I’ve been waiting to write this post until I calmed down. I was so angry that we had once again allowed Covid to take away something that touched so many lives for the better. I have to wonder when we’re going to stop letting the fear of this thing take away quality of life. Is it just going to “go away” one day so we can get back to the things that matter in our lives? When will “quality” out-weigh “quantity”? Is this just another disease that is going to take lives or is it actually going to disappear? So many questions that can’t be answered. Responses to covid that make no sense at all. Confusion and fear that attack our mental health and leave us without control over our own lives. This “disease” has taken so much from us–being with loved ones dying in nursing homes and hospitals, gathering with friends and family for celebrations of life and occasions of death, the social interactions that we, as humans, need and crave. Meanwhile, we continue to die slowly. Time is moving forward but life is not. Can we really just wait for life to catch up? How do we, as individuals, face the current situation and deal with it without destroying ourselves and the relationships with the people we love?
Winning Cleanly
Well the Canadian boys did what was expected of them and won a clean game against a much weaker opponent. It always scares me when they have to play a full 60 against such a team as I believe they get a bit ‘off’ their game. Lets hope that doesn’t happen to this team. Germany should clean their game up a bit and the trial against the Fins on Friday should trim them down into perfecting their talents and bringing it altogether before their entrance into the quarterfinals in the new year. Notably on the scoreboard was a young Connor Bedard who led the team with 4 goals becoming the youngest Canadian player ever to achieve such a feat.
Let’s keep watching and cheering on our boys up in Edmonton as they pursue their dreams of winning gold for Canada. What are your thoughts on how Canada is fairing out on the ice? Do you think we’ll be celebrating Gold? A lot of pressure is on their shoulders. Hockey is OUR game, afterall!
Those Boys
The game last night had us on the edge of our seats. Were they really going to lose? How could they be down by two goals? This wasn’t the team we were expecting! But there it was, a score of 3-1 for Czechia. Well, they were soon to get our hearts pumping again with two quick power play goals on a 5 on 3 to tie the game up. But we still wondered, could they finish 5 on 5? And where was the defence on this team as the Czechias came out and scored three times on 6 shots! But they held their own and potted two more goals to complete the game and finish with a win of 5-3. Good old Canadian World Junior spirit won out in the end but do we still have questions? I know I do. How will Canada’s defensive side match up against some of the higher offensive teams they will face? Tuesday’s game should be a walk in the park, but will it be? We will have to watch and see! Scoring for Canada was Mason McTavish-1, Owen Power-4 and Olen Zellweger-1.
2022 World Jrs
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World Juniors odds 2022
According to sportingnews.com
| Country | Odds to win gold |
| Canada | +125 |
| United States | +379 |
| Russia | +498 |
| Finland | +697 |
| Sweden | +747 |
| Czech Republic | +2391 |
| Slovakia | +4383 |
| Germany | +8870 |
| Switzerland | +9860 |
| Austria | +50000 |
As you can see, Canada is favoured to win gold at the U20 tournament being held in Edmonton and Red Deer this year. But what are the daggers and the brilliance that could change all this? Teen spirit is number one on my list. Any player at this age could make or break a team especially when placed between the pipes. I’ve watched goalies steal games, robbing high end offensive teams of medals, or, at least, the illusive one–gold. Teen spirit turned into rage is often the second make or break of a team. Time spent in the penalty box because of retaliation or aggressive behaviour has been detrimental to teams in the past. Finally, watching the underdog shine as spirit turns determined goes into action. An example of this is Jordan Eberle (one of my favourite players, of course) in the 2009 World Juniors competition, who stole the hearts of Canadians everywhere with his teen spirit and dedicated play. Who will make or break this years tournament? Do some research and let me know,. I’m always ready for a good discussion on rising talent as it shines during World Junior Hockey.
The tournament begins tomorrow and finishes on January 5th. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the games, especially Team Canada, as it tries to win its 19th gold medal, leading all countries since it began in 1977–I was 15 years old! That makes me…?
Enjoy the games! Leave your thoughts here and I’ll try and keep up with you!
Breathe
There’s a First Time for Everything
And here is mine…a blog? I ask. Why would I want to write a blog? Well, for fun, of course and then to share my perspectives and fantastic life adventures with the world. What a great endeavour! I explain to myself. Of course the world wants to know all about ME!!!!! Why wouldn’t they? You do, don’t you? Well, I’d like to know a little bit about you! Where are you in the world? What are your likes? your dislikes? I like my dog! Have you had a chance to meet him? Look for “Meet Taz” on my page. He’s a standard poodle. A parti poodle as he’s black and white. He’ll be 2 on February 12th, 2022. He is my rock. My emotional support guide dog. And I love him the way other people love their kids of which I have none. My choice and maybe a topic for another day. I like hockey. The NHL, world juniors and all international Canadian teams. My faves are Edmonton and Toronto. I love all the young talent and the fervour with which they demonstrate all their skills. I love to travel and want to do more of it. I hate COVID and all the trouble it brings into people’s lives–another topic for another day! I live with mental illness; it is my partner in this life and I’ve gotten to know it pretty well. It will be mentioned a LOT, I believe, as I share my stories and my poetry with you. So, enough about me, what about you???
Meet Taz
Life's Lessons and Mental Health 