Canada going with....

Mason.

At least that's what is being reported by the Ottawa Citizen.

PARDUBICE, Czech Republic -- Steve Mason of the London Knights will be Team Canada's goalie in the medal round of the world junior hockey championship.

Coach Craig Hartsburg said Tuesday morning he was going with the Oakville, Ont., native over Jonathan Bernier of the Lewiston Maineiacs.

Canada plays Finland in a quarterfinal game on Wednesday.

Mason led Canada to two wins in the round robin, 2-0 over Slovakia and 4-1 over Denmark.

He was in goal for a 4-2 exhibition win over Finland.

Confirmation from TSN...

When Canada meets Finland on Wednesday in their quarterfinal game, Steve Mason will be in the net.

Team Canada coach Craig Hartsburg made the announcement on Tuesday. The quarterfinal game can be seen live on TSN, TSN HD and TSN.ca Wednesday, at 9:30am et/6:30am pt.

Mason, made 15 saves in Canada's 4-1 win over Denmark on Monday. The 19-year old Mason had been alternating starts with Jonathan Bernier up until now.

TSN (http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_story/?ID=226251&hubname=)

Go Sweden Go.

Is he in anyway related to Chris Mason?

I don't like this move at all. Bernier's being punished because the guys in front of him were coughing up the puck constantly.

I don't like this move at all. Bernier's being punished because the guys in front of him were coughing up the puck constantly.

If the team is more apt to play tighter defence with Mason in net then Mason should be the starter

If the team is more apt to play tighter defence with Mason in net then Mason should be the starter

I agree 100% with this. Mason is getting the start as more of a psychological move to the rest of the team. I think the rest of the team "trusts" Mason more right now and feels that, with him, they know they can win. I'm not sure I would've made this move, but it's probably the right one.

The loss wasn't Bernier's fault, but more the lack of defensive coverage in front of him. Again, I say that this wouldn't happen with a WHL-coached "defence-first" team...

Good move. While I think Bernier will be a better NHL goaltender, Mason is the right man for Team Canada.

not feeling good about this..

I'm not at all surprised. Bernier looked below average in the third period against Sweden, he was a bit rattled but still. However, I wish they'd go with Bernier. He's the better goalie and I feel more comfortable with him between the pipes.

If the team is more apt to play tighter defence with Mason in net then Mason should be the starter

They play ''better'' against second tier team like Slovakia and Denmark....

Not sure it's a good idea to send Mason when we don't know what he can do against a good team...

They play ''better'' against second tier team like Slovakia and Denmark....

Not sure it's a good idea to send Mason when we don't know what he can do against a good team...Fortunately they aren't playing a good team until the semis. I still don't like this decision.

not feeling good about this..

Don't sweat this decision. When he's at the top of his game Bernier is probably the best goalie in junior. However, Mason is on the team for a reason - he's a damn good goalie.

Mason will *never* cost a team the game. If Canada outplays their opposition they'll win. If they don't it might not matter who is in net.

If the team is more apt to play tighter defence with Mason in net then Mason should be the starter

Team Canada plays tighter defence against Denmark than against Sweden. Go figure !

London Knights this year with Mason - 19-4-1-2
London Knights this year without Mason - 1-8-1-0

Where I will agree that Bernier is probably the best goalie in Jr. hockey right now Mason is nothing to be worried about.

Whoever faces the US is going to have to deal with a lot of traffic. I would rather have them play Mason all the way through at this point. The team needs to worry about stability in other areas of the ice.

Well, I wouldn't sweat too much about this if I were Canadian. Based on the performances in the USA game, Finland is probably going with Harri Sateri.

Who? Exactly.

I suspect Canada will beat the Finns regardless of who is in net.
If Mason plays well, ride him all the way.
If he struggles at all, Canada can always come back with Bernier against the Yanks.

I don't care who's in the nets for Canada. They're both good. The problem isn't in goal, it's at forward and whether or not they'll gel in time. Giroux has to start burying his chances. Marchand has to start playing like a 19 year old. Leguin has to contribute like he did in the Super Series. Everyone has to follow Tavares's lead and start shooting when they get chances instead of hesitating. And they have to get traffic in front of the net during power play.

Go Sweden Go.

Why would you post something like that here? :dunno:
This thread has to do w/ Canadian goaltending, not Sweden.