2016 World Cup Of Hockey

Yes, I'll try to explain as best I can. The World Hockey Championships are run by the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation). They run every year and are played by the top 10 ranked nations in the world. They are officiated by international officials using international rules (tighter and more restrictive regarding physicality than the NHL). They also run during April-May in one host city, meaning most nation's rosters are made up of all the best players not competing in NHL playoff's. This is the main drawback of the competition, as having an annual tournament being competed by teams not being able to necessarily play their best players. Basically, guys like Sidney Crosby won't be playing for Canada because he'll be playing for Pittsburgh in the playoffs (if they qualify).

The World Cup of Hockey is an NHL organized tournament. It was formerly known as the Canada Cup, and was originally created to enable a best on best format of international teams. Prior to 1998, Olympic hockey was only open to amatuer athletes, so players attending were usually junior or minor leaguers, ie. not best on best. The Soviet Union would send their Red Army team and completely dominate. The original Canada Cup was played every four years, adding prestige and hype to the tournament. Since the NHL and International Olympic Committee has allowed players to play in the Olympics however, the World Cup of Hockey has only been played twice in the last 2 decades (2004 and 2016). It's played in September, prior to the start of the NHL season. In past years it's been played in a number of different cities but this year it's only being played in Toronto. The tournament's been up in the air for a number of years, many have questioned why it's still played or what the point of it is when we have NHLer's competing in Olympic competition.

Long story short, the NHL runs the WCoH which allows best on best competition prior to the start of the NHL season. The World Hockey Championship is played every year, run by the IIHF and isn't always played by the best players possible, leaving it a little less desirable to watch, but still worth tuning in to if your a hockey fan.

Hope that helped :icon_mrgreen:

 

Cheers, had a brief look at the wiki pages.

Team Europe is an interesting concept, as is Americans and Canadians competing together under the 'North America' banner.

 

I wasn't a huge fan of Team North America but they've been excellent to watch all tournament, tons of speed and skill.

 

On tap today, Canada vs Europe and North America vs Sweden. Both Canada and Europe are in the semi finals already. Sweden is almost guaranteed a spot being 2-0 so far. The final spot is up for grabs between North America, Russia, and Finland. Both Czech Republic and the USA are eliminated. They play Thursday in a nothing game.

 

North America beats Sweden 4-3 in OT. That eliminates Finland from qualifying for the semi-finals. Russia must beat Finland tomorrow to have any chance of qualifying. For now, Sweden and NA will be in. Canada vs Europe is next for top spot in Group A.

 

Canada beats Team Europe to finish top of group A. Tomorrow it's USA vs Czech Republic in a nothing game for either team, and Russia plays Finland. If Russia wins, they are in the semi finals. If they lose, Team North America goes to the semi's. It will be Canada vs Russia/NA on Saturday, and Europe vs Sweden on Sunday.

 

Russia eases past Finland 3-0. Canada vs Russia on Saturday, Team Europe vs Sweden on Sunday.

 

Canada vs Russia in the first semi on right now.

 

Canada beats Russia 5-2. Russia led 2-1 for all of a minute and a half. Canada scores 4 unanswered to advance to the final. They play the winner of Sweden vs Europe tomorrow.

 

Wow, Europe beats Sweden 3-2 in OT. Great game! Canada vs Europe in the final, best of 3 series starts on Tuesday!

 

So if anyone's been following this thread, Canada did win the World Cup Of Hockey, 2-0 over Team Europe. Canada won game 1 convincingly but eventually, stol game 2 in the last minutes to win it all. Personally, it was great to see 2 Boston Bruins star to help Canada clinch the win late on. Here are the highlights...