This weekend there are twelve teams fighting for three spots in the final qualification round which will take place in November and involve three more simultaneous tournaments hosted by Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden.
There are three spots available in group B in the Olympics and the winner of each of the three tournaments in November will get a slot.
The opportunity for any of the twelve teams playing this weekend to actually make it to the Olympics is a long long shot indeed but it’s a shot and that’s what makes it exciting for these growing programs
The three teams that get those slots will play alongside Canada, USA, Finland, Switzerland, ROC, Japan, and the host China.
This is a big opportunity for lots of growing programs to sneak into the Olympics in a cycle where Sweden has frankly pooched it after falling out of the top-seven (all the way down to ninth) in the IIHF world rankings.
For more information about the pre-tournament games and where to find the different streams, head over to TIG for the details.
ICYMI: International hockey is back as Olympic qualifying tournaments kick off TODAY in Great Britain, Italy, and Poland.
— The Ice Garden (@TheIceGarden) October 7, 2021
For all the details, including who's playing and how to stream the games ⬇️https://t.co/dLOFG5ceQM
I have British colonial roots so I’m casually cheering for Team GB. It’s exciting to see that country building a hockey program ala Germany in recent years.
Perfect Start – Great Britain power to victory against Iceland @GBWomensHockey get Olympic qualifying campaign off to a dream start in Nottingham.
— Mark (@MarkUkLeaf) October 7, 2021
Fantastic images courtesy of @woolster80https://t.co/cMsDsT3llU
Because he isn’t fully vaccinated yet (gotta wait two weeks) Nylander wasn’t invited to the Cheaper By The Dozen 2 cottage trip.
Full vaccination doesn't occur until someone is two weeks beyond their second shot. That will kick in for Nylander just before the season opener.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 7, 2021
I got lots of time for Josh Ho-Sang. His attitude, his honesty, and his talent.
Here’s a Pontus Holmberg highlight. I was really hoping he would come over to the Marlies sooner than later, but I guess I just have to exercise some patience.
#LeafsForever Pontus Holmberg on the board today with a goal pic.twitter.com/pylfew4dl7
— Josh Simpson (@joshsimpson77) October 7, 2021
THERE ARE KITTENS IN THE PENALTY BOX
THERE ARE KITTENS IN THE PENALTY BOX pic.twitter.com/DzgpRIAX0M
— Lauren Kelly (@laurkelly24) October 8, 2021
PPP staff out scouting the division rivals. https://t.co/aScyElabGZ
— Pension Plan Puppets (@PPPLeafs) October 8, 2021
This was some big news broken by Melissa Burgess and Zoe Claire.
ICYMI from @zoeclaire_ & I: NWHL LLC was in serious talks with Erika Nardini, CEO of Barstool Sports, regarding ownership of the Riveters & Whale plus expansion rights for a Detroit team.
— Melissa Burgess (@_MelissaBurgess) October 7, 2021
Nardini wanted the MET/CT sale to be finalized before Lake Placid.https://t.co/G8htTeLFbK
Sentencing delayed for Georgina woman who stole $2.365-million from OMHA. “Jennifer Guertin has been under house arrest since pleading guilty March 3, 2020.” There’s a juicy story in the local paper as well as a short story on CBC.
Related
Sentencing delayed for Georgina woman who stole $2.365-million from OMHA
Ontario woman pleads guilty after $2.4M minor hockey fraud | CBC News
Complete aside, but I was thinking the only logical landing place for Evander Kane’s contract has to be Chicago. Nothing else would be a conclusion fit for the saga we’ve had to witness.
The US Drug Enforcement Agency is allegedly investigating the Washington NFL team’s director of sports medicine for the possible disbursement of prescription drugs.
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) October 8, 2021
US federal law bans anyone other than a doctor or nurse practitioner from giving out prescription meds. https://t.co/hKkPBIYMCJ
I guess Hyman isn’t getting those 60 goals this year. Winger Draisaitl needs his McDavid.
Oilers expected lineup tonight:
— Reid Wilkins (@ReidWilkins) October 7, 2021
Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Hyman-RNH-Turris
Foegele-Ryan-Kassian
Benson-McLeod-Sceviour
Nurse-Barrie
Keith-Ceci
Russell-Bouchard
Smith
Just catching up on the "3rd-best player in the league" discourse pic.twitter.com/FtZdVEOb3k
— spooky leafs fandom, back from the dead (@mostlyleafies) October 6, 2021
And Carey Price is taking leave from the Habs.
The NHL and NHLPA announce Carey Price will be “away from the team while voluntarily taking part in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.”
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) October 7, 2021
New, for @StarSports: Why Carey Price showed courage by voluntarily stepping away from hockey.https://t.co/lTmA3FPCGh
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 7, 2021
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