2014 IIHF World Championship Update - Group B

Standings

Team	Wins	OT/SOW	OT/SOL	Losses	Points	Goal Diff.
Russia	7	0	0	0	21	+24
USA	4	1	0	2	14	+4
Belarus	4	0	0	3	12	+1
Finland	3	1	0	3	11	+3
Switzerland	3	0	1	3	10	-2
Latvia	3	0	0	4	9	-4
Germany	1	1	0	5	5	-10
Kazakhstan	0	0	2	5	2	-16

Russia

Results

Win vs. Switzerland (5-0)
Win vs. Finland (4-2)
Win vs. USA (6-1)
Win vs. Kazakhstan (7-2)
Win vs. Latvia (4-1)
Win vs. Germany (3-0)
Win vs. Belarus (2-1)

Round Robin Summary

Russia basically steamrolled through this group. They started off with by shutting out Switzerland in a 5-0 win. Against Finland, Russia scored 2goals early before Finland could answer later in the first period. It was much of the same in the second, as Russia added 2 more to their lead before Finland answered back. That was it for scoring, as Russia held on for the 4-2 win. Despite getting heavily outshot by the US, Russia was able to blow them out by a score of 6-1. Russia continued scoring goals, beating Kazakhstan 7-2 in their next game. Against Latvia, Russia would actually concede the first goal, but then went on to score 3 times before the first period ended. Russia would add one more to take the game 4-1. Russia would shut out Germany 3-0, but it came at a price. Ovechkin would leave the game with a right knee injury, and is expected to miss the rest of the tournament. Russia would end group play with a 2-1 win over Belarus. Russia goes undefeated through the round robin, and solidifies a spot in the quarter finals.

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USA

Results

Win vs. Belarus (6-1)
Win vs. Switzerland (3-2)
Loss vs. Russia (1-6)
Loss vs. Latvia (5-6)
Win vs. Kazakhstan (4-3 OT)
Win vs. Finland (3-1)
Win vs. Germany (5-4)

Round Robin Summary

The US would being this tournament on fire, blowing out Belarus 6-1 in their opening game. They would face a bit of adversity against Switzerland, as they would fall behind 2-1 heading into the third. Goals by Craig Smith and Tyler Johnson would change that, and the Americans would end up with a 3-2 win. Things were different against Russia, as this time it was the US who was blown out 6-1. The US would be involved in a goalfest with Latvia. After falling behind 2-1 in the first, the US would end the second tied 3-3. The last half of the third saw the US fall behind twice - the second time being for good - as they would lose their second straight game. The US looked to be upset again, as they would escape the first tied with Kazakhstan. While they conceded the first goal in the second, the US would end the middle frame up a goal. The US would give up the tying goal midway through the third, and would be forced to overtime. Seth Jones would play hero for the US, scoring just over a minute into the extra frame to give the Americans the 4-3 win. The US would get back on track against Finland, as they scored early and never relinquished the lead. The US would end up winning 3-1. The US would finish group play with a 5-4 win over Germany. The US would second in the group, and will play in the quarter finals.

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Belarus

Results

Loss vs. USA (1-6)
Win vs. Kazakhstan (4-1)
Win vs. Switzerland (4-3)
Loss vs. Finland (2-0)
Win vs. Germany (5-2)
Win vs. Latvia (3-1)
Loss vs. Russia (2-1)

Round Robin Summary

The host of this tournament didn't start off well, as they suffered a 6-1 loss at the hands of the US. Belarus would bounce back against Kazakhstan, as they would score twice in the second and third periods to win the game 4-1. While Belarus would open the scoring against Switzerland, they would end the first period down 2-1. An Andrei Stas goal in the second would tie the game. The third period was like the first, but with Switzerland scoring first before Belarus tied it minutes later and scoring the go-ahead goal late in the period. Belarus would add another one to the win column with the 4-3 win. The host would fall against Finland, as they failed to score in the 2-0 loss. While Belarus fell behind 2-0 against Germany early on, they would find a way to claw back. They scored once in the first and second before putting the game away in the third with a 3-goal period. Against Latvia, Belarus would score twice in the second, and hold on from there. The Belarusians did give up a goal in the second, but would ultimately win the game 3-1. Belarus would end round robin play with a tight 2-1 loss against Russia. Belarus finished in third place, and earn a spot in the quarter finals.

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Finland

Results

Loss vs. Latvia (2-3)
Loss vs. Russia (2-4)
Win vs. Germany (4-0)
Win vs. Belarus (2-0)
Win vs. Switzerland (3-2 SO)
Loss vs. USA (1-3)
Win vs. Kazakhstan (4-3)

Round Robin Summary

Finland began the tournament against Latvia. Both teams would be tied 1-1 after the first. While Finland potted one in the second, they took a few costly penalties in the third. Finland would give up 2 powerplay goals, which would result in a 3-2 loss for them. Things didn't get better, as Finland would drop their next game 4-2 to Russia. Things started turning around for Finland afterwards, as they would shut out Germany and Belarus in succession. Finland looked to extend their shutout streak against Switzerland, as they would lead the game 2-0 after 2 periods. The streak didn't last in the third, as Finland would give up 2 goals in the third. Things would end well for Finland, as they did win the game in a shootout. Finland would fall behind early against the US, and was unable to tie the game up. Finland would eventually lose the game 3-1. Finland would be surprised by Kazakhstan, as it was the Fins who escaped the first tied 2-2. Finland get a couple goals in the second to take a 2-goal lead. They would hang on, finishing the round robin with a 4-3 win. Finland ended group play in fourth place, just squeaking into the quarter finals.

