Canadian U18 Nationals

[OnMAA]

are on tap this week. Most of the top recruits will be playing in this event, taking place in the burbs south of Vancouver. This is also the chance for some to play themselves onto the TC U18 roster.

Games start on Wednesday, with the final on live National TV next Sunday. (Sorry only in Canada). You can watch all the other games on the Net.

Here is a link to the event:
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php...=63283&la_id=1

[Trillium]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

For the second year in a row, both Ontario Red and Ontario Blue earned places in the semi-finals from Pool A. With 2 wins each so far: Ontario Blue eeked out a shootout win over Team Atlantic this afternoon to secure 2nd place. Ontario Red is yet to play Team Saskatchewan tonight, but regardless Sask will be playing for 7th place in the crossover after losing earlier games to Atlantic and Ontario Blue. Team Atlantic will play in the 5th/6th game, which is an improvement over their 8th place finish last year.

In Pool B, Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba are each still vying for a semi berth (Manitoba beat Quebec and Alberta beat Manitoba), so the results of their last round robin games later today will determine which 2 of these teams will face the Ontario teams tomorrow, and in what order. BC is 0-2 and likely will battle Saskatchewan in the 7th/8th matchup tomorrow unless they can knock off Manitoba tonight. After 1 period, Quebec leads Alberta 1-0.

[Trillium]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Semi-finals yesterday were an exact repeat of the previous year:

Ontario Red faced Manitoba while Ontario Blue played Quebec.

In the first semi, Ontario Red led 4-0 about halfway into the 3rd and seemed to control the game. But Manitoba never gave up, and mounted a spirited comeback to come within 1 goal and make the last couple minutes a real nailbiter for Ontario fans. Final score Ontario Red 4-Manitoba 3, and Manitoba will play to defend their Bronze medal again this year.

In the second semi, Ontario Blue was looking to turn the tables following a 5-4 double OT loss to Quebec in last year's semis. This year's rematch became a back and forth goaltending dual, with the score knotted 0-0 after both regulation time and OT, and each tender spectacular in turning away more than 30+ shots. Despite a questionable decision to change goalies for the shootout following the strong shutout performance, the risk still paid off. Eventually Ontario Blue was rewarded on a tally by their 4th shooter, while the Ontario goalie coming in cold actually proved equally hot, turning away all 4 Quebec shots, for an Ontario BLue win 1-0.

For the first time ever, an All-Ontario Gold-medal matchup: Ontario Red vs Ontario Blue at 6:30 EST today, to be televised live on TSN. Quebec vs Manitoba for Bronze at 2:30 EST on the internet.

[OnMAA]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Semi-finals yesterday were an exact repeat of the previous year:

Ontario Red faced Manitoba while Ontario Blue played Quebec.

In the first semi, Ontario Red led 4-0 about halfway into the 3rd and seemed to control the game. But Manitoba never gave up, and mounted a spirited comeback to come within 1 goal and make the last couple minutes a real nailbiter for Ontario fans. Final score Ontario Red 4-Manitoba 3, and Manitoba will play to defend their Bronze medal again this year.

In the second semi, Ontario Blue was looking to turn the tables following a 5-4 double OT loss to Quebec in last year's semis. This year's rematch became a back and forth goaltending dual, with the score knotted 0-0 after both regulation time and OT, and each tender spectacular in turning away more than 30+ shots. Despite a questionable decision to change goalies for the shootout following the strong shutout performance, the risk still paid off. Eventually Ontario Blue was rewarded on a tally by their 4th shooter, while the Ontario goalie coming in cold actually proved equally hot, turning away all 4 Quebec shots, for an Ontario BLue win 1-0.

For the first time ever, an All-Ontario Gold-medal matchup: Ontario Red vs Ontario Blue at 6:30 EST today, to be televised live on TSN. Quebec vs Manitoba for Bronze at 2:30 EST on the internet.

The final is at 3:30 EST and it is on TSN2.

[5 4 Fighting]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

[QUOTE=OnMAA;4451720]The final is at 3:30 EST and it is on TSN2.[/

The game is on @ 3:30 PST not EST on TSN 2 and is preceeded by the US vs. Canada West in the World Junior A Championships @ 2:00 MST.

[5 4 Fighting]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Team red defeats team blue 5-1 for the gold.

OnMaa, did I hear this right? Team blue is all the cuts from Team red in Ontario?

[Trillium]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Team red defeats team blue 5-1 for the gold.

OnMaa, did I hear this right? Team blue is all the cuts from Team red in Ontario?

Not really....here's the process. Anyone can go to one of the initial 3 day selection camps for the 2 teams combined and about 350 or so girls attend. Then everyone who attends is advised whether they made the cut for the next 5 day camp...which about 80 girls attend. After that camp, players are advised whether they are to play on Red, Blue or neither. While every year there are about a dozen no-brainers who will obviously be on Red, the depth of talent in the province is such that after that there is inevitably some discussion and surprise about other players who did or did not make Red, Blue or neither team...or even sometimes were cut early from the first camp. After about the first 25-30 players at the final camp, there is usually very little difference among the next 30.

It goes without saying that in any such process there are politics, regional, birth year, and club team affiliation considerations, and other individual skill mix criteria for final decisions on each of these teams. The truth is that most years, there are actually some players who would most certainly not be out of place on Red who are sometimes completely left off both teams (and will often still go on to D1 success). That's how deep Ontario is, and the 1992 year is probably the deepest todate....as evidenced by winning the two top medals.

