SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Team USA @ Team Europe, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2, SN, TVAS
Team Czech Republic @ Team Canada, 8 p.m., ESPNEWS, SN, TVAS
WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 2016 BEGINS WITH TWO GAMES
The World Cup of Hockey 2016 begins today with two games at Air Canada Centre:
* Team USA, who finished 2-1-0 in pre-tournament play, meets Team Europe in the opening game of the tournament. Derek Stepan paced Team USA with 2-2—4 and tied for the club lead with a +4 rating in three exhibition outings. Jonathan Quick, who will start between the pipes, stopped 62 of the 65 shots he faced in pre-tournament action (1.80 GAA, .954 SV%). Leon Draisaitl (3-0—3) sparked Team Europe to its lone win in exhibition play with a hat trick in the club’s pre-tournament finale. Jaroslav Halak gets the starting nod in net after registering 73 saves on 81 shots against in three exhibition appearances (2.86 GAA, .901 SV%).
* Team Canada and Team Czech Republic, who both went 2-1-0 in pre-tournament contests, then face off in the nightcap. Drew Doughty, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, paced Team Canada with 1-3—4 and a +5 rating during exhibition play. Carey Price will start in net after stopping 45-of-50 shots in pre-tournament action (2.44 GAA, .900 SV%). Team Czech Republic is led by captain Tomas Plekanec, who shared first overall with three goals in three exhibition games. Team Czech Republic has yet to name its starter in goal after Michal Neuvirth (0.63 GAA, .978 SV%) and Petr Mrazek (4.04 GAA, .872 SV%) each saw pre-tournament action.
Kukla's Korner Hockey
NHL Short Notes- World Cup Edition
ICYMI: WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 2016 INFORMATION GUIDE
The World Cup of Hockey 2016 Interactive Information Guide now is available via the NHL’s Media site. The guide features PR contacts and media information; daily schedules for all eight participating teams; and tournament FAQs, rules and procedures. It also includes a breakdown of each roster as well as a history of the World Cup of Hockey/Canada Cup.
SNAPSHOT OF NHL PARTICIPATION IN WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 2016
A total of 169 NHLers, representing all 30 clubs, comprise the 184 players participating in the World Cup of Hockey 2016:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Team Russia captain Alex Ovechkin (31) and Team North America forward Auston Matthews (19) celebrate their birthdays today in advance of playing their first World Cup of Hockey 2016 games Sunday.
PLAYER- AND PUCK-TRACKING AT WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 2016
Player- and puck-tracking will be used during all games for the World Cup of Hockey 2016 and incorporated into the broadcasts by both ESPN and Sportsnet.
Seven hundred pucks designed for tracking – depicted below – were manufactured for the tournament. Fans are able to keep these pucks if they exit the playing surface.
REMINDER: WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 2016 OFFICIALS
The World Cup of Hockey 2016 officiating crew is comprised of seven NHL referees and seven NHL linesmen. All tournament games will be officiated by two NHL referees and two NHL linesmen.
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Chris Lee, Wes McCauley, Dan O’Halloran, Dan O’Rourke and Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen: Derek Amell, Michel Cormier, Shane Heyer, Steve Miller, Brian Murphy, Jonny Murray and Pierre Racicot
THE KILLERS ROCK OPENING NIGHT OF FAN VILLAGE . . .
Global rock band The Killers – who were joined by players from all eight participating teams as well as Canadian rockers Sam Roberts Band and singer/songwriter Daya – christened the Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village Friday with the Pepsi World Cup of Hockey Premiere Party.
Click here for a full recap.
. . . A SNAPSHOT OF TODAY’S SCHEDULE
The Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village is open today from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
A snapshot of today’s schedule includes:
* An appearance by Team North America and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly
* Former NHL greats Theo Fleury, Adam Graves, Todd Harvey and Mike Weaver
* A viewing party for the Team Canada-Team Czech Republic game at 8 p.m.
* Hockey skills challenges and attractions, including the first-of-its-kind Molson Canadian Human Bubble Hockey three-on-three experience
Visit WCH2016.com/fanvillage for complete details.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Leon Draisaitl (EUR), Matt Duchene (CAN), Aaron Ekblad (NAT), Jakub Voracek(CZE) and Blake Wheeler (USA) penned their latest blogs for WCH2016.com . . . The CN Tower lit up in celebration of the start of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 . . . The 3D TORONTO sign also will display tournament colors throughout the opening week . . . Check out the sights and sounds of the days leading up to the World Cup of Hockey 2016, including Media Day and pre-tournament games
the information above was provided by the NHL PR department
About Kukla's Korner Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
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