2008 IIHF World Championships

[William Bourque]

World Championships started today in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Slovakia defeated Austria 6-4 in the first game, icing it with a empty netter late in the game.

Is anyone else following the tournament??

Here are two preview articles, the first is about Henrik Lundqvist and how he led Sweden to the 2002 gold medal game. The second is about the teams roster and compositions.


http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-wo...ash=637558325d

http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-wo...ash=896c69eb1c

[wednthavddr]

wheres kyle mikel from? Does he play Narch at all?

[William Bourque]

wheres kyle mikel from? Does he play Narch at all?

No idea, but apparently he is a Lindenwood guy, i'm sure one of their players/fans could give you the information on that one...

[William Bourque]

In top Division Play: Slovenia defeats Austria 8-1 and the United States leads Germany in the 2nd period, 4-2.

In Division I Play: Japan topped Hungary in overtime 6-5. Marton Vas scored 4 goals for Hungary and Yutaka Ono scored the game winner in overtime for Japan.

and Great Britain leads Australia 11-7 in the 4th period.

[William Bourque]

United States 6
Germany 3
After 3 Periods


Great Britain 11
Australia 7
Final

[William Bourque]

United States 9
Germany 3
Final

Canada 7
New Zealand 0
After 1

Looks like the US will get off to a good start with a 9-3 win over last years Bronze medalist Germany. Everyone in the United States, Germany, Finland and Czech Republic group is going to want to avoid the qualification game. Canada is projected to be in that game and have opened the tournament up in dominating fashion. Canada put up 7 first period goals against New Zealand and leads 7-0 to start the second.

[Leaferguy]

I hope the United States wins it all. I'm from the same country they are.

[imasieve30]

wheres kyle mikel from? Does he play Narch at all?

I'm not sure if Kyle plays Narch at all, but he did play for the Lakewood Fire this past season in PIHA and the Fort Collins Catz the season before. Also Lindenwood U. as someone previously mentioned.


-Joe

[William Bourque]

Rest of the Final Scores from today's action:


Canada 13
New Zealand 2
Final

Brazil 13
Bulgaria 2
Final

Sweden 5
Slovakia 0
Final

Czech Republic 4
Finland 2
Final

[rhhof]

Bill,

Are you in Slovakia, or are you just reporting from the comfort of PA??

Its great though either way, I only have to check one website instead of three....

Thx

[luhockey1]

Kyle Mikel was in goal for Lindenwood's championship in the CRHL Premier Division, the next season he played ice hockey at Lindenwood.

[William Bourque]

Bill,

Are you in Slovakia, or are you just reporting from the comfort of PA??

Its great though either way, I only have to check one website instead of three....

Thx

I wish i was in Slovakia.

However, I actually reporting from the comfort of PA. I'm currently fighting a case of mono, so all i can do is pretty much lay in bed all day.

Following the tournament has given me another way to ensure that i don't go insane.

[quick_dry]

ouch! tough opening game for New Zealand, most of those guys have been playing together for years, but it is hard to get much hockey at a high enough level before the tournament to even contemplate being competitive against lesser teams straight away, let alone Canada.

Curious omission on the Aussie roster - 91 Casacelli is one of the stronger (or strongest) scorers in the team, but I didn't see him listed as dressed for that game, might be sick, gear lost in transit (again) NFI.

[RichardGraham]

LOL. Don't go insane, Bill. Keep the updates going. I was away this past weekend and actually unable to go on the web for much of the time, so I appreciate your postings.

[William Bourque]

LOL. Don't go insane, Bill. Keep the updates going. I was away this past weekend and actually unable to go on the web for much of the time, so I appreciate your postings.

Thanks, I'm trying, its pretty annoying waking up at 3:00am sweating like its 100 degrees in your room when in fact the air is set on 65 with the ceiling fan on. But the one positive is the fact this tournament gives me something to follow while i lay in bed and act pretty worthless.

Games on Tap for today:

Sweden (1-0-0-0) vs Slovenia (1-0-0-0)
Germany (0-0-0-1) vs Czech Republic (1-0-0-0)
United States (1-0-0-0) vs Finland (0-0-0-1)
Australia (0-0-0-1) vs Bulgaria (0-0-0-1)
Brazil (1-0-0-0) vs Great Britain (1-0-0-0)
Canada (1-0-0-0) vs Hungary (0-0-1-0)
Japan (0-1-0-0) vs New Zealand (0-0-0-1)