Round Robin Standings
|
Team
|
Win
|
OT/SO Win
|
OT/SO Loss
|
Loss
|
Points
|
Goal Difference
|
|
Finland
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
16
|
+9
|
|
Russia
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
15
|
+15
|
|
USA
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
15
|
+8
|
|
Slovakia
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
10
|
+1
|
|
Germany
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
9
|
-3
|
|
Latvia
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
-11
|
|
France
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
-8
|
|
Austria
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
5
|
-11
|
Quarter Finals
Russia - 3
USA - 8
Finland - 4
Slovakia - 3
The Story For Each Team
Austria
As usual, Austria finishes last in the group, but it's not without a fight. The Austrians started off leading the US 2-1 after the first period, then collapsed in the second and lost the game 5-3. Against France, all Austria could muster was a third period goal in a 3-1 loss. The Austrians found the win column in the next game, beating Latvia 6-3 and putting them somewhere in the standings that wasn't last. That victory was short-lived, as Germany shut them out the next day. Austria was able to fend off a blitzing Slovak squad, bring the game to a shootout were Tomas Vanek (who else?) got Austria the extra point in the game. Austria didn't end the tournament well, getting walloped by Finland (7-2) and Russia (8-4). While they did have a good tournament by their standards, Austria unfortunately fell short again of staying up. They will be relegated to Division I Group A for next year.
Finland
The host have had a good tournament so far. Finland started the tournament getting by Germany 4-3 in overtime before shutting out Slovakia 2-0. The Finnish continued the winning streak, beating France 3-1. It was halted next game though, as the US scored 3 third period goals to end Finland's streak. The host did get back on track afterwards, defeating Russia 3-2, then crushing Austria 7-2. Finland ended the tournament with an overtime win against Latvia. Despite having one less win that both Russia and the US, Finland did have enough points to finish on top of the group, and get to face Slovakia in the Quarter Finals. Against Slovakia, Finland jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Slovakia clawed their way back and tied it early in the third. Juhamatti Aaltonen scored for Finland midway though the third, and that was all Finland needed to win the game 4-3. The win sends Finland to the Semi-Finals.
France
MIRACLE SUR GLACE!* The good stuff will be in a second. France opened the tournament losing to Slovakia 6-2. France was able to rebound against Austria, winning 3-1. The French then suffered their own 3-1 loss against the Finnish. Their next game could be considered the greatest win in France's hockey history. After Alexei Perezhogin opened the scoring in the second, France's Damien Fleury and Antoine Roussel scored to give France the lead. They hung on for the remaining period and a bit to complete the 2-1 upset against Russia. That was the last victory for France in this tournament. They would go on to lose against the US (4-2), Latvia (3-1) and Germany (3-2 in overtime). France finished 7th in the group, and even though it wasn't a good tournament for them, it will be a memorable one.
*Yes, google translate was involved. In my defense, I haven't taken (nee had to take) a French class in years.
Germany
Germany opened the tournament losing to Finland 4-3 in overtime. It wasn't mush easier for the Germans, as Russia (4-1) and Slovakia (3-2) both got by them. Germany got there first win against Austria, shutting them out 2-0. Their next game was basically the same on the score sheet, as they beat Latvia 2-0. Germany went from being the scorer to the scoreless against the US, losing 3-0. In their last game, Germany forced overtime against France and won. Germany finishes 5th in Group H, just missing the cut for a Quarter Finals spot.
Latvia
To Latvia's defense, they did make some noise. Latvia started the tournament getting crushed by Russia 6-0 and losing to the US 4-1. The losing continued against Austria, as they lost 6-3, and were put in last place in the group as a result. Latvia finally got a win, and it was a bit of a shocker, as a 3-goal first period propelled Latvia to a 5-3 win against Slovakia. Latvia then got shut out by Germany 2-0. Latvia got their final win against France, winning 3-1. The Latvians finished the tournament forcing overtime against Finland, but allowed the OT goal in a 3-2 loss. Latvia ended up 6th in the group, just 2 points clear of being relegated.
Russia
Russia continued their dominance as the tournament opened. They defeated Latvia 6-0 and Germany 4-1. Against the US, Russia needed 2 goals in the third to win the game 5-3. Then, an undefeated streak that started in 2011 was ended....by France. The 2-1 loss against France was the biggest upset of the tournament. It didn't get better for Russia in the next game, as Finland beat them 3-2. Russia finally rebounded against Slovakia, taking that game 3-1. Russia closes out the group stage with a high scoring game against Austria, winning 8-4. Russia finished 2nd in the group, and was to face the US in the Quarter Finals. The Quarter Finals game was one that Russia wish it could forget, as it got progressively worst for them. Both Ilya Bryzgalov (surprise!) and Semyon Varlamov (surprise!) allowed 4 goals in the 8-3 loss.
Slovakia
Slovakia started the tournament on the right foot, beating France 6-2. The Slovaks couldn't get by the host though, losing to Finland 2-0. They had a bit of a scare from Germany, as Tomas Zaborsky's 2-goal third period was needed to win the game 3-2. It got worst for the Slovaks, as they lost to Latvia (5-3), Austria (2-1 in shootout), and Russia (3-1). Slovakia needed a win against the US to advance to the Quarter Finals and they did, winning 4-1. With that last win, Slovakia claimed 4th place and advanced to face Finland in the Quarter Finals. Slovakia fought back in that game from being down 3-0, but gave up a goal midway though the third and failed to tie the game back up. Slovakia falls from silver medalist last year to out in the Quarter Finals.
United States of America
USA got off to a slow start in this tournament. They were down 2-1 to Austria after one period, but came back and won 5-3. They had an easier time against Latvia, winning that game 4-1. The US suffered one of their two losses against Russia, as they gave up 2 goals in the third to lose 5-3. The Americans got back on track, beating the host Finns 4-1. They kept rolling, beating France 4-2 and Germany 3-0. The US ended the group stage losing to Slovakia 4-1. The Americans finished 3rd in group play, setting up a Quarter Final match against Russia. In that match, it was all USA. The Americans put up an 8-spot against the Russians, winning the game 8-3 and are now off to the Semi-Finals.
Power Rankings Fun
It's hard to deny that the IIHF Power Rankings are one of the best things about this tournament. Here are the best comments for each team.
Austria - As Isaac Newton said, "What goes up must come down" (May 14)
Finland - It wasn't as pretty as Miss Finland, but we'll take it (May 7)
France - After we beat Austria, Napoleon friended us on Facebook (May 5)
Germany - Kink-ier than Fifty Shades of Grey (May 9)
Latvia - Was it Elton John who sang "Saturday Night's All Right For Losing" (May 12)
Russia - [CENSORED] (May 9)
Slovakia - Antti, we hate you! Retweeted by Vancouver Canucks (May 5)
USA - Mel Gibson wishes he was as cool as John Gibson (May 9)
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