The long-awaited return of NHL hockey to the Winter Olympics finally gets underway today as the mens portion of the tournament begins with Finland hosting Slovakia at 10:40 AM EST. That is followed up by Sweden versus Italy at 3:10 PM EST.
No injury was going to keep Victor Hedman from his first Olympics [Tampa Bay Times]
After being snubbed in 2014, Victor Hedman had his heart set on making it to the Olympics this year. He wasn’t going to let something as trifling as an elbow injury get in his way. A look at how the Big Swede managed to return to action in time to don the Tre Kronor sweater.
Brandon Hagel on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Reinhart [The Sporting News]
On a team full of superstars, the very definition of a fourth line is a bit preposterous. Yet, that’s where Brandon Hagel was spotted during one of Team Canada’s first practices. In their most recent session he had been bumped up a little as took to the ice with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Florida’s Sam Reinhart. No matter who he ends up playing with, expect him to get plenty of minutes under head coach Jon Cooper.
Team USA posts dominant win over Team Canada [The Ice Garden]
On the women’s side it was the Red, White, and Blue emerging with a 5-0 win over Team Canada (who was playing without Marie-Phillip Poulin).
Backchecking the Bolts Episode 4 (Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from)
Justin and Jason chit-chat about the Olympics, Jack Finley, trains, and toasted ravioli in the latest episode.
Road to Stadium Series Episode 7 [NHL.com]
“This is sick.” The final episode wraps up the efforts to make outdoor hockey happen in Tampa. Not sure what was harder – breaking down the tent or getting Anthony Cirelli into the football gear.
Gavin McKenna to play this weekend [Daily FaceOff]
Expected to be one of the top picks this summer, Penn State’s Gavin McKenna has been at the forefront of the news for off-the-ice reasons. The forward was originally charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct following an altercation at a bar in State College, Pennsylvania. Since then, the felony charges have been dropped, but he does still face a hearing in March for the remaining charges. Despite his legal issues, he’s reportedly going to keep playing this weekend as Penn State hosts Michigan.
The biggest needs for all 32 teams [The Athletic]
It’s pretty much the same as last season according to the folks over at The Athletic – a scoring winger. Based on the rumors that the Bolts, at the very least, called about Artemi Panarin, it wouldn’t be surprising if Julien BriseBois is still looking for another right-handed shot up front.