It is the most wonderful time of year. No no, not the holiday season, but that is great too. The 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship from Halifax and Moncton is a week away. Team USA has announced its final roster, but one thing is clear the Americans are looking for redemption after falling in the quarterfinals at the summer 2022 World Junior Championships.
Entering the 2022 World Junior Championships, Team USA was the defending gold medalist. Unfortunately, Team USA lost to Czechia in the quarters by a score of 4-2. It was the second time in three tournaments the Americans failed to medal. Prior to that Team USA medaled four years in a row from 2016-2019. Team USA has a high standard and expectation of winning gold medals now, finishing fifth in the tournament is not good enough.
-
Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
The Americans are motivated by their past failures especially the eight returning players from the 2022 tournament. Goaltender Kaidan Mbereko is one of those players that will use the disappointment of last season as motivation for this year as Team USA looks to reclaim the gold.
“It was disappointing … that quarterfinal game, and I know it’s a team sport but I blamed myself,” Mbereko said to NHL.com. “I’ve got to do my job and make sure I’m on point with that. I think habits, progressively getting better each day and honing in on the details, will be huge for me this time around.”
While Mbereko blames himself, it was the team in front of him that did not play up to standards. In the tournament in August, Mbereko had a record of 3-1 with 1.76 goals against average and a .920 save percentage in four games. Those are pretty good numbers and numbers that should have gotten Team USA to the gold medal game.
Unfortunately, the team in front of him did not play well. Consistency was a major problem for Team USA at the 2022 World Junior Championships. Early on they looked great, but as the tournament progressed, they got sloppy. Entering the quarterfinal game against Czechia Team USA barely beat Sweden. They did not finish their final preliminary game strong and it showed in the next game.
Around Full Press Hockey
WJC: Team USA Relentless Forecheck Paying Dividends
WJC: Connor Bedard Continues Dominant Roll at World Juniors
WJC: Some Of The Most Effective Players in the 2022 World Junior Championship
NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recap
It is all about playing a full 60-minute hockey game, especially in a short tournament and especially in the knock-out stage. There are no shortcuts. The experience these eight players got in the summer will help them once the 2023 World Junior Championships begin on December 26th.
“It’s habits, it’s details,” continued Mbereko to NHL.com. “It’s who’s going to play to the structure the best in this tournament. We’re all going to be working on our game, trusting the game plan and executing it, especially with my game. I think that’s going to be huge for me, especially going into the tournament. So I’m excited for what’s coming.”
Mbereko is not the only one motivated by last year’s loss to Czechia in the quarterfinals. Arizona Coyotes prospect Logan Cooley is back for another crack at a gold medal and he is hungry just like Mbereko.
“Obviously not getting out of the quarterfinals in the 2022 WJC was disappointing,” Cooley said. “I was sick seeing Canada win it too, so I’m really looking forward to getting back at them. Obviously, we have a few guys that have been through World Juniors and who have lost so I think that brings more motivation into this year. We want to get back on the winning track here.”
History is on Team USA’s side when it comes to medalling. After finishing out of the medals, the next year Team USA wins a medal. After finishing fifth in 2009, the Americans win gold in 2010. Then in 2012, when the Americans had to deal with the relegation round and finished seventh, the Americans win gold in 2013. After back-to-back fifth-place finishes in 2014 and 2015, the Americans win a bronze in 2016. Team USA followed that up with gold in 2017. Most recently after a sixth-place finish in 2020, Team USA wins gold in 2021.
If you are a fan of Team USA you hope this pattern holds. Not to mention three of the last four gold medals won by the Americans have been on Canadian soil.
There is a lot of work to be done as head coach Rand Pecknold gets his team ready for battle. The Americans will play two exhibition games against Sweden and Finland so coach Pecknold will get a good look at his team there.
Team USA opens the 2023 World Junior Championships on December 26th against Lativa. The Americans will also face off against Slovakia, Switzerland and Finland in the preliminary stage.
-
Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
-
Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
-
Around the NHL: What is Going in Tampa and Toronto As Training Camps Begin
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
-
S5Ep3 - Mike Babcock Out in Columbus and Steven Stamkos Drops The Hammer in Tampa
by Jim Biringer on September 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Nashville Predators Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews the Nashville Predators Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Minnesota Wild Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Minnesota Wild Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Dallas Stars Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Dallas Stars Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown […]
-
Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
-
Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
-
Full Press Canadiens - 9-22 - Bogan Konyushkov is dominating the KHL
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters
by Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Canadiens 9-22 - Intra-squad scrimmages
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Leafs Digest - 9-22 - Nylander MOVED to Center, Murray and Muzzin OUT for Season | Toronto Maple Leafs News and Updates
by BCM on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Zack Phillips reacts to Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reaction
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Ian and Braden discuss the 49ers win on Thursday Night Football, the […]
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Matt
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandman
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
Comments 5