The tournament is officially known as the IIHF Men’s World Championships. This year, they take place in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. The USA and Canada are usually in a bit of a disadvantage as they have to rely on players not in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but with Detroit, Vancouver, Boston, Pittsburgh and San Jose eliminated, both countries should get some decent talent to play against the European countries in the tournament.
NBC Sports Network will air 13 games of the World Championships including all games involving Team USA.
The tournament will run from May 4 — 20 on NBC Sports Network. Here’s the press release.
NBC SPORTS NETWORK TO TELEVISE ALL TEAM USA GAMES DURING IIHF MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Team USA Opens Play May 4 Against France
NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) — The NBC Sports Network will televise 13 games of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s World Championship, May 4-20, in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden, including all Team USA games, a Semifinal matchup and the Gold Medal game. Team USA opens play on Friday, May 4, with a preliminary-round game against France.
All Team USA games will air live on NBC Sports Network, with the exception of its preliminary-round game on May 5, which will be aired later that night on delay. NBC Sports Network will televise at least one Semifinal game and the Gold Medal game (same-day delay), regardless of whether or not Team USA is playing in the contest.
“It’s terrific to have the visibility for the Men’s World Championship in the United States that comes with the games being televised on NBC Sports Network,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “Their coverage last year was outstanding and we look forward to that continuing this year with expanded coverage.”
Last year, NBC Sports Network (formerly VERSUS) televised the IIHF Men’s World Championship for the first time, and, this year will, air additional coverage, including all seven USA preliminary-round games and all four quarterfinal games live.
NBC Sports Network will also produce pre-game, intermission and post-game updates from the network’s NHL studios in Stamford, Conn., providing viewers with expert analysis of the games before during and after the action.
NBC Sports Network’s 2012 IIHF World Men’s Championships schedule, (Please note all times are subject to change):
IIHF Men’s World Championship Schedule on NBC Sports Network
Friday, May 4 — USA vs. France, Helsinki, 5 a.m. ET
Saturday, May 5 — USA vs. Canada, Helsinki, 10:30 p.m. ET
Monday, May 7 — USA vs. Slovakia, Helsinki, 1 p.m. ET
Thursday, May 10 — USA vs. Belarus, Helsinki, 9 a.m. ET
Friday, May 11 — USA vs. Kazakhstan, Helsinki, 9 a.m. ET
Sunday, May 13 — USA vs. Finland, Helsinki, 9 a.m. ET
Tuesday, May 15 — Switzerland, Helsinki 1 p.m. ET
Thursday, May 17 — Quarterfinals, Helsinki 6 a.m. ET
Thursday, May 17 — Quarterfinals, Stockholm, 8:30 a.m. ET
Thursday, May 17 — Quarterfinals, Helsinki, 11 a.m. ET
Thursday, May 17 — Quarterfinals, Stockholm, 2 p.m. ET
Saturday, May 19 — Semifinals, Helsinki, TBD
Sunday, May 20 — Gold Medal Game, Helsinki, 9 p.m. ET
There you have it.
