hockey
A year ago, the Philadelphia Flyers were a top contender in the Eastern Conference. The team finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with 103 points and went all the way to the second round of the playoffs.
In honor of the inventor of the Zamboni Ice Resurfacer, more commonly called the "Zamboni," Google is offering an interactive Google Doodle today. Today would have been Frank Zamboni's 112th birthday.
One of the biggest stories heading into the new NHL season is poster boy Sidney Crosby. The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar has been known for his on-ice heroics, but they have been overshadowed of late by his painful history of concussions.
One of the top players to come out of the 2004-05 lockout was Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin.
A week ago, the Americans were being left for dead in the tournament. They had just endured a 2-1 loss to Russia and were about to experience an identical result against Canada. As they prepared for their defining group stage match with Slovakia, many questioned whether the Americans might be headed to the relegation round for a second straight year.
The Bronze Medal match will feature two teams frustrated by their fortunes in the semi-finals.
Finland and Slovakia face off Friday morning for a chance to claim the top spot in the relegation group.
The fifth place game does not earn any team a medal, but this match is certainly meaningful for the two squads participating.
Germany and Latvia head into Friday's match as the worst two teams in the tournament and their relegation round contest will determine which team remains in the top division at the 2014 World Juniors tournament.
The NHL lockout took its first positive step in a long time when the NHLPA decided not to disclaim interest.
Can Russia win the World Juniors at home? "Yes" was the resounding answer most would give to this question before the tournament started.
Slovakia will attempt to secure a spot in next year's World Juniors as they take on Latvia in the first of two relegation round matches.
Last Sunday, the Canadians took down the United States 2-1 and put them on the brink of elimination from the knockout round. Four days later, the two squads meet again in the semi-finals with an opportunity to take home the top prize in the competition.
Finland was expected to compete for a medal at this year's 2013 World Junior Championships, but the team imploded after a dominating start against Latvia.
The Russians have not lived up to the expectations created for them prior to this tournament. With a star-studded roster that included the likes of Nail Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko, many though the home team would win Group A and assure themselves a spot in the final with facility. That no longer looks the case as Russia must now play in the quarter finals against a surprising Switzerland side.
