Calgary Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau’s Journey at The World Championship

Calgary Flames’ star forward Johnny Gaudreau may be done with his time at the 2017 World Championship, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look back at his time there and see how he fared.

Man, Calgary Flames fans are so lucky they have someone like Johnny Gaudreau on their team. He’s so much fun to watch. And even though his time at the World Championship ended earlier than he would have liked, he should still be proud of his first ever World Championship.

Let’s take a peak at his timeline there and see what happened.

Game #1: USA vs Germany

More from International Tournaments

• Calgary Flames at the World Juniors: Matthew Coronato
• Calgary Flames at World Championship: Gold/bronze medal games
• Calgary Flames at World Championships: Semi-finals
• Calgary Flames at World Championship: Quarter-finals
• Calgary Flames at World Championship: All four make quarter-finals

This was a bit of an odd game. Because not only does Team USA have many more star player names, but Team Germany doesn’t even have many players people know about. I mean, no offence to them, but who even plays on that team? I can think of three German born players off the top of my head, and one of them didn’t even play at the tournament.

And even though Team USA was all over them practically all game, they were no match for goaltender Thomas Greiss. Johnny Gaudreau started the tournament off on the first line alongside Jack Eichel and Anders Lee. None of them had points this game but they were quite effective. From start to finish of this game they were all over Germany.  And they had many shot attempts too, but again, no match for Greiss (or the goaltending post).

Gaudreau had a total of seven shots this game which was second highest after linemate Jack Eichel. This first line had a total of 22 shots which was more than half of USA’s total shots of 43 shots.

For more about this game, go here.

But alright, Team USA loses their first game of the tournament and Johnny Gaudreau has no points. Let’s move on (but this stat becomes important).

Game #2: USA vs Denmark

USA definitely had a big comeback from their loss against Germany. They beat Denmark 7-2 for their second game in the prelims.

And Johnny Hockey? Well, after trying and trying against Germany but not finding his name on the scoresheet, he finally did. Twice! He had an assist on the opening goal and a goal later in the game, both coming on the powerplay. Johnny also drew a penalty and was on the ice for that powerplay, but unfortunately didn’t get any points for that one. He had a bunch of ice-time since he’s on that first powerplay unit and was second among all forwards with 17:03 of ice-time. He was also tied for the most shots on Team USA with four shots. Go Johnny Go!

For more about this game and post game comments from the coach, go here.

Game #3: USA vs Sweden

If we thought Johnny had a good game against Denmark, we haven’t seen anything yet. He had an even more explosive game against Team Sweden. You know, the guys that ended up winning the Gold medal at this tournament.

Johnny had two goals this game and came close to the empty-netter hat-trick goal, but couldn’t get to the puck in time. He was also on the ice for another goal and a goal resulted from the immense amount of pressure his line put on before doing a line-change and USA scoring a few seconds later. So yay Johnny!

Because of all that, he won player of the game and won a watch! Not like he can’t afford one though, right?

Anyways, I’m proud of out little Calgary Flames kid. I mean, I know he’s 23, but it’s ok.

For more about this game, go here.

Game #4: USA vs Italy

To be honest, this wasn’t the most eventful game for the youngster, but Johnny Gaureau managed to pick up an assist in USA’s 3-0 win against Team Italy. This puts him at a three-game point streak and he has five points in four games up until this point. Actually, Italy only mustered up nine shots this game… yikes.

At this point, Johnny was second on Team USA for points and fourth among all skaters at IIHF for goals with 3. Yay Johnny!

For more on this game, go here.

Game #5: USA vs Latvia

Alright for some reason, I didn’t write a post-game recap on this game when it happened. Why past me!?

But Johnny Gaudreau increases his point-streak for four games with a goal late in the second period to tie this game up a three a piece. USA would go on to win this game 5-3 with an empty net goal at the end and Johnny continues doing fun things.

Game #6: USA vs Slovakia

With former Boston College teammate, Kevin Hayes, joining him, Calgary Flames superstar, Johnny Gaudreau, continues to impress. Him and Hayes were on fire the entire game. So much so that Hayes won the player of the game for this one. Now him and Johnny can have matching watches. Friendship goals.

The second period started with some back and forth puck movement between Hayes and Johnny when Johnny finally found the back of the net. Giving USA a two goal lead against Team Slovakia. Johnny would end up getting another goal this game (assisted by Hayes because why not) and an assist.

This now increases his point-streak to five games and at this point, he was leading Team USA for goals (6) and points (9). He was also tied in third place for points among all skaters at IIHF and tied in first for goals. I guess there’s a reason they call him Johnny Hockey. Man, USA should be glad that the Flames lost in the first round of the playoffs.

For more about this game, go here.

Final game of Prelims: USA vs Russia

USA won 5-3 against Team Russia and would be playing Finland in the Quarter Finals. Johnny Gaudreau increased his point streak in that game to six games with his two assists. So what you’re telling me is the ONLY game USA lost in the preliminary round is the game that Johnny Gaudreau didn’t have any points in? Hm, interesting.

After the preliminary round, Gaudreau was tied in first for goals among all skaters at the tournament (6), leading Team USA in goals, and leading Team USA in points (11). Not too shabby, Johnny, not too shabby.

For more about this, go here.

Quarter Finals: USA vs Finland

Unfortunately for Johnny Gaudreau and Team USA, this was the end of their tournament and they would not be competing for any medals. They lost in a disappointing 2-0 shutout loss to Team Finland. I wish I could say it was a hard fought battle, but USA wasn’t their typical selves. They weren’t making the plays they’ve been making all tournament and they took too many penalties. And at the end of the day, Finland wanted it more.

Even though they had this loss, good news for Calgary Flames fans, but Johnny Gaudreau was named one of USA’s three best players of the tournament! Go Johnny go!

For more about this game, go here.

Next: Monday Roundtable - Forwards Edition

That’s all for now. We won’t be seeing anymore of Gaudreau until the NHL awards on June 21st. It’s ok Flames fans, it’s only a month from now. We can do it. Also congrats to the other Flame at the World Championship, Chad Johnson, on winning Silver!