2016 World Cup of Hockey: Game schedule, groups and broadcasts

Holy crap. This thing is actually gonna happen soon? Wow. It feels like we’ve been talking about the 2016 World Cup of Hockey since the time the last World Cup of Hockey ended in 2004.

But the time is actually upon us which means live hockey on your television and/or computer screens right now. Practice games start Thursday, September 8th (yes, exhibition games for an exhibition tournament) before the real tournament starts on Saturday, September 17th.

We’ll have a ton more on the games, teams and various current and former Islanders involved coming up soon (maybe). But for now, here’s the dates, places and broadcast outlets you might want to know.

Group A

Team Canada

Team Czech Republic

Team Europe

Team USA

Group B

Team Finland

Team North America

Team Russia

Team Sweden

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2016 World Cup of Hockey Pre-Tournament Practice Game Schedule

All Times Eastern (GMT -5) and subject to change

Thursday, September 8

Team Czech Republic vs. Team Russia - Yubileyny Sports Palace, St. Petersburg

12:30 p.m. ET - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Team Sweden vs. Team Finland - Hartwall Arena; Helsinki

Noon ET/7 p.m. local - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Team Europe vs. Team North America - Videotron Centre; Quebec City

8 p.m. ET - ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Friday, September 9

Team Canada vs. Team USA - Nationwide Arena; Columbus

7 p.m. ET - ESPNU, SN, TVA Sports

Saturday, September 10

Team Finland vs. Team Sweden - Scandinavium; Gothenburg

Noon ET/6 p.m. local - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Team Russia vs. Team Czech Republic - O2 Arena; Prague

10:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. local - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Team USA vs. Team Canada - Canadian Tire Centre; Ottawa

7 p.m. ET - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Sunday, September 11

Team Europe vs. Team North America - Bell Centre; Montreal

6 p.m. ET - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Tuesday, September 13

Team Finland vs. Team USA - Verizon Center; Washington, DC

7 p.m. ET - ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Wednesday, September 14

Team Czech Republic vs. Team North America - CONSOL Energy Center; Pittsburgh

3:30 p.m. ET - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports

Team Canada vs. Team Russia - CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh

7:30 p.m. ET - ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Team Sweden vs. Team Europe - Verizon Center; Washington, DC

7 p.m. ET - ESPN3, SN, TVA Sports 2

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2016 World Cup of Hockey Schedule

All Times Eastern (GMT -5)

All Games Played at Air Canada Centre, Toronto

Preliminary Round (round robin)

Saturday, Sept. 17

Team USA vs. Team Europe, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Team Czech Republic vs. Team Canada, 8 p.m., ESPNEWS, SN, TVA Sports

Sunday, Sept. 18

Team Sweden vs. Team Russia, 3 p.m., ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Team North America vs. Team Finland, 8 p.m., ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Monday, Sept. 19

Team Europe vs. Team Czech Republic, 3 p.m., ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Team Russia vs. Team North America, 8 p.m., ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Tuesday, Sept. 20

Team Finland vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m., ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Team Canada vs. Team USA, 8 p.m., ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Team North America vs. Team Sweden, 3 p.m., ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Team Europe vs. Team Canada, 8 p.m., ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Thursday, Sept. 22

Team Finland vs. Team Russia, 3 p.m., ESPN, SN, TVA Sports

Team USA vs. Team Czech Republic, 8 p.m., ESPN2, SN, TVA Sports

Semifinals (single elimination; A1 vs. B2, B1 vs. A2)

Saturday, Sept. 24

Semifinal 1, 7 p.m., ESPN2, CBC, TVA Sports

Sunday, Sept. 25

Semifinal 2, 1 p.m., ESPN, CBC, TVA Sports

Final (best-of-three)

Tuesday, Sept. 27

Final Game 1, 8 p.m.,ESPN, CBC, TVA Sports

Thursday, Sept. 29

Final Game 2, 8 p.m., ESPN2, CBC, TVA Sports

Saturday, Oct. 1

Final Game 3, 7 p.m. (if necessary), ESPN2, CBC, TVA Sports