Happy Boxing Day/St. Stephen's Day/Christmas hangover day! As I write this, the 2014 World Junior Championship is underway with the tournament's first game, a matchup between heavy favorite Canada and longshot Germany in the first game of Group A.
The US's defense of their 2013 gold medal begins at 11:30 AM with a game against the Czech Republic, which will air live on NHL Network and stream at NHL.com. Steve Santini and Ian McCoshen will feature on the blue line for the US, while Thatcher Demko will likely be on the bench. Providence College's Jon Gillies is expected to lead the charge between the pipes for the US.
Once again, I will be here to preach the gospel to all hockey fans about how amazing the World Junior Championship is. If you've never watched it before, make sure to tune in this year. Come for the BC hockey connections - stay for the white-knuckle, fast-paced, incredibly entertaining hockey.
Today's World Junior schedule:
GERMANY vs. CANADA - 7USA vs. Czech Republic, 11:30 AM, NHL Network and NHL.com. Happy Boxing Day!:30 AM
NORWAY vs. RUSSIA - 9:00 AM
CZECH REPUBLIC vs. USA - 11:30 AM
SWITZERLAND vs. SWEDEN - 1:00 PM
USA Schedule
Thurs., Dec. 26 | Czech Republic | 11:30 a.m. ET TV: NHL Network Stream: NHL.com |
Sat., Dec. 28 | Slovakia | 7:30 a.m. ET TV: NHL Network Stream: NHL.com |
Sun., Dec. 29 | Germany | 9:00 a.m. ET TV: NHL Network Stream: NHL.com |
Tues., Dec. 31 | Canada | 11:30 a.m. ET TV: NHL Network Stream: NHL.com |
Thurs., Jan. 2 | Quarterfinals | TBD |
Sat., Jan. 4 | Semifinals | TBD |
Sun., Jan. 5 | Medal Games | TBD |