?

Just click the links in the thread and you can watch them anytime including live.

[MNHockeyFan]

Correction: USA (2-0-1) plays Russia (3-0) on Friday at 3 p.m. Central time.

Looking forward to this one!

[JerseyDave]

USA lost 4-3 to Russia in a back-and-forth game. USA pulled its goalie with the game tied, but Russia got an empty net goal. USA pulled its goalie because a tie was as good as a loss in determining the #1 seed. Russia wins the #1 seed, but USA also qualifies for the semifinals tomorrow. The finals are on Sunday. Brink was named player of the game for USA. He had two assists and blocked a hard shot with his body defending a Russian PP. One of the announcers said we'll be hearing his name for the next 10 years.

[JerseyDave]

Here's a link to tonight's semifinal against Canada West. The winner advances to the finals against Russia tomorrow:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2319

[MNHockeyFan]

Here's a link to tonight's semifinal against Canada West. The winner advances to the finals against Russia tomorrow:
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/natio ... ameid=2319

USA holding a narrow 2-1 lead over Canada West after two periods. Winner will go on to face Russia tomorrow, who best the Czech Republic earlier today, for the Gold Medal.

[MNHockeyFan]

Ness gets the winner in overtime, 3-2 final USA.

[JerseyDave]

Team USA shuts out Russia 2-0 to win the gold medal. Brink with a power play goal in the first period, and Janicke with an empty netter to clinch it. Box score is below:
https://hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/national- ... ameid=2321

USA Hockey (@usahockey)
"The United States wins their fifth #WJAC title in seven years, defeating Russia 2-0!"
7:31 PM · Dec 16, 2018
https://mobile.twitter.com/usahockey/st ... 5283812352

Brink's goal:
https://mobile.twitter.com/usahockey/st ... 0750440448