Philadelphia Flyers’ Strange World Cup Winding Down
With little left to root for, Philadelphia Flyers fans can now turn from the oddity of the 2016 World Cup to good old NHL hockey
The 2016 World Cup of hockey was a strange duck form the start. Created out of thin air by the NHL, some viewed it was a cheap cash grab with future Olympics participation is up in the air.
Furthermore, the tournament created strange meta-teams, like Team Europe and Team North America (U23). Would the players for these teams really care? Would anyone be rooting for them?
For the most part, things turned out pretty well. Team North America stole the show. They’re now officially eliminated after losing a tie-breaker to Russia in Group B, but everyone loved their aggressive, fast style of play. In Group A, Team Europe defied expectations and has advanced to the semi-finals.
The World Cup is now down to 4 teams. The remaining teams are worthy results in my opinion, with Canada the clear top dog, and Sweden (the 2nd best team on paper in my opinion) taking Group B. They are joined by the always mercurial Team Russia, and underdog Europe.
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While the World Cup is down to 4 teams, the Philadelphia Flyers participation is down to 2 players. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare continues to do dirty work as a depth forward for Team Europe, while Claude Giroux is a bit player for the dominant Canadians.
The tournament is over for Jakub Voracek, Shayne Gostisbehere, Sean Couturier, Michal Neuvirth, and never got off the ground for Radko Gudas.
The best story of the World Cup for the Flyers proved to be Shayne Gostisbehere with Team North America. While North America thrilled watchers, Ghost was the team’s most dangerous defenseman. He finishes with 4 points in 3 official tournament games.
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Things were probably a bit of a letdown for Voracek and Neuvirth. Neuvirth earned the nod to be the starter in the Czechs first game, but that was a suicide mission for goalies against Canada. I don’t think Neuvirth bears much blame, but no one wants to give up 6 goals. He wouldn’t return to the net in the tournament.
Voracek was also fairly quiet. He finished with a goal and an assist, along with a -2. Granted, the Czechs didn’t do much offensively in the tournament, with their only win coming against a Team USA squad hitting rock bottom.
I’m guessing that Philadelphia Flyers fans won’t be terribly passionate about what’s left of World Cup hockey. Watching Crosby lead Team Canada with Giroux possibly on the bench isn’t the best feeling. Bellemare is playing admirably on the 3rd line for Europe, but that also feels a bit ‘meh.’
The good news is that Flyers fans don’t have to wait. Training camp is officially open this morning. This comes after the Flyers’ rookies put a hurt on the Islanders’ rookies the other day, winning 6-0.
Flyers preseason hockey is only 4 days away. The Flyers will play 2 games simultaneously with split squads Monday against the Devils and Islanders. The Flyers also have games on the following Tuesday and Wednesday.
The World Cup was kind of fun, but will probably be remembered more as a curiosity than anything. It’s time to get down to business in Phillly.