Host nation aside, the tournament couldn't ask for a better ending. The US battled in all three playoff games, having just avoided an upset at the hands of Switzerland, to Troy Terry carrying the team in shootouts in the semi-finals and gold medal game. The host Canadians didn't have ideal starts in the quarter- and semi-finals, but had little trouble coming back in those games. The gold medal one was different, with Canada taking the lead but unable to hold on to it. Combined with their inability to convert on many chances, Canada lost the final game, settling for silver. Bronze medalist Russia and fourth-place Sweden had similar paths to their matchup, with both teams handling their quarter-final opponents, while taking tough losses (for different reasons) in the semis. Russia and Sweden went at it for bronze, and in the end, a miscue by Sweden was all Russia needed to take the medal. Another (semi-) pre-tournament favourite Finland had a nightmare tournament, and even in the relegation round, their games were closer than they wanted. They survived in the end, as Finland stays up and hopes to rebound next year, while Latvia (their opponent in that round) yoyos back down to Division I.
Relegation Round
Finland 2 - Latvia 1
Latvia 1 - Finland 4
Relegation went as expected, but it was still a scare for Finland. Both games saw Finland strike first, with Latvia managed to tie the game. Both games also resulted in Finland needing third period goals to win. Despite the disappointment tournament from last year's winners, Finland can take solace with the face they will be back in the main tournament next year. For Latvia, they will head back to Division I.
Playoffs
Quarter Finals
Denmark 0 - Russia 4
Russia had little trouble putting away the Danes. Alexander Polunin got the opening goal almost nine minutes into the game. Leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov scored on the power late in the first to make it 2-0 Russia. Denmark switched it up to start the second, replacing Lasse Petersen for Kasper Krog in net. It worked (somewhat), as the Danes kept the period goalless despite the shot disadvantage. Russia managed to extend their lead in the third, thanks to Pavel Karnaukhov. Kaprizov added one more late in the game. Ilya Samsonov had light work, stopping 14 shots in the shutout effort. Russia wins 4-0, moving on the semi-finals while eliminating Denmark.
Sweden 8 - Slovakia 3
This game was all Sweden. Just a minute into the game, Joel Eriksson Ek scored on the powerplay. Tim Soderlund and Carl Grundstrom added to Sweden's lead later in the first. Alexander Nylander and Fredrik Karlstrom made it 5-0 Sweden before Slovakia could respond. Martin Bodak and Miroslav Strucka had back-to-back goals late in the second, putting the Slovaks on the board. Adam Ruzicka struck early in the third, pulling Slovakia to within two goals. Any momentum Slovakia looked to conjure up after that goal was quickly dashed, as Soderlund scored his second of the game 43 seconds later. Powerplay goals by Lias Andersson and Eriksson Ek capped off Sweden's scoring. The Swedes blew out Slovakia 8-3, and move on to the semi-finals. The Slovaks are eliminated from the tournament.
United States 3 - Switzerland 2
This game was a bit too close for the Americans comfort. They got off to a good start though, with Jeremy Bracco (powerplay) and Luke Kunin scoring in the middle of the first. The Swiss got on the board in the second, thanks to a powerplay. Nico Hischier deked around a defender and scored, making it a one goal game. Hischier struck again in the third, once again on the powerplay, as his wraparound attempt tied the game. The good feeling Switzerland were dashed, as they took a penalty 11 seconds after that goal. The ensuing USA powerplay saw Jordan Greenway score to put the Americans back in the lead. Hischier had a chance in the dying seconds of the game, but Tyler Parsons was up to the challenge, making the key save. The United States hung on to win 3-2, moving on to the semi-finals and sending Switzerland home.
Canada 5 - Czech Republic 3
Canada started off the better team in the first, but it was the Czechs who opened the scoring, thanks to David Kase. Canada did respond in the second, with Blake Speers and Mitchell Stephens finding twine just minutes apart. The lead lasted just over a minute, as Tomas Soustal scored to tie the game. Thomas Chabot's goal later in the period up Canada but up by one. Goals came quick in the third, starting with Julien Gauthier extending Canada's lead three minutes into the period. It took less than three minutes for a Czech response, as Simon Stransky found the back of the net. Not even a minute later, Gauthier scored his second of the period to restore Canada's two goal lead. The Czechs could not muster a comeback. Canada held on to win 5-3, and are headed to the semi-finals. The Czech Republic are eliminated.
