The World Cup of Hockey makes it’s triumphant return this Saturday in what should be a competitive and exciting tournament and a great way to kick off the hockey season. The first World Cup since 2004, the tournament will take place in Toronto, Ontario at the Air Canada Centre, unlike its predecessors which featured many venues. The host nation of Canada is one of eight competing teams, which also include the United States, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Team Europe (composed of players from all other European countries), and Team North America (composed of Canadian and American skaters under the age of 24). The tournament will have two groups of teams competing in a round robin format, with two teams advancing to a semi-final knockout round, followed by a best-of-three final series. The groups are divided up as follows:
Group A – Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team U.S.A
Group B – Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden
With the pre-tournament wrapping up and final rosters set, the World Cup is about to get underway. Below is the schedule for the tournament:
Group Stage (Round Robin)
Saturday, September 17th
Group A: United States at Europe (3:30pm EST)
Group A: Czech Republic at Canada (8pm EST)
Sunday, September 18th
Group B: Sweden at Russia (3pm EST)
Group B: North America at Finland (8pm EST)
Monday, September 19th
Group A: Europe at Czech Republic (3pm EST)
Group B: Russia at North America (8pm EST)
Tuesday, September 20th
Group B: Finland at Sweden (3pm EST)
Group A: Canada at United States (8pm EST)
Wednesday, September 21st
Group B: North America at Sweden (3pm EST)
Group A: Europe at Canada (8pm EST)
Thursday, September 22nd
Group B: Finland at Russia (3pm EST)
Group A: United States at Czech Republic (8pm EST)
Semi-Final Round
Saturday, September 24th
Group B 2nd-place at Group A winner (7pm EST)
Sunday, September 25th
Group A 2nd-place at Group B winner (1pm EST)
Final Round
Tuesday, September 27th
Game One (8pm EST)
Thursday, September 29th
Game Two (8pm EST)
Saturday, October 1st
Game Three* (7pm EST)
*if neccessary
Can you explain how points are calculated and ties in standings are broken?