Juniors make Canada Proud!

So as most everyone in our wonderful country knows or should know, the Canadian Junior Team beat the Swedes last night handily by a score of 5-1 to win the World Junior Championship, for the fifth time in a row. Could the fans in Scotiabank Place been any louder?! Chanting Go Canada Go as the young men went down the line recieving their gold medals. Watching the faces of these young men as the national anthem came on, just sent shivers up my back. These boys are all going to the NHL and are all going to have impacts. For some, alot larger then others. I must say however, minus Della Rovere's antics, this might have been the classiest bunch of juniors of the whole 5 gold medals in a row. Listening to John Tavares get interviewed, this guy is so ready for the NHL it makes me sick. P.K. Subban is one of the most fun players to listenm to and watch, he has a frigan TON of spirit (why cant the Oilers have him too). Cody Hodgson and Jordan Eberle are both class acts (wait til they play eachother in the Oiler, Cunuck rivalry). One thing i do have to point out though as maybe a slightly glaring factoid is, John Tavares didnt have a single point in either of the last two games (the two most important) Canada played. He finished the tournament BEHIND Cody Hodgson (yes his last point was an empty net goal). Canada finished 1-2-3 in tournament scoring (Hodgson 16, Tavares 15, Eberle 13).

Another thing id like to touch on is the Oilers drafting of Jordan Eberle. This kid is good, really good. He scored possibly one of the biggest goals in World Junior history, and had a point in every game of the tournament. Not bad for 22nd overall. Noone should be any bit surprised if Jordan Eberle is lining up on opening night for the Oilers come next season. Eberle didnt go as high as Gagner, or as low as Cogliano, but he may possibly be better then both, he played the PK in the tournament, he can play both wings, he is a HUGE threat down low on the Powerplay, and he is pretty damn clutch (i dont think i need to explain myself here). Yes Eberle is a prospect and one can never tell what will or could happen with prospects, but this boy looks like a lock, to be a great NHLer and a consistant top scorer for years to come. Its been a long time since an Oiler surpassed the 40 goal mark (Petr Klima 90-91), and Eberle could be the one to finally break that mark. Anyways thats my rant.

-Sporer