Game Recap: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Final Score
Cape Breton - 2
Halifax - 4

Goalscorers
Cape Breton: Jakub Culek (2)
Halifax: Martin Frk, Stefan Fournier, Matthew Boudreau, Nathan MacKinnon

Goalies
Cape Breton: Philippe Trudeau (L)
Halifax: Zach Fucale (W)

Fireball Player
(He's so hot, nothing is gonna put this guy out)

Tie: Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin: scoring aside (1G 2A for MacKinnon, 2A for Drouin) they were on fire tonight. What impressed me most was their penalty killing. There was a part in the first period were MacKinnon held the puck for a while in the Cape Breton and neutral zones, then when he lost the puck, Drouin got the puck and did the same thing. These guys were all over the ice.

Snake Bitten Player
(No amount of sucking will help get the poison out of him)

Darcy Ashley - I really wanted to avoid putting Frk here again, so Ashley takes the hit. It is not without merit though, as he did take two bad penalties. Luckily for him, the Mooseheads killed both.

Play of the Game
(Every game has a defining moment, this is probably it)

Any play with a bad penalty. Frk's bad hit from behind, Walsh's bad hit from behind were the two big ones. Frk's penalty lead to Cape Breton tying the game while Walsh's lead to the eventual game winning goal for Halifax.

Notes

• The reason Halifax didn't have a bigger win: Abeltshauser was scratched
• Halifax's first goal was the best play of the game from my perspective. Drouin managed to keep the puck onside, passes rink-wide to MacKinnon, who then passes to Frk in the slot. Frk redirected the pass into the net.
• This was not a good game for the refs. There were quite a few missed calls, and a few of the penalties that were called seemed suspect.
• Have to give Trudeau props for two big saves on MacKinnon in the second. First was a pad save on a two-on-one, then the rebound afterward was the second.
• That third period was boring. Outside of a powerplay for Halifax, it seemed like a giant game of ping-pong, with both teams having a minute or two of (unproductive) offense before heading back to play defense. Two breakaway's from Halifax (one for MacKinnon, one for Frk) were the highlights of that period.

Pictures

Game Recap: Val d'Or Foreurs vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Val d'Or Foreurs vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Final Score
Val d'Or - 3
Halifax - 4

Goalscorers
Val d'Or: Anton Zlobin (2), Mantha
Halifax: Jonathan Drouin (2), Andrew Ryan (2)

Goalies
Val d'Or: Alexandre St-Arnaud (L)
Halifax: Chris Clake (W)

Fireball Player
(He's so hot, nothing is gonna put this guy out)

Jonathan Drouin - After being an honourable mention last game, he comes out and just dominates this game. Honourable mention to Andrew Ryan for his two goals.

Snake Bitten Player
(No amount of sucking will help get the poison out of him)

Martin Frk - This is mostly by default (the team was good), but Frk did have moments were he should have just passed the puck instead of trying something. He also took a bad penalty near the end of the first.

Play of the Game
(Every game has a defining moment, this is probably it)

The beginning of the third period saw Halifax have a solid few minutes on offense, which was capped by Ryan's second goal of the game..

Notes

• Note to self: Do not attempt to use QMJHL site as a source for starting goaltenders. They used the No.1 goalies in the preview but both backups started this game.
• This time a Mooseheads player went down in the corner. I didn't catch who went down, but it wasn't for long and he didn't need to go to the dressing room.
• Trey Lewis had a huge hit early on then won a fight soon afterwards (partial fight video below)
• Frk made a defensive play late in the game, but missed the puck and got penalized for tripping. It was one of those penalties that you don't mind the player taking since it could have prevented a goal.
• Up until Mantha's late goal, it seems like that you either score multiple goals or none. 
• Speaking of goals, the order (before Mantha) was Drouin, Zlobin, Ryan. Rinse and repeat.

Pictures

 

Trey Lewis - Brett Hester Fight

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group J Review

Note: all data from the IIHF website

Standings

1 (Qualify) - Great Britain      2W - 1OTL -0L - 7PTS - +3GD
2 - South Korea                   1W - 1OTW - 1OTL - 0L - 6PTS - +2GD
3 - Japan                      1W - 1OTW - 1L - 5PTS - +2GD
4 - Romania                   0W - 3L - 0PTS - -7GD

Results

November 9
Great Britain 4 - South Korea 5 (SO)
Japan 2 - Romania 0

November 10
Romania 0 - Great Britain 3
Japan 3 - South Korea 2 (OT)

November 11
South Korea 2 - Romania 0
Great Britain 2 - Japan 1

Notes

• I put it as the upset game, but is anyone really surprised that a national team from England lost in a shootout?
• It is amazing how South Korea didn't lose a (regulation) game and yet does not advance.
• Former Kings goalie (and announcers nightmare) Fukufuji did all he could, but Japan just didn't have the firepower.
• Kind of sad that Romania was not able to get 1 goal in this tournament. Their goaltending was the lone bright spot.
• Goals Leader: Won Jung Kim (South Korea), Shuhei Kuji (Japan), Ben Connor (Great Britain) - 3
• Points Leader: Sang Wook Kim (South Korea) - 6
• GAA Leader: Yutaka Fukufuji (Japan) - 1.32
• Save % Leader: Adrian Catrinoi Cornea (Romania) - 0.955
• The "No Surprise" Game: Great Britain shutting out Romania 3-0
• The "Upset" Game: South Korea beating Great Britain in the shootout 5-4

What Now?

Great Britain: Gearing up for the next qualifying round in February.

South Korea: Should build on this momentum for April. This was a great showing by this team, being able to hang around against the higher ranked Brits and Japanese squads.

Japan: Could not seal the deal in the last game. Will get ready for Division I Group A in April.

Romania: Will now focus on hanging around in Division I Group B. Maybe work on hitting the back of the net.

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group H Review

The only group I correctly guess the winner. Here is how it ended.

Note: all data from the IIHF website

Standings

1 (Qualify) - Ukraine      3W - 0L - 9PTS - +21GD
2 -  Poland                   2W - 1L - 6PTS - +9GD
3 - Spain                      1W - 2L - 3PTS - -11GD
4 - Estonia                   0W - 3L - 0PTS - -19GD

Results

November 8
Poland 8 - Estonia 0
Ukraine 7 - Spain 0

November 9
Poland 5 - Spain 0
Estonia 0 - Ukraine 10

November 11
Spain 5 - Estonia 4
Ukraine 5 - Poland 1

Notes

• Ukraine was expected to advance, but how close would have it have been had the NHL lockout didn't happen (a.k.a not having Fedotenko and Ponikarovsky).
• Surprised that Poland didn't keep it closer against Ukraine.
• Spain was the only Division II team, yet they pulled off a win.
• I wish I could explain why Estonia was this bad. Maybe they miss Toivo Suursoo?
• Goals Leader: Oriol Boronat (Spain), Sergi Varlamov (Ukraine) - 3
• Points Leader: Sergi Varlamov (Ukraine) - 6
• GAA Leader: Evgen Napnenko (Ukraine) - 0.50
• Save % Leader: Evgen Napnenko (Ukraine) - 0.971
• The "No Surprise" Game: Ukraine shutting out Spain 7-0
• The "Upset" Game: Spain sneaking by Estonia 5-4

What Now?

Ukraine: Will hope that the NHL lockout last until next year, so Fedotenko and Ponikarovsky will be available for February (last qualifying round).

Poland: Will be ready for Division I Group B, but still needs to develop to get back to the level they were at when Oliwa and Czerkawski played.

Spain: The win against Estonia definitely gives Spain a boost as they gear up for Division II Group A.

Estonia: Could not build on their promotion to Division I Group B. Will have to regroup and get ready for it.

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group G Review

Ummmm...the results look right and wrong. Let's see why.

Note: all data from the IIHF website

Standings

1 (Qualify) - Netherlands      3W - 1OTW - 0L - 8PTS - +14GD
2 -  Hungary                       2W - 1OTL - 0L - 7PTS - +16GD
3 - Lithuania                       1W - 2L - 3PTS - -9GD
4 - Croatia                          0W - 3L - 0PTS - -21GD

Results

November 9
Netherlands 8 - Croatia 2
Lithuania 1 - Hungary 5

November 10
Netherlands 9 - Lithuania 2
Hungary 13 - Croatia 0

November 11
Croatia 1 - Lithuania 3
Hungary 6 - Netherlands 7 (SO)

Notes

• Congrats to the Netherlands for pulling off a shootout victory to advance.
• In the last game, Hungary ate it (I'll show myself off now).
• It probably would not change the outcome of their games, but I wonder how Lithuania would have done with Zubrus playing.
• In my defense of my predictions, I did not think Croatia would go with actual Croatian players (no ex-pats).
• Goals Leader: Marcel Kars (Netherlands) - 5
• Points Leader: Marco Potsma (Netherlands) - 10
• GAA Leader: Bence Balizs (Hungary) - 3.31
• Save % Leader: Mantas Armalis (Lithuania) - 0.863
• The "No Surprise" Game: Hungary pounding Croatia 13-0
• The "Upset" Game: Netherlands winning in a shootout against Hungary 7-6

What Now?

Netherlands: What better place to celebrate than in Amsterdam? This will definitely be good for the team in both the next round of qualifying and Division I Group B in April.

Hungary: Just like waking up with a bad hangover, will wonder what the hell happened. Will have to regroup in April.

Lithuania: In the name of Dainius, will try to stay competitive in Division I Group B after a disappointing (but mostly expected) qualifying tournament.

Croatia: Try to get promoted from Division II Group A, should try to better develop players born in Croatia in order to compete with the higher teams.

Game Recap: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs. Halifax Moosheads

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs. Halifax Mooseheads

Final Score
Rouyn-Noranda - 3
Halifax - 8

Goalscorers
Rouyn-Noranda: Maxime St-Cyr, Mathieu Lemay, Steven Mercier
Halifax: Stefan Fournier (3), Matthew Boudreau (2), Martin Frk, Nathan MacKinnon, Andrew Ryan

Goalies
Rouyn-Noranda: Robin Gusse (L)
Halifax: Zach Fucale (W)

Fireball Player
(He's so hot, nothing is gonna put this guy out)

Nathan MacKinnon - Honourable mentions to both Stefan Fournier (hat-trick) and Jonathan Drouin (4 assists). In this game, I thought MacKinnon was a bit more impressive than the other two.

Snake Bitten Player
(No amount of sucking will help get the poison out of him)

Konrad Abeltshauser - NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I don't want to believe it, but he did not have a good game. Bad passes, couldn't hit the net, a turnover that almost lead to a goal, and didn't apply enough pressure on the Huskies' second goal.

Play of the Game
(Every game has a defining moment, this is probably it)

I don't think there was a real defining moment of the game. If I had to guess, then I would say MacKinnon's go-ahead goal. It might have woke the team up, but it was a gradual wakening instead of being instant.

Notes

• It was DND Appreciation Night. The commemorative jersey Halifax wore was nice, although not as good as some in the past years (my opinion).
• One of Rouyn-Noranda's top scorers (Sven Andrighetto) was scratched.
• For parts of the game, Rouyn-Noranda seemed to want to agitate instead of actually play.
• Marcus Power got tied-up in the corner and went down hard after the hit. He was down for a minute but was able to get up. He was assisted off the ice.
• There was a huge scrum (didn't see an actual fight) a few plays after the Power incident. 9 players were penalized (7 roughing calls)
• It might just be whenever I attend games, but it seems like the Mooseheads have a bad second period then dominate the third.

Pictures

 

 

Super Series Recap

Standings

1 - Russia  3W - 1OTL - 2L - 10PTS - +4GD
2 - CHL     2W - 1OTW - 3L - 8PTS - -4GD

Results

Russia 6 - QMJHL 2
QMJHL 5 - Russia 2

Russia 2 -OHL 1
OHL 2 - Russia 1

Russia 0 - WHL 1 (SO)
WHL 2 - Russia 5

Top Scorers

Russia: Tie (Mikhail Naumenko, Maxim Shalunov, Andrei Sigarev) Nail Yakupov 2G-2A-4PTS
WHL: Ty Rattie 1G-1A-2PTS
OHL: Ryan Strome 1G-1A-2PTS
QMJHL: Jonathan Huberdeau 2G-3A-5PTS

Series Recap

QMJHL vs. Russia: Russia continued with their dominance over the QMJHL in Game 1, putting in 2 goals every period. The QMJHL could only answer back with a goal in both the first and third periods. Revenge is what was served in Game 2, as the line of Huberdeau-MacKinnon-Drouin contributed to 4 of the 5 QMJHL goals. This time, Russia was the team who could only score in the first and third. The series ended in a tie, but Russia had the extra goal.

OHL vs. Russia: Just 24 hours after surrendering their first lost to the QMJHL in years, Russia won it's first game ever against the OHL. The OHL opened the scoring in the second, then Russia scored 2 quick goals in the middle of the third and hung on. Game 2 was a bit different, as the OHL scored in the first and third to get revenge and tie the series. Russia scored late in the third, but it wasn't enough time to complete a comeback. the series ended with both teams having identical stats.

WHL vs. Russia: Great goalie battle in Game 1, as Marakov (RUS) and Brossoit (WHL) stopped 30+ shots each and kept the game scoreless. WHL end up getting the win in a shootout. Game 2 was a different story, as Russia started off with 2 goal - despite getting out-shot - before unloading in the second and scoring two more. The WHL did score in both the second and third periods, but that wasn't enough. Russia added an insurance empty netter late in the third, icing the game and the series.

Showing Some International Love: Deutschland Cup Recap

Germany didn't disappoint, the Swiss weren't full of holes, the Slovaks stay competitive, and oh (no) Canada.

Standings

1 - Germany            3W - 0L - 9PTS - +5GD
2 - Switzerland        2W - 1L - 6PTS - +4GD
3 - Slovakia             1W - 2L - 3PTS - 0GD
4 - Canada               0W - 3L - 0PTS - -9GD

Results

November 9
Switzerland 3 - Slovakia 2
Germany 3 - Canada 2

November 10
Germany 2 - Switzerland 0
Canada 2 - Slovakia 5

November 11
Switzerland 6 - Canada 1
Slovakia 0 - Germany 2

Team Recap

Germany: After looking at the results, it seems strange that the only team to score against a German goalie was Canada. The scoring was a minor surprise too, as all 7 German goals were by different players and not 2 or 3 producing most of the offense.

Switzerland: For the "Where Are They Now" factor, Gerber won both games for Switzerland (Berra was in for the lost). Tim Ramholt and Roman Wick (hey, remeber them as well) each scored 2 goals against Canada while Simon Bodenmann scored 2 goals of his own against Germany.

Slovakia: For some of the players they had I;m a little shocked at Slovakia finishing third. To their credit, they did keep both Germany and Switzerland close in those games. Marcel Hossa was the only player to score more than 1 goal for the Slovaks.

Canada: When does the Spengler Cup start?

Showing Some International Love: Euro Hockey Tour Recap

Well, who knew Pavelec would play better when he ISN'T getting paid? And in unrelated news, the Winnipeg Jets want a 100% rollback on goalie contracts.

Standings

1 - Czech Republic   3W - 0L - 9PTS - +4GD
2 - Finland                1W - 1OTW - 1L - 5PTS - +2GD
3 - Russia                  1W - 1OTL - 1L - 4PTS - -1GD
4 - Sweden                0W - 3L - 0PTS - -5GD

Results

November 7
Czech Republic 3 - Sweden 1
Russia 1 - Finland 2 (SO)

November 9
Sweden 2 - Russia 3
Finland 0 - Czech Republic 1

November 10
Czech Republic 2 - Russia 1
Finland 3 - Sweden 1

Team Recap

Czech Republic: This was the first time that the Czechs won the Karjala Cup portion of the EHT. Before the tournament it looked like goaltending would be what determines how well they did, and in the end, both Salak and Pavelec came through for the national team, leading them to 3 wins while only surrendering 2 goals.

