Showing Some International Love: 2015 World Junior Championship - Division III Review

China just steamrolled the competition on their way to winning the tournament, host nation New Zealand had a chance to win but could not come through, Mexico did enough to earn the bronze, and South Africa and Turkey essentially tied for last.

Note: most information from the IIHF website.

Standings

Team	Wins	OTW/SOW	OTL/SOL	Losses	Points	Goal Diff.
China	4	0	0	0	12	+26
New Zealand	2	0	1	1	7	+2
Mexico	1	1	0	2	5	-2
South Africa	1	0	0	3	3	-18
Turkey	1	0	0	3	3	-8

Results

January 20
Mexico 1 - China 6
South Africa 1 - New Zealand 5

January 21
Turkey 1 - South Africa 3

January 22
China 6 - Turkey 1
New Zealand 2 - Mexico 3 (SO)

January 23
South Africa 0 - China 13

January 24
Mexico 3 - South Africa 0
New Zealand 5 - Turkey 3

January 25
Turkey 2 - Mexico 1
China - New Zealand

Team Recaps

China: As mentioned above, China just dominated this group. Against Mexico, China would fail to score in the first period (the only game they failed to do so). The second period was a much different story, as China put four past Mexico on 20 shots. They would surrender a powerplay goal in the third, but would add two more of their own to win their opening game 6-1. China kept rolling against Turkey. They would open the scoring midway through the third, but ended the period tied after giving up a powerplay goal. China scored the only goal in the second. Their offense exploded in the third, as they scored four times en route to another 6-1 win. China had a pad-the-stats game against South Africa. In the game, China scored 13 times while registering 53 shots on goal. Both Hang Li and Qing Liu scored hat tricks in the drubbing. In the promotion game against New Zealand, China would strike just over three minutes in to take the lead. Despite continuing to control play throughout, it wasn't until 17 seconds into the second period when China extended their lead to two. New Zealand did get one back later on during a powerplay, but it didn't take long for China to answer back. China scored early in the third period, and hung on to win the game 4-1. There are two interesting notes about China: 1) all three goals they allowed happened when they were shorthanded, and; 2) they had misconduct penalties in every game (including game misconducts in their last three games). China had no problem finishing first, and will be back in Division II for next year.

New Zealand: It looked like an up-and-down tournament for the host. Kicking their tournament off against South Afica, the junior Ice Blacks looked good. They scored twice in the first while outshooting their opponent 10-4. New Zealand gave up a powerplay goal in the second, but managed to re-gain their 2-goal lead before the period ended. New Zealand added two more goals in the third, as they won their opening game 5-1. The host had a tougher time against Mexico. They would fall behind in the second period twice, but both times they managed to strike back to tie the game. The game remained tied until the shootout. New Zealand only scored once in the shootout while Mexico scored twice. The host lost their first game 3-2. Looking to get back on track against Turkey, New Zealand scored twice on the powerplay while give up one of their own in the first. Things took a bad turn for the host, as Turkey scored twice in the second. Needing to rally in the third, New Zealnd did just that. Three goals in six minutes help propel New Zealand to a 5-3 win. In the promotion game against China, New Zealand was in tough. They gave up the opening goal just over three minutes into the game. Goalie Liam Henare looked to be on his game in the first, as he kept the score close for the junior All Blacks. The second period didn't start off well, as then went down 2-0 just 17 into the period. Some penalty trouble by China helped New Zealand a bit. While they squandered a 2-man advantage, New Zealand did score in the dying seconds of their 1-man advantage to pull within one. That score didn't last long though, as China scored minutes later to retain their two goal lead. A penalty in the third essentially sunk New Zealand's chances, as China scored on their ensuring powerplay to go up three. New Zealand kept trying (they were the only team to, against China, both put up double digits in shots in a period and outshoot them in a period), but it was all for naught. The game ended with New Zealand's Keegan Maisey and China's Jaisiteng Wu fighting. The 4-1 loss resulted in a second place finish for New Zealand. They did get the silver medal, but will have to stay in Division III for another year.

Mexico: The Mexicans kicked off the tournament facing China. They were outshot 12-1 in the first, but thanks to Braden Holtby Richard Albrecht, Mexico kept the period scoreless. That didn't last in the second, as Mexico gave up the opening goal 26 seconds into the period. Mexico would give up three more goals in the second period (two of them while Mexico was shorthanded). Mexico did break China's shutout in the third thanks to a powerplay goal. That was it for Mexico's offense, as they eventually lost the game 6-1. Facing another tough opponent in New Zealand, Mexico would have a better game. The first period did lack scoring, but both teams made up for that by taking penalties. Mexico ended the 0-0 score line minutes into the second. Their lead did not last long, as penalty trouble lead to Mexico give up the tying goal while down two men. Mexico's Gustavo Martinez scored four minutes later to break the tie. New Zealand would tie it up again before the second period ended. The third period and overtime solved nothing, resulting in a shootout to break the tie. Mexico outscored New Zealand 2-1 in the shootout, which gave Mexico a 3-2 win. Mexico faced South Africa next. While they got into a bit of penalty trouble in the first, Mexico did manage to score on a powerplay of their own to go up 1-0. The game stayed that way until late in the third, as Mexico added an empty net goal and a goal with a second left in the game to win 3-0. In their final game against Turkey, Mexico would pay for taking penalties. The Mexicans gave up a powerplay goal in the first and second period. Mexico did pull within one in the third thanks to a powerplay goal of their own, but that was it. Mexico lost their last game of the tournament 2-1. Mexico finished the tournament in third place, earning the bronze in the process.

South Africa: South Africa had a tough opening draw, as they faced the host New Zealand. South Africa fell behind 2-0 after the first period. They did get one back in the second, thanks to a Dylan Compton powerplay goal. That was all South Africa could muster though, as they gave up one in the second and two more in the third en route to losing their opening game 5-1. South Africa had a better game against Turkey. They started off scoring a powerplay goal under two minutes into the first, but ended the period tied. The game stayed 1-1 until late in the second, when Brandon Husselman scored with six seconds left in the period to give South Africa the lead. Keegan Thornton added his second of the game in the final frame, as South Africa won 3-1. South Africa had a less-than-ideal finish to their tournament. They failed to score in their last two game, getting blown out by China (13-0) and losing a bit tighter game against Mexico (3-0). South Africa finished the tournament in fourth place.

Turkey: Turkey was the last team to start the tournament due to the odd number of teams. Starting off against South Africa, Turkey would fall behind early, giving up a powerplay goal. Turkey did finish the first period with a shorthanded goal to tie the game. That was all for Turkey unfortunately, as they gave up a goal both the second and third in the 3-1 loss. Turkey looked to have a similar game against China. They let in the first goal of the game, but their special teams came through late in the first to tie it up. Turkey could not keep the game as close though, as China scored once in the second then exploded for a 4-goal third period. Turkey lost their second game 6-1. Powerplays were the story of the first period between Turkey and New Zealand. Turkey gave up the first two powerplay goals before scoring one of their own. Turkey continued in the second, adding another powerplay goal and scoring one while at even strength. The lead didn't last long for Turkey, as a 3-goal third period by New Zealand sunk Turkey's chances at winning the game. In the end, Turkey lost 5-3, extending their losing streak. Finishing their tournament against Mexico, Turkey looked to go out on a high note. Fatih Faner scored on the powerplay in the first to give Turkey the lead. Faner would strike again in the second, notching his second powerplay goal of the game. Turkey did well in keeping the lead. They would give up a powerplay goal to Mexico in the third, but that was it. Turkey won their last game of the tournament 2-1. Turkey ended the tournament in fifth place.