The U.S. Men's National Team faces Korea tonight in its fifth preliminary round game of the 2018 IIHF Men's World Championship here in Herning, Denmark. Puck drop is set for 8:15 p.m. local time (2:15 p.m. ET) at the Jyske Bank Boxen and will be televised live in the U.S. exclusively on NHL Network.
This is the first-ever meeting betwen the United States and Korea in Men's World Championship play. Through four games, the U.S. leads Group B with 10 points while Korea is in last place with zero points.
The United States enters the 2018 IIHF Men's World Championship seeking its 12th tournament medal and first since 2016, when it claimed a bronze medal. All-time, the U.S. has won gold once (1933), silver four times (1950, 1939, 1934, 1931) and bronze six times (2015, 2013, 2004, 1996, 1952, 1949).
THINGS WORTH MENTIONING
Charlie McAvoy was added to the U.S. roster yesterday, bringing its player count to 24 ... Team USA is the home team and will be wearing blue ... Johnny Gaudreau (1-3--4) and Patrick Kane (1-6--7) have a point in every game ... Kane sits tied for third in assists and ranks seventh in points among all tournament skaters ... With two assists yesterday, Kane now has 50 points (19-31) in 40 international games across IIHF, Olympic and World Cup play while Gaudreau has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points over his last 12 Men's World Championship games ... John Johannson, brother of the late Jim Johannson, arrived in Herning today along with other family, friends and guest of Team USA ... Dave Ogrean, former executive director of USA Hockey, arrives tomorrow ... Forward Sonny Milano turns 22 tomorrow (May 12).
CHARLIE MCAVOY JOINS TEAM USA
Defenseman Charlie McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.) arrived today around noon in Herning, Denmark after being named to Team USA's roster prior to yesterday's win over Latvia.
McAvoy is playing on a U.S. Men's National Team for the second consecutive year and representing Team USA for the fifth time in IIHF world championship play. A three-time IIHF medalist, including two gold medals (2017 WJC, 2015 MU18) and one bronze medal (2016 WJC), McAvoy was an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship where he was named to the Media All-Star Team. McAvoy just finished his first full NHL season with the Boston Bruins where he registered 32 points (7-25) in 63 games before adding five points (1-4) in 12 playoff games. A product of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, he skated two seasons (2015-17) at Boston University prior to making his NHL debut.
FOUR STRAIGHT WINS
With yesterday's win, the U.S. has now won four straight games for just the fourth time to start an IIHF Men's World Championship. In each of the three previous ocasions, the U.S. has medaled.
1939 -- Won first four, lost fifth, silver medalist (Basel/Zurich, Switzerland)
1933 -- Won all five games, gold medalist (Prague, Czechoslovakia)
1931 -- Won first five, lost sixth, silver medalist (Krynica, Poland)
U.S. Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Round | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tues., May 1 | Denmark | Exhibition | W, 3-2 | KVIK Hockey Arena Herning, Denmark |
| Fri., May 4 | Canada | Preliminary | W, 5-4 (SO) | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Sat., May 5 | Denmark | Preliminary | W, 4-0 | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Mon., May 7 | Germany | Preliminary | W, 3-0 | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Thurs., May 10 | Latvia | Preliminary | W, 3-2 (OT) | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Fri., May 11 | Korea | Preliminary | W, 13-1 | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Sun., May 13 | Norway | Preliminary | W, 9-3 | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Tues., May 15 | Finland | Preliminary | L, 2-6 | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Thurs., May 17 | Czech Republic | Quarterfinals | W, 3-2 | Jyske Bank Boxen Herning, Denmark |
| Sat., May 19 | Sweden | Semifinals | L, 0-6 | Royal Arena Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Sun., May 20 | Canada | Bronze-Medal Game | W, 4-1 | Royal Arena Copenhagen, Denmark |
2018 Men's Worlds News
Kane Earns Best of May Honor for Team USA Awards
- By USAHockey.com 06/06/2018, 1:45pm EDT
Kane, U.S. Men's National Team Up For Best of May Team USA Awards
- By USAHockey.com 06/01/2018, 9:15am EDT
U.S. To Compete in Group A at 2019 Men's World Championship
- By USAHockey.com 05/22/2018, 2:00pm EDT
U.S. Records Broken in Bronze Medal Performance at 2018 Men's Worlds
- By USAHockey.com 05/22/2018, 9:15am EDT
2018 MWC Notebook: May 21
- By USAHockey.com 05/21/2018, 3:00am EDT