Finland: To their credit, they didn't disapoint the home crowd. Surviving Russia in the shootout, barely losing to the Czechs, and beating their top rival Sweden. And Pekka Rinne got his groove back (or at least Dinamo Minsk hopes).

Russia: This result for Russia just doesn't seem right. Czech game aside, they were basically playing a "one for me, one for you" game on the scoreboard. They were lucky that they escaped with 4 out of 6 points.

Sweden: Having Gabriel Landeskog get injured before the tournament started doesn't help. Losing 2 games by 2 goals also not helpful. I don't know what happened here. Let's see if they rebound in a month during the Russian part of the Tour.

Super Series Preview - WHL vs. Russia

Quick blog note: All the recaps for the tournaments will be posted on the weekend. Don't what much time right now.

Well, looks who has to clean up the mess the OHL (and yeah, the QMJHL) left. The WHL is the CHL's last line of defense for the win in this series. Can they do it? Let's find out.

Rosters

WHL

Goalies: Laurent Broissoit (Edmonton Oil Kings), Eric Comrie (Tri-City Americans)
Defense: Matt Dumba (Red Deer Rebels), Keegan Lowe (Edmonton Oil Kings), Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips), Derrick Pouliot (Portland Winterhawks), Ryan Pulock (Brandon Wheat Kings), Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings), Morgan Rielly (Moose Jaw Warriors), Duncan Siemens (Saskatoon Blades), Tyler Wotherspoon (Portland Winterhawks)
Forwards: Graham Black (Swift Current Broncos), Brady Brassart (Calgary Hitman), Travis Ewanyk (Edmonton Oil Kings), Sam Fioretti (Moose Jaw Warriors), Stephen Hodges (Victoria Royals), Mitch Holmberg (Spokane Chiefs), Curtis Lazar (Edmonton Oil Kings), JC Lipon (Kamloops Blazers), Adam Lowry (Swift Current Broncos), Mark McNeill (Prince Albert Raiders), Mitch Moroz (Edmonton Oil Kings), Trent Ouellette (Regina St. Pats), Ty Rattie (Portland Winterhawks), Sam Reinhart (Kootenay Ice), Hunter Shinkaruk (Medicine Hat Tigers), Colton Sissons (Kelwona Rockets), Colin Smith (Kamloops Blazers), Michael St. Croix (Edmonton Oil Kings)

Russia

Goalies: Andrei Makarov (Saskatoon Blades), Igor Ustinsky (Steel Foxes Magnitogorsk), Andrei Vasilevsky (Tolpar Ufa)
Defense: Kirill Dyakov (Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk), Yaroslav Dyblenko (Mytischi Atlant), Pavel Koledov (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Ilya Lyubushkin (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Andrei Mironov (Dynamo Moscow), Mikhail Naumenkov (THK Tver), Nikita Nesterov (Traktor Chelyabinsk), Artem Sergeev (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Alexei Vasilevsky (Toros Neftekamsk), Albert Yarullin (Ak Bars Kazan), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights)
Forwards: Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Remparts), Kirill Kapustin (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Alexander Khokhlachev (Spartak Moscow), Yaroslav Kosov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Yevgeny Mozer (Avangard Omsk), Valeri Nichushkin (Chelmet Chelyabinsk), Maxim Shalunov (Chelmet Chelyabinsk), Anton Shenfeld (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Andrei Sigarev (SKA St. Petersburg), Vladimir Tkachev (Ak Bars Kazan), Bogdan Yakimov (Dizel Penza), Nail Yakupov (Neftekhimsk Nizhnekamsk), Damir Zhafyarov (Metallurg Novokuznetsk), Daniil Zharkov (Belleville Bulls), Anton Zlobin (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Valentin Zykov (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Schedule

November 14 (Vancouver)
Russia - WHL

November 15 (Victoria)
WHL - Russia

Last 6 Matchups

Russia (7-5) - WHL (5-2) - Russia (5-2) - Russia (7-6) - WHL (4-2) - WHL (2-1)

Predictions

Game 1: Russia 3 - WHL 2 (OT)
Game 2: WHL 5 - Russia 4

After seeing Russia pull out a win against the OHL in less than a day's rest, I think the 1 day travel won't affect Russia too much. The WHL is usually the more physical of the CHL teams so I can see Russia being wore down quickily. The first game goes into OT, where Russia scores the winning goal. The WHL will comeback in the second game, and (because of the OT point) the series.

Showing Some International Love: Deutschland Cup Preview

The sad part about this preview: I completely forgot about this tournament until I was making bets on the Euro Hockey Tour. This tournament has Canada in it for crying out loud! I go to box for two mintues, feel shame.

Most information from Internation Hockey Forums. Better than HFBoards, Amirite?

Rosters

Canada

Goalies: Sebastien Caron (Iserholn Roosters), Tyler Weiman (Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers)
Defense: Shawn Belle (Alder Mannheim), Kyle Cumiskey (MODO), Brett Festerling (Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers), Mark Katic (Eisbaren Berlin), Chris Lee (Farjestad BK), Richie Regehr (MODO), Matheiu Roy (Hamburg Freezers), Marc-Anthony Zanetti (Dusseldorfer EG)
Forwards: Mark Bell (Iserholn Roosters), Dustin Boyd (Barys Astana), Nigel Dawes (Barys Astana), Stephen Dixon (Assat Pori), Carsen Germyn (Straubing Tigers), Connor James (Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers), Yanick Lehoux (Alder Mannheim), Norm Milley (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg), Adam Mitchell (Alder Mannheim), Matt Pettinger (Straubing Tigers), Karl Stewart (Straubing Tigers), Julian Talbot (Eisbaren Berlin)

Germany

Goalies: Dennis Endras (Alder Mannheim), Dimitrij Kotschnew (Hamburg Freezers), Rob Zepp (Eisbaren Berlin)
Defense: Sinan Akdag (Krefeld Pinguine), Jens Baxmann (Eisbaren Berlin), Florian Ondruschka (Straubing Tigers), Nikolai Goc (Alder Mannheim), Frank Hoder (Eisbaren Berlin), Benedikt Kohl (Grizzly AdamsWolfsburg), Moritz Muller (Kolner Haie), Felix Petermann (EHC Red Bull Munchen), Benedikt Schopper (Grizzly AdamsWolfsburg)
Forwards: Alexander Barta (Rogle BK), Martin Buchwieser (EHC Red Bull Munchen), Garrett Festerling (Hamberg Freezers), Jerome Flaake (Hamburg Freezers), Philip Gogulla (Kolner Haie), Thomas Greilinger (ERC Ingolstadt), Kai Hospelt (Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg), Marcus Kink (Alder Mannheim), Frank Mauer (Alder Mannheim), Marcel Muller (MODO), Daniel Pietta (Krefelder EV), David Wolf (Hamburg Freezer), Patrick Reimer (Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers), Felix Schutz (Kolner Haie), Christoph Ullmann (Alder Mannheim), Michael Wolf (Iserlohn Roosters)

Slovakia

Goalies: Peter Hamerlik (Ocelari Trinec), Jaroslav Janus (Slovan Bratislava)
Defense: Ivan Barinka (Salavat Yulaev Ufa), Marek Daloga (HC Pardubice), Kristian Kudroc (Sibir Novosibirsk), Juraj Mikus (Lev Praha), Michal Sersen (Lev Praha), Tomas Slovak (HC Plzen), Martin Stajnoch (Slovan Bratislava), Richard Stehlik (MODO)
Forwards: Mario Bliznak (Slovan Bratislava), Michal Chovan (Zvolen), Peter Galambos (Bili Tygri Liberec), Marcel Hascek (HC Kosice), Marcel Hossa (Lev Praha), Marek Hovorka (Sparta Praha), Libor Hudacek (Slovan Bratislava), Tomas Marcinko (HC Kosice), Michel Miklik (Slovan Bratislava), Juraj Mikus (Lev Praha), Peter Olvecky (Slovan Bratislava), Branko Radivojevic (Spartak Moscow), Andrej Stastny (Slovan Bratislava), Tomas Zaborsky (Avangard Omsk)

