History was made last spring as the United States won the IIHF World Championship for the first time since 1933, with CBJ defenseman Zach Werenski capturing a gold medal and honoring Johnny Gaudreau along the way.
Now, fresh off an Olympic gold medal, can Team USA keep it going?
Werenski won’t be there this time – we'd say he’s earned some time off after representing his country at three tournaments in 12 months, including the Olympic triumph – but Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier will wear the red, white and blue.
Meanwhile, Canada’s red will also have a blue feel, as CBJ goaltender Jet Greaves and defenseman Denton Mateychuk will represent our neighbors to the north at the tournament. In addition, Columbus native Misha Donskov is serving as head coach for the Canadian squad.
READ MORE: Greaves embracing his opportunity | Mateychuk builds on excellent season
This year’s tournament runs from May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. The seven-game round robin portion of the event runs through May 26, with quarterfinals set for May 28, semifinals May 30 and the gold and bronze medal games on the final day of the month. Games can be watched live on NHL Network throughout the tournament.
Follow along here throughout the tournament as we’ll post scores, schedules and stats for the CBJ players taking part in this year’s World Championships.
CBJ Player Stats
Olivier (United States): 3 GP, 1-2-3, 9 SOG, +3, 14:34 TOI
Greaves (Canada): 2 GP, 2-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .902 SV%
Mateychuk (Canada): 3 GP, 1-1-2, 3 SOG, +3, 10:02 TOI
Schedule and Results
Friday, May 15
Canada 5, Sweden 3
Switzerland 3, United States 1
Saturday, May 16
Canada 6, Italy 0
Sunday, May 17
United States 5, Great Britain 1
Monday, May 18
Canada 5, Denmark 1
Finland 6, United States 2
Wednesday, May 20
United States (Olivier) vs. Germany, 2:20 p.m.
Thursday, May 21
Canada (Greaves, Mateychuk) vs. Norway, 10:20 a.m.
Friday, May 22
Canada (Greaves, Mateychuk) vs. Slovenia, 10:20 a.m.
Saturday, May 23
United States (Olivier) vs. Latvia, 6:20 a.m.
Sunday, May 24
Canada (Greaves, Mateychuk) vs. Slovakia, 2:20 p.m.
Monday, May 25
United States (Olivier) vs. Hungary, 10:20 a.m.
Tuesday, May 26
United States (Olivier) vs. Austria, 10:20 a.m.
Canada (Greaves, Mateychuk) vs. Czechia, 2:20 p.m.
CBJ Player Updates
Monday, May 18
The CBJ Canadian contingent had a big day as Team Canada improved to 3-0 with a 5-1 win over Denmark. Canada dominated the opening 40 minutes, outshooting Denmark 27-9, before a five-goal third period made Jet Greaves a winner for the second time. Denton Mateychuk had a key hand in the goal explosion, jumping into the play and burying his own rebound off a pass from Sidney Crosby for his first goal of the tournament. Greaves stopped 15 of 16 shots against.
Things weren't as rosy for the United States, as Finland jumped on the red, white and blue early, taking a 5-1 lead on the way to a 6-2 victory. Olivier played 16:27 with six shots on goal and an even plus-minus.
Sunday, May 17
Mathieu Olivier had a huge game, posting a goal and two assists as the United States earned its first win at the tournament, downing Great Britain by a 5-1 score.
The CBJ winger gave Team USA a 3-1 lead in the third period as he scored from in front of the net, putting a rebound past goalie Ben Bowns. Olivier also assisted on tallies by Paul Cotter in the first and Declan Carlile in the third and finished plus-3
Saturday, May 16
Canada eased to its second win of the tournament, taking a 6-0 victory over Italy on Saturday.
With the team on a back-to-back, Greaves was given the night off, with Cam Talbot taking the net. Denton Mateychuk played 12:51, posting a plus-2 rating and notching his first assist of the tournament.
Friday, May 15
Canada's tournament got off to a good start as Greaves backstopped the squad to an opening win vs. Sweden, while Team USA's title defense began with a setback against the home Swiss squad.
Greaves got the nod in net for Canada in the opener and overcame a rough middle frame in the country's 5-3 win over Sweden. The CBJ goalie gave up three goals in the second as Sweden rallied to tie the game, but Greaves shut the door in the third and Canada got the win.
Greaves did make a highlight reel stop on a one-timer by Albert Johansson, moving to his left and getting his outstretched arm on the shot.
