Nick Piccone
We’re going to entirely forget about that ridiculously bad Flyers game last night. Seriously, how bad are they right now? Who follows up a 10-game winning streak – legitimately enough of a sample size to think hey, this is a pretty good team – by losing seven of their last eight games? The Flyers, that’s who.
So, let’s focus on some of the Flyers’ prospects, who are experiencing happier times in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. Team USA and Team Canada will meet in tonight’s Gold Medal Game, and between the two teams, three Flyers prospects will have the chance at gold.
RELATED: The Flyers Have Nine Prospects in the World Junior Championship Tournament
To be fair, it’s not entirely a surprise that a Flyers prospect will win a gold medal – they had nine prospects in the tournament. But let’s take a look at the two [maybe three] that will take center stage tonight in Montreal’s Bell Centre in the Gold Medal Game.
For the United States, forward Tanner Laczynski boasts one goal and one assist in six games so far during the tournament. He has eight shots on goal in that span. While underwhelming, he still has six goals and 16 assists in 15 games playing for Ohio State University in the 2016-17 season thus far.
For Canada, the goaltender of the Flyers’ future is likely to lead Team Canada into tonight’s game after making 28 saves against Sweden last night coming off the bench. Hart was tabbed the starter heading into the tournament, but Connor Ingram started three straight after an impressive outing against the U.S. In last night’s game, Ingram was replaced after letting the first two of three shots get past him, so it’s safe to say Hart will be in net for tonight’s game.
Joining Hart will be defenseman Philippe Myers, who continues to baffle people as to how he was not selected in the 2016 NHL Draft. However, Myers is suffering from a concussion and his status for the game is doubtful. He might not play at all. He’d still be eligible for the Gold Medal, though.
Myers was hit by the U.S.’s captain, Luke Kunin, during their New Year’s Eve tilt. Kunin was given a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct.
Here’s the hit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3tEyLzbWUg
Will Canada exact revenge on the U.S.? Tune in tonight at 8:00 P.M. on the NHL Network [or TSN] to find out!