Switzerland

Goalies: Reto Berra (EHC Biel), Martin Gerber (Rogle BK)
Defense: Eric Blum (Kloten Flyers), Alesandro Chiesa (EV Zug), Petrick Geering (ZSC Lions), Robin Grossmann (HC Davos), Clarence Kparghai (EHC Biel), Romain Loeffel (HC Fribourg-Gotteron), Tim Ramholt (HC Davos), Patrick von Gunten (Kolten Flyers)
Forwards: Andres Ambuhl (ZSC Lions), Patrik Bartschi (ZSC Lions), Simon Bodenmann (Kloten Flyers), Dario Burgler (HC Davos), Ryan Gardner (SC Bern), Denis Hollenstein (Kloten Flyers), Inti Pestoni (HC Ambri-Piotta), Kevin Romy (Geneve-Servette HC), Daniel Rubin (SC Bern), Fabian Schnyder (EV Zug), Victor Stancescu (Kloten Flyers), Reto Suri (EV Zug), Julian Walker (Geneve-Servette HC), Roman Wick (ZSC Lions)

Schedule

November 9
Switzerland - Slovakia
Germany - Canada

November 10
Germany - Switzerland
Canada - Slovakia

November 11
Switzerland - Canada
Slovakia - Germany

Predictions

1 - Slovakia
2 - Canada
3 - Switzerland
4 - Germany

Again, kind of dissappointed about the lack of NHL players. As for the predictions, I wish I was more well-versed in this tournament. Going by the rosters, it's basically 3 teams with part-WC rosters (the fourth team starts with "C" and ends in "anada"). Overall, I say Slovakia squeezes out the tournament win, with Canada finishing second, the Swiss in third, and the host Germany in fourth.

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group J

The last of the Olympic qualifying previews. Japan host Group J (how appropriate) and would like to do better after a mediocre World Championship earlier this year.

Note: Most data from the IIHF website.

World Rankings

21. Great Britain
22. Japan
27. Romania
28. South Korea

Rosters

Rosters as of November 6

Great Britain

Goalies: Ben Bowns (Hull Stingrays), Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants), Geoffrey Woolhouse (Sheffield Steelers)
Defense: Stephen Lee (Nottingham Panthers), Daniel Meyers (Sheffied Steelers), Ben O'Connor (Arlan Kokshetau), David Phillips (Belfast Giants), Kevin Phillips (Braehead Clan), Mark Richardson (Arlan Kokshetau), Mark Thomas (Sheffield Steelers), Jonathan Weaver (Nottingham Panthers)
Forwards: David Clarke (Nottingham Panthers), Benjamin Davies (Cardiff Devils), John Dolan (Fife Flyers), Robert Dowd (IF Troja-Ljungby), Robert Farmer (Braehead Clan), Mark Garside (Belfast Giants), Jason Hewitt (Sheffield Steelers), Phillip Hill (Cardiff Devils), Leigh Jamieson (Milton Keynes Lightning), Robert Lachowicz (Nottingham Panthers), David Longstaff (Guildford Flames), Matthew Myers (Nottingham Panthers), Aaron Nell (Swindon Wildcats), Gregory Owen (Basingstoke Bison), Craig Peacock (Belfast Giants), Jonathan Phillips (Sheffield Steelers), Rodney Sarich (Sheffield Steelers), Colion Shields (Sheffield Steelers), Ashley Tait (Sheffield Steelers)

Japan

Goalies: Yutaka Fukufuji (Nikko Ice Bucks), Masahito Haruna (Oji Eagles), Michikazu Hata (Tohoku Free Blades), Yuta Narisawa (Oji Eagles)
Defense: Yosuke Haga (Oji Eagles), Ryo Hashimoto (Oji Eagles), Makoto Kawashima (Oji Eagles), Aaron Keller (Oji Eagles), Hideyuki Osawa (Nippon Paper Cranes), Kazumasa Sasaki (Oji Eagles), Jun Tonosaki (Nippon Paper Cranes), Kotaro Yamada (Waseda University), Takafumi Yamashita (Oji Eagles), Shinya Yanadori (Nippon Paper Cranes)
Forwards: Masato Domeki (Oji Eagles), Yoshinori Iimura (Nippon Paper Cranes), Takeshi Ishizuka (Nikko Ice Bucks), Takuma Kawai (Tohoku Free Blades), Shuhel Kuji (Oji Eagles), Kohel Mitamura (Oji Eagles), Masahito Nishwaki (Nippon Paper Cranes), Daisuke Obara (Nippon Paper Cranes), Takeshi Saito (Oji Eagles), Tetsuya Saito (Oji Eagles), Motoki Sakagami (Nippon Paper Cranes), Hiroshi Sato (Nippon Paper Cranes), Sho Sato (Oji Eagles), Masahito Suzuki (Tohoku Free Blades), Takahito Suzuki (Nikko Ice Bucks), Seiji Takahashi (Oji Eagles), Go Tanaka (Tohoku Free Blades), Ryo Tanaka (Tohoku Free Blades), Hiromichi Terao (Oji Eagles), Hiroki Ueno (Nikko Ice Bucks), Takuro Yamashita (Tohoku Free Blades)

Romania

Goalies: Adrian Catrinoi Cornea (Steaua Bucharest), Rajmond Fulop (Corona Brasov), Gellert Puczuj (HSC Csikszereda)
Defense: Tibor Basilidesz (Corona Brasov), Otto Biro (HSC Csikszereda), Attila Goga (HSC Csikszereda), Endre Kosa(HSC Csikszereda), Csaba Nagy (Corona Brasov), Szabolcs Papp (HSC Csikszereda), Daniel Tranca (HSC Csikszereda)
Forwards: Zsolt Balint (Corona Brasov), Tihamer Becze (HSC Csikszereda), Catalin Berdila (Steaua Bucharest), Attila Borsos (Corona Brasov), Botond Flinta (HSC Csikszereda), Mihail Georgescu (Steaua Bucharest), Roberto Gliga (Tingsryds AIF), Attila Imecs (Corona Brasov), Ede Mihaly (HSC Csikszereda), Ervin Moldovan (HSC Csikszereda), Szabolcs Molnar (HSC Csikszereda), Zsolt Molnar (HSC Csikszereda), Leonard Pascaru (Steaua Bucharest), Levente Peter (HSC Csikszereda), Magnor Petres (HSC Csikszereda), Szabolcs Szocs (HSC Csikszereda), Csanad Virag (Corona Brasov), Levente Zsok (Corona Zsok)

South Korea

Goalies: Hyunseung Eum (Anyang Halla), Sungje Park (HC Keski-Uusimaa)
Defense: Donghwan Kim (Anyang Halla), Hyeok Kim (High1 Chuncheon), Wooyoung Kim (Anyang Halla), Yoonhwan Kim (Anyang Halla), Don Ku Lee (Anyang Halla), Seungyup Lee (Anyang Halla), Hyonho Oh (High1 Chuncheon), Kyungwon Yoon (Anyang Halla)
Forwards: Hyun Min Ahn (High1 Chuncheon), Min Ho Cho (Anyang Halla), Bungchun Jung (Anyang Halla), Geunho Kim (Anyang Halla), Hyung Joon Kim (High1 Chuncheon), Kisung Kim (HC Keski-Uusimaa), Sang Wook Kim (HC Keski-Uusimaa), Won Jung Kim (Anyang Halla), Yuwon Lee (High1 Chuncheon), Woosang Park (Anyang Halla), Sangwoo Sin (Anyang Halla), Wooje Sung (HC Keski-Uusimaa)

Schedule

November 9
Great Britain - South Korea
Japan - Romania

November 10
Romania - Great Britain
Japan - South Korea

November 11
South Korea - Romania
Great Britain - Japan

Last 5 International Matches

Great Britain: Win (Hungary) - Loss (Japan) - Win (Ukraine) - Loss (Austria) - Loss (Slovenia)
Japan: Loss (Ukraine) - Win (Great Britain) - Win (Austria) - Loss (Slovenia) - Loss (Hungary)
Romania: Win (Australia) - Win (Lithuania) - Loss (South Korea) - Loss (Poland) - Loss (Netherlands)
South Korea: Win (Poland) - Win (Netherlands) - Win (Romania) - Win (Lithuania) - Win (Australia)

Predictions

1 (Qualify) - Japan
2 - Great Britain
3 - South Korea
4 - Romania

I see the Asian teams doing well in this group. Japan shutout Great Britain last time they met. I don't see Great Britain getting any redemption, meaning Japan will move on. On the other hand, Great Britain also had a bad World Championship and will want to get back on the right track. The Japan-Great Britain game will be closer than last time, but the result stays the same. Japan moves on in qualifying. In the bottom half, South Korea beat Romania in their last World Championship matchup, and I don't see a reason for that not to happen again. Romania has a tendency to either win close or lose big, and one of those big losses was against South Korea. South Korea doesn't have the skill to hang with the top half of the group, but will be seated comfortably in third. Romania finishes fourth.

