IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships 2022 Day 1- 5/13/22

Let me first start out by saying how heartwarming it was to see the rumors on Twitter become reality.  Today, Elvis Merzlikins wore number 80, his little Latvian "brother's" number.  From what I gathered over recent weeks, Kivlenieks number couldn't be retired, he hadn't played enough games.  So, it seems Merzlikins will continue wearing this number for Latvia.  Then, if his jersey is retired, it will be his name with Kivlenieks number.  This is an amazing sight, but also not surprising at all, to me.  Now, lets get into the game play in the IIHF's Ice Hockey World Championships 2022!  

Being that USA played Latvia today, let's start there.  The final score would be a 4-1 victory, for USA.  On Team USA we got to see Andrew Peeke pick up an assist for USA.  Also, being I was only looking for current Blue Jackets, I didn't know this.  Seth Jones, who had the first goal today and an assist on the third, is Captain of Team USA 2022.  So, there you go, for those who didn't know like me.  Merzlikins faced 29 shots on his goal, he stopped 25.  Congrats to Peeke and shake it off Merzlikins, you got this! 

In another game with a current Blue Jacket, Alexander Texier and his team representing France, took on Team Slovakia.  Slovakia won this meeting by 4-2.  No points for Texier yet, but I'll keep you posted.  

Our next game was electric for the current Blue Jackets on the world's ice rink.  In the meeting between Germany and Canada, Canada would pull our a 5-3 win.  Remember, Canada is the current, defending 2021 World Champions.  In this game we'd see both Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger score goals.  Congrats to both of them! 

Tomorrow we'll see Sweden play, Emil Bemstrom, against Austria.  If you'd like to look at these games more in-depth, including my stats above for other players you may love, you can do so on the IIHF's official website, here<https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm

Go CBJ!  

 

     

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