Led by Illo’s one goal and two assists, Slovakia steamrolled Latvia 8-3 the next day.
All of this made me think about the fact that blowouts in the international competition are much like the ones in the USHL.
You have the Omaha’s, Indiana’s and Green Bay’s (Team Canada, Team Russia, Team USA and Team Sweden) or the Sioux Falls’, Fargo’s and Tri-Cities (Team Finland, Team Slovakia and Team Czech Republic).
The superb teams will blowout the lesser, if the lesser plays bad. Kind of like the game in which Sweden beat the Czech Republic 10-1.
Nonetheless, when teams like the Czech Republic play well they can come close to beating some of the top teams in the tournament, as the Czech’s loss 4-3 to Finland the day after the loss to Sweden.
Inconsistencies in hockey exist at all levels from Juniors to the Pros and international competition.
This is part of the reason I don’t get high or low after blowout victories or losses. It really depends on the way both teams play. I actually get more upset if the team I’m pulling for is not playing with heart.
Hopefully, the Storm will be on top of their game after the break and will make a push into the playoffs!
Be sure to tune into the games on Classic Hits 98.9 FM this week 15-minutes before puck drops for the Viaero Wireless Pre-Game Show.
The Storm battle the Sioux Falls Stampede on New Year’s Eve (8:05pm), the Des Moines Buccaneers on Friday (7:05pm) and the Sioux City Musketeers (7:05pm).
- Skip Berry (Happy Hockey Everyone!)