Cosentino on WJHC: Off-day challenges
Posted December 30, 2011 10:44 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Although there’s little to complain about with Canada’s start to the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship, head coach Don Hay is a perfectionist and is always looking to improve.
His biggest challenge will be the balance between practise and rest. That option has not been available to Team Canada and won’t be until Friday. With 6 p.m. local starts, Hay — as he did in 1995 — has forgone the morning skate in favour of getting his team rest, while educating and coaching using video.
One area of concern Thursday morning was the power play. A perfect 2-for-2 vs. Finland in Monday night’s opener, the power play went 2-for-7 in the 5-0 win over the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Overall, 44 per cent efficiency is almost outer-worldly, but in this situation not quite good enough.
Take for example three straight Team Canada power plays in the second period against the Czechs. Canada went 0-for-3 while up 1-0 and really could’ve distanced themselves earlier as a result.
In talking to some of the players, a few key points came to the forefront. First, the power play must be simplified. Second, there must be more patience exhibited. And last, pucks must get through to the net. Although it all sounds cliche, it can be tough when you group together players that are often the first option on their respective club team power-play units and on this team may be the third or fourth option. One thing will remain constant on the first unit and that’s Mark Stone in front of the net, with Jonathan Huberdeau wandering around the goal-line.
The game against the Danes produced the expected result with one surprise, as Michael Bournival was a late scratch with the flu. Definitely something you can’t take lightly in a short event. During the morning availability, Nathan Beaulieu said he was battling cold-like symptoms as well. As a result of Bournival being held out of the lineup, Hay and or George Burnett got creative with the forward group, moving Beaulieu up on the left wing with Mark Scheifele in the middle and his Barrie teammate Tanner Pearson on the right wing. That also allowed Ryan Huska, who looks after the defence, to have three pairings, with the last pairing of Mark Pysyk and Jamie Oleksiak.
The 10-2 final was more or less a warm-up for what is expected to be a grueling battle against the U.S. on New Year’s Eve. But before that game takes on any extra meaning, the U.S. must first get by the Czech Republic.
Hay pointed out that he wanted his team to really pay attention to detail, avoid getting into bad habits and remain disciplined. All three facets took a hit in this game, especially in the discipline department. Canada was exposed to two European referees against the Czech Republic and the result was 26 minutes in penalties. Against Denmark, the Canadians took eight minor penalties, mostly of the lazy or frustrated variety. Having said that, Hay is also a realist, and knows that these type of games can be tough play. According to a couple of players, he was very understanding during the intermissions, hoping to get through the game without any injuries.
At the very least, the Danes wanted to show a little push-back and safe to say, head coach Todd Bjorkstrand must be happy in that regard. His club played physically for all 60 minutes and did not back down in any post-whistle scrum. In fact, the third period got a little nasty, especially between Niklas Jensen and Stone. The two jousted all night long.
More at Buzzing the Net: Thursday coast-to-coast: Connolly turns corner, Wedgewood stakes claim | Read it here
What’s interesting is the format change adopted by the IIHF this year. This year, the playoff round will feature a 9-10 game for relegation. This means that the ninth-place team will have a spot in the 2013 tournament, while the loser of that game will be relegated to the Division One Tournament. For the first time in a long time, that game will have meaning. Germany, which won the Division One Tournament, will play in the main event next year and await the winner of the 9-10 game to round out the 2013 field.
Having said that, a few of the Denmark team officials have set their sights on that game, looking to have their country participate in the main draw in 2013. I think it’s great there is at least something for the lesser-light teams to play for.
Friday, Hay will get back to details, it will be the first practice the team has had since Tuesday. During practice, Team Canada will work on 4-on-4 play, special teams, 5-6 formations, 6-5 formations as well as overtime scenarios and faceoff execution. Those are the things that get left by the wayside when practice time is limited. As well, I wouldn’t expect Hay to name his starting goalie until Saturday morning.
Further, Rod Pedersen, Andrew Walker and I will be all-fired-up for Saturday evening’s Canada vs. U.S. game. Here’s the radio schedule along the Sportsnet Radio Network.
Saturday, Dec. 31 — 7:30 p.m. vs. U.S.
Quarter -finals* — Monday, Jan. 2 — 4:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Semifinals — Tuesday, Jan. 3 — 4:30 p.m. AND 8:30 p.m.
Bronze Medal Game* — Thursday, Jan. 5 – – 3:00 p.m. Gold Medal Game — Thursday, Jan. 5 — 7:30 p.m.
In the meantime, be sure to check-out Friday Night Hockey. We’ll be back at it on January 13th when Halifax plays host to Chicoutimi. Who could pass up the opportunity to see Nathan MacKinnon?
