Dec 31, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) handles the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The IIHF World Championships began last Friday in Prague of the Czech Republic and the San Jose Sharks are well represented. Here is a breakdown of how the players from the Sharks organization have performed to this point in the tournament.
Tomas Hertl (Czech Republic)
Hertl, representing the host country, scored a power play goal in the Czech Republic’s opening 6-5 shootout loss to Sweden in game three of the tournament.
Hertl has featured in all three games for the host nation, but is a minus-two in those games. The Czech Republic sits in fourth place in Group A after going 1-1-1 through three games thus far. Hertl has seen time on the third line for the Czech Republic while also seeing time on the power play, evidenced by his lone goal coming with the man advantage.
Hertl and the Czech Republic are back in action tomorrow as they take on France.
Brent Burns (Canada)
Burns has played well for Team Canada who are far superior to their competition. Burns has one assist in three games for the Canadians and is a plus-four for the tournament. He leads all Canadian defensemen with seven shots on goal and has been part of a sturdy defense that has only allowed four goals during the tournament.
Canada has scored the most goals in the tournament to date with 22 and they faced their biggest challenger in Group A when they face Sweden later today. Team Canada is being led by former Sharks head coach Todd McLellan and assistant coach Jay Woodcroft.
Ben Smith (United States)
Smith has slotted in on the fourth line for the undefeated United States team. Smith, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks for Andrew Desjardins, will be an interesting player for San Jose moving forward.
Smith and the United States sit atop Group B with three wins, including a big, 4-2 victory over Russia on Monday. The U.S. is back in action tomorrow when they take on Belarus.
Nikita Jevpalovs (Latvia)
Jevpalovs,a 20-year-old prospect, has yet to feature for Latvia at the world championships. Jevpalovs, who was originally signed by the Sharks in January, tore up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
In 64 games this past season, Jevpalovs recorded 100 points with 49 goals and 51 assists. He stands six-foot-one and is 210 pounds and could figure into San Jose’s plans in the near future.
Latvia recorded their first win of the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Switzerland today.