NBC SPORTS NETWORK TO TELEVISE ALL TEAM USA GAMES DURING IIHF MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Team USA Opens Play May 4 Against France

NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) � The NBC Sports Network will televise 13 games of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men's World Championship, May 4-20, in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden, including all Team USA games, a Semifinal matchup and the Gold Medal game. Team USA opens play on Friday, May 4, with a preliminary-round game against France.

All Team USA games will air live on NBC Sports Network, with the exception of its preliminary-round game on May 5, which will be aired later that night on delay. NBC Sports Network will televise at least one Semifinal game and the Gold Medal game (same-day delay), regardless of whether or not Team USA is playing in the contest.

"It's terrific to have the visibility for the Men's World Championship in the United States that comes with the games being televised on NBC Sports Network," said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. "Their coverage last year was outstanding and we look forward to that continuing this year with expanded coverage."

Last year, NBC Sports Network (formerly VERSUS) televised the IIHF Men's World Championship for the first time, and, this year will, air additional coverage, including all seven USA preliminary-round games and all four quarterfinal games live.

NBC Sports Network will also produce pre-game, intermission and post-game updates from the network's NHL studios in Stamford, Conn., providing viewers with expert analysis of the games before during and after the action.

NBC Sports Network's 2012 IIHF World Men's Championships schedule, (Please note all times are subject to change):

Date Opponent Location Time
Fri., May 4 France Helsinki 5 a.m. ET
Sat., May 5 Canada Helsinki 10:30 p.m. ET
Mon., May 7 Slovakia Helsinki 1 p.m. ET
Thurs., May 10 Belarus Helsinki 9 a.m. ET
Fri., May 11 Kazakhstan Helsinki 9 a.m. ET
Sun., May 13 Finland Helsinki 9 a.m. ET
Tues., May 15 Switzerland Helsinki 1 p.m. ET
Thurs., May 17 Quarterfinals Helsinki 6 a.m. ET
Quarterfinals Stockholm 8:30 a.m. ET
Quarterfinals Helsinki 11 a.m. ET
Quarterfinals Stockholm 2 p.m. ET
Sat., May 19 Semifinals Helsinki TBD
Sun., May 20 Gold Medal game Helsinki 9 p.m. ET