[5 4 Fighting]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Not really....here's the process. Anyone can go to one of the initial 3 day selection camps for the 2 teams combined and about 350 or so girls attend. Then everyone who attends is advised whether they made the cut for the next 5 day camp...which about 80 girls attend. After that camp, players are advised whether they are to play on Red, Blue or neither. While every year there are about a dozen no-brainers who will obviously be on Red, the depth of talent in the province is such that after that there is inevitably some discussion and surprise about other players who did or did not make Red, Blue or neither team...or even sometimes were cut early from the first camp. After about the first 25-30 players at the final camp, there is usually very little difference among the next 30.

It goes without saying that in any such process there are politics, regional, birth year, and club team affiliation considerations, and other individual skill mix criteria for final decisions on each of these teams. The truth is that most years, there are actually some players who would most certainly not be out of place on Red who are sometimes completely left off both teams (and will often still go on to D1 success). That's how deep Ontario is, and the 1992 year is probably the deepest todate....as evidenced by winning the two top medals.

I was in Vancouver this week and watched a few of the prelim games. No doubt Ont Red & Blue were the "toast of the town" throughout the week.

Just curious how the selection process went for these two teams and heard that Blue was the cuts from Red. Even the TSN analyst's mentioned it twice.

Couldn't figure out how a girl like Lucky didn't make the Red...but if I read between the lines here I think I have it figured out.

Congrats to both teams.

[Trillium]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Even the TSN analyst's mentioned it twice.

.

For someone who actually came through the system in Ontario, and the depth of contacts she has, what was even more astonishing was how out of the loop the analyst was on what's actually going on in girls hockey. Very disappointed in her knowledge base.

[5 4 Fighting]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

For someone who actually came through the system in Ontario, and the depth of contacts she has, what was even more astonishing was how out of the loop the analyst was on what's actually going on in girls hockey. Very disappointed in her knowledge base.

If you don't know, don't say anything. She's good enough for part time work at the CBC however...

"All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure" - Mark Twain

[OnMAA]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Team red defeats team blue 5-1 for the gold.

OnMaa, did I hear this right? Team blue is all the cuts from Team red in Ontario?

Trillium already provided a detailed account of the selection process for the Two Ontario teams. I will add a few more tidbits. After the last Camp you are "Selected" to be on Red or Blue, and if you don't make either you are then considered "Cut"

Team Red is the "Showcase" team. In most years Team Blue is the "Development" Team stocked with a good chunk of its players still eligible for the future years.

This year the composition for Team Blue turned out a bit different. Even on the Blue "development" team, most players were 92's, first timers on either team AND in their last year of eligibility.
This is IMHO a reflection of two factors.
- One, the talent level of the 92 class in Ontario is extremely deep, as evidenced by the historic one-two finish.
- Two, next year is a CWG year, so Ontario only gets to send one squad. The CWG (Canada Winter Games) occurs every fourth year.

As far as players from Blue being able to fit right in on Red. IMHO the lower end players on Team Red are easily interchangeable with the top end players on Team Blue. This is not a new theme this year. Having said all that, the stars of Team Red sure carried the day for them in the final. Still a clear distinction in skill set.

[OnMAA]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

The final is at 3:30 EST and it is on TSN2.

The game is on @ 3:30 PST not EST on TSN 2 and is preceeded by the US vs. Canada West in the World Junior A Championships @ 2:00 MST.

OOOPs meant to say PST. An Easterner staying in the Western Time zone causing confusion accross the continent.

[OnMAA]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Team red defeats team blue 5-1 for the gold.

OnMaa, did I hear this right? Team blue is all the cuts from Team red in Ontario?

Check your rep.!

[Trillium]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

Team Red is the "Showcase" team. In most years Team Blue is the "Development" Team stocked with a good chunk of its players still eligible for the future years.

This year the composition for Team Blue turned out a bit different. .

I don't disagree that there is a perception that Team Blue is a development team for the future, with a disproportionate number of "underagers" (ie those not in their last year of eligibility), and that Team Red is "the top 20". A big reason I believe for this perception is that generally there are graduating players overlooked for Blue who may believe are superior to some underage players chosen.

A look over time shows that there are actually development and continuity components built in to both teams, though moreso obviously for Blue. If you look at the mix of players on both teams over the last 6 events where Ontario fielded 2 teams (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009) you find that:

1) In every year, both teams (not just Red) featured players who had previous experience on that team, providing continuity and experience on both.

2) In every year, there were a mix of "underagers" and graduating players on both teams. On average over the 6 years, there have been 6.5 "underagers" on Red and 8.0 on Blue.

3) As you note, this year the numbers of "underagers" on both were significantly lower (3 Red and 5 Blue respectively) than typical. This was the first time ever where Blue medalled, taking Silver.

4) Curiously, 2007 stands out among all others as a year where Blue was truly structured as a "development team", and controversy over selections peaked. That year, only 1 player had previous Blue experience. And while the majority of "underagers" selected are typically in their Junior year, that year 7 players were chosen who were HS Freshmen and Sophs. It was also the only year ever where Ontario Blue finished last in the tournament.

5) Given #3 and #4, perhaps some thought may be given two years hence to when Ontario again has two teams, to re-evaluating the wisdom of over-emphasis of a development component built in to the teams.

[OnMAA]

Re: Canadian U18 Nationals

4) Curiously, 2007 stands out among all others as a year where Blue was truly structured as a "development team", and controversy over selections peaked. That year, only 1 player had previous Blue experience. And while the majority of "underagers" selected are typically in their Junior year, that year 7 players were chosen who were HS Freshmen and Sophs. It was also the only year ever where Ontario Blue finished last in the tournament.

5) Given #3 and #4, perhaps some thought may be given two years hence to when Ontario again has two teams, to re-evaluating the wisdom of over-emphasis of a development component built in to the teams.

Be interesting to see where those 7 players are now:
6 Are on team red (2 of them also on TC)
1 Not even on either team (Actually made it as a 14 year old and never since)