Canadian World Junior Hockey Camp Opens

[won\'t be cut]

No cuts till Friday:

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_story.asp?id=147019

[pfibiger]

[Q]calgARI '07 Wrote:

 A buddy of mine who was at both scrimmages spoke highly of Pokuluk:

"Pokuluk didn't look out of place at all to me. Big defenseman with good skating and seemed to be decent with the puck. Beauty pass for a goal tonight and didn't embarass himself rushing it. You can see why he was a 1st rounder."

Pretty reliable source.  This guy has seen a lot of hockey and particularly focuses on 18-20 year olds. [/q]

The Vancouver Sun called it "the goal of the game" and described it like this:

GOAL OF THE GAME: Shortly after Team Red cut the lead to 3-1 in the second period, a pair of NCAA products teamed up for White's fourth goal. Sasha Pokulok, the big defenceman from Cornell University, stepped around pressure at the blueline, faked a shot and fed a perfect pass through traffic to a unchecked Toews at the far sid of the crease. The North Dakota centremen easily directed a one-timer into the open net.

[Al DeFlorio]

[Q]pfibiger Wrote:

The Vancouver Sun called it "the goal of the game" and described it like this:

GOAL OF THE GAME: Shortly after Team Red cut the lead to 3-1 in the second period, a pair of NCAA products teamed up for White's fourth goal. Sasha Pokulok, the big defenceman from Cornell University, stepped around pressure at the blueline, faked a shot and fed a perfect pass through traffic to a unchecked Toews at the far sid of the crease. The North Dakota centremen easily directed a one-timer into the open net.[/q]
Sounds like "the move" he dazzled us with a couple of times last year...and that has been strangely absent this year.

[Liz '05]

[Q]Al DeFlorio Wrote:

 [Q2]pfibiger Wrote:

The Vancouver Sun called it "the goal of the game" and described it like this:

GOAL OF THE GAME: Shortly after Team Red cut the lead to 3-1 in the second period, a pair of NCAA products teamed up for White's fourth goal. Sasha Pokulok, the big defenceman from Cornell University, stepped around pressure at the blueline, faked a shot and fed a perfect pass through traffic to a unchecked Toews at the far sid of the crease. The North Dakota centremen easily directed a one-timer into the open net.[/Q]
Sounds like "the move" he dazzled us with a couple of times last year...and that has been strangely absent this year.[/q]

Because of Pokuluk?  Or because other players are out of place?  I keep on wishing that there were people in front of the net this year - an experience I certainly didn't have last year.

[Al DeFlorio]

[Q]Liz '05 Wrote:

 [Q2]Al DeFlorio Wrote:

 [Q2]pfibiger Wrote:

The Vancouver Sun called it "the goal of the game" and described it like this:

GOAL OF THE GAME: Shortly after Team Red cut the lead to 3-1 in the second period, a pair of NCAA products teamed up for White's fourth goal. Sasha Pokulok, the big defenceman from Cornell University, stepped around pressure at the blueline, faked a shot and fed a perfect pass through traffic to a unchecked Toews at the far sid of the crease. The North Dakota centremen easily directed a one-timer into the open net.[/Q]
Sounds like "the move" he dazzled us with a couple of times last year...and that has been strangely absent this year.[/Q]
Because of Pokuluk?  Or because other players are out of place?  I keep on wishing that there were people in front of the net this year - an experience I certainly didn't have last year.[/q]
Well, last year he shot after moving around one or two opposing players leaving them looking stupid.  In the case described above he passed off the move.  What's been missing this year is the move.

[2tkCornell]

Video of Pokulok's assist is up on TSN.ca.  Just clip on "World Junior Report" in the article:

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_story.asp?id=147086

You need to sign up to access it - free subscription.

[DeltaOne81]

[Q]2tkCornell Wrote:
You need to sign up to access it - free subscription.
[/q]

Yeah right:
jdough@yahoo.com / puckhog

[redhair34]

It looks like Pokulok is fighting for the final spot on defence with 5 others.  The article confirms the reports that he is having a good camp.


http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_story.asp?id=147086

[KeithK]

Yeah, but the author follows "good camp" with a "but".  My take is that the author thinks that Pokulok is a long shot, but concedes that he has had a good chance.  But I may be reading too much into the scant verbiage (and author's opinions don't necessarily match rea,lity either).

[calgARI '07]

It's by tsn staff so it's McKenzie, Maguire, and Murphy meaning that it's a legitimate source.  McKenzie is unquestionably the most well-connected media guy in hockey.

[2tkCornell]

Some quotes from people who were at the intersquad games (posted on HF Boards):

"Pokulok-Staal
I had never seen Pokuluk before and didn’t know what to expect. He surprised me, as he was easily the second best defenseman out there last night. My brother actually thought he was more impressive than Bourdon. He made great passes, showed lots of poise and was physical. The patience he showed in setting up Toews on the powerplay and the pass he made was one of the better plays of the game. Staal was the stay at home defenseman on this pairing and though I didn’t notice anything outstanding in his play, I didn’t see him do anything wrong out there. He had a few battles with Downie and seemed to get the worst of it."

"On defense I really haven't been impressed with Russell. He's like a forward playing back there and has made some really tradgic plays. Bourdon has been the best, Pokuluk has been surprisingly good. Don't like Stephenson or Funk, too many bad decisions with the puck. Parent hasn't blown me away.

I'd probably go with Bourdon, Staal, Pokuluk, Rogers, Barker, Letang and Schultz. Maybe sub Parent for one of them."




Hopefully Pokulok has a good game against UBC, that should solidify a spot for him, hopefully.

[2tkCornell]

Canada up on UBC 3-1 at the end of the first:

3 goals by Canada:

1. Pouliot (Toews)
2. Bertram (Pouliot, Funk)
3. Cogliano (Chucko, Pokulok)

[2tkCornell]

Interesting that 6 of the 8 points from the first Canadian goals came from College Hockey Players.

It is 8-1 Canada now, will try to get details.

[redhair34]

[Q]2tkCornell Wrote:

 Interesting that 6 of the 8 points from the first Canadian goals came from College Hockey Players.

It is 8-1 Canada now, will try to get details.[/q]

Sasha added another assist.  It looks like he was on the ice for UBT's lone goal.

[2tkCornell]

8-1 Canada after 2 periods.  Here is the Summary:

1. CAN: Pouliot (Toews)
1. UBC: Hay (May, Bruce)
2. CAN: Bertram (Pouliot, Funk)
3. CAN: Cogliano (Chucko, Pokulok)
4. CAN: O'Marra (Vlasic)
5. CAN: Brassard (Downie, Latendresse)
6. CAN: Esposito (Pokulok)
7. CAN: Brassard (Cogliano, Vlasic)
8. CAN: Little (Esposito)

Also, Pokulok has 2 shots on net.

That is 4 assists total for Pokulok.  He is one of only two players (the other being Little) that has not been on the ice for a goal against in any of the three games.  He is having a strong camp.