84 replies to this topic

[thefiestygoat]

3-0 Canada after the 1st. Merrill was on the ice for the first Canada goal (Canada PP) and had a turnover in his own end that lead to a couple of Canadian chances. Didn't do much of note but the US team is clearly overmatched.

Wedgewood stopped all 8 shots he faced. He wasn't tested that much but did make a difficult save when he had to. Also had another beautiful goal line to blue line pass.

The US will be in the relegation round with Switzerland, Latvia, and Denmark. The Swiss nearly made the medal round but Slovakia erased a 4-2 deficit midway in the 3rd, scoring 3 goals in 3 minutes, eventually winning 6-4. The US will play Latvia on January 3rd and Switzerland on January 4th.

[Mayday]

That first penally on the US was absolutely terrible. How does a guy get a penalty for protecting his goalie when the opposing player is sticking his skate into the goalie side when he's down?

[thefiestygoat]

fvck Etem! He just took Wedgewood out after Wedgewood cleared the puck! Hopefully Wedgewood is fine, he was done for a bit but is looking to stay in.

[thefiestygoat]

Still 3-0 Canada after the 2nd. The US team was much better that period but as usual this tournament they couldn't bury any of their chances. Merrill had a nice block and solid period. Wedgewood stopped all 12 shots that period, giving him 20 saves so far. Scary moment when he came out of the net to clear the puck and was tripped by a sliding Etem. Nice to see him shake it off and stay in after laying their for a moment.

[thefiestygoat]

Damnit, Coyle beats Wedgewood ending his shutout. Had a shutout streak of 109:49.

Damnit, now Zucker scores to make it 3-2. He threw the puck on net from behind the goal line and got the deflection of Wedgewood. Still Wedgewood has been solid tonight.

Edited by thefiestygoat, 31 December 2011 - 10:16 PM.

[thefiestygoat]

What an exciting end to the game. The US came close to tying it at the end, Merrill almost set up the equalizer in one of the chances. Canada dominated the 1st period but the US came out strong in the 2nd and 3rd. The US outshot Canada 24-16 in the final two periods. Wedgewood finished with 30 saves on 32 shots.

[thefiestygoat]

Here is the video where Etem flips Wedgewood:


Canada and Sweden each earned a bye to the semifinals on Tuesday. Russia vs.Czech Republic and Finland vs. Slovakia are the Quarterfinal match ups on Monday.

[SterioDesign]

well it was a tighter game than i expected... im glad Wedgewood was okay after the collision... sucks that he allowed 2 goals late in the game, but i dont think that he lost his starting job because of it

[Onddeck]

does anybody know how many points merril has throughout the WJC

[thefiestygoat]

does anybody know how many points merril has throughout the WJC

Merrill: 4 GP 0 G 2 A 2 Pts E 4 PIM 8 Shots

[Mayday]

dont judge his performance by points.

[SterioDesign]

dont judge his performance by points.

Well they were so bad as a team theres nothing else to look at really

[ohms law]

yea, that may be true (I didn't watch, so... whatever), but he is a defenseman. I'd be interested in seeing time on ice, blocked shots, and checks, personally.

[thefiestygoat]

yea, that may be true (I didn't watch, so... whatever), but he is a defenseman. I'd be interested in seeing time on ice, blocked shots, and checks, personally.

I haven't been able to find those stats recorded anywhere from the IIHF unfortunately.


I wouldn't use point production to evaluate Merrill in this tournament. From what I've watched he has been real up and down but one of the better players for the US. It is evident at times that he is just facing his first live game action in quite some time. I've been impressed with his skating, vision, and offensive game. He is on the first PP unit for the US and has set up some decent scoring opportunities as well as helped them advance the puck through the neutral zone. His defensive play has been fine minus a few careless turnovers but I'm sure its hard to not play all year and have to jump into the WJC. Hopefully he can get himself back into the Michigan line up and continue to develop. His game needs work like all prospects but he has the skills to be a very good defensemen for the Devils down the road.

[Mayday]

at some point goalies need to become fair game. i like etem. i dont care for wedgewood

[SterioDesign]

at some point goalies need to become fair game. i like etem. i dont care for wedgewood

fair play...?

since when players can slide tackles other players? thats a penalty lol

[ohms law]

at some point goalies need to become fair game. i like etem. i dont care for wedgewood

fair play...?

since when players can slide tackles other players? thats a penalty lol

[SterioDesign]

the goalies in the RUS - CZE game right now are mindblowing

Vasilevski is available in this year draft, and the play by play guy just said on tv that he was talking with Conte about players and that David kinda went out of his way to say that Vasilevski was "really really good"

i really think that if he's available in the 2nd or 3rd round that we will draft him

obviously i never heard about this guy before but if Conte he's high on him already well

Canada vs Russa in semi-final !

time for a revenge

[ohms law]

Just looked him up. Vasilevski is only 17, but everyone sure has positive things to say about him. He's slightly tall, and not very large, so he should be an athletic goalie, which is always nice.

Hockey's Future has a little bit about him.

[thefiestygoat]

Wedgewood is getting the start against the Russians. Should be a great game.