Sunday, November 18, 2012

Showing Some International Love: Olympic Pre-Qualification - Group H Review

The only group I correctly guess the winner. Here is how it ended.

Note: all data from the IIHF website

Standings

1 (Qualify) - Ukraine      3W - 0L - 9PTS - +21GD
2 -  Poland                   2W - 1L - 6PTS - +9GD
3 - Spain                      1W - 2L - 3PTS - -11GD
4 - Estonia                   0W - 3L - 0PTS - -19GD

Results

November 8
Poland 8 - Estonia 0
Ukraine 7 - Spain 0

November 9
Poland 5 - Spain 0
Estonia 0 - Ukraine 10

November 11
Spain 5 - Estonia 4
Ukraine 5 - Poland 1

Notes
  • Ukraine was expected to advance, but how close would have it have been had the NHL lockout didn't happen (a.k.a not having Fedotenko and Ponikarovsky).
  • Surprised that Poland didn't keep it closer against Ukraine.
  • Spain was the only Division II team, yet they pulled off a win.
  • I wish I could explain why Estonia was this bad. Maybe they miss Toivo Suursoo?
  • Goals Leader: Oriol Boronat (Spain), Sergi Varlamov (Ukraine) - 3
  • Points Leader: Sergi Varlamov (Ukraine) - 6
  • GAA Leader: Evgen Napnenko (Ukraine) - 0.50
  • Save % Leader: Evgen Napnenko (Ukraine) - 0.971
  • The "No Surprise" Game: Ukraine shutting out Spain 7-0
  • The "Upset" Game: Spain sneaking by Estonia 5-4
What Now?

Ukraine: Will hope that the NHL lockout last until next year, so Fedotenko and Ponikarovsky will be available for February (last qualifying round).

Poland: Will be ready for Division I Group B, but still needs to develop to get back to the level they were at when Oliwa and Czerkawski played.

Spain: The win against Estonia definitely gives Spain a boost as they gear up for Division II Group A.

Estonia: Could not build on their promotion to Division I Group B. Will have to regroup and get ready for it.

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