Will the Worlds Upstage the Stanley Cup?

Hockey must have the dumbest world championship in sport. The tournament always runs concurrent with the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so it essentially functions as a consolation prize for disappointed NHL players.

Nonetheless, the medal round of the 2008 Worlds should provide more drama than this year's Stanley Cup Conference Finals, which have been a lopsided, no-hit, low-intensity entertainment dud.

They're down to the quarterfinals at the tournament in Halifax and Quebec City, Canada.

Here's Wednesday's quarterfinal schedule (all times Eastern):

The semifinals are Friday afternoon, with the gold medal game set for 1:00 pm on Sunday.

TSN is the Canadian broadcaster. There's no American television, but all games are broadcast online at WCSN.com for a $4.95 monthly subscription fee.

Photo: Cheering on the Finns in Halifax. (Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)