Off To The Medal Round!
The LA Kings are proudly represented in the medal round by defenseman Drew Doughty and goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Team Canada secured a spot in Friday's semifinals with a nail-biting 4-3 overtime victory over Team Czechia.
This win guarantees Canada a shot at a medal. Joining them in the medal round is LA Kings forward Joel Armia, as Team Finland staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Team Switzerland, securing their place among the final four.
Doughty played a crucial role, logging 14:18 on the ice, ranking fourth among Canadian defensemen. He was part of the action during Macklin Celebrini's game-opening goal, helping propel Canada into the semifinals. Although Kuemper didn't see action in this game, with Jordan Binnington starting in goal, his presence adds depth to the team.
Meanwhile, Armia and Team Finland pulled off a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against Switzerland. While Armia didn't score, his elevated role was evident as he logged 14:05, the eighth-highest among Finnish forwards. He was instrumental on the ice for Sebastian Aho's goal in the third period, sparking Finland's comeback.
On the other side, forward Adrian Kempe's run with Team Sweden concluded after a tough 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the quarterfinals. Kempe was a standout performer throughout the tournament, tallying two goals and two assists in five games, including a key goal against Team Latvia.
As the semifinals loom, a Kings vs. Kings showdown is set with Canada facing Finland.
Each higher-seeded team advanced, setting up a clash between top-seeded Canada and fourth-seeded Finland. This ensures that Kings players will feature in both the gold and bronze medal games.
The winner of Friday’s matchup will vie for gold, while the loser will compete for bronze.
Kings Medal Round Schedule
- Canada (Doughty, Kuemper) vs. Finland (Armia) - Friday, 2/20 at 7:40 AM Pacific
- Bronze Medal Game - Saturday, 2/21 at 11:40 AM Pacific
- Gold Medal Game - Sunday, 2/22 at 5:10 AM Pacific
Broadcast details are still being finalized, but you can expect coverage across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. Any game involving Team USA will definitely air on NBC. Stay tuned for updates on the broadcast schedule.