For most hockey fans, flipping on the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships is as much a holiday tradition as flipping on the lights for the Christmas tree. There’s nothing quite like gathering around the television with family on Boxing Day, cocktail in hand, and watching Canada kick the crap out of whoever happens to draw the short straw for that particular tournament-opening matchup.
That proverbial crap-kicking didn’t actually go down this past Dec. 26, when Czechia surprised the home side and soundly beat the Canadians 5-2 in their tournament opener. But the cozy sentimentality was still present. Following the result of last Thursday’s gold medal game against the same Czech squad, that first game would prove to be Canada’s lone loss during the 2023 edition of the World Juniors, with the red and white claiming their 20th first-place finish in a 3-2 overtime thriller.
Based on the fact that Canada has nearly as many gold medals as all the other competing countries combined, this is the one tournament I don’t mind our national squad losing. I was actually quietly rooting for a Czech comeback in the finale last week for no other reason than to have an exciting finish, and it ultimately panned out that way. Over the last couple decades there has been a great deal more parity between the North American and European hockey powers, and that’s only better for the game in the long run.
Another mitigating factor with me being completely all right with a Canadian loss (meaning anything but gold) is that I’ve had the opportunity to see one of the best national team performances in Juniors history firsthand – Canada’s dominant run to the 2015 championship in Toronto. With a roster brimming with future stars and headlined by Connor McDavid, Canada flawlessly steamrolled its way to the gold medal game, only allowing five goals the entire tournament before the Russians gave us a scare in the final. Crazy to think it was eight years ago now, but those two weeks were easily the best hockey experience I’ve ever had.
Canada’s most recent win came a mere five months after its last, following a COVID-hampered initial tournament debacle a year ago in Edmonton and Red Deer that forced the event to be postponed and rescheduled for August. I speculate that I’m not the only one who could not get invested in a summer edition of the Juniors, especially when the Blue Jays were gearing up for an exciting post-season run and the 2022-23 NHL season was looming. The Juniors just isn’t the same in the summer; it had none of the regular nostalgic feels you get over the Christmas holidays.
Hockey is one of those sports that is best reserved for the colder months of the year. In terms of the NHL, it’s probably why my interest significantly drops off for the Stanley Cup Finals when they get underway basically in June annually. Already in full baseball and golf mode by then. I’m sure my interest would be heightened if my team of choice were actually playing for the Cup (2010 was Philly’s last appearance and it seems like 100 years ago), but I’ve accepted the fact that the Flyers likely won’t get back to the dance for a very, very long time. Hopefully before the team marks the centennial milestone of its last championship in 1975.
Based on how quickly the last year went, maybe it’s not as far off as I think. Yes, 2075 is right around the corner and it’s going to be our year, I can feel it.
How did a commentary on the World Juniors turn into me licking my wounds about the Flyers again? At least I cheer for one hockey team that actually generates favourable results…
Anyway, congratulations to the Canadian juniors. I’m already looking forward to seeing the team defend its title next year over the holidays, and remain hopeful that we never have to see another summer edition of the tournament again.
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This is a bi-weekly opinion column; for question or comment contact Dan McNee at dmcnee@midwesternnewspapers.com.
