Reflections on the ‘09WJ Final and Panther Prospect Markström
2009 IIHF World Junior Championships Final
Ottawa, Canada
Canada vs Sweden 5-1
A couple of reflections on the performance of the Panther goalie prospect Jakob Markström, and the final itself, might be warranted after last night’s game. Markström has universally been heralded as an exciting prospect and potential franchise goaltender for Florida – after he was drafted as the first draft in the second round of last years NHL draft.
Here it was truly up to judgment; in a jam-packed Ottawa arena, filled to the brink with patriotic Canadian’s, it was truly a test of character. And how did Markström fare in that test?
Well, the game itself was an open affair, but the Canadian’s soon took a grip on proceedings. Their powerplay was around the 50% mark coming in to the game, and a good idea for the Swede’s might have been to not take any silly penalties – but that’s exactly what happened, and Canada duly scored the early powerplay goal. P.K. Subban jammed repeatedly at close range and finally got the goal behind a sprawling Markström. The goal seemed to rattle both Jakob and his Swedish team. They got on the back foot of proceedings and started to make more mistakes and take unnecessary penalties – as they were dragged in to the Canadian style of aggressive play.
Markström in particular lost his cool on several occasions, after some unwarranted close contact, and it seemed to affect his game in a negative sense. If he wants to be a success in the National Hockey League, this is a mental aspect on his game he needs to work on. Close contact in the NHL is more rule than exception – and even the goalie needs to be mentally equipped the face that challenge.
It was 2-0 before the second period was over; after an Angelo Esposito high backhand goal gave the Canadians a two goal cushion. Sweden gained some momentum with several powerplay opportunities, but overall they squandered these excellent chances by overplaying the puck and simply failing to get quality shots off at the Canadian goaltender Takarski (Sweden went 0 for 7 on the man advantage). It wasn’t until the third period that Takarski was truly tested and the Swede’s could finally get on the scoreboard.
Before that however, the Canadian’s scored another powerplay goal early in the third period; Cody Hodgson scoring a low point shot – tucked neatly in at the post – making it 3-0. Sweden didn’t get a goal until 11.30 remained on the clock. In the dying minutes they withdrew Markström from the mesh, and Canada could gloss the score line with a brace of empty netters. While 5-1 may have flattered the Canadian’s slightly, it was no doubt that they were the deserved winners – making it five gold medals in row now.
As for Jakob Markström, he looked the part of a promising goaltender and the Panthers may have their future franchise goaltender here. After all he was the outstanding netminder of the tournament and won the recognition as such. Impressive – considering he is eligible to play in next year’s tournament also, and the Canadians may find that a more challenging gold to win…
Jakob Markström looks like a fine player indeed, but needs to continue developing in the Swedish Elite League before a Panther call-up looks viable. He reminds me of a young Henrik Lundqvist playing for Västra Frölunda (in the Swedish Elite) and has the same mental aspects to work on before he’s ready for the NHL. There are of course no guarantees either, when it comes to player development, as so much can still happen. But, it does increasingly look like Panthers may indeed have made an inspired second round draft pick and have in Markström – a future star.
