World Juniors: Defending Champs USA Stung by Slovakia
It could be argued that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) stages the sports version of bowl season with the annual World Junior Hockey tournament.
It's a fact that Canada almost single-handedly raised this event to prominence in much the same way ESPN has done with the likes of almost-made-for-TV programing like the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl.
Fans are optional until the playoffs start.
The tourney alternates between North America and Europe, and this year, Buffalo's doing the hosting.
It just so happens the Nickel City is mirroring this year's NHL Winter Classic, which features their Sabres against the New York Rangers.
The convergence conveniently enables the WJC's first outdoor game to be played. Not surprisingly, it'll feature the USA and Canada, with the largest crowd in tournament history guaranteed.
Mainly because the Bills' stadium seats more than the Sabres' arena.
The Canadians did their part for the buildup, edging Finland, 4-2, before walloping the happy to be here crew from Slovakia, 6-0.
The USA started well, pummeling another here for the parting gifts outfit, Denmark, 9-0.
They figured to follow it up by handing Slovakia a jolly old Rogering tonight, just as the Canadians did.
Ever since they split from the Czechs, Slovakia's had the weaker national hockey program of the two.
However, they've been around enough to have a major dose of pride.
And the Americans just saw it, up close and personal:
Full marks to future Sabre Casey Mittelstadt, though, for going total Bobby Orr with the goal of the tournament's early going.
He'll need all of that effort and more, as it's now on the USA to turn it up.
Like most condensed-schedule tournaments, pool play is all about getting in tune and gaining a high seed for bracket play.
Both the USA and Canada are locks for the bracket.
But neither team will be thinking about that later today.
And the Americans had best not be thinking about whatever it was they were thinking before the Slovakian game.