Yesterday’s Men’s Playoff round unfolded as expected, setting the stage for today’s quarterfinals. While the matchups weren't blowouts, the top four teams held their ground, ensuring no surprises in the lineup.
Here’s today’s schedule:
- Slovakia vs. Germany at 6 am ET
- Canada vs. Czechia at 10:30 am
- Finland vs. Switzerland at noon
- USA vs. Sweden at 3 pm
Czechia’s Faksa Out Against Canada
In a significant development for the Czechia team, forward Radek Faksa will miss today’s quarter-final against Canada. This update comes from Czech reporter Robert Rampa, adding a wrinkle to Czechia's game plan.
Meanwhile, Canada might see the return of Josh Morrissey and Brad Marchand, potentially bolstering their lineup.
Women’s Medal Games Tomorrow
The anticipation is building for the women’s medal games scheduled for tomorrow, promising high-stakes action.
AHL PED Suspensions
The AHL has been hit with two positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. While the league hasn’t made its banned substances list public, the WADA list is accessible and includes a variety of substances, including masking agents. The narrative around supplements remains a hot topic, often clouded by skepticism.
Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson addressed the suspension of Rockford IceHogs goaltender Stanislav Berezhnoy, who faces a 20-game suspension for a prohibited substance violation under the AHL/PHPA’s program.
Similarly, forward David Goyette has been suspended for the same duration, with a statement released by Seattle Kraken GM Jason Botterill.
Leafs Back on the Ice
The Toronto Maple Leafs returned to practice today, with some injured players making strides in their recovery. Chris Tanev worked separately due to a groin issue, while Dakota Joshua, recovering from a lacerated kidney, was back on the ice, though his return to game action remains uncertain.
Morgan Rielly rejoined practice after missing two games, as the Leafs tested out their lines:
- Maccelli - Tavares - Jarnkrok
- McMann - Domi - Cowan
- Knies - Roy - Robertson
- Lorentz - Laughton - Joshua
Defensive pairs included Rielly-Carlo and McCabe-Stecher, with goalies Woll and Stolarz in the mix. Notably, Matthews, Nylander, and Ekman-Larsson are currently at the Olympics.
Dakota Joshua is taking a cautious approach, focusing on regaining his strength before confirming a return date.
Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds.