The Blue Jackets nearly had a semifinal matchup pitting teammates and coaches against each other at the 2025 men’s world championships.
Instead, Canada lost 2-1 to Denmark in a shocking quarterfinal defeat May 22 in Herning, Denmark, leaving only U.S. star defenseman Zach Werenski to represent the Blue Jackets in a semifinal matchup against host Sweden on May 24 in Stockholm. Werenski assisted on two goals to help the U.S. advance past the quarterfinals with a 5-2 victory over Finland in Stockholm.
Canada’s head coach Dean Evason reacts during the IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match between Canada and Denmark in Herning, Denmark on May 22, 2025. (Photo by Bo Amstrup / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. has only won gold once at the men’s world championships (1933) and has only played in the gold medal game five times — most recently in 1950. Canada has world championship gold 22 times and played in gold medal games 36 times — most recently in 2023, a 5-2 victory over Germany in Tampere, Finland.
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This year’s Canadian roster included Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason running the bench, assistant coach Steve McCarthy plus young forwards Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson. Canada was expected to defeat Denmark in a quarterfinals game played at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark, which would’ve set up a U.S. vs Canada rivalry matchup in the semifinal round.
Instead, Denmark overcame a 1-0 lead with two goals in the final 2:17 of the third period to stun a Canadian team led by star centers Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche). Win or lose in the semifinals, Werenski will play for a medal on May 25.
Here’s how to watch:
USA’s forward #83 Conor Garland (covered) celebrates with teammates after scoring 1-0 during the IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match between USA and Finland in Stockholm, on May 22, 2025. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
How to watch the IIHF 2025 Men’s World Championships semifinals
Livestream: IIHF.tv plus all streaming services that include NHL Network, which is picking up Canadian network TSN’s broadcasts.
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Semifinals (all times ET): Both games May 24 plus the May 25 medal round matchups are at Avicii Arena in Stockholm. Sweden hosts the U.S. at 8 a.m. in the first semifinal; Switzerland faces Denmark at 12:20 p.m. in the second semifinal. Winners play for the gold at 2:20 p.m. May 25, while the losing semifinal teams play at 9:20 a.m. May 25 for the bronze, which the U.S. has won eight times — most recently 2021 in Riga, Latvia.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets’ Werenski plays in IIHF World Semis: How to watch