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[Boston Bruins]

2025-26 WJC Day 1 RECAP: Skill Floor Readjustment

Photo by Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF

This tournament’s gonna be wild. I can feel it.

Game 1: Sweden gets a scare, wins 3-2 anyway against Slovakia​

Tre Kronor decided they were gonna wake their fans up by giving them a serious spooking.

Game Notes​

• To be fair to Sweden, they had built a pretty solid lead on Slovakia before getting spooked, and largely controlled the game at all strengths, and I don’t know if there was necessarily any doubt that they would lose…but man they made it as painful a process as you could get. One Slovak goal was just a rocket…but Slovakia’s 2nd goal? That was a total breakdown that a better team could take ample advantage of. Granted, I do not think Switzerland is going to be that team, but given how this tournament has begun and the multitude of goals being scored, this is gonna be something the Swedes need to clean up before they run into another competitive squad.
• Slovakia put up a grand old fight, and as always is set to be difficult in some capacity…but man this Pradel kid just isn’t Sam Urban. His five hole game is just not up to the task yet. Oh, and you gotta play Germany who appears to be a lot more energetic than they’ve been in years past. Have fun with that!

Game 2: Finns flush Danes in 6-2 drubbing​

Thank you for coming, Denmark!

Game Notes​

• Once again Finland showed they are a nightmare when properly on their horse for non-traditional powers, and they got scoring from just about everywhere in their lineup. If you wanted a platonic ideal of what they want to do, you couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner than Denmark. They were especially lethal in using their forwards on rebound chances, which better teams are gonna have to watch out for; Leijonat is gonna be in your face all damn tourney if they get the chance.
• That said…Denmark got 2 goals on 10 shots on goal. That was probably a heralding of the skill floor of this tournament maybe being a little higher than it’s been in years past. Hell, you could maybe make the case that Finland probably should’ve shut them out if they were really so dominant. But they’ve already gone on their way to making my prediction look bad, so sail on you crazy Danes.

Game 3: United States and Germany have the second fastest boat race of the day, States win 6-3​

Team USA decided to do a little remixing of their usual theme and the Germans decided they wanted to be taken seriously for about 35 minutes.

Game Notes​

• In previous years, the US would’ve likely started with the Germans keeping pace before pulling away fully, so I’m glad they at least decided to do all their hero hockey in the 2nd half of the 2nd period rather than get everyone raising an eyebrow heading into the 3rd. They did however spend a good portion of said second period begging the Germans to tie or even take the lead in this game given how poorly they played it, and it must have resulted in an animated 2nd intermission speech, because they locked that game down tight afterwards. They’re still the US, warts and all.
  • Also I’m just gonna say it can we lock down these uniforms and the aways especially as the official uniform of USA hockey forever? This is by far the best look they’ve ever had. I can’t believe they successfully tricked Nike into giving them these back.
  • COLE EISERMAN SCORED ESSEX COUNTY IS ONCE AGAIN BACK ON TOP BAY BEEEEEEEEE-
• Germany’s name game this year is actually incredible. Timo Kose is already primo “I am a hockey player or bassist for Helloween” naming, but Lenny Boos? Simon Seidl? Just fantastic. Zee Germans showed a lot of fight in this game, even as the US suddenly locked things down they never stopped trying to crack the American’s defense for something, anything, to get them back into it. I think they’ll make life very uninviting for the rest of the middle powers of this tournament if this keeps up.

Game 4: Czechia and Canada have a certified classic. Canada wins 7-5​

If you gotta go on last, you may as well perform like headliners.

Game Notes​

• Canada got a good look at what it means when you have competition outside your southern neighbor, and to their credit, they met that moment with aplomb. They recognized instantly that this was not going to be a game in which backchecking was going to be a major factor, and turned their forecheck up to 11 and let their skill guys go wild. It’s still early, but it looks like Canada is rounding back into the form their fans should expect of them rather than just assume they will have from having the sweater on their backs.
  • Zayne Parekh is going to be rode like a horse to much of this tournament if his TOI keeps up like this. Kid played 22:27 and came away with 2 goals. He’s the straw stirring the drink in a lot of shifts, and made Canada so much better for his inclusion.
• Czechia’s going to be a tough beat, man. They brought a level of exciting hockey beyond even what I initially expected for them, and I usually expect a fun game when I watch the Czechs. They outshot Canada throughout the entire game, they got some quality chances, and they never let being down affect them. The rematch of this game in the Quarters is gonna be appointment viewing.

Bruins on Day 1’s performance:​

Team USA​

• Will Zellers and James Hagens are interesting because they’re the first time in awhile that Bruins prospects are expected to medal and also be a major part of their respective national team’s performance, and to both of their credits? They did beautifully. Zellers came away from their game against Germany with 3 points, and Hagens came away with an Assist; though that only tells some of the story as he was a demon of a forechecker; just an absolute stunner of a player.

Upcoming Games:​

Slovakia vs. Germany​

Previously, I’d have told you that this is a game you could maybe consider skipping.

Now? Given how Germany played against the US? I’m very interested in seeing if they make Slovakia’s life a little harder than it should be. The Slovaks had to do a lot just to scare the Swedes, and I dunno if they want to tussle with a group of guys who seem disinterested in letting any score get them down right now.

Latvia vs. Canada​

So hey you know how I was down on Canada in the primer? You wanna know why I was down on them?

Because Latvia won this game last year. A country for less than 1% of it’s populace plays beat you. A country with less registered players than Newfoundland and Labrador beat you.

It was close, they got a ton of shots, but a vast majority of them were easy. Meanwhile Latvia was up Canada’s nose all game. This year’s gotta be different. If you wanna be taken seriously as a number one in the world, this is the game you need to have a moderately-fought 7-1 win. You gotta show me that last year’s win was a fluke.

You want that crown back? You want that gold medal? Show me a beatdown. That’s what this should be, after all.

Meanwhile, Latvia! Great of you to join us. Think you can scare Canada again? Because this time Canada isn’t playing around! You’d better do whatever you can to lock that offense down because oh buddy are they scary this year!

USA vs. Switzerland​

The US maybe started this tournament a little looser than they’d like, so a game against Switzerland is more than likely the ticket to getting them back into proper form. The Swiss are coming into this tournament in real danger of meeting Denmark at the end of it to see who gets to stay, and they gotta prove quickly that they can avoid that fate if they play well here.

I don’t expect a miracle, but I certainly expect a spirited showing…for the most part.

Will Zellers and James Hagens will be playing in this contest

Denmark vs. Czechia​

Denmark I really hope you’re ready for another 6-2 asskicking because that’s probably what you’re getting.

Recommended Game: Slovakia vs. Germany​

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...5-26-wjc-day-1-recap-skill-floor-readjustment

 

[Boston Bruins]

2026 WJC Day 2 RECAP: Closer than it should be

Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF

Some of the higher powers of this tournament decided they wanted to scare the living daylights out of their fanbases on Day 2.

Game 1: Germany disappoints in 4-1 loss to Slovakia​

You got my hopes up for that?

Game Notes​

• It was the Tomas Chrenko show tonight as the young man from Slovakia came away with a hat trick against Germany. Also a pretty good day for Adam Nemec who got primary assists on two of his goals.
• This game was otherwise pretty even in shots, the Germans had a bad first period but roared back to even things out, the problem was in net. Michal Pradel is a helluva lot better than either of Germany’s goalies, and the Slovaks were not exactly struggling to get shots through Germany even if they were tied up with German players. This may end up a much longer tournament for Germany than I anticipated.
• Dustin Willhoft might end up with a point in every game Germany plays and Germany will still play like hot dog water. Like ash in your mouth.

Game 2: Canada is put into a position to survive Latvia again. This time they do it in 2-1 OT winner.​

You are so lucky Team USA looked just as bad today.

Game Notes​

• I will give Latvia all the credit in the world. They kept pace with Canada, something I did not think was feasible for them, Nils Maurins took up the reins in net and kept this game as close as humanly possible, they worked like dogs to get their first and only goal and when they got it they got it in the most clutch moment possible. This is why people love watching Latvia in these tournaments, they always find the drama of the sport through dogged effort. Full marks, didn’t get the win, but bodes well for when they play fellow middle powers.
• SO! Canada! I said you were supposed to blow this team out of the water! By all accounts, you probably should’ve! You did win, and that does count for something, but that was a sloppy effort. You’re not in any real danger yet, but I want you think carefully about how that net-front defense is gonna look when it plays Team Finland, because if you bring that effort to the Finns you’re gonna be in trouble.
  • Another 23 minute night for Zayne Parekh and frankly he could’ve had more with how much they relied on him.

Game 3: Team USA plays like ass, beats Switzerland 2-1 anyway.​

Oh don’t you worry Eagleland you’re getting some of this too.

