Every hockey power is in action in the World Hockey Championship quarterfinals in the Czech Republic, among four matchups on NBC Sports Live Extra on Thursday.
The U.S., with one Olympian on its roster (defenseman Justin Faulk), plays Switzerland in the first quarterfinal (9 a.m. ET).
The U.S. topped its preliminary group with six wins in seven games, while Switzerland won two of seven in the other group. The Swiss, silver medalists at 2013 Worlds, are without stalwart goalie Jonas Hiller of the Calgary Flames.
The U.S. has won three Worlds medals since 1962, all bronze.