You think the Tampa Bay Lightning have goaltender issues now? Their 2006 first-rounder, Riku Helenius, didn’t make it out of today’s second period against the United States at the World Juniors.
U.S. 5, Finland 0. And it’s still early.
JVR has already tallied a goal and three helpers. Colin Wilson has two goals and a helper. He’s a 2008 draft eligible — think he’s helping his cause for next June with this WJC showing?
Mercifully the second period has ended for the Finns. Updates forthcoming.
Update: Joe Palmer in the American net for period three. His first appearance of this WJC.
Update: There’s been a change in scoring from the first period — Colin Wilson’s now being credited for the U.S.’s first three goals, a natural hat trick.
The Finns have showed some third period heart, notching two power play tallies. It’s 5-2 U.S.
Final: U.S. 5, Finland 3. That third period will give what might have been a cocky bunch of unbeaten Americans something to stew on on New Years Eve. Or: my NHL scout was right about U.S. backup netminder Joe Palmer:
“Palmer has an .880 save percentage in the NCAA. One scout who does exclusively college hockey told me he thought Palmer was one of the worst goalies in the college game.”
But who needs negative thoughts in victory on New Years Eve? Not only is a win a win at the WJC, going undefeated through preliminary round play is stellar by any standard.
Congrats to Team USA, who now rest through the quarterfinals and await a semi-final opponent on Friday.
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