Ah so we have arrived at 2014 and for the New York Ranger and New York Islander prospects; other than Anthony Duclair of the Quebec Remparts, everyone needs to start working much harder if any goals of winning regardless of gold in Malmo or raising a cup in London in May will be possible.
Individuals played OK but their teams could not play a solid all around game (except Erie sorry guys you played great). Hey it is 4:15 AM PDT on January 1st and December 31st 2013 was hangover city even for those of us who don't drink.
In Malmo, Sweden, Team Canada once again proved to be too much of a psychological wall for Team USA to handle in the preliminary round as Canada defeats USA 3-2 to claim the top spot in Group A. It is a sad kind of funny as just a couple of days ago it was Canada who getting trashed for an overtime loss.
So everyone asks what does Team USA have to do in order to stop losing to their hockey big brother? Simple stop looking at them as some great machine that can't be stopped and play them just like you would in any game. In this game neither Griffin Reinhart (NYI 2012 1st) or Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 3rd) had solid games for Canada and on Team USA Brady Skjei (NYR 2012 1st) was the same.
Ville Pokka (NYI 2012 2nd) had a goal for Finland but their game with Switzerland wound up going to the shootout where the Swiss came away with a 4-3 win. Pokka looked good on the goal but where was he the rest of the game?
The days of Sweden rolling over and saying "go right ahead Russia pass on by" are over. The Swedes pulled a dagger out of Russia's heart when they scored with just 1:22 remaining in regulation to earn a 3-2 win. By now people would be used to Sweden winning big games when it matter's most. Ranger prospect Pavel Buchnevich (NYR 2013) had another assist on linemate Mikhail Grigorenko's 3 goal of the tournament.
Buchnevich has 5 assists in his 4 games.
Troy Donnay (NYR 2013 UFA) was scoreless with a +1 but his Erie Otters stopped the losing 3-2.
Ryan Pulock (NYI 2013 registered a goal but it was not enough to prevent the Brandon Wheat Kings from losing 5-4 to the Edmonton Oil Kings. Pulock is 13-18-61 for the season.
Jesse Graham (NYI 2007 6th) was scoreless as his Niagara dropped their 6th straight game 6-5 to the Saulte St. Marie Greyhounds.
Say good night.
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