World Championships begin today

 With the rest of the free world engulfed in Royal Wedding hysteria*, the hockey community can celebrate--in addition to what has already been a terrific Stanley Cup playoffs--the kickoff of this year's World Hockey Championships in Slovakia.

Three Islanders will be featured in the first day of competition:

Team Canada (John Tavares) faces Belarus at 8:15.

Home team Slovakia (Milan Jurcina) takes on Slovenia

 Team Russia (Evgeni Nabokov) matches up against Germany in the early 4:15 preliminary game.

As first reported by Newsday last week, Islanders GM Garth Snow granted Nabokov permission to play in the WC in exchange for a written agreement that the 35-year-old goaltender will not file a grievance once the Islanders toll his contract for next season.

*In the interest of full disclosure, I  totally DVR'ed the Royal Wedding.

**I sure hope Kate has a spicier dress for the reception. Yawn.