Good morning, sportsfans!  Our country is in a state of some disquiet because the Canadian Men's Junior Team lost 3-2 in the gold medal game of the WJCs last night.  In a shootout, which is an absurd way to decide a medal game.  Alas.

Anyway, it's good news for you if you were cheering for the Americans, who put on a fine performance.  Joseph Woll didn't get the start over American star starter Tyler Parsons, but Jeremy Bracco had a solid tournament.  So did Carl Grundstrom for Sweden and Martins Dzierkals for Latvia--all Leafs prospects.  Times are good.

Check back for our preview later this morning of tonight's Leafs game.  New Jersey is a very beatable opponent, boys--and if we win tonight, we'll move into third in the Atlantic.

WJC

TSN: USA Edges Canada In Shootout For World Junior Gold
The Canadians fought well but took the L in the tiebreaker.  I've yet to hear anyone argue the shootout is a good way to end a medal game, but the Americans were good and played well.

TSN: Hollow Feeling, Raw Emotion Among Canadian Players :(

SBNation: Russia Wins Bronze
A strong game from goalie Ilya Samsonov helps the Russians medal.

NHL

The Cannon: Streak Busted
The Blue Jackets' 16-game winning streak ground to a halt against the Washington Capitals (who were fresh off laying six goals on the Leafs, natch.)

NHL.com: Patrick Maroon Hat Trick Leads Oilers Past Bruins
The Oilers did us a favour by beating the Bruins last night, so I'll refrain from pointing out Maroon has been essentially a more effective Milan Lucic for a third of the AAV and no term.  I mean...uh...oops.

NHL.com: Colton Sissons Hat Trick Helps Nashville Defeat Tampa Bay
Colton Sissons has had more than half of his career goal output (5) in one game.  This one also benefitted us (sorry Acha!) [I am resigned to a high draft pick this season. - Acha]

Be good, kids, and not like the bad Leafs fans who complained that Auston cheered for his own country.  Feel free to add your own links.