Canada and Sweden Lead IIHF World Championship

Tuesday marked the conclusion of the group-stage matches at the IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic. The quarter-final seedings were finalized. Catch up on the day’s results below.

Group A

Finland 1, Switzerland 3

In the late game in Prague, Switzerland secured a 3-1 victory over Finland, moving into second place in Group A ahead of the Czech Republic. This win means the Swiss will head to Ostrava for Thursday’s quarterfinals to play Germany. The Finns, already aware they would face Group B winners Sweden in Ostrava, played a match with no bearing on their quarter-final opponents.

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Canada 4, Czech Republic 3 (OT)

Earlier, hosts Czechia lost to Canada in overtime in a battle for the top spot in Group A. The Czechs came back from a 3-1 deficit to force overtime but ultimately fell 4-3 to the defending champions. After two scoreless periods, the Canadians took the lead through Dylan Cozens. Dominik Kubalik tied the game on a power play, but Canada responded with goals from Dawson Mercer and Brandon Hagel. Late in the third, Ondrej Palat and Roman Cervenka equalized for the Czechs, only for Cozens to score the overtime winner.

In Thursday’s quarter-finals, the Czechs will face the USA, while Canada will take on Slovakia.

Austria 2, Great Britain 4

Austria was upset by Group A’s bottom team, Great Britain, who scored their first points of the tournament in their final game in Prague. The loss ended Austria’s hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals. The Austrians needed a regulation win and a favorable result in the Switzerland-Finland match to progress. However, their loss means Finland advances to face Sweden in Ostrava.

Group B

Sweden 6, Slovakia 1

In the late game in Ostrava, Sweden maintained their perfect record by defeating Slovakia 6-1. Sweden had already secured their quarter-final spot against Finland, while Slovakia was set to face Canada in Prague. Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice, and Erik Karlsson tallied three points in the win.

Latvia 3, USA 6

The United States beat Latvia 6-3 in their final preliminary round game in Ostrava, securing second place in Group B and a quarter-final matchup with the Czech Republic. Latvia, finishing fifth, failed to advance and will not defend their bronze medal. Cole Caufield contributed four points for the Americans with two goals and two assists.

Latvian captain Kaspars Daugavins remarked, “Of course, we believed we would make it to the quarterfinals. But I’m proud of the guys for not giving up. We faced difficult situations, playing two games in a row three times, but we always fought and had a chance until the last day.”

France 3, Germany 6

In the opening match in Ostrava, Germany defeated France 6-3, giving them their fifth victory of the tournament. Germany fell behind three times in the first session, but they rallied to win the second period in just 22 seconds. Winner Wojciech Stachowiak had a hand in both goals and assists.

“We didn’t start well, we were slow. But we played much more aggressively and physically in the second period,” said German defenseman Maksymilian Szuber. “We’re happy to get three points. We’re trying to play better and better. It’s nice to be in the playoffs, but we have to play more consistently. I believe we can win a few more games,” added the Arizona player.

France ended the championship with one win and six losses, finishing seventh in Group B. Germany, assured of a quarter-final spot, will face Switzerland next.