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  September 20, 2018 9:58 AM EEST

  Scott Cullen takes a look at the top stories from January 3rd through January 9th, including the World Junior Hockey Championship, a coach getting fired in Toronto, Luongo returning to Vancouver, frustration in Boston and more. GOOD AS GOLD Team Canada won gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship, clinging to a 5-4 lead to defeat Russia in the gold medal game. Canada raced out to a 5-1 lead in the final, only to allow three goals in a span of 2:32 in the second period to let the Russians get right back into the game and then it was a white-knuckle ride the rest of the way. It was Canadas first gold at the event since 2009, and it came relatively easily, with their New Years Eve game against the U.S. the only real challenge before the gold medal game. Team Canada outscored their opponents 34-5 in six games leading up to the final matchup, a game that looked like it was going to be easy pickings, until it suddenly wasnt. Canada had the tournaments best power play (9-for-21, 42.9%) and the highest save percentage (.938) as the duo of Zach Fucale and Eric Comrie got the job done while facing minimal work (20.57 shots per game) -- a dominant team performance. For Team Canada, getting back to the winners circle eases some pressure. They are contenders (perhaps even favourites) every year, so when the years between wins start to add up, frustration can build. This year, they embraced their home-team favourite status and delivered a gold medal performance, one that was appreciated by a large audience nationwide. CARLYLE GONE Even though the Toronto Maple Leafs were sitting in eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, with a positive goal differential, Randy Carlyle was fired as head coach. In one respect, maybe that would be considered a surprise, given their place in the standings, but the end has been coming for a while, and Carlyle finished his run in Toronto with one regulation win in the last nine games. He finished his Maple Leafs tenure with a 91-78-19 (.535) record, which is entirely mediocre, but there have been signs for quite a while that Carlyles approach was inhibiting the Maple Leafs puck possession. Given that the Leafs now have some analytically-inclined voices in hockey operations, these shortcomings had to be known and if the trend wasnt going to change, then it made sense to see what Torontos players could do with a new voice guiding them from behind the bench. If the players cant perform any better under interim coach Peter Horachek, then it becomes easier to see which players definitely need to go, as opposed to those that may have been dragged down by Carlyle. Horachek didnt have any grand success as head coach in Florida last season, going 26-36-4 after taking over from Kevin Dineen, but the Panthers had a 49.6% score-adjusted Corsi under Horachek last season (after Dineen started the year at 46.5%). Puck possession isnt the only responsibility for a coach, but if there are tangible measures that indicate the puck is going in the wrong direction, its something that needs to be addressed and it appears that the Maple Leafs have decided there wasnt enough improvement in that aspect of the game under Carlyles watch this season. THE BLAME GAME It didnt take long, literally a few hours, for blame for Carlyles ouster to get shifted to the Maple Leafs players, none moreso than Phil Kessel. Yes, Phil Kessel, who has 255 points in 253 games since the start of the 2011-2012 season. Blame wasnt outright cast upon Kessel but, on the day of his coach getting fired and the previous coach throwing players under the bus, Kessel was asked about whether or not he is uncoachable. Well, thats certainly leading the witness, a question that obviously isnt going to be well-received by anyone, and some witnesses took the bait. This isnt to suggest that Kessel is blameless. Whenever a coach gets fired, the players could assuredly have done more, but taking the uncoachable angle immediately, without appearing to even consider data that suggests Carlyles coaching is a drag on puck possession, shifts that blame unfairly. This isnt unusual. Taylor Hall got it when the Oilers fired Dallas Eakins. Alex Ovechkin gets it every time the Washington Capitals fire a coach. If Ottawa had a high scoring forward, maybe he would have taken the heat when Paul MacLean was fired. The point is that there are a lot of places to aim the blame when a bad team fires its coach and Toronto has no shortage of worthy targets to consider before getting to the teams elite scoring winger. So, dont be surprised if that winger doesnt feel like he should be the one taking the hit. UNACCEPTABLE Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs teed off on his team this week, describing their first-half results as unacceptable and that missing the playoffs would be viewed as an incredible failure. The Bruins have made the playoffs in seven straight seasons, winning a Cup in 2011 and losing the Cup Final in 2013, so expectations are naturally high, but as they were on-the-outside-looking-in at a playoff spot, Jacobs wasnt going to let it slide. The Boston fanbase has been on edge. When I put out a complimentary tweet about David Pastrnak -- their first-round pick in the 2014 Draft -- the feedback was full of frustration, with Bruins fans already dreading the day when the skilled Czech forward gets traded for a fraction of the value (presumably in reference to Tyler Seguin and even Joe Thornton trades). Since Jacobs call to arms, the Bruins have won both games, stealing one in overtime at Pittsburgh and then thoroughly dominating New Jersey, to put the Bruins into the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. What Jacobs outburst really signals, though, is that the pressure is on head coach Claude Julien and, perhaps, GM Peter Chiarelli. When the big boss makes public declarations like this, that tightens collars throughout the organization. WELCOME