EURO CURVE

Euro Curve chronicles the latest international hockey news.

Writers Note: Euro Curve has been appearing sporadically as of late on www.illegalcurve.com, as I have been enjoying my vacation, which has consisted of me youtubing 1990's WWF home videos. Don't fret Euro Curve readers ( Kyle and a passionate fan from Iceland), a busy December schedule will keep my keyboard busy. With the upcoming 2008 World Junior Hockey Championships, the 2008 Spengler Cup, and rumblings of a Russian Super Super? League, please stay tuned to the hottest column in the blogosphere.

- Pierre Lebrun of the Globe and Mail writes about the IIHF/NHL transfer agreement, and the potential new league in Russia.

- Russia won the Channel One Cup on Sunday, part of the European Hockey tour, defeating the Czech Republic 5-1. Russia also won the Karjala Cup, the first tournament of the Euro hockey season. Russian won all three of their games, and only surrendered two goals, while scoring 11. Fedor Fedorov, Sergei's younger brother, scored twice in the final game.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.
(ezra.ginsburg@gmail.com)

EURO CURVE

Euro Curve takes a look at the latest international hockey headlines.

( I apologize for the lateness/earliness of this post as an early morning Remembrance day ceremony/afternoon Winnipeg Blue Bombers playoff victory consumed most of my thoughts Sunday)

- Russia won the Karjala Cup Tournament Sunday, taking the four-team professional tournament, held annually in Finland. They defeated the Czech Republic 4-1 to claim first place. Russia and Sweden both had two victories, but Russia claimed first, having scored more goals. Forward Oleg Saprykin was voted Best Forward of the tournament while Fedor Fedorov tied Swede Andreas Holmqvist for most points in the tournament with three.

- Team Finland won the Under-20 4 Nations tournament, a preparatory tournament for the Under-20 World Junior Championships - to be played in December in the Czech Republic. The 4-nations tournament was held in Vaasa, Finland over the weekend, November 8-11. Finland won all three games by a one goal margin to claim top spot. 2nd place Russia featured 2007 1st round pick Alexei Cherepanov, who led the team with two goals and an assist in three games.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.