Oh, it's got cachet, baby! It's got cachet up the ying-yang!

Author: Steven Ratson

January 9, 2010

In The Dog House, Steven Ratson’s Blog, is sponsored by Biotech Laser, who utilize a low intensity laser that stimulates the natural healing of tissue. www.biotech-laser.com 

So, the World Juniors have come and gone for another year, and quite frankly, it could never have lived up to all the hype.  Yes, Canada played two of the most exciting one game showdowns against the US in the history of the tournament, but come on now, the rest of the games were a complete bore.  Of course the format will never change and the IIHF will continue to take the cash grab that is the annual U20 showcase, but if they really want to put on a show that has some cachet, they should follow the format similar to the one that works so brilliantly for the Memorial and RBC Cup.

Let’s face it, the only countries strong enough to ensure competitive games with one another are Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden and Finland.  The preliminary games of the aforementioned countries against Latvia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Austria were so uncompetitive they made for nothing more than a scrimmage.

The ten teams should be split into two divisions, and each year the winner of the second division should move up and take the spot of the last place finisher of the first division, a format familiar too many tournaments and leagues, especially in international events.  Each division would play a round robin series, and then, unlike the Memorial and RBC Cup playoff system with the top four teams advancing, only the second and third place teams would play off for the right to face the first place finisher in the finals.  Yes, the preliminary games, and finishing first in the first round, would then actually mean something.

I know, it makes too much sense.  Each year would produce competitive exciting games and we wouldn’t miss out on the chance for Canada to play a rival like Russia, as happened this year.  The first division tournament should be hosted in alternate years in Canada and USA, and the second division tournament rotating between those countries.

Just imagine being glued to the television for as many as five or six games, similar to the two classic Canada vs. USA match ups we just witnessed. Now that was hockey.  Oh, this idea has got cachet baby, it’s got cachet up the ying-yang!
 

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