While there is still a lot of hockey to be played in the 2018 World Junior Championships, currently underway in Buffalo, New York, today’s game has many up in arms as to the validity of this year’s title. For those who missed the action this afternoon, the U.S. and Canada took part in a re-match of the 2017 WJC Final as part of round robin group play. Down by two in the third period, the Americans rallied back to tie the game 3-3. When overtime was not enough to decide a winner, the game went to a shootout, in which Dallas Stars goalie prospect Jake Oettinger stood tall and Team USA took home the comeback win.
Almost immediately, the result was met with negative response from many, particularly those in the media supporting the Canadians. It’s not the shootout that has people riled up though – the U.S. beat Canada via shootout to win the entire tournament last year – but instead the weather. Today’s game was held outdoors at New Era Field, home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and, much like the Bill’s game against the Indianapolis Colts earlier this month, the game was greatly impacted by snow. It wasn’t blizzard conditions, but the consistent precipitation surely was enough to effect the pace and play of the game. The argument by many is that this outdoor game, particularly with the difficult weather, has spoiled the 2018 WJC. No other teams are set to play outdoor games and the U.S.-Canada match-up thus stands out as more of an individual event rather than part of an overarching tournament. The result will impact future rounds and, one way or another, the end result.
The counter, though, is that the only impact that mattered was the equal impact of the weather on each team. Neither team was given any specific advantage or disadvantage by the snow and the game, while unique in it’s location and conditions, is still a valid result. This message has been echoed by the players and coaches of both teams following the game. The best case for this perspective though is perhaps the timing of many of the complaints; few hated the concept of the outdoor game when it was announced to be a record WJC attendance and the Canadians got off to a quick 2-0 start. It was only after a long, drawn-out, snowy game in which the U.S. was able to mount a comeback when talks of the event “spoiling” the WJC came about.
So what do you think? Was the game a fun and fair spectacle and true evaluation of team talent? Or was it a gimmick which will taint the entire result of the tournament?
Both teams had to play in the snow. Sounds like sour grapes
Don’t be racist
If you don’t want to play outdoors, then don’t agree to it in the first place. It’s December 29th in NY…. if you didn’t think it was going to snow, I have some sand in the desert to sell you.
Bottom line… Canadian dominance of hockey is ending…and they aren’t happy about it. Which is understandable.
Whining about this is just sad, though.
Canada’s dominance In hockey isn’t ending that’s crazy they have had some bad outings in jr tournaments but they could realistically put 3 competitive teams in the tournament from each leg of the chl, look at the top players in nhl, mcdavid scheifle Crosby doughty Weber Giordano price holtby Crawford
giordano?
I don’t think you can gauge world dominance on an outdoor game of hockey.
When you agree to play in an outdoor game, you know that weather can play a factor in the game. You know this from the start. So stop crying about it when it snows during the game
If the Canadian team won, there would either be no complaints or complaints coming from the US side. Both sides knew it was an outdoor game so the weather will likely play a factor, but it doesn’t unfairly give an advantage/disadvantage to either side.
Exactly, either team was going to complain about it, bottom line is they need to stop it with all these outdoor games. Let’s just call it good with 1 winter classic a year.
I get from a competitive standpoint that weather isn’t a factor in hockey, so all things being equal they probably should have played it in an arena like every other game. But it snowed on both of them.
The only thing it ruined was the actual entertainment. I couldn’t watch it because it felt so slow
It went into a shootout, so it seemed pretty close to me.
Canadiens complaining about playing outdoors, in the snow , on a sheet of ice……
Umm, that’s like the Tampa Bay Bucs complaining it’s too hot to play football….
Gimme a break
Watching it on TV was a drag, I kept thinking snow flakes were the puck! The pace was super slow and I am sure players would have rather played indoors. The ice was in horrible condition and I can’t imagine players playing at anything more the 80% due to this. Sure the extra revenue is nice for the city. But if they are trying to attract new fans to the game of hockey, the slow pace certainly didn’t help. I am just thankful that Team Canada can still clinch top spot in Pool with a win today. Sucks we lost. But both teams had to endure conditions. Kudos to USA for comeback victory.
No chance this game was epic players couldn’t be happier to be apart of it
The snow made it real pond hockey
The Canadians took terrible penalties in the 3rd period to let US back in the game. The 2 min boarding was the turning point in the game. Canadians even scored less than 1 min after the US made it 2-1. Then another penalty to the Canadians made it 3-2 and 3-3. So if they blame the weather for the game they must be blind to the fact that the Canadians let the US crawl back into that game.
Just like the very first Winter Classic it was not a good hockey game to be apart of but if they want new fans to watch the game. Im sure the snow helped especially for the US viewers. Down 2-0 and 3-1 the US came back and then eventually won in the same fashion as the first Winter Classic. Then from that Winter Classic on its been a must watch event.
I wish Canada had lost in regulation
The bye in the short tournament only hurts strong teams like Canada rather them keep playing than have the longer wait between games