PLAYER AND PUCK TRACKING AT WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 2016

Player- and puck-tracking will be used during all games for the World Cup of Hockey 2016 and incorporated into the broadcasts by both ESPN and Sportsnet. Seven hundred pucks designed for tracking – (feature photo) – were manufactured for the tournament. Fans are able to keep these pucks if they exit the playing surface.

The World Cup of Hockey 2016 begins today with two games at Air Canada Centre.

Team USA, who finished 2-1-0 in pre-tournament play, meets Team Europe in the opening game of the tournament. Derek Stepan paced Team USA with 2-2—4 and tied for the club lead with a +4 rating in three exhibition outings. Jonathan Quick, who will start between the pipes, stopped 62 of the 65 shots he faced in pre-tournament action (1.80 GAA, .954 SV%). Leon Draisaitl (3-0—3) sparked Team Europe to its lone win in exhibition play with a hat trick in the club’s pre-tournament finale. Jaroslav Halak gets the starting nod in net after registering 73 saves on 81 shots against in three exhibition appearances (2.86 GAA, .901 SV%).

Team Canada and Team Czech Republic, who both went 2-1-0 in pre-tournament contests, then face off in the nightcap. Drew Doughty, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, paced Team Canada with 1-3—4 and a +5 rating during exhibition play. Carey Price will start in net after stopping 45-of-50 shots in pre-tournament action (2.44 GAA, .900 SV%). Team Czech Republic is led by captain Tomas Plekanec, who shared first overall with three goals in three exhibition games. Team Czech Republic has yet to name its starter in goal after Michal Neuvirth (0.63 GAA, .978 SV%) and Petr Mrazek(4.04 GAA, .872 SV%) each saw pre-tournament action.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Team USA @ Team Europe, 3:30 p.m.
Team Czech Republic @ Team Canada, 8 p.m.