Three Questions About Short International Hockey Tournaments

Canada has won the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship, with a startling 5-0 shutout of Russia in the final game. TSN, the tournament broadcaster in Canada, has a complete wrap-up, outlining how the Canadians - a supposed underdog - blew out the Russians in the title game for the second straight year. Finland defeated the United States 4-2 earlier in the day to win the bronze medal.

1) Might it have all been different if the Russian goal counts?
With Canada leading 2-0 early in the second period, a bad angle shot almost fooled Canadian goalie Justin Pogge. Only later did replays show the puck slipping over the goal line and skidding back out again. It's easy to say the result was one-sided, so one goal makes no difference. The Russians would argue that there is a huge difference between trailing 2-1, having scored the most recent goal, and trailing 2-0, knowing that you've just been cheated out of a goal.

2) Might it have all been different if Justin Pogge doesn't make his best save?
About 15 minutes into a scoreless first period, a deflected Russian shot detoured towards the top corner of the net. Canada's goalie reacted quickly, snaring the puck for his highlight of the night. At that point, the powerful Russians held a 15-3 advantage in shots on goal. From then on, Canada outshot Russia 31-20, as the defense and forechecking rarely faltered.

3) Might it have all been different if Team USA plays a good third period against Switzerland?
By giving up two power play goals in the final 20 minutes, Team USA turned a potential 2-0 win into a 2-2 tie. That proved a turning point, leaving the Americans behind Canada in the tournament standings, and ultimately setting them on a very difficult road in the playoffs: games against the Czechs and the Russians on consecutive nights. Favoured by many to win the gold medal, the USA didn't look like world beaters in either contest, and finished in fourth place.

None of the questions have answers, of course. But such are the moments on which international hockey showdowns often turn. It's worth keeping in mind when hockey's greatest players gather for that other tournament in Italy just a few weeks from now.