WJC Finals: "It's a 4-peat!"

"You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone."
-- Herb Brooks
(Miracle On Ice, 1980 USA Olympic Hockey Team)

If I remember correctly, it was a three-peat last year. This year, make it a four-peat. Not exactly a kind sounding word, and I highly doubt it'll catch on in the grammatical world, but it's exactly what describes the World Juniors Championship finals: CAN vs SWE -- GOLD.

Let me recap the last four years, all the way from 2005 (think: Richards, Perry, Phaneuf), to 2006 (think: Pogge, Barker, Pouliot), to 2007 (think: Staal, Toews, O'Marra) and finally 2008 (think: Mason, Marchand, Doughty).

2005, CAN 6 vs. RUS 1
Arguably one of the stronger teams. One of my favourites.

2006, CAN 5 vs. RUS 0
This was a fun return for Cam Barker, from the 05 team.

2007, CAN 4 vs. RUS 2
Another one of them Russia games, with a pre-C Alzner.
Arguably one of my favourite teams; this team was pretty solid.
If you watched it, you'll remember the Toews shoot-out against the USA.

2008, CAN 3 vs. SWE 2 (OT)
This was a high-energy, up-and-down kind of game.
Steve Mason, #30 was superb in his goaltending -- hardcore.
Shawn Matthias' attempt to score from a wraparound equivocates to
Matt Halischuk scoring right through the pie-hole, sealing the deal
in Sudden Death OT.

Honestly, I wished for this fairytale like ending. According to my own personal superstition, a team that has to play the quarterfinal (doesn't get the by to the semis) has very slim chances of winning gold. Canada lost once to Sweden, losing their composure in the third of a prelim game. But, I suppose that was fuel to the fire. Based on stats alone, I'd have my money on Sweden after the third period. And I'm glad that Canada won (we can thank Mason for a chunk of this -- without him, where would we honestly stand; it was good of him to get MVP of the game/goalie of the tourney). This win secured optimism for Winter Term 2008.

So, I made a promise. If Canada wins gold, it'll give me hope for this term and I swear I'll work harder. And, so I'll try. Kind of weird to base your success and work ethic on a hockey game, but each year's tournament ignites some kind of hope. And getting gold just feeds the flame.

So, Congratulations WJC 2008 Champs; way to go Canada!

And yes. I will officially get back to work. I will... read. And stuff.


PS: Based on character alone, I suppose this might rank in my top 5 favourite WJC Team Canada teams. Maybe in the top 3, in a tie with the 2007 team, followed closely by the 2005 team.

WJC: Going For Gold

"A good hockey player plays where the puck is.
A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be."

-- Wayne Gretzky

So I did the hockey-dork routine again. I woke up super early, ran to Price Chopper (ok, so I got a ride, but that's besides the point). I picked up all the possible ingredients one can possibly have (without being too fancy schmancy) for a vegetarian lasagna. Got started on that as soon as the clock's hand hit 11:00AM. Slaved over a stove and a cutting board (did you know how difficult it is to cut onions?). All this, so I could relax, watch the pre-game, semifinal showdown between Canada and the USA, show. With a plate of lasagna to warm me up.

Yes. I'm... strange. I've been on my feet since roughly 9 in the AM. I don't sit when I watch hockey games, in or out of an arena. I just can't. I get mini-heart attacks. This entire game was fantastic. I ran out of breath commentating (to no one but my half-asleep brother and a Landsberg-like dad). I, of course, was holding my breath with each passing second (knocking on wood whenever I could). And huzzah. Canada won, 4-1. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I'm overwhelmed with joy.

Now I can go back to work. Like I said, when the 5th come sand goes -- I'll resume my post as a boring, non-androgynous, grey-in-the-face U of T android. Until then? I think I'll take my sweet time eating lasagna, whilst I read a bajillion books. Hockey first. Work later.


PS: Go watch the WJC 2008 finals -- Canada VS Sweden on: Sat. Jan 5/2008, 2:00PM (EST). Make me proud. Ha.

WJC: So glad it ends before Monday.

"If you cannot convince them, confuse them."
-- Harry Truman

So I've been a hockey dork for the past few days. I had to stomp on my foot when Canada's juniors lost out to Sweden in a shaky third period. My brother let me squeeze his hand, as we watched the quarterfinals against Finland today. You can't imagine how loud I am when I watch hockey (with or without family; in an arena or in the comfort of my living room). Biting my nails (now, seemingly stubby), clapping like a seal and squawking at all the misplays. Oi vey.

This will all die down by January 5th. Two days before the new term. Which is good. I can only imagine how unfocused and glazed-over I'd look. Ha. Well, that's either a very fortunate coincidence or the IIHF working in favour of all U of T hockey fans.

Hmm. What should I do now? I wonder. Oh. Yes. Work. That dreadful word.
Maybe later, I'm thinking. Oh, what a dreadful thing procrastination is.