Semi-Finals
United States 4 - Russia 3 (SO)
Russia got the scoring going halfway through the first, as Kirill Kaprizov buried his wraparound attempt. The States tied it up late in the first, thanks to Clayton Keller's shot bouncing off Colin White and into the Russian net. Russia restored their lead early in the second, with Denis Guryanov scoring just over a minute into the period. A powerplay midway through the second gave the States a chance to tie the game. They did just that, as Luke Kunin redirected Jordan Greenway's past into the net. Six minutes later, White scored his second of the game to put the Americans in the lead for the first time. Keller had a chance to extend that lead in the third, as he was awarded a penalty shot after being hauled down on a breakaway. He did not convert, as Ilya Samsonov stopped Keller's backhand shot. Just 50 seconds later, Guryanov scored again, tying the game at 3-3. Both teams exchanged chances throughout the rest of the third and all of overtime, as a shootout would be needed to decide a winner. It looked good for Russia, as they scored on two of their first three shots. The problem was the shootout wasn't over, which was what the Russians thought. The States scored twice to keep their hopes alive. Both teams scored in the sixth round. Russia was stopped on their seven shot, while Troy Terry (who scored on his two previous attempts) completed his shootout hat trick. The States won the game (and the shootout) 4-3, moving on to challenge for the gold medal, while Russia goes to the bronze medal game.
Sweden 2 - Canada 5
It may not have been the ideal start for Sweden, as they took a penalty five minutes into the game. It ended up being a good thing, as Joel Eriksson Ek's long range shot beat Connor Ingram. Canada responded just under two minutes later, as Mitchell Stephens buried a rebound. The scoring wasn't done yet, thanks to Carl Grundstrom's breakaway attempt that skirted its way past Ingram. That was is for Ingram's night, as he let in two bad goals in just over eight minutes of play. Carter Hart would replace him. A couple of penalties late in the period led to four-on-four, and that's when Canada tied it. Anthony Cirelli's shot found it's way past Felix Sandstrom, making it 2-2. Canada finally took the lead midway through the second, thanks to Julien Gauthier. Sweden almost tied the game late, when Hart flubbed on a save and the puck bounced toward the goal line. Dante Fabbro was able to get a stick on it, preventing the puck from fully crossing the line. Canada kept up the pressure in the third, resulting in Dylan Strome getting an insurance marker. Sweden pulled Sandstrom late, but it didn't help much. Gauthier added an empty net goal, as Canada went on to win 5-2. Canada moves on to the gold medal game, with Sweden plays for bronze.
Bronze Medal Game
Russia 2 - Sweden 1 (OT)
The Swedes looked good in the first, outshooting the Russians 15-3 (also helps they had three powerplays). Despite the disparity, the score remained all zeroes. It would be Russia who struck first. Just 16 seconds into the second period, Kirill Kaprizov jammed the puck into the net. Sweden would tie the game later in the period. Just after the halfway mark, as Jonathan Dahlen capitalized on a bad pass by the Russian defense and beat Ilya Samsonov. Russia had two powerplays in the later half of the period, but fail to convert on both. Chances were exchanged by both teams, but neither could break the deadlock. Overtime was eventually needed to decide the winner. Just 33 seconds in, a bad drop pass by Rasmus Dahlin to Alexander Nylander (and Nylander's subsequent mishandling of it) led to Denis Guryanov poking it ahead and getting a partial breakaway. Guryanov beat Swedish goalie Felix Sandstrom with a backhand, ending the game. Russia won the game 2-1, and get to stand on the podium as bronze medalist. Sweden finishes the tournament in fourth.
Gold Medal Game
United States 5 - Canada 4 (SO)
The game looked to be going Canada's way in the first. Thomas Chabot finished off a pass from Matt Barzal near the five-minute mark, opening the scoring for the host. Jeremy Lauzon scored four minutes later to make it 2-0 Canada. The States turned the game around in the second, starting with a trailing Charlie McAvoy getting a pass and beating Carter Hart. A too many men penalty by Canada minutes later led to a point shot by Adam Fox bouncing off Kieffer Bellows and into the Canadian net. Canada got two powerplays in the later half of the second, but failed to capitalize on them. The States took a penalty early in the third, and this time Canada didn't waste it. Nicolas Roy's shot went over Tyler Parsons' shoulder and into the net, putting Canada back in the lead. Mathieu Joseph added to that lead minutes later, deking out Parsons while on a partial breakaway. The US struck back quickly. Just 39 seconds later, Bellows beat Hart for his second goal of the game. Moments later, Colin White redirected Fox's pass into the Canadian net, tying the game. Canada got a powerplay midway through the period, when Casey Fitzgerald for flipping the puck over the glass. The best chance Canada had to regain the lead happened then, with Barzel pasting to an open Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois could not get his stick on the puck though, missing what should have been a tap-in. The game was still tied after 60 minutes, resulting in overtime. The extra period saw both teams get chances, with the knowing that just converting on one was all that was needed. Hart and Parsons had other ideas, as both goalies did everything they could to keep the puck out of their respective nets. An extra 20 minutes still wasn't enough, as the game needed to be decided by a shootout. Just like last night, it was Troy Terry. The American forward was the only one to score in the shootout, and did so by aiming for his usual spot (five-hole). The United States won the game 5-4, and capture their fourth gold medal. Canada settles for silver.
Final Ranking
1 (Gold) - United States
2 (Silver) - Canada
3 (Bronze) - Russia
4 - Sweden
5 - Denmark
6 - Czech Republic
7 - Switzerland
8 - Slovakia
9 - Finland
10 (Relegated) - Latvia
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