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Switzerland

Results

Loss vs. Russia (0-5)
Loss vs. USA (2-3)
Loss vs. Belarus (3-4)
Win vs. Germany (3-2)
Loss vs. Finland (2-3 SO)
Win vs. Kazakhstan (6-2)
Win vs. Latvia (3-2)

Round Robin Summary

The Swiss had high hopes going into this tournament. Those hopes came crashing down early, as Russia would shut them out in the first game. Switzerland looked to have rebounded against the US, as they managed to take a 2-1 lead after two periods. It was not meant to be though, as the US would score twice in the third, giving Switzerland another loss. Against Belarus, Switzerland once again would be up 2-1 (this time after the first period). The Swiss would concede the tying goal in the second. The Swiss scored early in the third to regain the lead, but once again would give up 2 goals, and would suffer another 1-goal loss. Switzerland would finally get a win, as they would take the lead in the second against Germany and didn't give it up. It was different against Finland, as this time it was the Swiss who needed a 2-goal third period (this time to tie the game). The game went to a shootout, were Switzerland failed to score in 5 attempts. They would ultimately lose the game 3-2. Switzerland had no problem bouncing back, as they would beat Kazakhstan 6-2. To finish the round robin, Switzerland would play spoilers to Latvia, and spoil they did. The Swiss would climb to a 3-0 lead, and hang on, as they end Latvia's playoff hopes with a 3-2 win. Switzerland would end up in fifth, 1 point out of a playoff spot.

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Latvia

Results

Win vs. Finland (3-2)
Loss vs. Germany (2-3)
Win vs. Kazakhstan (5-4)
Win vs. USA (6-5)
Loss vs. Russia (1-4)
Loss vs. Belarus (1-3)
Loss vs. Switzerland (2-3)

Round Robin Summary

Latvia looked to continue their momentum from the Olympics. They would start off beating Finland, as their powerplay would pot 2 goals in the third to give them the 3-2 win. Despite getting outshot, Latvia would go goal-for-goal with Germany in the first 2 periods. In the end, Latvia would give up a penalty shot goal in the third, which would cost them the game. Latvia would win a pair of high-scoring games, as they beat Kazakhstan (5-4) and the US (6-5). Thing went downhill afterwards, as Latvia would lose 4-1 to Russia. Latvia would give up the first 2 goals to Belarus, and could not find a way to tie the game, as they would lose 3-1. In a pivot game against Switzerland, Latvia would once again fall behind 2-0 after the first. They would give up another goal in the second before scoring one of their own. While Latvia would pull within one in the third, they could not complete the comeback. They would lose 3-2, falling out of a playoff spot in the process. Latvia finishes sixth ion the group.

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Germany

Results

Win vs. Kazakhstan (2-1 SO)
Win vs. Latvia (3-2)
Loss vs. Finland (0-4)
Loss vs. Switzerland (2-3)
Loss vs. Belarus (2-5)
Loss vs. Russia (0-3)
Loss vs. USA (4-5)

Round Robin Summary

Germany would start off against Kazakhstan. While the Germans would rack up the shots, they could only find the back of the next once in 65 minutes of play. This was different in the shootout, as Germany would score twice, and take the game 2-1. Against Latvia, Germany would give up the tying goal minutes after taking the lead. That ended in the third, as Thomas Oppenheimer's penalty shot goal would be the difference in the 3-2 win. That would be the last Germany's winning ways, as they began their downfall by getting shutout by Finland. Germany was able to respond to Switzerland's first period goal, but could not keep up with Switzerland's 2-goal second period, as they dropped the game 3-2. Things looked to have turned around against Belarus, as Germany would score the first two goals and end the opening frame up 2-1. It wasn't meant to be though, as they would give up the tying goal in the second before conceding 3 in the third to lose the game 5-2. Germany would suffer another shutout loss, this time at the hands of Russia. Germany wanted to end on a high note against the US. They managed to keep the first period scoreless and the game tied 3-3 after the second. They could not keep up in the third, as they would give up 2 goals while only being able to find the back of the net once in the period. Germany lost to the US 5-4. Germany finish the round robin seventh in the group.

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Kazakhstan

Results

Loss vs. Germany (1-2 SO)
Loss vs. Belarus (1-4)
Loss vs. Latvia (4-5)
Loss vs. Russia (2-7)
Loss vs. USA (3-4 OT)
Loss vs. Switzerland (2-6)
Loss vs. Finland (3-4)

Round Robin Summary

Poor Kazakhstan. They would start score first against Germany, but would finish the first period tied 1-1. The Kazakhs withstood the Germany blitzkrieg for the rest of the game, holding out until the shootout. Unfortunately, Kazakhstan could not capitalize, and would lose the shootout (and the game) 2-1. Against Belarus, Kazakhstan would score early in the first. That was all for Kazakhstan, as Belarus would put up 2 goals in the second and third periods to hand Kazakhstan another loss. Kazakhstan would give up the first goal to Latvia, but would end the first up 2-1. A goal-filled second saw both teams end the period tied 4-4. In the end, Kazakhstan would give up an early third period goal, which would end up being the difference maker. Kazakhstan didn't have much of a chance against Russia, as they suffered through a 7-2 blowout. Kazakhstan looked to pull off an upset against the US. While they swapped powerplay goals in the first, Kazakhstan would fall behind a goal after the second. Roman Starchenko would score midway though the third to tie the game. The upset was not meant to be though, as Kazakhstan would give up the winning goal just over a minute into overtime. Kazakhstan would suffer next game, getting beat 6-2 by Switzerland. Kazakhstan would end the tournament against Finland. While both teams ended the first period tied 2-2, Kazakhstan would concede another 2 goals in the second, which put the game out of reach. Kazakhstan would score a too-little-too-late goal in the third, losing the game by the respective score of 4-3. Kazakhstan would end up not winning a game and finishing last in the group. They are relegated to Division I for next year.

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Back to our spiritual home, Division I (May 20)