Stars: US U20 National Hockey Team
Christmas came a little late for the Under 20 US National Hockey Team. Led my names that you are certain to hear in an NHL arena near you very soon, these teenagers traveled to Ufa, Russia and took on the very best the world had to offer and came home with the gold!
The team, coached by Phil Housley, came away with two wins and two losses in the preliminary round before turning up their play in the playoff round. In the three games it took to win the gold, Team USA scored 15 goals, while only allowing two.
Kitchener Ranger and Anaheim Duck prospect, John Gibson, received MVP and best goaltender for his superb play during the U20 World Championship. He only allowed nine goals on 202 shots for a .955 save percentage and a 1.36 Goals Against Average.
Boston College and Calgary prospect, John Gaudreau, led team USA with seven goals and was tied for the team lead in points with nine.
Philadelphia Flyer prospect, Shane Gostisbehere took the PBR award for Team USA for most time in the sin bin with 25 penalty minutes.
Slacker: Stan Laws, PBR Writer
I must give this slacker out to myself. The last Stars, Slackers & Suckers was posted on October 25th. Now I could sit here and attempt to wow you with stories of me being overwhelmed at work, or that I was taking the time off for the holiday season. I could even say that I was taking the time to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming NHL season. But the true reason for my temporary sabbatical: sheer laziness!
It’s time for me to step up and get back to work. The NHL season is just around the corner. It’s time to see who shines, who slacks, and who is just situationally stupid! Look for Stars, Slackers, and Suckers each and every Thursday. I just hope you are as ready for NHL hockey as I am!
Sucker: Kelsey Wilson, Left Wing, Nottingham Panthers, Elite Ice Hockey League
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXnd0IOsZsA]
During the December 27th game against the Sheffield Steelers, former Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, Kelsey Wilson decided he needed a short vacation from playing hockey. After the Steelers first goal, Wilson took a nice swing at the midsection at the Steelers Simon Ferguson. Not to a padded area like the shins, but a hockey stick to the gut! Wilson earned a five minute slashing, a 20 minute game misconduct, and a three game suspension for his on ice actions.
It’s common for teams to have their enforcer that isn’t afraid to drop gloves and scrap with an opposing team’s player, but this unprovoked attack is futile. No semblance of discipline or respect was shown by Wilson. Three games is not enough for his dirty deed. Suspend him for the rest of the season and tell him he has to show proof of completion of an anger management course before he plays another game. Just my .02.
