By Glen Erickson /
Almost everyone is aware of the big story at the 2010 World Junior Championship: the U.S. edges Canada for gold. Here’s the rest of the story by the numbers.
The IIHF used the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon and the Brandt Centre in Regina. Capacity in Saskatoon was 15,171 and the building was full for both games between Canada and the U.S.A. In Regina, seating capacity with standing room was 6,336. A total of 31 games were played during the tournament –10 in Regina and 21 in Saskatoon. The total attendance exceeded 300,000.
Only two teams played seven games in the tournament, those being Team USA and Switzerland by virtue of their quarter-final and semi-final appearances. All other teams played six games each. Austria and Latvia have been relegated to the IIHF’s Division 1 competition next year.
It appears that the 2011 World Juniors in Buffalo, NY will remain a ten-team tournament, and will include Germany and Norway. Each was victorious at their respective qualifying tournaments in December.
The Czech Republic had the most proficient powerplay at the tournament, operating at 41.67 percent with 16 goals in 36 opportunities through six games. Canada was second at 37.50 percent with 15 goals on 40 chances on the powerplay.
Canada (84.62 percent) and USA (82.76) were the top two penalty-killing teams in the tournament. Each team scored three shorthanded goals. Canada gave up two shorthanded tallies to the U.S.A.’s one. Austria (23) and Latvia (21) gave up the most powerplay goals, while Canada surrendered the least (4).
Goaltending was considered average at best by many pundits at the World Juniors. The IIHF ranks goalkeeping primarily by save percentage, making Russia the tournament leader at .930 and a 2.43 goals against average through six games. Sweden and U.S.A. were tied for second with identical .914 save percentages and a 2.51 GAA. Canada was fourth at .906, although they emerged with the lowest goals against average at 2.11.
Four teams accumulated over 100 penalty minutes. Austria led all teams with 147, followed by Sweden (105), Switzerland (103) and Latvia (102). Finland was the least penalized team with a total of 60 minutes during the tournament, followed by Canada with only 74…Four major penalties and eight misconducts were issued during the tournament, along with four game misconducts.
An automated 50/50 draw system was introduced in Saskatchewan, the brainchild of “50/50 Central” from Prince Edward Island. Tickets were produced with random numbering from hand-held machines that resembled credit card terminals one would use at a retail outlet. The “accumulating pot” was displayed on any and all television screens in each venue, which served to create a frenzy of ticket purchases. At the gold medal game, the winner took home $149,700. During the tournament, over $1,789,000 was spent on 50/50 tickets, resulting in just under $900,000 in prizes. Many NHL General Managers were in attendance and have expressed some interest in the system. It is rumored the system will be utilized at the upcoming 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Based on the order of finish in Saskatchewan, Team Canada will play in the so-called “tougher” pool during the preliminary round at the 2011 WJC. Using the 2, 3, 6, 7 standings formula to determine future pool assignments, Canada, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Russia occupied those four positions after the tournament in Saskatchewan. The U.S.A., Switzerland, Finland and Slovakia will comprise the other pool for preliminary round games. Germany and Norway will be assigned later. |