Editor’s note: This the first installment of a two-part series in which the Pucks and Rec staff will select the best moment in World Junior Championship history for each existing program that has played in the 20-and-under tournament’s top division.
Belarus: 2005
Belarus pulled off one of the most dramatic upsets in WJC history with a dramatic 5-3 round-robin victory over Team USA.
The Americans were defending gold and had the added advantage of hosting the tournament in Grand Forks, N.D. Going into their game with Belarus, they were already 2-0 in round-robin play, having edged Russia and Switzerland. The Belarusians had never won a round-robin game up until this point, and had just lost to Russia.
Undaunted, Belarus, led by Andrei Kostitsyn’s goal and two assists, jumped out to a 3-1 lead and prompted U.S. coach Scott Sandelin to pull netminder Cory Schneider early in the second period. The underdogs withstood a furious U.S. rally near the end of the game to preserve the unlikely win. – John Morton
Canada: 2005
It doesn’t take much for a gap between titles to qualify as a “drought” for a proud Canada-based hockey program. For the 20-and-under national team, the eight-year stretch between the 1997 and 2005 WJC was the worst yet.
To exacerbate the agony, the Canadians entered the 2005 tournament on the heels of three straight silver medals. Putting that more bluntly, they had lost three consecutive gold-medal contests.
But amidst a 2004-05 NHL season that never was, hockey’s native land drank in timely redemption. A celestial strike force featuring Patrice Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf and a 17-year-old Sidney Crosby piloted Canada to gold. The club clinched its crown with a 6-1 drubbing of Russia — the country responsible for its 2002 and 2003 shortcomings — on the ice of the reigning champion United States. – Al Daniel
Czech Republic: 2000
A relatively new entrant, having only split from Slovakia a quarter-century ago, the Czech Republic has seen mixed results at the WJC. A team that typically finishes around sixth at the WJC suddenly broke through in the early ’00s, winning back-to-back titles via top-notch goaltending and strong offensive play.
It all started with a surge from seventh place in 1999 to gold in 2000. The Czechs secured their first title that year by blanking Russia, 1-0, in the final. Goaltender Zdenek Smid, the lone netminder to play every minute of his team’s seven tournament games, thus finished undefeated.
Since repeating in 2001, the Czechs have medaled only one other time, claiming bronze in 2005. While they may not replicate their prior success soon, they still had their moments in the sun at the WJC. – Eugene Helfrick
Denmark: 2017
The Danes have faced a tough road to compete with the stronger teams in the world. However, they have gradually improved as the years have progressed, and last year was by far their best WJC so far.
A 6-1 trouncing from Sweden in the round-robin opener notwithstanding, Denmark rebounded to upset Finland, 3-2. The roll continued with an overtime win over the Czech Republic and a shootout loss to Switzerland.
The 1-1-1-1 record gave the Danes six points and second place in Group A. Their run ended in a 4-0 quarterfinal loss to Russia, but they have returned their top two scorers in Nikolaj Krag-Christensen and Joachim Blichfeld. – J.M.
Finland: 2014
Of Finland’s first four WJC triumphs, two came on home ice. Another came practically by default in 1987, as Canada and Russia had been expelled following the infamous Punch-up in Piestany.
A win is a win all the same, to be sure. But nothing matches the flavor of a road upset over a traditional nemesis. That was what the Finns attained in 2014 when they edged the Swedes in Malmo, 3-2, on Jan. 5, 2014.
Eight days earlier, Finland had lost its second round-robin game to the hosts, 4-2. Sweden ultimately finished five points ahead of its neighbor for first place in Group A. Entering the gold-medal rematch, the Swedes were assured their third consecutive medal while the Finns sought their first in eight years.
After spilling two leads, the underdogs ended their 16-year WJC championship drought when Rasmus Ristolainen struck at 9:42 of overtime. – A.D.
France: 2001
With only three products in the NHL, France’s junior-hockey track record is unsurprisingly unremarkable. Lately, the French team has been in danger of relegation from Division I to Division II.
Just getting past Division I and into the most glamorous pool is an achievement by this program’s standards. Accordingly, France’s best moment at the WJC didn’t come in the top flight, but rather in 2001’s Division I championship. The French defeated Ukraine in the championship to achieve promotion to the top flight.
That 2002 tournament would be their only time in the WJC so far. They lost every game that year and were promptly relegated. – Zach Green
Italy: 1993
The Italians have never made the top division, and are currently struggling to remain in Division I-B, the third tier. And with Japan making the jump up from Division II, 2019 could be the year they drop.
For Italy’s top WJC moment, we go back to when Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund were dazzling fans for host Sweden. In that shadow, Italy clawed to third place in Pool B (11th overall), with its 3-1 victory over Austria being the highlight. – Z.G.
Japan: 1993
Although Japan could not secure a victory in its first WJC, that 1993 breakthrough stands out as its most distinguished moment on the IIHF stage.
All things considered, it was hardly a shock to see the Japanese struggle against Russia, Finland, the U.S. and Sweden. But they did give Germany a tough contest in an eventual 6-3 loss.
After 1993, the IIHF relegated Japan to the second division. The program has not landed among the top 10 teams since. – J.M.
Kazakhstan: 1998
Most fans know Team Kazakhstan more for its inclusion in EA’s NHL series of video games than its real-life international play. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan has been on the bubble of the top flight of junior hockey.
With that said, the little country that could has indeed shown that it can. When Kazakhstan’s U-20 team was promoted out from Pool B to Pool A for the 1998 WJC, it wasted no time proving its worth.
That year, the Kazakhstanis defeated the mighty Canadians 6-3 in the seventh-place game. The Canadian team featured Vinny Lecavalier, Alex Tanguay and Roberto Luongo. – Z.G.
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