Columbus, Ohio – Team USA faces Canada tonight at Nationwide Arena in the first of three pre-tournament games in advance of the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen live in the U.S. in ESPNU and streamed live via WatchESPN. A limited number of tickets remain.
“We’re excited to play tonight,” said U.S. defenseman Ryan Suter this morning from the rink. “There’s nothing like the U.S.-Canada rivalry. We’ve had a great time here in Columbus and this will be a great way to end the week.”
Jonathan Quick will start in goal for the U.S. and play at least half the game according to coach John Tortorella. Ben Bishop will also play in goal tonight for Team USA.
TIDBITS: Teams are allowed to dress 20 players for each game involved with the World Cup of Hockey 2016, meaning that three players will not dress each game. Tonight, goaltender Cory Schneider, defenseman Erik Johnson and forward James van Riemdsyk will not play … The U.S. and Canada will meet tomorrow (Sept. 10) at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa at 7 p.m. ET. The game can be seen live on ESPN3 … Team USA will depart for Ottawa tomorrow morning … The U.S. has practiced once each day this week in Columbus, starting on Monday (Sept. 5) … Team USA defenseman Jack Johnson, who plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets, threw out the first pitch at Tuesday’s Cincinnati Reds game against the New York Mets … The 20th anniversary of Team USA winning the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996 comes Sept. 14.