Look for World Junior Championship on NHL Network

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Come this weekend, the NHL Network will be right where it should be: in Buffalo for the IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Sunday and runs through to the gold-medal game on Jan. 5.

The event, held last year in Saskatoon, Canada, is back on U.S. soil for the first time in six years as Team USA attempts to defend its title.

Last year, the Americans defeated Canada, 6-5, in overtime to win the gold medal. If they can do that again, it not only would be a first for them to achieve successive titles but also a first to capture a championship on home soil.

The network will provide exclusive live coverage of the U.S. National Junior Team and will televise all medal-round games and five preliminary-round match-ups.

The tournament is a showcase for the game’s best up-and-coming young players from around the world. Among the players to watch: Kings prospect Brayden Schenn, 19, was named an alternate captain for Canada, one of four returning players from last year’s silver-medal winning squad. Team Canada’s first game will be Dec. 26 vs. Russia.

For the Ducks, forwards Kyle Palmieri, 19, and Long Beach’s Emerson Etem, 18, are on the Team USA roster. Palmieri had a goal and eight assists in seven games last year.

Here is the NHL Network broadcast schedule. All times are Pacific.

Sunday, Dec. 26

Russia vs. Canada, 1 p.m.
Finland vs. USA, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 28

Canada vs. Czech Republic , 1 p.m.
USA vs. Slovakia, 5 p.m.

Wednesday Dec. 29

Norway vs. Canada, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 30

Sweden vs. Czech Republic, Noon
Germany vs. USA, 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 31

Canada vs. Sweden, 1 p.m.
USA vs. Switzerland, 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 2

Quarterfinal #1 12:30 p.m.
Quarterfinal #2* 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 3

Semifinal #1 12:30 p.m.
Semifinal #2* 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

Bronze-Medal Game, 3:30 p.m.

Gold-Medal Game, 7:30 p.m.

*If qualified, USA will play at this time slot.

--Debbie Goffa