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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A few years ago, I live blogged a Canada ~ Russia World Junior Hockey Championship game and it was a lot of fun. We won that one, and as I type the puck has dropped in the World Hockey Championship as we host Russia in the gold medal match.

James and I are settled in, we've got our pizza and our beverages and we're ready to rock. Go Canada Go!

12:59 - Russia just scored. We're only 1:23 into this game. I wonder if the ref gets an assist on the play? Canada 0, Russia 1

13:02 - We're on the PP. Just wondering, do these Getzlaf and Spezza points count in my playoff pool? Canada 0, Russia 1

13:05 - Great goal by Brent Burns to tie this sucker up. We've got a 4-1 lead in shots. This is shaping up to be a great game for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Canada 1, Russia 1

13:09 - WTF? I need a replay... How did that puck not go in? How dare TSN cut to a commercial without throwing us a replay first! Canada 1, Russia 1

13:16 - Awesome shot by Kunitz to give us the lead. I was just thinking how neat it was that Federov is still an effective player when Chris K. hammered one home. I'll get back to my Federov thought later... Canada 2, Russia 1

13:19 - We're going on the PP. I wonder how Sens fans feel watching Heatley and Spezza play this game? I shouldn't throw stones... I notice no Leafs made this team. Canada 2, Russia 1

13:23 - They just played that Molson ad that tells us real Canadian men turn down booty calls during the post season. I've turned down booty calls during Leaf playoff games. The calls were from my wife, and I made amends after the game, but nothing distracts me from the NHL playoffs. Nothing. Canada 2, Russia 1

13:26 - Nash just got high-sticked giving us a 2-man advantage. Get ready to cheer... Canada 2, Russia 1

13:27 - Brent Burns has his second of the game. Nice pass from St. Louis. We're still on the PP here, and Russia has just called a time-out. Canada 3, Russia 1

13:35 - I'm exhausted just watching this game. The action is fast and furious and that PP was thrilling. Now we're short handed but the Russian PP will be interrupted by an intermission. Canada 3, Russia 1

13:38 - After one period, we've got a two goal lead. It actually felt like we dominated more than that. They're promoting an interview with our Prime Minister. Let me guess... Mr. Harper will tell us how proud he is of our Canadian team and what a big fan he is of our national game. That's all well and good but it still won't win him a seat in Toronto. Canada 3, Russia 1

13:56 - With the pizza finished, the BBQ chips are out. Russia just scored. Federov was on the ice. Hockey fans remember well the Russian trifecta that came into the NHL in the early 90s. It was Federov, Mogilny and Bure and they were awesome. Federov is the last one standing. Canada 3, Russia 2

14:00 - Great save by Cam Ward on Ovechkin. Damn Ovechkin is good. The Russians are really coming on now. Canada 3, Russia 2

14:10 - Heatley scores! I was worried after a complacent start to the period. That's his 12th goal of the tournament beating Eric Lindros' old record. Canada 4, Russia 2

14:12 - Gord Miller just mentioned the fact Heatley has tied the old Yzerman record for points in this tournament by a Canadian. I love Heatley when he's playing for Canada and hate him when he's playing for Ottawa. It's funny how that works. Canada 4, Russia 2

14:20 - The goaltending has been strong with both Cam Ward and Nabokov making big saves. Canada 4, Russia 2

14:26 - After two periods we're up by two. They're airing that commercial that tells ignorant parents the new words kids use for recreational drugs. Did you know green means marijuana? Canada 4, Russia 2

14:37 - A Canada vs. Russia gold medal game in the first World Championship held in Canada was the dream match-up everyone wanted and got. In the NBA, people without a rooting interesting are hoping, wishing and praying for a Celtics vs. Lakers final. That's quite possible... but the Celtics have to dispose of Lebron first. Canada 4, Russia 2

14:46 - An unexpected guest just popped by. Drew, the guy who leads our playoff pool, is here with a steaming hot Tim Horton's coffee... but get this, he didn't bring one for me. And now he wants to watch the third period here. That is wrong with a capital W. Canada 4, Russia 2

14:51 - Cam Ward is shutting the door here as the Russians threaten. Canada 4, Russia 2

14:58 - Damn... Russians are within one. This is going to be quite the finish. I'm running out of fingernails. Canada 4, Russia 3

15:03 - Wow. End-to-end action. We need a goal so I can breathe. Canada 4, Russia 3

15:09 - Fudge. Kovalchuk just tied it up. Where the hell is the offense? Hitchcock just called a time-out. I'm not live blogging this thing to lose, dammit! Canada 4, Russia 4

15:18 - How's this for a storybook ending? Nash comes back after taking a puck in the mouth and scores the winner with seconds left in regulation... Canada 4, Russia 4

15:20 - We're heading to overtime. I can't help but notice that we were up by two when Drew showed up and now it's in OT. The dude can draft a playoff pool, but he's crap luck when it comes to an international tournament. Canada 4, Russia 4

15:27 - I'm watching the Penguins vs. Flyers during the intermission. Pittsburgh has the early lead. I'll bet they win 4-1 or 5-1. Canada 4, Russia 4

15:38 - What the hell was Nash thinking flipping the puck over the glass? That's a penalty, right? They're chatting about it... and... they called it. Damn. Canada 4, Russia 4

15:42 - Pittsburgh now leads 2-0. Canada 4, Russia 5

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Canada plays Finland today in IIHF World Hockey Championship action. Game time is 3:30, and if you're a regular joe like me, that means you'll be stuck in an office for most of the game.

Throughout this tournament, being held in Canada for the first time, this has been the case. The games take place in the afternoon while we work. The only game I've seen thus far was our 10-1 drubbing of Germany on Saturday.

You'd think with the tournament taking place in Halifax and Quebec City that Canada would get the 7pm or 7:15pm slot. Go figure.

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I spent the day putting up dry wall but had this gold medal game on the radio before breaking to watch overtime on the telly. Matt Halischuk scored 3:36 in to give us a 3-2 win over Sweden securing our fourth championship in a row.

I hope we don't take this string of successes for granted. It's been a fantastic four years but it won't always be like this. We can't possibly win this tournament every year.

Having said that, I'm already looking toward next year when we host this tourny in Canada and ten of our players return. With Kyle Turris, Steve Stamkos and John Tavares leading the charge, we could easily go for five. Yikes, I'm already starting to take this success for granted...

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I watched this semi-final on tsn.ca and was I ever impressed. Their broadband network was so clear and fluid, I thought I was watching television.

For the seventh year in a row, we're going for gold. This time we face Sweden in the championship game, a chance for revenge. Sweden recently handed us our only defeat in the past three years.

Game time is tomorrow at 2pm. This time, I won't need the broadband network.

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I missed this quarter-final victory over Finland because I had to work but it sounds like Brad Marchand is the hero with two goals including the winner.

This sets up a tough semi-final between Canada and USA on Friday. Last year's semi-final featured the same match up and a thrilling shootout win for the good guys.

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We finished 3-1 in the preliminary round of the world junior hockey championship after disposing of Denmark 4-1. We're groomed to be disappointed with anything other than perfection in this tournament. Sweden went 4-0 to secure the bye so we've got a quarter-final game against Finland on Wednesday.

Not to look ahead or anything, but a victory against Finland would set up an exciting semi-final rematch against Sweden and a victory there could pit us against our continental rivals. And no, that wouldn't be Mexico.

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