Hello OHL fans, it's time for another round of news,
stats and happenings in the best junior hockey league in the
world.
Let's start with some World Junior Championship (WJC) stuff first.
It was an incredible finish to the 2007 WJC as Canada took gold for the third straight year. OHL players, who we all get to watch on a regular basis, made the difference in the championship game last week.
It all started with Canada's first goal, which had two
OHL players figure in prominently. The play saw Sudbury Wolves
defender Marc Staal make a marvelous deke past a Russian
defenceman at the blueline and then fed it over to Erie Otters
forward Ryan O'Marra, who then slipped a pass over to
Andrew Cogliano for the goal.
Canada's second goal came from an OHL player as Barrie
Colts star Bryan Little ripped a sweet tally to the top of the
net on the power play to make it 2-0.
The onslaught continued when Kitchener's Steve Downie (he
was traded from Peterborough Jan. 8) made a tremendous play in
front of the Russian net. Downie took a rebound, deftly pulled
it back past a Russian defender and then feather a pass onto
the stick of Jonathan Toews for the third goal, which was
essential a back breaker.
Later in the game, Downie showed his true worth. He took a hard
hit along the boards, which almost put him over the bench, just
so he could get the puck into play to an open Canadian player,
Toews, who then dished the puck to Brad Marchand for the fourth
goal.
Simply put, without the OHL stars showing up with their best
efforts, Canada might not have won gold this year.
Their inspired play reflects the high calibre of hockey that is
played in arenas across Ontario every weekend.
