Shaved Ice – Dec. 27

The World Juniors tournament is finally here.

Team USA got off to a strong start at the international tournament, topping Germany 8-0, and our Michigan connections had strong starts as well. Click here to see our quick recap of the game.

Muskegon Lumberjacks goaltender Kevin Lindskoug was named the USHL’s Reebok Goaltender of the Week yesterday.

A report from the Detroit News suggests that Mike Ilitch may owe massive amounts of money to the city of Detroit from a part of the Joe Louis Arena lease agreement that states the city would get 25 percent share of cable rights during live events. If this is true, it couldn’t come at a worse time; Ilitch is trying to build a new arena in Detroit with taxpayer support.

TSN is reporting that former Red Wing Jiri Hudler was cut on the neck by a skate in a Czech league game yesterday. Huds, as we affectionately referred to him in Hockeytown, is expected to be OK.

2013 might just be the year we bring you more video coverage of hockey in the Mitten. Here’s our debut – a video from all three of the high school games played at Joe Louis Arena last Wednesday.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – you know, the superstar who should be playing in the NHL right now – had five points to lead Canada to a WJC-opening 9-3 win over Germany yesterday. Rough two days for the German team.

Russia’s World Junior team – one of the favorites – had a bit of a scare when Slovakia forced overtime in their tournament opener. Russia prevailed in OT, but it cost them a point in the standings – something significant, since they are in a group with the U.S. and Canada.

Yesterday, Sweden topped the Czechs 4-1 in their opener and Finland beat Latvia 5-1. In the other game played today – these time-zone changes are wild – Switzerland beat Latvia 7-2.

Ten crazy ideas from Pierre LeBrun on how to repair the NHL after the lockout concludes. They’re not so crazy, really – I’m especially a fan of No. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 on his list.

Here’s our list of players to watch during the World Juniors – there’s plenty of Michigan connections to pay attention to.

See you all tomorrow.