Super Series Preview - OHL vs. Russia

I can't be the only one that feels kind of bad that Russia has to travel from Val-d'Or all the way down to Guelph and play back-to-back right? Then having 3 days off before the second game? Somebody really wants the OHL to win before this series starts. Also, screw you OHL and your two different rosters during this series. Only six players have the chance to play in both games. I'm blaming David Branch for everything.

Rosters

OHL

Goalies: Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound Attack), Jake Paterson (Saginaw Spirit), Malcolm Subban (Belleville Bulls)
Defense: Alex Basso (Sarnia Sting), Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67's), Frankie Corrado (Sudbury Wolves), Dylan DeMelo (Mississauga Steelheads), Matt Finn (Guelph Storm), Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs), Scott Harrington (London Knights), Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough Petes), Ryan Murphy (Kitchener Rangers), Adam Pelech (Erie Otters), Stuart Percy (Mississauga Steelheads)
Forwards: Anthony Camara (Barrie Colts), Daniel Catenacci (Owen Sound Attack), Max Domi (London Knights), Barclay Goodrow (Brampton Battalions), Tyler Graovac (Ottawa 67's), Seth Griffith (London Knights), Zach Hall (Barrie Colts), Boone Jenner (Oshawa Generals), Scott Laughton (Oshawa Generals), Joshua Leivo (Sudbury Wolves), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), Zack Mitchell (Guelph Storm), Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67's), Matt Puempel (Kitchener Rangers), Brett Ritchie (Niagara IceDogs), Ryan Rupert (London Knights), Kirby Rychel (Windsor Spitfires), Mark Scheifele (Barrie Colts), Ryan Strome (Niagara IceDogs), Tom Wilson (Plymouth Whalers)

Russia

Goalies: Andrei Makarov (Saskatoon Blades), Igor Ustinsky (Steel Foxes Magnitogorsk), Andrei Vasilevsky (Tolpar Ufa)
Defense: Kirill Dyakov (Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk), Yaroslav Dyblenko (Mytischi Atlant), Pavel Koledov (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Ilya Lyubushkin (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Andrei Mironov (Dynamo Moscow), Mikhail Naumenkov (THK Tver), Nikita Nesterov (Traktor Chelyabinsk), Artem Sergeev (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Alexei Vasilevsky (Toros Neftekamsk), Albert Yarullin (Ak Bars Kazan), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights)
Forwards: Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Remparts), Kirill Kapustin (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Alexander Khokhlachev (Spartak Moscow), Yaroslav Kosov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Yevgeny Mozer (Avangard Omsk), Valeri Nichushkin (Chelmet Chelyabinsk), Maxim Shalunov (Chelmet Chelyabinsk), Anton Shenfeld (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Andrei Sigarev (SKA St. Petersburg), Vladimir Tkachev (Ak Bars Kazan), Bogdan Yakimov (Dizel Penza), Nail Yakupov (Neftekhimsk Nizhnekamsk), Damir Zhafyarov (Metallurg Novokuznetsk), Daniil Zharkov (Belleville Bulls), Anton Zlobin (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Valentin Zykov (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Games

November 8 (Guelph)
Russia vs. OHL

November 12 (Sarnia)
OHL vs. Russia

Last 6 Matchups

OHL (6-3) - OHL (10-7) - OHL (2-1) - OHL (4-0) - OHL (5-2) - OHL (5-2)

Predictions

Game 1: Russia 2 - OHL 6
Game 2: OHL 2 - Russia 3

The first game has recently been the highest scoring of the 2 games, and with Russia playing with 24 hours I can see that trend continuing. While the OHL has been on a winning streak in this series, Russia will finally put that to an end after the 3 day layoff between games. Max Domi disappoints every Canadian hockey fan for not fighting. Nail Yakupov might have something thrown at him in game 2.

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group H

Continuing with the Olympic qualifying previews, here's Group H. The host Ukraine looks to have a simple path to the next round, or do they? Let's find out.

Note: Most data from the IIHF website.

World Rankings

20. Ukraine
23. Poland
26. Estonia
29. Spain

Rosters

Rosters as of November 6th

Ukraine

Goalies: Mykhailo Balaban (Donbass Donets'k), Igor Karpenko (Sokil Kyiv), Yevgen Napnenko (Donbass Donets'k), Pavlo Yachnyk (Berkut Kyiv), Ruslan Borysenko (Kompanion Kyiv),
Defense: Volodymyr Aleksyuk (Donbass Donets'k), Oleg Blagy (Kompanion Kyiv), Denys Isayenko (Berkut Kyiv), Sergi Klymentyev (Berkut Kyiv), Igor Kugut (Dynamo Kharkiv), Mykola Ladygin (Yuzhny Ural Orsk), Vitali Lyutkevych (Donbass Donets'k), Yuri Navarenko (Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Denys Petrukhno (Berkut Kyiv), Olexander Pobiedonostsev (Berkut Kyiv), Vasili Polonytsky (Dynamo Kharkiv), Dymtro Tolkunov (Sokil Kyiv)
Forwards: Ruslan Bezshasny (Sokil Kyiv), Roman Blagy (Donbass Donets'k), Artem Bondaryev (Dynamo Kharkiv), Pavlo Borysenko (Kompanion Kyiv), Mykyta Butsenko (Donbass Donets'k), Sergi Chernenko (Sokil Kyiv), Vitali Donika (Donbass Donets'k), Ruslan Fedotenko (Donbass Donets'k), Artem Gnidenko (Berkut Kyiv), Dmytro Gnitko (Levy Novoyavorivsk), Dmytro Isayenko (Donbass Donets'k), Olexander Karaulshuk (Berkut Kyiv), Kostyantyn Kasyanchuk (Dynamo Kharkiv), Sergi Kharchenko (Sokil Kyiv), Maxym Kvitchenko (Donbass Donets'k), Olexander Materukhin (Donbass Donets'k), Andri Mikhnov (Berkut Kyiv), Dymtro Nimenko (Donbass Donets'k), Yevgen Pastukh (Dynamo Kharkiv), Olexi Ponikarovsky (Donbass Donets'k),  Shamil Ramazanov (Berkut Kyiv), Roman Salnikov (Berkut Kyiv), Oleg Shafarenko (Yunost Minsk), Olexander Toryanyk (Berkut Kyiv), Oleg Tymchenko (Yunost Minsk), Sergi Varlamov (Donbass Donets'k), Olexander Yakovenko (Sokil Kyiv)

