WJHC 2009-10 - The King is Dead! Long Live the King!

Team U.S.A succeeded in book-ending the five straight gold medals won by Canada. The Americans won their 2nd World Junior title last night by defeating Team Canada 6-5 in overtime. The Americans had a two-goal lead in the game but Jordan Eberle forced overtime with a pair of late goals. However, the furious comeback was all for naught as John Carlson scored the overtime winner.



Jordan Eberle of Canada was named the top forward and most valuable player at the World Junior Hockey Championship.



In ending Canada's run of five straight gold medals, Team U.S.A. also exhibited a punishing transition game. The intense, back-and-forth game saw both starting goalies pulled by their coaches.

"I just closed my eyes and let it rip," confessed the 19-year-old Carlson, who has played three games in the NHL for the Washington Capitals. "I think I got a little lucky."



In the bronze medal game, Team Sweden ended the tournament on a positive note. Andre Petersson had a hat trick and Jakob Silfverberg and Daniel Brodin had two goals each as Sweden demolished Switzerland 11-4.

"We didn't play that well against the U.S. We showed we can play good hockey, so I'm pleased," said Swedish coach Par Marts. "It's a medal. Sometimes you have to take that, but for sure I wanted the gold medal." Sweden outshot the Swiss 50-20.

For rookie cards of these players in upcoming products from In The Game and Upper Deck, this year and beyond, visit Canada Card World.

WJHC 2009-10 - Golden Prospects

For a team to make the finals of the World Junior Hockey Championships, they need talent and depth. Team Canada and Team U.S.A. have no shortage of either. The future is bright for many players in tonight's game.

Jordan Eberle - He can do some amazing things with the puck and he continues to be a clutch member of Team Canada. Eberle set a Canadian record by scoring a point in 11 straight games at the WJHC tournament.

Nazem Kadri - He made controversial throat-slashing gestures to a Slovakian team member earlier in the tournament but has rebounded with smarter actions and play as the tournament progressed. The London Knights star has shown flashes of the offensive skill that will make him a future star in Toronto.



Jerry D'Amigo - Another Leaf prospect, D'Amigo has scored five goals and ten points over the course of the tournament.

Taylor Hall - Potential 1st overall pick of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and a highlight reel every time he hits the ice.

Danny Kristo - A second round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, Kristo has provided Team U.S.A. with seven points in six games, five of which were goals.

Jordan Schroeder - The Vancouver Canucks used their first round pick in 2009 on Jordan Schroeder and are now watching him contribute to Team USA's run towards gold. The 5'9", 185 lbs. Schroeder has two goals and five assists in his time away from the University of Minnesota.

Alex Pietrangelo - The most experienced NHL player in the game as he's played parts of two seasons with the St. Louis Blues already. The defenseman has been lighting up the scoresheet throughtout the tournament.

Brayden Schenn - An emergency call-up by the Los Angeles Kings this season, Schenn was a top draft pick in 2009.



Jared Cowen - Selected ninth overall in the last year's draft, Cowen is a future #1 defenseman.

Greg Nemisz - Yet another 1st round pick, Nemisz is a scoring machine. The Calgary Flames draft pick has 24 goals in only 34 games this season in the OHL.

For rookie cards of these players in upcoming products from In The Game and Upper Deck, this year and beyond, visit Canada Card World.

WJHC 2009-10 - The Final - Rematch!

Team Canada will attempt their record sixth straight gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships on Tuesday night. After defeating Switzerland 6-1 in the semifinal, Canada needed to wait the winner of tonight's other semifinal game between Sweden and the United States to see who their opponent would be. Team U.S.A. left no doubts as to who belong in the finals after beating Team Sweden 5-2.



Taylor Hall scored twice while Jake Allen made 20 saves to secure the victory. The final score could have been much higher but Swiss goaltender Benjamin Conz was often heroic between the pipes. Jordan Eberle beat Conz for his sixth goal and 11th point of the tournament. Eberle, a Edmonton Oilers' prospect, has points in 11 straight games at the tournament setting a Canadian record. He also pulled even with Jason Allison for second on the all-time list for scoring by a Canadian in tournament history. It is also his 12th career goal in the tournament, only one short of the Canadian record set by John Tavares. Alex Pietrangelo picked up two points to grab a share of the tournament scoring lead with teammate Jordan Eberle and Derek Stepan of Team USA.

