Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the World Junior Hockey Championship nearing its conclusion, things are heating up, which is probably a welcome change for fans enduring the frigid climate in Ufa, Russia.  Earlier this morning, as in the ungodly hour of 4 AM eastern time, USA easily handled the Czech Republic in their quarterfinal clash to the tune of a 7-0 victory.  Panthers prospects Rocco Grimaldi and Vince Trocheck had quiet games with neither players making the scoresheet.  Most of the damage was done by John Gaudreau, currently playing for Boston College and a 2011 draft pick of the Calgary Flames, who tallied a hat trick.

The victory means the US team will face Canada in the semifinals tomorrow morning, Jan. 3rd, again at 4 o’clock AM eastern time.  The early start means fans across North America will be groggily tuning in, coffee cups in hand to root for their teams.  I personally would recommend an early nap from about 5pm to midnight followed by an epic four hour pre-game to get into the right “frame of mind” to enjoy what should be an epic clash at an extremely un-epic hour.  In all seriousness, the USA-Canada semifinal should be thrilling TV and hopefully it will be a showcase of Florida Panthers talent.  A rematch of the preliminary round clash which Canada took 2-1, Trocheck and Grimaldi will be opposing fellow Panther prospect Jonathan Huberdeau.  Huberdeau has been steady throughout the tournament tallying two goals and five assists for a Canada team that features many future NHL stars as well as current NHLers such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

In the other quarterfinal match, Russia eked out a victory over Switzerland in a shootout win 4-3 (SO).  Russia will face Group A champion Sweden in their semifinal match following the USA-Canada game.

Jonathan Huberdeau will be competing for Canada in this years World Junior Hockey Championship: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 IIHF World Junior Hockey Tournament is underway in Ufa, Russia.  This tournament offers a much needed respite for hockey fans suffering from the daily disappointments of the never-ending saga that is the NHL Lockout.  These next few days hockey fans can forget the lockout and focus their attention on the sport they know and love.  The heart-wrenching ups and downs of the NHL and NHLPA’s negotiations will be replaced with the heart-wrenching ups and downs of tournament play.  In this competition skill in the negotiating room is inconsequential, the question that matters is, what can you do on the ice?  A welcome change for hockey fans and more than likely this question will be answered in thrilling fashion.

As in the past few years, the Florida Panthers will be well represented in the tournament.  This year’s class of Panthers prospects participating in the tournament is five players deep. 2011 second and third round picks Rocco Grimaldi and Vincent Trochek, respectively, are both on the USA squad while Jonathan Huberdeau, the Panthers first round pick in the 2011 draft (third overall) will be playing for Canada.  In addition to these three, two lesser known prospects will also be involved in the tournament.  Yaroslov Kosov, 5th round 124th overall 2011 draft, is a part of the Russian team while Rasmus Bengtsson, 2nd round 59th overall 2011 draft, is playing for Sweeden.

The tournament is broken down into a round robin style preliminary round consisting of two groups with each team playing every team in their respective group.  Group A consists of Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland and Latvia.  Group B consists of Canada, Russia, USA, Slovakia and Germany.  The top team in each group advances directly to the semifinals while the next two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals.  (Source Wiki)

Jonathan Huberdeau has performed the best so far out of the Panthers prospects tallying a goal and two assists in Canada’s 9-3 drubbing of Germany and also adding one assist in Canada’s win over Slovakia.  Rocco Grimaldi who had one assist in USA’s 8-0 win over Germany is the only other Panther prospect to record any points so far.  (Source TSN)

As it stands right now, Sweden leads Group A while Canada leads Group B.  Team USA is sitting in third in Group B with one win and one loss.  The loss came early today against Russia whose goalkeeper Andrei Makarov stopped 41 out of the 42 shots he faced leading Russia to a 2-1 victory. (Source TSN)

With many more games to be played in the upcoming days, we will be sure to provide updates on the tournament and all the Panthers prospects involved.

4 point night for Secott Harrington. Source Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images/TSN.ca

The World Juniors Tournament continues as Team Canada looks unstoppable at this point after putting the spank on Denmark last night 10-2.  A pretty lopsided victory lead by defenceman Scott Harrington who had a goal and three assists for four points on the night.  Panther property Quinton Howden scored a goal last night as the Florida “seven” continue to represent the organEYEzation very well.  Canada who scored seven unanswered goals before Denmark ruined the shutout bid for goaltender Mark Visentin, put 51 shots on net.

Tonight the Florida Panthers begin a short two game homestand with back to back games against the New York Rangers and a New Year’s eve tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.  Tickets for each game are reportedly in short supply meaning the building will be buzzing, and the atmosphere will be electric.  While the Panthers are a touch beat up with injuries, another performance like Tuesday night will go a long way in showing that they have what it takes.  Pregame will be posted this afternoon, and Rat Trick Radio will be posted for lunch time!

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