Poland

Goalies: Kamil Kosowski (GKS Jastrzebie), Przemyslaw Odrobny (KH Sanok), Rafal Radziszewski (Cracovia Krakow), David Zabolotny (Orlik Opole)
Defense: Adam Borzecki (Schwenninger Wild Wings), Bartosz Ciura (GKS Tychy), Bartosz Dabkowski (GKS Jastrzebie), Pawel Dronia (KH Sanok), Rafal Dutka (GKS Tychy), Jerzy Gabrys (Unia Oswiecim), Jaroslaw Klys (Cracovia Krakow), Michal Kotlorz (GKS Tychy), Patryk Noworyta (Cracovia Krakow), Bartlomiej Pociecha (KH Sanok), Mateusz Rompkowski (GKS Jastrzebie), Szymon Urbanczyk (Unia Oswiecim), Patryk Wajda (KH Sanok)
Forwards: Adam Baginski (GKS Tychy), Aron Chmielewski (Cracovia Krakow), Mateusz Danieluk (GKS Jastrezbie), Krystian Dziubinski (KH Sanok), Radoslaw Galant (GKS Tychy), Dariusz Gruszka (KH Sanok), Marcin Kolusz (KH Sanok), Leszek Laszkiewicz (Cracovia Krakow), Mikolaj Lopuski (GKS Tychy), Tomasz Malasinski (KH Sanok), Grzegorz Pasiut (GKS Tychy), Jaroslaw Rzeszutko (Unia Oswiecim), Marek Strzyzowski (KH Sanok), Maciej Urbanowicz (GKS Jastrzebie), Jakub Witecki (GKS Tychy), Krzysztof Zapala (KH Sanok)

Estonia

Goalies: Villem-Henrik Koitmaa (Panter Purikad Tallinn), Anton Sizov (Tallinn Viking Sport)
Defense: Martin Gut (Tallinn Viking Sport), Anatoli Jakovlev (Tartu Kalev-Valk), Ken Kuus (Odense IK), Artjom Minin (Porvoo Hunters), Maksim Robushkin (Tartu Kalev-Valk), Dmitri Rodin (Sheffield Steeldogs), Martin Terna (Tartu Kalev-Valk)
Forwards: Maksim Borovikov (Tallinn Viking Sport), Riho Embrich (Espoo Blues), Konstantin Gristsenko (Tallinn Viking Sport), Maksim Ivanov (Tallinn Viking Sport), Sergei Ivanov (Tallinn Viking Sport), Andrei Lukin (Pohti Pyhajarvi), Uku Molder EHC Numberg), Ilja Ponomarjov (Tallinn Viking Sport), Robert Rooba (Espoo Blues), Artjom Runjantsev (Tallinn Viking Sport), Maksim Semjonov (Porvoo Hunters), Mark Taru (Espoo Blues), Vassili Titarenko (Kohtla-Jarve Viru Sputnik), Mihkel Vorang (Panter Purikad Tallinn)

Spain

Goalies: Ander Alcaine (Bipolo Vitoria-Gasteiz), Bruno Gonzalez (CH Jaca), Luis Sokolov (CHH Txuri-Urdin)
Defense: Guillermo Betran (CH Jaca), Juan Brabo (Bipolo Vitoria-Gasteiz), Alejandro Hernandez (Bipolo Vitoria-Gasteiz), Daniel Hilario (CG Puigcerda), Alvaro Monllor (SAD Majadahonda), Eduardo Paz (SAD Majadahonda), Jorge Pinar (CG Puigcerda), Alejandro Vea (CHH Txuri-Urdin)
Forwards: Gonzalo Ansa (SAD Majadahonda), Oriol Boronat (CG Puigcerda), Juan Bravo (SAD Majadahonda), Javier Garcia-Arias (SAD Majadahonda), Adrian Gonzalez (SAD Majadahonda), Pol Gonzalez (Milton Icehawks), Juan Munoz (Bipolo Vitoria-Gasteiz), Pable Munoz (FC Barcelona), Alejandro Pedraz (SAD Majadahonda), Carlos Quevedo (Ilves Tampere), Bastien Ribot-Tona (CG Puigcreda), Adrian Sosa (CHH Txuri-Urdin), Oscar Vazquez (SAD Majadahonda)

Schedule

November 8
Poland - Estonia
Ukraine - Spain

November 9
Poland - Spain
Estonia - Ukraine

November 11
Spain - Estonia
Ukraine - Poland

Last 5 International Matches

Ukraine: Win (Japan) - Loss (Slovenia) - Loss (Great Britain) - Loss (Hungary) - Loss (Austria)
Poland: Loss (South Korea) - Win  (Australia) - Win (Netherlands) - Win (Romania) - Win (Lithuania)
Estonia: Win (Spain) - Win (New Zealand) - Win (Iceland) - Win (Croatia) - Win (Serbia)
Spain: Loss (Estonia) - Win (Iceland) - Win (Serbia) - Win (New Zealand) - Win (Croatia)

Predictions

1 (Qualify) - Ukraine
2 - Poland
3 - Estonia
4 - Spain

Pretty straight forward here. Ukraine is no doubt the dominate team of the bunch and should be through easily (especially with 2 locked out players on the team). What disturbs me a bit about this pick is that Ukraine just got demoted, so they have to pull it together. It's a good thing Ukraine got the easiest of the three groups. Poland settles for second, and is probably the only team that has the possibility to give Ukraine fits when they play against each other. Estonia probably ends up third, attempting to build on their recent promotion to Division I Group B. Spain kept it close against Estonia during their last meeting, but I don't see them getting a win. Spain will end up last.

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group G

So a bit of a change in plans around here. Since the CHLPA is done it would be pointless to add to the "Who's Ruining Hockey Now?" series. Also, quiet a few tournaments going on during the international break. In the case of the Olympic qualifying, I'm dropping the notable section, other than that the preview is just like last time. Group G takes place in Hungary, were the host looks to be the favourite in this event.

Note: Most data from the IIHF website.

World Rankings

18 - Hungary
24 - Netherlands
25 - Lithuania
30 - Croatia

Rosters

Rosters as of November 5th

Hungary

Goalies: Bence Balizs (Sapa Fehervar), Krisztian Budai (Miskolci JJSE), Zoltan Hetenyi (Cincinnati Cyclones), Jozsef Pleszkan (Ujpesti TE), Miklos Rajna (Sapa Fehervar)
Defense: Balazs Goz (Ujpesti TE), Adam Hegyi (Miskolci JJSE), Peter Hetenyi (Sapa Fehervar), Andras Horvath (Sapa Fehervar), Daniel Kiss (DAB Dunaujvaros), Balazs Lada (Miskolci JJSE), Attila Orban (Sapa Fehervar), Tamas Pozsgai (Sapa Fehervar), Tamas Sille (Sapa Fehervar), Viktor Szelig (Briancon Diables Rouges), Bence Sziranyi (Miskolic JJSE), Viktor Tokaji (Sapa Fehevar)
Forwards: Istvan Bartalis (IF Troja Ljungby), Andras Benk (Sapa Fehervar), Nikandrosz Galanisz (DAB Dunaujvaros), Roland Hajos (Sapa Fehervar), Janos Hari (MODO Ornskoldsvik), Daniel Koger (South Carolina Stingrays), Csaba Kovacs (Sapa Fehervar), Balaz Ladanyi (Sapa Fehervar), Balint Magosi (Sapa Fehervar), Arpad Mihaly (Sapa Fehervar), Gergo Nagy (Miskolci JJSE), Attila Nemeth (Sapa Fehervar), Attila Pavuk (DAB Dunaujvaros), Ladislav Sikorcin (Sapa Fehervar), Istvan Sofron (Sapa Fehervar), Balazs Somogyi (DAB Dunaujvaros), Adrian Toth (Sapa Fehervar), Janos Vas (Dijon Ducs), Marton Vas (Sapa Fehervar)

