Team Canada Loses Captain Kirby Dach For WJC After Wrist Injury
Man, this is just an absolutely crushing blow to 19-year-old Chicago Blackhawk Kirby Dach and you gotta feel awful for him, no matter which team or country you root for. We just talked to the affable budding stud a few days ago for this week's Chiclets and the 2X guest was as fired up as can be.
His NHL team allowed him to suit up for his home country in the World Junior Championship. He gets named team captain of a loaded squad looking to defend their belt. He sought the advice of veteran Chicago teammates about being the team leader. He's basically been in lockdown mode for weeks, missing family, friends, and holidays so that he could don the maple leaf on his chest. And then this seemingly innocuous hit ends his WJC in the blink of an eye (he'll also miss NHL games).
You feel bad for any kid in the same circumstances. But we've had a chance to talk to Kirby a couple of times and he's a super nice kid, easy to root for. So the Chiclets crew was pretty bummed to see him knocked out of the tournament before it even started. Can't imagine how many F-bombs he let fly.
Despite the loss of a key player, stacked Canada remains the tourney fave at roughly even money (you can find them in between -120ish or +120ish) followed by Russia (between 3/1 and 4/1), the U.S. (between 4/1 and 5/1), Sweden (7/1), Finland (11/1), Czech Republic (28/1), Switzerland (80/1), Germany (150/1), Slovakia (150/1), and Austria (500/1).
I like to chase longshots but I don't see SWI, GER, SLO, or AUS making a run at this year's trophy. But the Czechs at 28/1 is worth a small taste. I might take a little flier on Finland at 11/1 as well because the Finns always show up. I'm intrigued by Russia and their new coach, HHOFer and U.S.S.R. legend Igor Larionov. "The Professor" will be incorporating the 'Russian Five' style of play on a team with a wealth of experience.
I'm not a chalk guy and I'm not about to start, no matter how good Canada looks even without Dach. If I throw a large nut on anyone, it'll be Russia, the U.S., or divvied up between the pair.
If you've never watched the WJC, I highly recommend it. It's fantastic hockey with a bunch of kids playing for their respective countries. It kicks off tomorrow at 2PM.
2021 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
(All games on NHL Network in the U.S. and on TSN in Canada)
Friday, Dec. 25
Slovakia vs. Switzerland, 2 p.m. ET
Finland vs. Germany, 6 p.m. ET
United States vs. Russia, 9:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 26
Czech Republic vs. Sweden, 2 p.m. ET
Canada vs. Germany, 6 p.m. ET
Austria vs. United States, 9:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 27
Switzerland vs. Finland, 2 p.m. ET
Canada vs. Slovakia, 6 p.m. ET
Russia vs. Czech Republic, 9:30 p.m. ET
Monday, Dec. 28
Sweden vs. Austria, 6 p.m. ET
Germany vs. Slovakia, 9:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Czech Republic vs. United States, 2 p.m. ET
Switzerland vs. Canada, 6 p.m. ET
Russia vs. Austria, 9:30 p.m. ET
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Wednesday, Dec. 30
Slovakia vs. Finland, 2 p.m. ET
Germany vs. Switzerland, 6 p.m. ET
Sweden vs. Russia, 9:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 31
Austria vs. Czech Republic, 2 p.m. ET
Finland vs. Canada, 6 p.m. ET
United States vs. Sweden, 9:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Jan. 2
Quarterfinal 1, 12 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal 2, 3:30 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal 3, 7 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal 4, 10:30 p.m. ET
Monday, Jan. 4
Semifinal 1, 6 p.m. ET
Semifinal 2, 9:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Jan. 5
Third-place game, 5:30 p.m. ET
Championship game, 9:30 p.m. ET