BACK, LU There was a time that the Vancouver Canucks couldnt wait to get rid of Roberto Luongo or, more specifically, his contract that runs through 2021-22. Now that hes gone back to Florida to play for the Panthers, there is probably some appreciation for a guy who gave Vancouver some really good years. From 2006-2007 through 2013-2014, Luongo posted a .919 save percentage in 448 games for the Canucks, which ranked him among the leagues best in the time. The Canucks rolled out a video montage to show their appreciation, then got to watch Luongo stop 32 of 33 shots to help Florida to a 3-1 win. WORLD JUNIOR STARS The World Junior Hockey Championships are a great showcase for young hockey talent, and this years event was no different. What was interesting, however, is that some of the best players in the tournament, were players that had not been drafted by NHL clubs. Slovakian goaltender Denis Godla was named Best Goalkeeper after he turned back 224 of 242 shots (.926 SV%) to help Slovakia win a bronze medal, their second-ever medal in this event. Small samples can make goaltenders look better than they really are, but given how difficult it is to secure talent between the pipes, there should be opportunities ahead for Godla. The winner of Best Defenceman in the tournament was Russians Vladislav Gavrikov, a 19-year-old who is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and while he doesnt have a lot of KHL experience -- three games -- Gavrikov will also garner interest. The Best Forward at this years tournament was Canadas Max Domi, the 12th overall pick by the Coyotes in the 2013 Draft. Domi thrived on the wing, playing with Sam Reinhart and Anthony Duclair, and finished the tournament with 10 points (5 G, 5 A) in seven games. The tournament All-Star team, selected by the media, included Godla (also named MVP) and Domi. They were joined by three Canadians -- defenceman Josh Morrissey and centres Sam Reinhart and Connor McDavid -- and defenceman Gustav Forsling of Sweden. Forsling was a fifth-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks last summer and finished the tournament with eight points (3 G, 5 A) in seven games. Hes been playing for Linkoping in the Swedish Hockey League, where he has five points, and is plus-3, in 29 games. Morrissey, picked 13th overall by Winnipeg in 2013, has 21 points (7 G, 14 A) and is minus-9 in 27 games for Prince Albert in the Western Hockey League this year , but also played 28 AHL (regular season plus playoff) games late last season, so hes likely going to get a good look for an NHL spot next season. Reinhart, the second overall pick last summer, was overmatched while playing with Buffalo early in the season, but he went back to the WHL, where he has 27 points (8 G, 19 A) in 15 games for Kootenay and anchored Canadas best line in the tournament, putting up 11 points (5 G, 6 A) in seven games. McDavid, touted as the top prospect for the 2015 Draft, lived up to the hype, posting 11 points (3 G, 8 A) in seven games. Not bad for a 17-year-old who was coming back from a broken hand. McDavid has 51 points (16 G, 35 A) in 18 games with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League this season. BACK TO JUNIOR Anthony Duclair, who spent the first part of the season with the New York Rangers before he was loaned to Team Canada, was returned to the Quebec League, where he has rejoined the Quebec Remparts. Duclair had seven points (1 G, 6 A) and has solid enough possession stats (51.4% Corsi, +1.1% Relative Corsi) in 18 games for the Rangers, then scored eight points (4 G, 4 A) in seven games at the World Juniors. The 2013 third-round pick becomes a huge addition for Quebec, a team that already has the third-best record in the league. The Edmonton Oilers, who have been busy making roster changes, decided to send Leon Draisaitl back to the Western Hockey League, after not letting him play for Germany at the World Juniors. Draisaitl, the third overall pick last summer, had nine points (2 G, 7 A) and solid possession (52.1% Corsi, +3.6% Relative Corsi) in heavily-sheltered usage for the Oilers, but as the Oilers season appeared to be headed for the lottery, its not unreasonable to give Draisaitl a half season of heavy usage with a good team in the Western Hockey League to develop his offensive game further. Draisaitl joins the Kelowna Rockets, a team that already has the best record in the WHL, so they have to be considered strong Memorial Cup contenders. BLUES ERUPT Winding up last week, the St. Louis Blues had lost six of seven a slide that started with goaltender Brian Elliott out of the lineup and continued beyond his return. Then, this week, the Blues busted out with two 7-2 wins against San Jose, sandwiched around a 6-0 win against Arizona and, suddenly, half the team is hot. Since December 5, the Blues have scored 60 goals in 15 games, easily leading the league in that time. RIP J.P. PARISE J.P. Parise, the former NHLer who played for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series, died at age 73. Parise scored 594 points (238 G, 356 A) in 890 NHL games, mostly with the Minnesota North Stars and New York Islanders. After retiring, he was an assistant coach for the North Stars before running the hockey program at Shattuck-St. Marys prep school. Parises son, Zach Parise, is a star forward for the Minnesota Wild and, naturally, the loss has hit him hard. Hockey was our thing, Parise said. Him coming to every game or watching every game and talking to him after every game and talking hockey, thats not there anymore. CONCUSSION LAWSUIT The NHL attempted to get a concussion lawsuit, brought by former players, dismissed in federal court. U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson didnt make a ruling but said, I think its a very close call, to be honest. On one hand, the NHL argues that the collective bargaining agreement should take precedence and that this claim is coming after the statute of limitations has passed. The players counter by saying that the CBA doesnt apply to former players and that players didnt know how their injuries would affect them long-term. This suit doesnt necessarily seem like its making great headway, but it wasnt dismissed out-of-hand, either. If Nelson decides that the suit can proceed, well, then the arguments will have to get much more serious because big money will be involved. Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca Sergi Roberto Jersey . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season. Nelson Semedo Jersey .C. - Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek says guard Goran Dragic will return to the starting lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the last two games with a strained back. http://www.fcbarcelonapro.com/.C. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Danny Granger, Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem are still not ready to play and will miss Wednesday nights game against the Charlotte Hornets. Lucas Digne Jersey . It will then be back to business once the puck drops as the two clubs battle for key points in their respective playoff races. Watch the game live on TSN Canadiens and listen on TSN Radio 690 starting at 7:30pm et. Lionel Messi Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Kerry, As Im sure youve seen, in Sundays game in Chicago between the Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago made an unfortunate gaffe resulting in an own goal with their goalie out of the net for an extra attacker.  As the puck slid toward the open net, Oilers forward Mark Arcobello gave chase while Blackhawks defenceman Nick Leddy tried to prevent it from crossing the goal line. Arcobello, unable to touch the puck because of the Oilers delayed penalty, changed course to slow Leddy down enough to ensure the puck went in the net. Leddy really didnt have a chance at stopping the puck, so his being slowed down made no difference.  But I was wondering, had it been a close play, where Leddys path to the puck would have made the difference between a goal and a save, would Arcobello have been penalized for going out of his way to prevent Leddy from accessing the puck?  A disallowed goal?  Interference penalty (in addition to the delayed one)?  Or would that have been a legal play? Josh BernierWinnipeg, Manitoba Hi Josh, It was a bizarre play when Patrick Kane put the puck into his own unguarded net during a delayed slashing penalty called against Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk. Kanes intended back-pass to the blue line travelled the entire length of the ice and split the wicket well before Blackhawks defenceman Nick Leddy could reach the puck.  You bring up an interesting point with regard to a potential interference call on a play such as this when Mark Arcobello sprinted across the path of Nick Leddy. You correctly stated Josh, that Leddy was unable to get to the puck in advance of it crossing the goal line in spite of Arcobellos minimally invasive action. The fact that Leddy could not have gotten to the puck in time however, should have no bearing on whether an interference penalty was warranted. As I am sure you recall, the standard of enforcement for Rule 56 (Interference) changed drastically in the 2006 season following a return from the first NHL lockout in a concerted effort to eliminate what was then referred to as "obstruction". Lets examine the language and application of Rule 56 as it might apply to this situation. • A strict standard onn acts of interference must be adhered to in all areas of the rink.dddddddddddd • Body position shall be determined as the player skating in front of or beside his opponent, traveling in the same direction. • A player is allowed the ice he is standing on (body position) and is not required to move in order to let an opponent proceed. A player may "block" the path of an opponent provided he is in front of his opponent and moving in the same direction. Moving laterally and without establishing body position, then making contact with the non-puck carrier is not permitted and will be penalized as interference. • A player is always entitled to use his body position to lengthen an opponents path to the puck, provided his stick is not utilized (to make himself "bigger" and therefore considerably lengthening the distance his opponent must travel to get where he is going). • A player delivering a "pick" is one who moves into an opponents path without having body position, thereby taking him out of the play. When this is done, an interference penalty shall be assessed. On this play, Arcobello executed a perfect, legal, "moving pick" when he sprinted to gain the ice in advance of Leddy and continued to move through that ice with very minimal alteration to his speed and direction.  It was especially important that physical contact with the Hawks player did not result. These were crucial components with regard to the legality of the play since Arcobello cut laterally across the path of his opponent as opposed to travelling in front of or beside and in the same direction of Leddy. If Arcobello, after deliberately moving laterally across the path of Leddy, had slowed considerably, stopped or made contact with Leddy, an interference penalty would have been deserved whether Leddy could have prevented the puck from entering the net or not. If that were to have taken place, the referee should immediately blow his whistle and assess a penalty to Arcobello for interference in addition to the delayed penalty signaled to Dubnyk. The subsequent goal would then be disallowed. As we moved forward from 2006, the expected standard of enforcement regarding interference is that the illegal act should be penalized in all cases as opposed to the result or consequence to the play! Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys Cheap Clippers Jerseys Cheap Lakers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Cheap Rockets Jerseys Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Pistons Jerseys Cheap Team USA Basketball Jerseys ' ' '