2021 WJC: Three Storylines to watch unfold during Semi-Final games
Keep an eye out for these three things during the 2021 WCJ Semi-Finals.
It is Semi-Final day at the 2021 WJC and there will be three storylines to watch unfold in what will be two huge matchups.
Four teams will slug it out for the chance to play in the Gold Medal Game at the 2021 World Junior Championship in Red Deer, Edmonton, with Team Canada taking on Russia and Team USA going up against Finland.
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We could end up with a mouthwatering Team Canada Vs. Team USA showdown in the Gold Medal game, although both teams have huge obstacles to overcome before they can start dreaming of that.
It has been a hugely compelling tournament so far and the final two days should be the best yet, with a lot riding on today’s Semi-Final games.
And, ahead of the action getting started at 6:00 p.m. ET between Team Canada and Russia and between Team USA and Finland at 9:30 p.m. ET, we’ve got three big talking points we want to share with you.
Let’s delve right in…
3. Dream Scenario
Let’s be honest, most people invested in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship will be dreaming for a Gold Medal showdown between Team Canada and Team USA.
And you can throw us into that category too.
Of course, both teams have a hell of a lot to do before they can get to that stage, but it would be a perfect end to what has been an excellent tournament so far.
And, it would also be a mouthwatering appetiser for hockey fans who will then have the start of the 2020-21 NHL season to look forward to a week later.
Both Team USA and Team Canada are absolutely stacked with the latter perhaps that little bit deeper, and it would be one hell of a titanic shutdown between two powerhouses.
I mean, just think of the NHL talent that would be on display between the two countries too, with both Team USA and Team Canada dominating stats across the board at the tournament.
Think of some of the matchups too.
Trevor Zegras against Bowen Byram, Quinton Byfield against Cam York, Dustin Wolf / Spencer Knight against Devon Levi, the list is endless.
Again, there’s a lot of work to do before this is reality but I think the prospect of Team Canada and Team USA going at it for the Gold Medal will be on most people’s minds during the Semi-Final games tonight.
2. Revenge Game
Team USA Vs. Finland (9:30 p.m. ET)
This is the ultimate revenge game between two heavyweights.
Finland beat Team USA in the Gold Medal game at this tournament two years ago with New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:26 remaining.
Then, to make matters worst, Finland proved to be a nightmare for the Americans again last year after blanking them in the Quarter-Finals and preventing them from winning a fifth straight Medal.
As a result, Team USA will be all out for revenge tonight and they haven’t lost a game since dropping their opening contest of the tournament to Russia on Christmas Day.
They have got better the longer the 2021 WJC has gone on, securing their place in the Semi-Finals after beating Slovakia 5-2, and their explosive offense is spearheaded by Anaheim Ducks prospect Trevor Zegras, who leads the entire tournament in points with 15 (6 G, 9 A).
Florida Panthers stud Spencer Knight will be a key player for Team USA given that he has two shutouts with a 1.70 Goals Against Average, as will the likes of Bobby Brink and Matthew Boldy who have both provided depth scoring for the Americans.
Finland will be dangerous, however, and Florida Panthers prospect Anton Lundell has been a shining star during the 2021 WJC so far, leading his country in points with seven (4 G, 3 A) in five games.
They’ve also had the measure of Team USA over the last few years so they will be confident heading into tonight’s game, while Finland will also fancy their chances of winning Gold again after coming out on top in 2019.
Watch out for Special Teams too with Team USA boasting the best power play percentage in the tournament having gone 8-for-19 (42.11%), while Finland are 16-for-19 on the PK (84.21%) so whoever executes on Special Teams tonight could well come out on top.
1. Rich History
Team Canada Vs. Russia (6:00 p.m. ET)
There is always something magical about showdowns between Team Canada and Russia at the World Junior Championship, and today’s Semi-Final matchup should be no different given what is at stake.
After all, this is a repeat of last year’s Gold Medal game in which Team Canada came out on top, and this absolutely stacked roster will be hoping to come out on top in the tournament for the second consecutive year.
It was one hell of a spectacle in 2020, too, with Russia boasting a 3-1 lead in the third period, only for Team Canada to fight back and finish with a flourish as LA Kings prospect Akil Thomas scored a sublime backhander to seal the win and the Gold Medal.
Only six players returned for Team Canada from last year’s success so there will be a lot of players hungry to win Gold for the first time, while Russia will no doubt be out for revenge despite only having three players return from that Silver Medal winning team, including Nashville Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov, who was selected by the Nashville Predators with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
So, there is going to be a lot of spice riding on tonight’s matchup and it should be a hugely compelling and tightly-contested game given the talent on both rosters.
Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens leads the entire 2021 WJC in goals with seven, Devon Levi has been the best goaltender in the tournament with a 0.64 GAA and two shutouts, including stopping all 29 shots against the Czech Republic in the Quarter-Final, and Vegas Golden Knights forward Peyton Krebs has really broken out with 8 points (3 G, 5 A) in 5 games.
Team Canada is just an absolute juggernaut and, if they can solve a cold power play, which has gone 0-for-6 in the last two games, and crack what has been a hot Russian penalty kill, which is 16-for-17 (94.12), then that should be enough to ensure that they are in the Gold Medal game once again.
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Potentially against Team USA, which is something we all want to see.
Make sure you stick with us for more coverage of the 2021 World Junior Championship, all of which can be found here, and we’ll be back on Tuesday with a full breakdown of the two Semi-Final games.