In a baffling move, Brian Burke picked up Martin Gerber earlier today. I'll never forget the name Martin Gerber. On February 18, 2006, he sent me to Swiss Chalet.

I don't know what to say...

In 1924, we beat the Swiss 33-0 in the Olympics. This, my friends, is a long way from 1924. Today, we hit a hot goaltender Martin Gerber who stood on his head and made 49 saves on 49 shots from Team Canada. What should have been a fairly easy win became a most difficult game to watch as our guys failed to deliver and one of our former guys, Paul DiPietro, potted two for the wrong team. As tough as this was to digest, we can all breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn't an elimination game. We've had our taste of defeat, let's hope we heed this dire warning and take out our frustrations on Finland tomorrow afternoon.

Where did I go in disgust after watching our boys get humiliated by the Swiss? Swiss Chalet, naturally. The only way to eliminate a bad Swiss taste in your mouth is to supplant it with a good one.

Martin F**king Gerber.

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Canada has its fifth World Junior Championship gold medal in a row. I love this tournament and have watched faithfully for as long as I can remember, but I don't recall a tournament as exciting as this one.

First there was that New Year's game against the USA. Down by three goals early, we stormed all the way back.

Then, there was that unbelievable semi-final game against Russia. With a mere 5.4 seconds on the clock, we were down by a goal. Somehow, against all odds, we came back and won in a shootout.

Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da! Can-a-da!

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I had given up. There simply wasn't enough time on the clock for us to come back. The Russians had us, we were playing Slovakia for bronze. And then, with 5.4 seconds left in the third period, Jordan Eberle scored.

That scream you heard when Eberle scored was me. It was awesome, but overtime awaited us. We had our chances, but this semi-final would be determined by a shootout.

Awesome goals by Eberle and John Tavares sealed the deal and we'll be playing for our fifth gold medal in a row Monday night. First the New Year's game against the USA and then this. My poor heart can't take much more.

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I can't wait for tonight's semi-final in the World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Canada takes on Russia and you know it's gonna be good. The puck drops shortly after 7:30.

Speaking of Ottawa, the Senators are in town to take on the Leafs. Normally, that would have my full attention on a Saturday night. That game starts shortly after 7:00.

I'm double booked and without PiP. Canada vs. Russia takes precedent, without a doubt, and during intermissions and commercial breaks I'll check in on my Leafers.

There, I've got it all worked out.

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Down 3-0 early, things were looking grim. Then, John Tavares took over, scoring two goals in a span of 48 seconds to bring us back. Heck, even his third goal of the net, an empty netter, was something special. He picked up the puck at the U.S. blue-line, held off a defender with his left arm, and carried the puck to the crease to score a one-handed goal and ice the win.

Canada now plays the winner of Friday's quarter-final between Russia and the Czech Republic in the semis. If you saw this one, you witnessed one hell of an exciting game. This is why I love the junior tourney.

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We're only through two periods and I'm already exhausted.

Tonight's Canada-USA hockey game has included a furious comeback by the good guys, amazing saves, tremendous action and glimpses of greatness from The Next One.

This is gonna be one helluva finish...

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There are 5-1 games and then there are 5-1 games. I watched this entire contest, and it was far closer than the score would make it appear. German goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 44 saves on 49 shots.

Wednesday's final game between Canada and the U.S. is a biggie, with the winner getting the bye to the semis. I know what I'm doing New Year's Eve.

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There's no glory in crushing a lesser-light. It's the easiest shutout Chet Pickard will ever record.

Looking ahead, we have a tougher task with the United States on New Years' Eve, with the winner securing a bye to the semi-finals. We'll consider today's game a light practice in preparation for a little competition Wednesday.

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Sure, the Leafs lost to the last place Islanders, but did you see John "The Next One" Tavares lead the charge for Canada with two goals and an assist? Even more telling, did you see how he opted to pass the puck to Angelo Esposito instead of scoring a natural hat trick?

Leafs fans, John Tavares grew up rooting for the blue and white, and he's the real deal. As difficult as it is for me personally to root against our team, my subconscious regards J.T. as the shiny silver lining when this season inevitably goes to shit.

Let's go for broke.

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It doesn't get any better than this. The IIHF Under-20 world junior hockey championship is a tournament I look forward to every year and it never fails to deliver. It all starts tonight at 7:30 when Canada takes on the Czech Republic in Ottawa.

We went 3-0 in pre-competition play, outscored opponents 18-5, and will be led by young phenom John Tavares. Depending on who you talk to, Tavares will be going 1st or 2nd overall in the entry draft this June, with Swede Victor Hedman taking the other spot. Here's hoping for a strong tourney from #19.

Here's Tavares scoring an amazing goal just the other day in pre-competition play. Tune in tonight for the sequel.

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