Not a lot of Islanders or hockey news from yesterday, so for Bits discussion, there’s yesterday’s post. But if you’re jonesing for hockey today, there’s a big slate of games including some World Junior fun and the second outdoor NHL game of the "weekend."
The quarterfinal round starts today so it’s put-up-or-shut-up time for heavyweights like Canada and the US. Despite beating the Czechs pretty good before, Canada isn’t taking them lightly, especially with one of best defenders injured in Phillipe Myers.
2017 World Junior Championship Quarterfinals | |||
Latvia | Finland | at Bell Centre | 11:00 AM |
Russia | Denmark | at Air Canada Centre | 1:00 PM |
Slovakia | Sweden | at Bell Centre | 3:30 PM |
Switzerland | United States | at Air Canada Centre | 5:30 PM |
Czech Republic | Canada | at Bell Centre | 8:00 PM |
The gold medal game is Friday.
As for the pros, it’s Blues and Blackhawks in the Winter Classic today at 1 pm from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. It's on NBC, which is bad news for anyone hoping to watch soap operas or whatever is usually on at that time.
The game is still scheduled as normal right now but the league is ready with a bunch of ridiculous weather contingency plans just in case.
Sounds like everything’s totally under control.
If the game is tied after two periods and conditions are unplayable, a shootout will be held at the United Center before the Feb. 26 game.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) January 2, 2017
In yesterday’s outdoor game, of course Auston Matthews scored the overtime winner for the Maple Leafs, who gave up three goals in the third (one with almost no time left) to almost hand the game to Detroit. No word yet on if Matthews will have a statue built of him outside Air Canada Centre by the end of the week, but we’ll let you know.
Enjoy the hockey, even if you’re in the office today.
Oh, and a new episode of Islanders Anxiety will be out this afternoon for your evening pleasure.