Showing Some International Love: 2018 Olympic Qualification Round 1 - Group K Review

This group was over before it started. The host Estonians had little problem getting by the competition, as they outscored their opponents a combined 58-4. Outside of Estonia, Mexico had a good tournament. The Mexicans managed to win two games and managed a positive goal differential. Israel, who were more focussed on having young players gain international experienced, managed to escape this tournament with a win. For Bulgaria, it was a struggle, as they only managed 4 goals in the whole tournament and ended up in last.

Note: Most information from the IIHF website.

Standings

Team	Win	OT/SO Win	OT/SO Loss	Loss	Points	Goal Diff.
Estonia	3	0	0	0	9	+54
Mexico	2	0	0	1	6	+1
Israel	1	0	0	2	3	-20
Bulgaria	0	0	0	3	0	-35

Results

November 5
Mexico 8 - Bulgaria 2
Israel 1 - Estonia 19

November 7
Mexico 5 - Israel 0
Estonia 26 - Bulgaria 0

November 8
Bulgaria 2 - Israel 5
Estonia 13 - Mexico 3

Notes

• Goals Leader: Robert Rooba (Estonia) - 11
• Points Leader: Robert Rooba (Estonia) - 24
• GAA Leader: (Estonia) - 2.00
• Save % Leader: Alfonso da Alba (Mexico) - 0.866
• The "No Surprise" Game: Estonia facing any team
• The "Upset" Game: None

What Now?

Estonia: With the win, the host now move on to Round 2 of Olympic Qualifying, which takes place in February 2016. It won't be a cake walk for the Estonians this time, as they'll have to face Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania. While winning that tournament looks to be unlikely for Estonia, this is a team that could get away with pulling off an upset.

Mexico: Internationally, Mexico gets to relax until April, when they get to host the Division II Group B tournament. A bright spot is that the two opponents they beat here (Israel and Bulgaria) they also see in April. Mexico should be a competitive team in that tournament and challenge for a promotion.

Israel: Much like Mexico, Israel isn't scheduled to play again until April. Since they brought a young group with them to this tournament, it will be interesting to see if they stay on this path for April or if they will try and add more senior team veterans to make a push in that tournament. As it stands now, they are a team that will finish in the bottom half of that group.

Bulgaria: With no EIHC games scheduled (for now), Bulgaria will regroup in April in Mexico. Bulgaria also bought a young team to this tournament, and could go that way in April as well. 18 year-old Dimitar Dimitrov will likely be relied on again to backstop the Bulgarians. Right now it would be considered a success if Bulgaria manages to not get relegated in April.