Netherlands

Goalies: Ian Meierdres (Tillburg Trappers), Deniz Mollen (Eindhoven Kemphanen), Martijn Oosterwijk (Friesland Flyers), Fabian Schotel (HYS The Hague)
Defense: Michael Brandasu (Stavanger Oilers), Nick de Jong (HYS The Hague), Wesley Hendriks (Eindhaven Kemphanen), Mike Overweg (Eindhaven Kemphanen), Jurryt Smid (Friesland Flyers), Reinier Staats (Eindhaven Kemphanen), Erik Tummers (Geleen Smoke Eaters), Joy Turpijn (Amsterdam Gs), Dax van de Velden (Amsterdam Gs), Ivy van den Heuvel (Tillburg Trappers), Max van Lieshout (Tillburg Trappers), Jordy van Oorschot (HYS The Hague), Bjorn Willemse (Tillberg Trappers)
Forwards: Mickey Bastings (Tillburg Trappers), Kevin Bruijsten (Friesland Flyers), Mitch Bruijsten (Geleen Smoke Eaters), Tony Demelinne (HYS The Hague), Diederick Hagemeijer (Tillburg Trappers), Levi Houkes (HYS The Hague), Raphael Joly (HYS The Hague), Marcel Kars (Amsterdam Gs), Jan-Jaap Natte (HYS The Hague), Joey Oosterveld (Amsterdam Gs), Marco Postma (HYS The Hague), Akim Pamoul (Geleen Smoke Eaters), Jamie Schaafsma (Allen Americans), Peter van Biezen (Tillbrug Trappers), Ritchie van Hulten (Tillburg Trappers), Lars van Sloun (Geleen Smoke Eaters), Roland Wurm (HYS The Hague)

Lithuania

Goalies: Arunas Aleinikovas (Energija Elektrenai), Mantas Armalis (Mora IK), Nerijus Dauksevicius (Energija Elektrenai), Donatas Zukovas (Energija Elektrenai)
Defense: Nerijus Alisauskas (Liepajas Metalurgs), Rolandas Aliukonis (Energija Elektrenai), Andrej Burakov (Energija Elektrenai), Lukas Burneika (Kedainiai LRK), Sarunas Citavicius (Kedainiai LRK), Andrius Kaminskas (Romford Raiders), Arturas Katulis (Berkut Kyiv), Karolis Kubilius (Energija Elektrenai), Valdas Pikcius (Energija Elektrenai), Artur Rybakov (Baltica Vilnius), Benas Silinskas (Kedainiai LRK), Justinas Vezelis (Energija Elektrenai), Tomas Vysniauskas (Energija Elektrenai)
Forwards: Aivaras Bendzius (Ilves Tampere), Daniel Bogdziul (Ilves Tampere), Aimas Fiscevas (Baltica Vilnius), Remigijus Guoga (Kedainiai LRK), Vytautas Jagelavicius (Energija Elektrenai), Deividas Kazlauskas (Energija Elektrenai), Marius Krikstanaitis (Kedainiai LRK), Dovydas Kulevicius (Energija Elektrenai), Sarunas Kuliesius (Energija Elektrenai), Marius Lomakin (Energija Elektrenai), Mantas Marcinkevicius (Energija Elektrenai), Laisvydas Rimkus (Energija Elektrenai), Edgar Rybakov (Baltica Vilnius), Justas Steponaitis (Energija Elektrenai), Dovydas Streckis (Kedainiai LRK), Povilas Verenis (Liepajas Metalurgs), Jonas Viknius (Kedainiai LRK), Algimantas Visockas (Energija Elektrenai), Andrejus Zidkovas (Energija Elektrenai)

Croatia

Goalies: Tihomir Filipec (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Ivan Krpes (Mladost Zagreb), Mate Tomljenovic (HKm Zloven), Andrej Vasiljevic (HK 36 Skalica)
Defense: Marko Ljubic (Mladost Zagreb), Kenneth MacAulay (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Luka Markovic (Dukla Trenic), Nikola Senzel (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Mario Sertic (Francais Volent Paris), Andrew Sertich (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Ivan Sijan (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Borna Silovic (HKm Zloven), Fran Srketic (Mladost Zagreb), Marko Tadic (Mladost Zagreb), Niksa Trstenjak (Mladost Zagreb)
Forwards: Mislav Blagus (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Ivan Brencun (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Mario Cunko (Mladost Zagreb), Tomislav Cunko (Mladost Zagreb), Nikola Grahovar (Mladost Zagreb), John Hecimovic (EC Dornbirn), Dominik Kanaet (MHC Martin), Janko Kucera (Mladost Zagreb), Igor Lazic (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Marko Lovrencic (Croatia), Zvonimir Lovrencic (Mladost), Tadija Miric (Mladost Zagreb), Mario Novak (Mladost Zagreb), Filip Orescanin (KHL Medvescak Zagreb), Borna Rendulic (HPK Hameenliina), Miro Smerdelj (Mladost Zagreb), Petar Trstenjak (KHL Medvescak Zagreb)

Schedule

November 9
Netherlands - Croatia
Lithuania - Hungary

November 10
Netherlands - Lithuania
Hungary - Croatia

November 11
Croatia - Lithuania
Hungary - Netherlands

Last 5 International Matches

Hungary: Loss (Great Britain) - Loss (Austria) - Loss (Slovenia) - Win (Ukraine) - Win (Japan)
Netherlands: Win (Netherlands) - Loss (South Korea) - Loss (Poland) - Win (Australia) - Win (Romania)
Lithuania: Loss (Netherlands) - Loss (Romania) - Win (Australia) - Loss (South Korea) - Loss (Poland)
Croatia: Won (Serbia) - Won (Israel) - Won (Mexico) - Won (Iceland) - Won (Serbia)

Predictions

1 (Qualify) - Hungary
2 - Croatia
3 - Netherlands
4 - Lithuania

Hungary seems too good to not end up first. They have been slipping for a while, but will regain momentum during this tournament. Croatia streamrolled past teams in the previous round, but they were up against weaker opponents. Croatia ends up toppling a few better ranked teams, but Hungary wins that match-up and qualifies for the next round. I can't get over how the Netherlands are better than Lithuania. It just seems weird to me, but here we are. The Netherlands take third place and Lithuania finishes last.

Showing Some International Love: Euro Hockey Tour Preview - Karjala Tournament

Euro Hockey Tour.

A tournament that I meant to keep track of but forget year after year. Until now.

The tournament consist of 4 international teams (Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, and Russia) playing four mini-tournaments (one in each country). They start off in Finland, then go to Russia in December, Sweden in February, and finish off in the Czech Republic in April. The good thing about this year's tournament is that the NHL lockout has provided the national teams the opportunity to use NHL players. Usually, if an NHL player was to participate it would be when his team is not in the playoffs and wants to use the last leg of the tour as a training camp for the World Championship.

(Most information from the Eurohockey website)

Rosters

Czech Republic

Goalies: Ondrej Pavalec* (Bili Tygri Liberec), Alexandr Salak (Farjestad)
Defense: Petr Caslava (Severstal Cherepovets), Lukas Galvas (Ocelari Trinec), Jakub Kindl* (CSOB Pojistovna Pardubice), Jakub Krejcik (Lev Praha), Jakub Nakladal (Spartek Moscow), Filip Novak (Dynamo Moscow), Ladislav Smid* (Bili Tygri Liberec), Marek Zidlicky* (Rytiri Kladno)
Forwards: Martin Hanzal* (Mountfield Ceske Budejovice), Tomas Hertl (Slavia Praha), Petr Hubacek (Jyvaskyla), Zbynek Irgl (Dinamo Minsk), Petr Koukal (Neftekhimsk Nizhnekamsk), Jan Kovar (Plzen), Petr Nedved (Bili Tygri Liberec), Jiri Novotny (Lev Praha), Jabuk Petruzalek (Khabarovsk Amur), Tomas Plekanec* (Rytiri Kladno), Martin Ruzicka (Ocelari Trinec), Jakub Svoboda (Kometa Brno), Jiri Tlusty* (Rytiri Kladno), Michal Vondrka (Slovan Bratislava)

Finland

Goalies: Tuukka Rask* (Plzen), Pekka Rinne* (Dinamo Minsk)
Defense: Teemu Eronen (Jokerit Helsinki), Ilkka Heikkinen (HC Lugano), Juuso Hietanen (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod), Janne Jalasvaara (Dynamo Moscow), Mikko Kousa (Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo), Teemu Laakso (Severstal Cherepovets), Petteri Nummelin (HC Lugano), Ossi Vaananen (Jokerit Helsinki)
Forwards: Ilari Filppula (Jokerit Helsinki), Jonas Enlund (Sibir Novosibirsk), Niklas Hagman (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Jesse Joensuu* (Pori Assat), Mikko Koivu* (TPS Turku), Petri Kontiola (Traktor Chelyabinsk), Teemu Laine (Dinamo Minsk), Jori Lehtera (Sibir Novosibirsk), Antti Pihlstrom (Salavat Yulaev UFA), Teemu Ramstedt (Espoo Blues), Sakari Salminen (KalPa),  Jani Tuppurainen (Donbass Donets'k)

