Blackwood starts for Canada against Finland

Finland head coach Jukka Jalonen could barely contain his laughter.

Jake Virtanen is embarrassing himself in these world juniors. Although he looked dominant all tournament, that was his first. But, just before the final buzzer to end the opening period, Finland would break the shutout and close the gap at 2-1 for Canada. But the bottom line is other countries are getting better.

This team, with nine players eligible for next year’s team, failed to reach the medal round, ending a run of 17 years with Canada at least in the semifinals. Moreover, after his statement that Finland should be afraid playing Canada, Strome asserted his will all over the game. Laine, who easily could have been tossed for boarding Strome earlier in the period, scored the winning goal on the 5-on-3. Another penalty would put Canada on the defensive again, luckily they killed it off and only came out of the period behind by one goal, 4-3. Puljujarvi and Sebastian Aho would both pick up assists.

Best of all? It’s the business end of an intriguing tournament.

But three penalties against Canada left Finland with a two-man advantage mid-way through the third, and the Finns were was able to take over the lead in the final five minutes of the period. Finland pulled their starter after he surrendered three goals on ten shots, and managed to right their ship. Hicketts, coming around the back of the net, celebrated like it was a goal, but review would ultimately determine that it was not. The game took on a feverish pace, with Canada repeatedly intercepting the Finnish defense’s breakout attempts and turning them into offensive chances.

Finnish head coach Jukka Jalonen refused to underestimate Canada on Friday morning, however. “This is a competition like any at the world level that will expose deficiencies in teams throughout the course of the competition and also eliminate some of the things that are real good about a federation, ours included”.

With the scores locked at 5-5, Patrick Laine found the net with just six minutes remaining to send his side through at the expense of the heartbroken Canadians.

Saarela’s power-play shot from outside went in on Blackwood’s shortside with less than five minutes in the second to tie it 3-3. Canada may feel the calls didn’t go their way, but it’s critical to understand the rules and how they are applied. Again, the discipline being the main in the game. Despite netting 4 points (2-2) during round robin play, Marner did not look strong at all.

The 2016 tournament was a tournament of questions for the Canadian squad. Kaapo Kahkonen turned aside 20 shots in relief.

It is Blackwood’s third start of the tournament. He always thought there was too much pressure on the Canadian team, having criticized TSN earlier in the world junior championship for the way it covered an event for teenagers. The Canadians pressed hard, dominating the 4 on 4, but were unable to capitalize.

So when a reporter asked him how he felt, Blackwood snorted. Point almost tied the game up with thirty seconds left, but that would be all. Up two nothing, let it down to 6-5. Sadly, Virtanen has yet to register a point for Canada in the tournament.

Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood will start for Canada against Finland on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the world junior hockey championship.