Sweden Takes Silver, Markström Top Goalie

Jacob Markström, who played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, wasn't quite the same tonight in Sweden's 5-1 loss to Canada. Despite making several big saves in tonight's game, his behaviour in the beginning of the game reminded us that he's still only 18 years old.

He let his emotions get the best of him, and not always in the most noble ways. There were a couple of embellishments early that Markström made, but not to the extent criticized by the Canadian analysts, who started calling for dives on every fall. A couple of times, Markström was hit in collisions that went uncalled. Sort of a 'boy-who-cried-wolf' effect, I guess.

There was a lot of fire and passion that he showed, and maybe it was for the best. I read about a bit of a temper with Markström before, but he was very composed throughout the tournament until tonight's game.

I'm sure with more experience, he'll refine that fire.

But don't let the score fool you. Two of Canada's five goals came on the empty net, and Sweden was very much alive up to the final three minutes or so.

Named one of Sweden's three players of the game by their coaches, Markström also received the 'Top Goaltender' honours for the tournament. It's the first time a Swedish goalie has won the award since winning tournament gold in 1981 (Lars Eriksson). Teammate Erik Karlsson picked up 'Top Defenseman'.

It's the first time a Swedish player has won one of the three IIHF Directorate awards (Top Goalie, Defenseman, Forward) in any tournament since Mattias Öhlund won for defense in 1996. The last time Swedes took two of the three awards was in 1994 when Kenny Jonsson won top defenseman and Niklas Sundström won top forward.

So for now, Markström will return to Brynäs to finish the season. The team he'll return to sits in seventh with 17 games to play. In the four games played in his absense, Brynäs went 2-3, losing their first two games 5-3 and 6-4, before Lindbäck settled down and allowed only five over the next three (including a 42 save on 43 shot performance).

Next year, Jacob will be in the final year of his contract with the team, so anything can happen from there. But if he does remain in Sweden next season as expected, it would all but guarantee a return as the national team's starter for the 2010 World Junior Championships.

As for the Cats' two other juniors in the tournament, Matt Rust will return to Michigan in the CCHA. The Wolverines are #11 in the nation and they'll be getting back not just Rust, who had four points in the tournament, but Aaron Palushaj as well (five points). There, they'll look to put the disappointment of this year's tournament behind and try to win a national championship.

That leaves Evgeny Dadonov.

Dadonov had an assist in Russia's bronze-medal victory this afternoon, and that gives him seven points in seven games. He'll return to Chelyabinsk of the KHL, where he has five goals (seven points) in 28 games. It's worth noting that he is the youngest regular player on the team.

So there you have it. I'll leave the stats table up for a few days before I put it in a post and let it slide in to the archives.

To recap:

Jacob Markström wins Top Goaltender for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Sweden wins silver, losing 5-1 to Canada.
Russia wins bronze.

As for the Panthers, Matthias is back with the Amerks -- again. He was recalled, played and then sent back only to be recalled the same day. So now, he's back with the Amerks. Yes, again. Again.

Tomorrow night, Tomas Vokoun will be starting as the Panthers take on the Maple Leafs. It's the first time Bryan McCabe will face his former team since being traded for Mike Van Ryn prior to the start of the season.