Russia

Goalies: Konstantin Barulin (Ak Bars Kazan), Sergei Bobrovsky* (SKA St. Petersburg)
Defense: Yuri Alexandrov (SKA St. Petersburg), Anton Belov (Avangard Omsk), Yevgeny Biryukov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Maxim Chudinov (SKA St. Petersburg), Dmitry Kulikov* (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Evgeny Medvedev (Ak Bars Kazan), Ilya Nikulin* (Ak Bars Kazan), Evgeni Ryasensky (CSKA Moscow)
Forwards: Artem Anisimov* (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Evgeny Dadonov* (Donbass Donets'k), Denis Kokarev (Dynamo Moscow), Evgeny Kuznetsov (Traktor Chelyabinsk), Igor Makarov (SKA St. Petersburg), Kirill Petrov (Ak Bars Kazan), Alexander Svitov (Salavat Yulaev UFA), Vadim Shipachev (Severstal Cherepovets), Vladimir Teresenko (SKA St. Petersburg), Alexei Tereshchenko (Ak Bars Kazan), Viktor Tikonov* (SKA St. Petersburg), Nikolai Zherdev (Atlant Moscow Oblast)

Sweden

Goalies: Johan Holmqvist (Brynas IF), Gustaf Wesslau (HV 71)
Defense: Jonas Ahnelov (MODO), Niclas Burstrom (Skelleftea), Oscar Fantenberg (HV 71), Daniel Fernholm (HV 71), Victor Hedman* (Barys Astana), Staffan Kronwall (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Tobias Viklund (AIK)
Forwards: Mikael Backlund* (VIK Vasteras HK), Jesper Fasth (HV 71), Richard Gynge (Dynamo Moscow), Patric Hornqvist* (HC RED ICE), Calle Jarnkrok (Brynas IF), Melker Karlsson (Skelleftea), Gabriel Landeskog* (Djurgardens IF), Oscar Lindberg (Skelleftea), Joel Lundqvist (Frolunda HC), Tony Martensson (SKA St. Petersburg), Fredrik Pettersson (Donbass Donets'k), Carl Soderberg (Linkopings HC), Martin Thornberg (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod)

* Notes locked out players

Schedule

All games are in Turku, Finland unless denoted.

November 7
Czech Republic vs. Sweden (in Liberec, Czech Republic)
Russia vs. Finland

November 9
Sweden vs. Russia
Finland vs. Czech Republic

November 10
Czech Republic vs. Russia
Finland vs. Sweden

Last Year

Russia             2W - 1OTW - 0L - 8PTS - +5GD
Finland            1W - 1OTL - 1L - 4PTS - +2GD
Czech Republic  1W - 2L - 3 PTS - -2GD
Sweden             1W - 2L - 3PTS - -5GD

Predictions

1 - Russia
2 - Sweden
3 - Czech Republic
4 - Finland

I am surprised that there aren't more locked-out NHLers involved. I thought this would be a great time for those locked out to represent their country outside of the World Championship or Olympics (or the World Cup, when-the-hell-ever the NHL smartens up and brings it back).

Maybe it's because the KHL is considered the top Euro league, but the Russian team looks pretty damn good. Their goaltending has been good and they have a few good young players, and a few NHL washouts (hello Zherdev, Svitov). The Karjari Tornament was the only EHT tournament Russia won last year, and a repeat performance is doable.

Sweden has the chance to redeem themselves after finishing last and not just with the Karjala Tournament, but in the Euro Hockey Tour. Both goalies are doing good in the SEL and they have a good group of players on their team. They will be contending with Russia to win this part of the EHT.

Let's just hope the Czech's start Salak all three games, Pavelec has been TERRIBLE. Other than that, the Czech's roster looks pretty good, with 7 locked out players (most among national teams). There is no question they have the fire power to do damage to the rest of the field. The Czechs are more likely to be involved in high-scoring games. Where they finish will depend if their defense can hold up.

See above for the Finnish review. Rinne hasn't been impressive while Rask has been good (somebody misses Shea Weber). The roster doesn't look as good as the others, but that's probably since I don't recognize half the players on it (well, more than the other rosters). I don't think they would let the home crowd down, but they will be challenged.

Super Series Preview - QMJHL vs. Russia

Usually I save doing previews for international tournaments (and boy there will be quiet a few starting within a week), but since I'm making attempts to follow junior hockey with the Mooseheads recaps, I might as well take an interest in the Super Series. So I'm doing this in 4 segments: the three previews (Russia vs. QMJHL, OHL, and WHL respectively) and then a final recap.

All infomation courtesy of the Super Series website.

Rosters

QMJHL

Goalies: Francios Brassard (Quebec Remparts), Zachary Fucale (Halifax Moosheads), Etienne Marcoux (Blaneville-Boisbriand Armada)
Defense: Nikolas Brouillard (Drummondville Voltigeurs), Ryan Culkin (Quebec Remparts), Dillon Fournier (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), James Melindy (Moncton Wildcats), Matt Murphy (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Jimmy Ogliny (PEI Rockets), Xavier Ouellet (Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada), Jonathan Racine (Moncton Wildcats)
Forwards: Brent Andrews (Halifax Mooseheads), Francis Beauvillier (Rimouski Oceanic), William Carrier (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles), Christopher Clapperton (Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada), Phillip Danault (Victoriaville Tigers), Jean-Sebastien Dea (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), Jonathan Drouin (Halifax Mooseheads), Samuel Henley (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Jonathan Huberdeau (Saint John Sea Dogs), Charles Hudon (Chicoutimi Sagueneens), Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads), Anthony Mantha (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Cedric Paquette (Blaineville-Boisbriand Armada), Ryan Tesink (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Russia

Goalies: Andrei Makarov (Saskatoon Blades), Igor Ustinsky (Steel Foxes Magnitogorsk), Andrei Vasilevsky (Tolpar Ufa)
Defense: Kirill Dyakov (Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk), Yaroslav Dyblenko (Mytischi Atlant), Pavel Koledov (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Ilya Lyubushkin (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Andrei Mironov (Dynamo Moscow), Mikhail Naumenkov (THK Tver), Nikita Nesterov (Traktor Chelyabinsk), Artem Sergeev (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Alexei Vasilevsky (Toros Neftekamsk), Albert Yarullin (Ak Bars Kazan), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights)
Forwards: Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Remparts), Kirill Kapustin (Lokomotiv VHL Yaroslavl), Alexander Khokhlachev (Spartak Moscow), Yaroslav Kosov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Yevgeny Mozer (Avangard Omsk), Valeri Nichushkin (Chelmet Chelyabinsk), Maxim Shalunov (Chelmet Chelyabinsk), Anton Shenfeld (Metallurg Magnitogorsk), Andrei Sigarev (SKA St. Petersburg), Vladimir Tkachev (Ak Bars Kazan), Bogdan Yakimov (Dizel Penza), Nail Yakupov (Neftekhimsk Nizhnekamsk), Damir Zhafyarov (Metallurg Novokuznetsk), Daniil Zharkov (Belleville Bulls), Anton Zlobin (Val-d'Or Foreurs), Valentin Zykov (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Note: Had to look up what team some of the Russian players are on, may not be the same as the Super Series website.

Games

November 5 (Blaineville-Boisbriand)
Russia vs. QMJHL

November 7 (Val-d'Or)
QMJHL vs. Russia

Last 6 Matchups

Russia (5-4) - Russia (2-0) - Russia (4-3) - Russia (5-4) - QMJHL (8-3) - QMJHL (3-1)

Predictions

Game 1: Russia 5 - QMJHL 3
Game 2: QMJHL 6 - Russia 5

Both teams escape with a win and a lost. Russia continues with the series momentum and takes game one. The QMJHL ties the series and gets it's first win in 3 years in a high-scoring game 2.