The United States earned the rematch by beating the Swedes. They will be looking to avenge a New Years Eve collapse where they blew a 4-2 lead in the 3rd period and suffered a 5-4 shootout loss to Canada in a battle for first place in Group A. The two countries will face each other in the championship game for the first time since 2004, when Team U.S.A defeated Canada 4-3 in Finland, for the Americans' first world junior title.

Jerry D'Amigo, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, scored a pair of goals for the Americans.



Sweden went undefeated to finish first in Group B. The Swedes hoped to advance to the final for a 3rd straight year but instead will play Switzerland for bronze. "I can't tell you in words (how much)," said Swedish forward Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson.

For rookie cards of these players in upcoming products from In The Game and Upper Deck, this year and beyond, visit Canada Card World.

Sunday Fun-Day Fun-Facts

The first baseball cards appeared in Japan in the late 19th century and used traditional Japanese pen and ink illustrations.



Nippon Professional Baseball cards are currently widely available in Japanese toy stores, convenience stores, sports stores, and are included in certain types of potato chips.

In 1987 and 1988, Topps issued two series of American baseball cards featuring cards from Major League Baseball teams in the United Kingdom. The cards contained explanations of baseball terms but given the unfamiliarity of baseball in the U.K., the issues were not successful.



Topps issued baseball card sets in Venezuela from 1959 to 1977 using the Spanish language and the sets included winter league players.

In Cuba, baseball card sets were issued in the early 1900s. Baseball cards are still issued in post-revolution Cuba



Several sets of Mexican League baseball cards have been issued in the past few years as well.

WJHC 2009-10 - Goal Scoring Leaders

The goal scoring leaders at the 2009-10 World Junior Hockey Championships are all from different countres, all have different styles, and have all been drafted by different NHL teams.

Jordan Eberle - Canada - 5 goals, 10 points
Drafted - Edmonton Oilers
1st round, 22nd overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.



Andre Petersson - Sweden - 5 goals, 8 points
Drafted - Ottawa Senators
4th round, 109th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.



Richard Panik - Slovakia - 5 goals, 7 points
Drafted - Tampa Bay Lightning
2nd round, 52nd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.



With five goals each, Jordan Eberle, Andre Petersson, and Richard Panik were not the most celebrated players entering the tournament but have now put themselves into the spotlight. Start adding them to your collection before the rush begins.

For rookie cards of these players in upcoming products from In The Game and Upper Deck, this year and beyond, visit Canada Card World.

Happy New Year from Canada Card World!

May the New Year bring you boxes full of the big hits you've been missing.

May your box bring you and your friends hits like these:





And may your enemies receive hits like these:





All the best in 2010!

For a chance at those big hits and hot boxes, please visit Canada Card World.

2009-10 UD Black Diamond Hockey Released

Always a favourite among collectors, Upper Deck 2009-10 Black Diamond has been a key product for rookie cards for more than ten years. This year’s group of Quad Diamond rookies should really have collectors salivating. John Tavares. Victor Hedman. James Van Riemsdyk. Jonas Gustavsson. Matt Duchene. Evander Kane.

With exciting quad diamond rookie cards, Gemography autographs, a beautiful jersey set, and lots of cool inserts, UD Black Diamond is packed with hits.

2009-10 Upper Deck Black Diamond Hockey checklist



Box Break Summary:
Get 3 Triple Diamond RCs and 1 Quad Diamond RC in each box.
A total of 6 Triple Diamond and 2 Quad Diamond cards per box.
Look for 2 Quad-Swatch Jersey cards per box!

Case Hits:
Four jersey parallels include a signed version, #’d to just 5!
Grab Hardware Heroes die-cut cards which fall 2 per case and are #’d to just 100.
Collect Gemography autograph cards, falling 1 in every other box.
Ruby, Gold & Platinum parallels offer more great low-#’d hits!

2009-10 Upper Deck Black Diamond is now available at Canada Card World.