The International Ice Hockey Federation had concerns late last year about China being able to ice a competitive roster for the men’s Olympic tournament in Beijing.
In the end, the NHL’s dropout had to help ease some of those worries and the thought of replacing the host team with Norway was scrapped.
Still, China will be a huge underdog against more traditional hockey countries – and its Olympic debut went as many expected with the United States skating to an 8-0 win on Thursday.
Eleven Canadians are on the Chinese team, which has been mostly together this season playing for club team Kunlun Red Star of the KHL.
The Americans outshot China 55-29.
Montreal Canadiens draft pick Sean Farrell led the U.S. with three goals and two assists.
A freshman winger at Harvard, Farrell was a fourth-round pick by the Canadiens in 2020.
Chicago Blackhawks pick Drew Commesso posted the shutout in net.
With Canada beating Germany 5-1, the North American countries will square off for first place in Group A on Friday at 11:10 p.m. ET.
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Finland 6, Slovakia 2
Sakari Manninen had a hat trick and Miro Aaltonen scored two goals and one assist for Finland. Juraj Slafkovsky, 17, scored both goals for Slovakia. A top prospect for this year’s NHL Draft, Slafkovsky became the first 17-year-old to score in an Olympic game since Ed Olczyk in 1984 for the United States.
Sweden 3, Latvia 2
Lucas Wallmark scored two goals to lead Sweden to victory. Wallmark, who has suited up for 187 NHL games, is playing in the KHL this season. Sweden is coming off a ninth-place finish at the World Championship, its worst showing since 1937.
Friday men’s schedule
Denmark vs. Russia, 11:10 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Czech Republic vs. Switzerland, 3:40 a.m. ET
Sweden vs. Slovakia, 3:40 a.m. ET
Finland vs. Latvia, 8:10 a.m. ET
Friday spotlight
The Denmark-Russia game is intriguing. Reigning Olympic champion Russia eked out a 1-0 win over Switzerland in its opener, while Denmark won in its Olympic debut, edging the Czech Republic 2-1.
Look who’s back!!!! Mélodie Daoust is back on the ice practicing with the team. #MeloYellow @CBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/iB4Hf5sOW1
— Kenzie Lalonde (@KenzieLalonde_) February 10, 2022
Women’s off-day report
Canada forward Melodie Daoust returned for practice on Thursday for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury in the tournament opener last week. Daoust is questionable for Canada’s quarterfinal against Sweden on Friday. … The International Ice Hockey Federation published a piece on its website picking a tournament All-Star team after the preliminary round. Every player is from Canada. … The first quarterfinal pits the Czech Republic against the United States. The Czechs finished second in Group B to make the quarterfinals in their Olympic debut.
Friday’s women’s quarterfinal schedule
U.S. vs. Czech Republic, 11:10 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Canada vs. Sweden, 8 a.m. ET
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