Now that all the group events (even the Quarter Finals) are over and the crossover games begin, it is a good time to look back at the events of the past two weeks. Here is the summary for Group H. All information from the IIHF website.
Round Robin Standings (Wins-OT Wins-OT Loss-Loss-Points-Goal Differential)
1. Canada 6 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 19 - +20
2. USA 4 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 16 - +15
3. Finland 5 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 15 - +7
4. Slovakia 5 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 15 - +8
5. France 3 - 0 - 0 - 4 - 9 - -11
6. Switzerland 2 - 0 - 0 - 5 - 6 - -5
7. Belarus 1 - 0 - 0 - 6 - 3 - -12
8. Kazakhstan 0 - 0 - 1 - 6 - 1 - -22
Quarter Finals
Canada 3
Slovakia 4
USA 2
Finland 3
The Story For Each Team
Belarus
To Belarus' credit, they did have relatively close games. After losing by a goal in their first 2 games (Finland and Switzerland), Belarus used a 3-goal second period against Kazakhstan to get their first (and only) win. They got back on the losing train the next game by giving up 5 goals to the USA. The Kostitsyn's joined the team afterwards while long-time national team goalie Andrei Mezin left the team due to lack of playing time. Belarus end up losing their next game against Slovakia 5-1. Belarus had a lead after one period against France, but blew it in the second and lost it in the third. Their last game of the tournament was against Canada, and was pretty eventful. Not only did they lose 5-1, but they lost both Kostitsyns - Andrei to a game misconduct and Sergei to a shoulder injury. Their result has kept them in the World Championship for next year, but they will have to go through a qualifying tournament next February in order to play in the Olympics.
Canada
The tournament started rough for Canada as they squeaked out a victory against Slovakia and lost a heart breaker in overtime against the USA. Then Canada blew out France 7-2, which is only impressive since Getzlaf, Perry, and Benn were hungover. Canada continued to struggle as they just got by Switzerland and needed to come back against Finland. They finished up the tournament blowing out Kazakhstan (8-0) and Belarus (5-1). The Belarus game was not without incident as Luke Scheen and Marc Methot both got boarding calls late in the game. Methot ended up being suspended for the Quarter Finals game. The re-match against Slovakia ended with Getzlaf getting a 5-minute knee-on-knee penalty in the last couple minutes and Slovakia capitalizing on the powerplay. Despite going out early again, Canada will maintain their 5th overall ranking and get an automatic bye into the Olympics.
Finland
The co-host started the tournament with a pair of 1-0 wins against Belarus and Slovakia. They stared scoring goals against the Swiss and continued against France. Finland's first lost was against Canada, and that snowballed into getting shutout by the USA. Finland ended the round robin with an easy win against Kazakhstan. The Quarter Finals against the USA was very disciplined as only one penalty was called (it was against the USA). Finland opened the scoring in the second period but the USA tied it up 21 seconds later. The USA took the lead early in the third period. Finland tied it up midway though and scored the game winner with 19 seconds left in the game. As it stands, Finland might be able to retain their #1 ranking and they get an automatic bye into the Olympics.
France
Can you say surprising team? They were it. After losing 7-2 to the USA to start the tournament, they rebounded with an easy 6-3 win over Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan game was the end for France forward Sasha Treille, as a head shot earned him a five game suspension. Another 7-2 lost (this time to Canada) and a 7-1 lost to Finland was the last straw for France. They rolled with 2 close wins against Switzerland and Belarus. They matched up again Slovakia for the chance to get into the Quarter Finals. Both teams matched goal-for-goal. Slovakia scored 2 in the first, France answered with 2 back. Slovakia went ahead in the second, France tied it back up. After trading goals in the third, France took an interference penalty midway through the third and Slovakia didn't waste that opportunity. This time, France wasn't able to answer, as a late penalty sealed their hopes of advancing in the tournament. France ends up as the 14th ranked nation and will need to qualify for the Olympics next February.
Kazakhstan
This tournament could have gone better...or not. Kazakhstan started with 2 bad losses against Switzerland and France then gave up a 2-0 lead against Belarus. The game against Slovakia was a bit better, as they lost 4-2 (the fourth goal was a late PP goal). They keep whatever momentum they had going into their game against the USA and dragged it into overtime, were the USA avoid a scare and won 3-2. That killed Kazakhstan as they got blown out by Canada 8-0 in the next game and finished the tournament losing 4-1 to Finland. Kazakhstan is now relegated to Division I and have to qualify to the Olympics.
Slovakia
Slovakia is definitely becoming an international powerhouse. They started off with close 1-goal losses against Canada and Finland before winning two 4-2 games (against the USA and Kazakhstan respectively). The 5-1 win against Belarus was the end of dominating wins for Slovakia, as they got by Switzerland 1-0 then squeaked by France 5-4 to get into the Quarter Finals. They faced Canada and came out flying with two goals, but Canada answered back with 3 of their own. Slovakia tied it up midway through the third. Ryan Getzlaf then took a major penalty (knee-on-knee), and on the ensuing faceoff, Handzus tipped home a point shot. This was all Slovakia needed as they move on to the Semi-Finals. Slovakia has a chance to jump a few spots in the world rankings and get an automatic bye into the Olympics.
Switzerland
Switzerland started with two wins (against Kazakhstan and Belarus), then that was it. They could only muster 2 goals against Canada, Finland, and France, and all three times that wasn't enough. Hard-hitting defensemen Goran Bezina was suspended after the France game for the rest of the tournament. The Swiss got shutout by Slovakia and ended the tournament with a 5-2 lost against the USA. Switzerland will likely fall a few spots in the world ranking but will hold on to an automatic Olympic berth.
USA
USA started the tournament strong, winning against France 7-2 and earning an overtime win against Canada. They suffered their only lost against Slovakia. USA won against Belarus 5-3 and avoided a scare against Kazakhstan by winning another overtime game. They ended the tournament with two 5-goal performances (5-0 against Finland and 5-2 against Switzerland). They faced off against Finland in the Quarter Finals, were it was a different story. USA and Finland swapped goals until the very end of the third, were Finland scored in the dying seconds to end the USA's hopes of a medal. USA will likely end up 6th in the world ranking and will get an automatic bye into the Olympics.
Power Rankings Fun
Now that the IIHF Power Rankings are becoming popular (about damn time!) lets take a look at the best lines for each team.
Belarus - Andrei Kostitsyn will not play in the next game (May 4)
Canada - This ranking will make Brent Sutter smile (May 4)
Finland - There’s pressure from fans, media, family, friends, and household pets (May 4)
France - The key is fair play and respect, like Sarkozy and Hollande (May 4)
Kazakhstan - The Mayans were right (May 17)
Slovakia - There is no joke because we are no joke (May 13)
Switzerland - Even our bank accounts can't console us (May 13)
USA - Another big win over a country we can't find on the map (May 10)
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