Game Notes​

• This was exactly the kind of game Switzerland likes playing; low event, high defense, strong fundamentals game…and it took advantage of the United States deciding to play some of their worst hockey imaginable. Passing was getting sloppy, defensive zone coverage became lackadaisical, players lost their man constantly, and meanwhile all Switzerland had to do was be patient. Unfortunately for them, the US is also mind-bendingly talented, so that couldn’t quite save them. But they should be able to pull at least a couple of decent games out of that if they can score more than once a game.
• Team USA should be thanking their lucky stars that Will Zellers and James Hagens are putting their efforts towards getting shots going the right way, because they’re officially out of easy games after this one. Slovakia and Sweden are already difficult games and given the history Slovakia and the States have recently, this should be considered a one-off performance unless they too want to know what a scare really looks like.

Game 4: Denmark is put in the device once again in 7-2 beatdown by Czechia​

Grant the Danes the grace to “Sim to End”.

Game Notes​

• I dunno what to tell you man. Czechia is just such a better team all around than Denmark, as Denmark usually finds out in this tournament. 4 players had 2 point nights, Tomas Galvas had 3, I think maybe 4 dressed skaters for the Czechs failed to obtain a point and even then it never felt particularly close. This was a bloodletting that unfortunately the IIHF tournaments still have sometimes.
• I will give the Danes endless credit that they’ve yet to be shut out in this tourney, which previously was almost a guarantee. I don’t think it’ll save them in the long run, but I am glad they are capable of keeping their pride.

Bruins on Day 2:​

Will Zellers and James Hagens came away with points on Team USA’s win over Team Switzerland! Zellers had the opening goal, and James Hagens had the primary assist on Brodie Ziemer’s game winner!

Games Today​

Switzerland vs. Sweden​

If the Swiss can keep up the low-event style of game and impart it on Sweden, then they have as good a chance as any to beat the Swedes; especially given how haphazardly Sweden won their first game. If the Swedes don’t fall for it however, Switzerland is gonna need to match this team’s firepower and I just don’t think they have the necessary bodies.

Finland vs. Latvia​

The lovable Latvian Underdogs vs. the fierce Finns, who busted up Denmark to start the tourney. Last time Latvia gave Canada a scare they had to follow it up with another team that was starting the tournament well and it didn’t go nearly as smoothly. I don’t expect miracles here, but if any team can give a traditional power in this tournament a fright, then it’s in maroon and white.

Game of the Day: I flipped a coin and Finland/Latvia came up, so that one.​

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...2026-wjc-day-2-recap-closer-than-it-should-be

 

[Boston Bruins]

Morning Skate: West

Welcome to a new week, folks!

I find myself still firmly in that “what day is it?” post-Christmas haze, so I didn’t realize the Bruins were playing in Calgary tonight until this morning.

We won’t have a full preview for you, but consider this a mini-preview and place to gather until the Public Skate.

The Flames aren’t having a great year, currently sitting at 7th in the Pacific Division.

However, they’ve been on a decent run of late, winning three of four and posting a 7-3-0 mark in their last ten games.

They’ve also been much better at home (10-5-2) than on the road this season, so this should be a good test for the Bruins.

Those Bruins, as you’re well aware, are in a tailspin, losing five games in a row and plummeting from near the top of the Atlantic to the third-worst points figure in the Eastern Conference.

The fall is particularly dramatic due to the congested nature of the standings at the moment, but the Bruins have been playing a bad brand of hockey for the past couple of weeks.

In case you missed it, the B’s activated both Matej Blumel and Michael Callahan from injured reserve on Sunday, then sent both to Providence.

In more positive news (yes, there is some good news), Will Zellers is opening eyes at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota, with one observer calling him “a two-way force” for the USA.

See? It’s not all bad.

Elsewhere, the NHL is ramping up the hype machine for Friday night’s Winter Classic in Miami, with the Florida Panthers facing the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park, home of the Marlins.

While this will be a cool experience for Panthers fans, it seems like just about everyone else is over the outdoor games at this point.

To me, the NHL should focus on hosting outdoor games in more unique settings (like the Lake Tahoe game) instead of just trotting around to different MLB and NFL stadiums.

However, there are obvious logistical challenges to playing an outdoor game on some random frozen lake in Canada, so maybe we’re stuck with this set-up.

That’s my take for today.

What’s on tap for your Monday?

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/morning-skate-open-threads/57637/morning-skate-west

 

[Boston Bruins]

Public Skate: Bruins vs. Flames

Welcome to Monday Night Hockey, folks!

Fresh off of a sound defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, the Bruins begin their Western Canada swing with a stop in Calgary.

These Western Canada road trips are usually good measuring sticks for East Coast teams, but the Bruins aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders at the moment.

(You could probably argue that they aren’t firing on any cylinders at the moment, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Bruins! Flames! 9 PM Eastern!

Discuss.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/gameday-open-threads/57634/public-skate-bruins-vs-flames