Jan. 5, 10:55 pm: All five Islanders prospects and had key roles on their respective teams By Ryan Jankowski, Assistant GM/Dir. Of Amateur Scouting
Posted on Saturday, January 5 at 10:55 pm
It was a familiar scene as Canada went home with the gold medal in Pardubice. It was Canada's fourth straight gold, but this one was decided in dramatic fashion with Matt Halischuk scoring in overtime after Sweden made a remarkable third period comeback to even the game and send it to overtime
It is not a surprise that Canada continued its dominance at the International Junior level. Growing up in Canada this was always the highlighted junior tournament of the season. With its timing during the Christmas season, people would gather around the television and watch how Canada's best teens stacked up against the rest of the world.
This year Canada may not have had quite the dominant team they have had in the past, but their passion, heart and ability to win the big games pushed them through to once again be champions.
I am more impressed with the emergence of Sweden as a great competitor in this year's tournament. What a fantastic job Sweden has done to return to the top of the world stage playing with more tempo, high energy and competitive hockey than they have before.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, Russia used their skill and finesse to dominate an uninspired USA team. The Russians bring a lot of skill and talent to the table every year which put them in the top medal contenders every year. Sergei Nemchinov did a very good job as head coach of Russia, managing their talent but also bringing some passion to their game this year. They were only an overtime loss away from being in the finals and possibly winning a gold.
I feel bad for Team USA. How quickly this tournament can change for a team that dominated the preliminary round but could not get it together in the medal round. When they lost to Canada, I feel it was a result of not facing adversity in the tournament. Canada had been through some tough games whereas team USA had it relatively easy.
As for the five players who are New York Islanders property (Kyle Okposo, Rhett Rakhshani, Robin Figren, Stefan Ridderwall and Tomas Marcinko), I hope they take out of this experience something special.
Playing for your country at a young age at the highest level is an honor they will have for the rest of their lives.
All five players were in their last year of eligibility for the WJC and had key roles on their respective teams. From Rhett and Kyle 's dominant opening shift versus Canada to Robin scoring the goal of the tournament versus Denmark to Stefan being a tremendous team player and leader backing up arguably the best goaltender in the tournament to Tomas helping Slovakia gain a better result than last year, they all represented the Islanders very well.
Hopefully their experiences here will give them a great boost for their respective clubs for a playoff run as they will be looked up to by teammates for what they experienced the last ten days.
This tournament is always a highlight of the scouting schedule during the season, and this year did not disappoint. It will be great to celebrate the pinnacle of World Junior hockey the next three years on North American soil where the passion is no bigger, starting next year in Ottawa.
Jan. 4, 6:20 pm: 2006 NYI Draft Pick Robin Figren earns Silver Medal, Canada captures Gold, while Kyle Okposo and Rhett Rakhshani's US finishes fourth; 2008 WJC Gold and Bronze Medal Games analysis from the Islanders scouting staff
By Ryan Jankowski, Assistant GM/Dir. Of Amateur Scouting & Vellu-Pekka Kautonen, Chief European Scout
Posted on Saturday, January 5 at 6:20 pm
GOLD MEDAL GAME
The Gold Medal game between Canada and Sweden was one of the most exciting games I've seen in a while. Canada was better than Sweden in the first period, out-working and out-skating the Swedes. Their hard work resulted in a 2-0 lead on goals by Brad Marchand (BOS – 2006 third round pick) and Claude Giroux (PHI – 2006 first round pick)
The second period was tight with no scoring.
And in the third, somehow Sweden again came back, like they did against Canada in the preliminary round. The Swedes looked like they never doubted they could tie the game. I have to admire the confidence they had coming into the third period, down two goals. There were a lot of overachievers on that team and they managed to get those two goals. I've noticed Swedish athletes in all sports are willing to do their very best when they're most needed.
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Robin Figren and the Swedes captured the Silver Medal
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Our prospect, Robin Figren (NYI – 2006 3rd round draft pick) was the catalyst behind the game-tying goal with only 38 seconds left. Figren took a one-timer and Tomas Larsson pounced on the rebound. Due to faulty scorekeeping Robin for some reason was not credited with an assist. He deserved it.
In overtime, it was an ugly goal by Matt Halischuk (NJ – 2007 fourth round pick) that gave the Gold to Canada in a very exciting game.
For Canada, Kyle Turris (PHO – 2007 first round pick) was the best forward for Canada, creating chances and hitting the crossbar. Matt Halischuk drove hard the whole game and ultimately gave Canada the win. Goaltender Steve Mason (CBJ – 2006 third round pick) kept Canada alive in the third when Sweden was pressuring.
Robin (5-2-7) played well tonight, along with Patrik Berglund (STL – 2006 first round pick). They were the best forwards for the Swedish team. Robin played well the whole tournament. He looked tired at times throughout the tournament with all the minutes he was given, but played very in the last two games Robin worked hard every shift, combining that with his skill to make him a very competitive player. He made us very proud this tournament.
Click here for the Gold Medal game summary
- Vellu-Pekka Kautonen
BRONZE MEDAL GAME
In the Bronze Medal Game, the Russians took advantage of a Team USA still reeling the effects of last night's loss to Canada. Russia dominated the first 45 minutes of the game with their skill, while the USA just didn't seem to have the passion. The Russians scored three goals in the first period and added a fourth in the second period, putting the game out of reach.
Although down 4-0, USA rallied in the third period and took the play to Russia, including a Rhett Rakhshani (NYI – 2006 4th round draft pick) goal underneath the crossbar on a nice feed by Kyle Okposo (NYI – 2006 1st round draft pick). But it was much too little as the USA will most certainly be going home disappointed without a medal. Russia was very deserving of the Bronze with their win today.
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| Kyle Okposo, Rhett Rakhshani and the US finished 4th at the 2008 WJC |
I am sure Kyle (1-5-6) and Rhett (2-2-4) are both disappointed with their team's outcome and ultimately it will sit with them for some time. Hopefully, this will be an experience they both can learn from and get better as a result. Kyle showed throughout the tournament that he is an explosive forward with good skill and uses his determination to back it all up. Rhett showed great hands in tight and an ability to get open and be a scoring threat
Regardless of the outcome it is always an honor to represent your country and play at the highest level for their age. They should both be very proud of their efforts.
Click here for the Bronze Medal game summary.
- Ryan Jankowski
MORE K.O. AT WJC
For exclusive interviews with and about Kyle Okposo, search "Okposo" in the 