RMNB | Russian Machine Never Breaks

These World Championship ref cams give close-up view of frenetic, funny, on-ice action

The IIHF has put cameras on their referees since 2017 to show the speed, impact, confusion, and ridiculousness of the action from ice-level. It lets the audience hear the warnings referees give, wince at the eardrum-blasting whistles, and glory in the arguments (and, occasionally, compliments) from the players.

“I think it’s a good thing to have,” said IIHF Swedish referee Linus Ohlund in 2017 when the cameras were introduced. “Show the audience the view from our perspective.”

But it’s not only informative–it’s also entertaining. Here are the best moments so far from the 2019 World Championship.

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By Brennin Weiswerda 3 days ago

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Jakub Vrana scratched in quarterfinals after criticism from former Czech national team head coach

Jakub Vrana is involved in some World Championship drama similar to an ordeal Evgeny Kuznetsov endured involving Hockey Night In Canada analyst Don Cherry during the regular season. Cherry called Kuzy a “jerk” for his bird celebration.

Marek Sykora, an expert for iSport.cz, said in an interview after the World Championship preliminary round ended that Jakub Vrana “doesn’t work enough.” He added, “I can see [his] celebrity manners.” Vrana had 5 points in 7 group stage games, including 4 goals.

Thursday, in the World Championship quarterfinals, Vrana was inexplicably scratched ahead of the Czech Republic’s game against Germany. An anonymous member of the Czech media explained the benching saying that Vrana is a “dick” – a personal insult that may leave many Caps fans scratching their heads.

Vrana, of course, has shown class during the spat.

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By Ian Oland 3 days ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov says he helped a ‘nervous’ Italian center beat him on faceoffs ‘a couple of times’

Evgeny Kuznetsov is a character and he’s going viral again for something honest he said after Russia beat Italy 10-0.

Last Wednesday, Kuzy had his biggest game of the tournament so far, tallying two goals and two assists on an overwhelmed Italian team. After the game, Sport Express’s Alexei Shevchenko asked Kuznetsov if it was “interesting at all to play the Italian team?”

Here’s what Kuznetsov said in response.

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By Ian Oland 3 days ago

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Michal Kempny: 2018-19 season review

Michal Kempny‘s thighs were critical to Washington’s Stanley Cup championship, and those same thighs were ruinous to their hopes to repeat.

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By Peter Hassett 3 days ago

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IIHF says Dmitry Orlov had hardest shot, Caps prospect Martin Fehervary fastest freshman of World Championship preliminary round

The World Championship’s preliminary round ended on Tuesday. The IIHF released a bunch of fun facts on their social media to tide fans over until Thursday’s quarterfinal games. For those of you who are fans of speed and power, you will be happy to see the result.

The IIHF reported that Dmitry Orlov recorded the fastest shot on a goal, recording 152.5 KM/H on a tally against Latvia. Converting to miles per hour, Orlov’s blistering shot went 94.8 MPH.

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By Ian Oland 4 days ago

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This year’s Stanley Cup Final pits Jim and Pam from The Office against each other

The Boston Bruins will face the St. Louis Blues in this year’s Stanley Cup Final. And in a cruel twist, the matchup pits The Office’s lovebirds, Jim and Pam, against each other.

Jenna Fischer, who plays Pam in the sitcom, grew up in St. Louis while John Krasinski, Jim, was born in Boston.

The awkward situation was first brought to light by @VeIeno, who posted a photo of Fischer in a Blues jersey and Jim in a Bruins shirt with the caption “STANLEY CUP FINAL.” The two wildly successful actors addressed the tweet on Wednesday, a day after the Blues punched their ticket to the championship round.

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By Cara Bahniuk 4 days ago

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Capitals Alumni to host third annual Bourbon and Cigar Fundraiser June 24

The Washington Capitals announced on Wednesday morning that their alumni association would be hosting its Bourbon & Cigar Fundraiser event for the third consecutive year on June 24 at Top of the Town in Arlington, VA. The event runs from 7-10 pm and features an open bar, fancy hors d’oeuvres, a live auction, and Caps Alumni to mingle with. The list of participating alumni is still TBA, but past years have featured players such as Peter Bondra, Olie Kolzig, Alan May, and Mike Knuble.

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By Rachel Cohen 4 days ago

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Nick Jensen: 2018-19 season review

Adding Nick Jensen at the trade deadline was a hail mary pass by Brian MacLellan. For a while, it worked.

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By Peter Hassett 4 days ago

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On this day a year ago, the Capitals forced a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Final

Tuesday night, the St. Louis Blues advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since the 1969-70 season where they were swept in four games by… the Boston Bruins.

But I want to focus on happier times. I want to re-remember what happened a year ago today.

On May 21, 2018, the Washington Capitals forced a Game Seven in the Eastern Conference Final after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0.

In front of one of the loudest crowds in Capital One Arena history, TJ Oshie scored twice, Devante Smith-Pelly scored once, and Braden Holtby stopped all 24 shots he faced in the Capitals’ first potential elimination game of the 2018 postseason.

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By Ian Oland 5 days ago

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