By: Adamo Marinelli
January 6, 2021
Team Canada were the heavy favorites to repeat as World Junior champions before the tournament started. During the tournament, Canada proved night in and night out that they were the best team. Unfortunately, they were bested by a very talented United States team in the Gold Medal game.
Before the Gold Medal game against the United States, Canada was the best defensive team at the tournament, allowing the fewest amount of goals; and they have been the best offensive team, scoring the most goals out of any team at the tournament. They have also outshot their opponents in every game, except in the quarterfinals against the Czech Republic.
Before the Gold Medal game, Canada had not given up a goal at even strength for the entire tournament; Canada did not trail once for the entire tournament; and they were always in the lead except when the game was 0-0. Canada had also only given up four goals.
Canada’s physicality on defense and their forecheck was incredible the entire tournament and they gave very little room for their opponents to set up in the neutral zone. Canada had spent the majority of the tournament in their opponents’ offensive zone or in the neutral zone.
Canada’s goalie, Devon Levi, has had an amazing tournament. He was a perfect 6-0-0 and only allowed four goals before the Gold Medal game - all of which have come from the high slot. He did a good job containing shots and not allowing many rebounds. He tied a World Junior record with three shutouts in the tournament. In the loss to the US, he allowed two goals. Yet, he still set a World Juniors record for both save percentage at 0.964% and goals-against average at 0.75.
Canada went a perfect 4-0-0 in the group stage, beating Germany 16-2, Slovakia 3-1, Switzerland 10-0, and Finland 4-1.
In all four of those games, Canada was in complete control. They dominated time of possession, shots on goal, and spent the majority of the game in the attacking zone. They forechecked very well, were very physical on defense, did not allow their opponents to generate very many scoring chances and they constantly created turnovers.
In the quarterfinals, they beat the Czech Republic 3-0. It was a close game, and the Czechs played great defense, limiting Canada to 25 shots, their fewest total in the tournament. The Czech’s offense was firing on all cylinders, registering 12 shots in the first period, keeping the game close. Late in the first period, took control of the game, and after getting out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, they shut down the Czech Republic offense and only gave up 17 shots in the final 40 minutes.
In the semifinals, they dominated Russia 5-0, outshooting them 35-28. Canada was the better team, especially in the first period. They got out to a quick 3-0 lead outshooting the Russians 16-7 in the first period. They controlled the puck better, had more time of possession and the majority of the first period was played in Russia’s end. Canada would add two more goals cementing an excellent defensive performance, not allowing Russia to get many quality scoring chances. Canada’s forecheck was excellent, they caused a lot of turnovers and they won almost every puck battle.
It seemed that Canada’s goal to repeat as World Junior champions were very much in reach. This is one of the most skilled rosters Canada has put on the ice in World Junior history, containing 20 first-round draft picks from the last two seasons. Then, Canada hit a brick wall. Our neighbours to the south.
Many Canadians like to argue that Canada is a better hockey country and they produce better hockey players. The United States, however, has beaten Canada in four straight World Junior Gold Medal games: in 2004, 2010, 2017, and now 2021.
This Gold Medal game was played between the two best teams in the tournament. Canada had the number one offense and defense, the United States had the number two offense and defense. Both goalies have been fantastic too, but statistically, Devon Levi has had the edge over Spencer Knight.
However, the United States was simply the better team last night in their 2-0 win over Canada in the gold medal game. They were faster, they outshot Canada for the first two periods, they controlled time of possession, they won almost every single puck battle and the United States spent the majority of the first period in the Canadian end. The first goal by Alex Turcotte resulted after several consecutive shifts in the Canadian zone. The US generated a lot of pressure and got a lot of quality chances against Levi.
Early in the second period, Trevor Zegras - who was named the tournament MVP with seven goals, 11 assists and 18 points - scored to expand the United States’ lead to 2-0. The United States’ defense was excellent, they skated well, and like Canada had done all tournament forechecked well, caused Canada to commit turnovers and not be able to set up in the attacking zone to generate momentum.
After the 2-0 goal, Canada did a good job defensively, shutting the US offense down, limiting them to eight shots in the final 40 minutes, and only one shot in the third period. Whether or not the Americans were trying to sit on their lead, that is impressive defense and shows why Canada was the best defensive team.
In the second period, Canada’s offense started clicking and they moved the puck well, they started getting even in time of possession and they registered 25 shots on goal in the second and third period, many of those were quality scoring chances. However, the US defense bent but did not break and Spencer Knight stood on his head stopping all 34 Canadian shots for his third shutout of the tournament and the US won their fourth World Junior Gold Medal in 12 years. Canada has won three Gold Medals.
Despite not winning the Gold medal, Team Canada still played well all tournament long and they had many amazing players. There were five Canadians on the top 12 scoring list including Dylan Cozens who finished with eight goals, eight assists, and 16 points, which was second only to Trevor Zegras.
Congratulations to the US for their Gold Medal, Canada for their Silver Medal, and Finland for their Bronze Medal.
Will the United States be able to defend its World Junior crown next year? Or will Canada, Russia, or Finland get their revenge?
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