2022 IIHF World Championship.

[LTU_btc]

2022 Ice Hockey World Championship 2022 in Finland started on Friday. I haven't found thread about it, so I made this one. Here is the current situation in both groups and so far there were no surprises:

4 best teams get out of group to 1/4 final and team which finish last in each group drops to lower division. Russia and Belarus were removed from tournament because of war in Ukraine and they were replaced by France and Austria.
All details about tournament on officila website:
https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm

[Wiwo]

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Thanks for opening up a hockey discussion thread for the 2022 round at list since the various football leagues are gradually winding down we can get more engaged in hockey discussions and predictions on this thread and glad to see teams like France and Australia being added to this year hock championship. Good luck

[LTU_btc]

In early today's games no surprises, Canada and Norway confident leading against Italy and Great Britain.
Later today we have one of tournament favorites playing each other - Czech Republic and Sweden. Should be interesting.

glad to see teams like France and Australia being added to this year hock championship. Good luck

Austria, not Australia . I'm not even sure that hockey is played in Australia.

[LTU_btc]

And now there is few interesting results, though, not an upsets yet. Norway won against Great Britain just after penalties, while USA won against Austria after extra time.
Sweden won against Czechia 5:3 in best tournament game so far.
Latvia achieved first win by beating Norway today. It's important win in fight for playoff spot.
Canada continue to dominate, while hosts Finland got easy win against USA.

[TopTort777]

Sad to see to low interest to IIHF. Or people wait for play-off, time where real challenge starts.

As for today, I suggest not to miss Finland vs Sweden match. Team Sweden is packed with a lot of players from U18, that are 2021 champions. Finland is Finland. They will show usual dirty hockey with a lot of pressure.

I think I am gonna follow team Germany games. They improve from year to year and often make upsets during group stage.

Tomorrow Canada vs Kazakhstan might be a funny game to watch

[LTU_btc]

Sad to see to low interest to IIHF. Or people wait for play-off, time where real challenge starts.

As for today, I suggest not to miss Finland vs Sweden match. Team Sweden is packed with a lot of players from U18, that are 2021 champions. Finland is Finland. They will show usual dirty hockey with a lot of pressure.

I think I am gonna follow team Germany games. They improve from year to year and often make upsets during group stage.

Tomorrow Canada vs Kazakhstan might be a funny game to watch

Yeah, I expected a bit more activity when I made this topic. But on the other hand, interest in hockey is low on Bitcointalk in general, we don't even have active NHL thread.
Finland - Sweden is good game indeed, fight for 1st place in group, nothing surprising that it went to ET and penalties where only Sweden goal let them to win.
Yeah, Kazakhstan - Canada should be fun, I'm going to look for goals over markets there .

[TopTort777]

The faith of the game Canada vs Kazakhastan is already predicted, yet Kazakhstan can show competitive (or close to it) game in first period. They have lost to Switzerland 2-3, which is kinda a strong last years, and even won last period 2-1. I expect something like 0-2 or 0-3 in first period against Canada. During the rest of the game, Canada will try to test unusual tactics, combinations and etc. That is why it wont be a total beating in this game.

Team Norway is doing great so far. They have always end at +12th place, now they are already in quarterfinals. Which means they will be on 8th place minimum.

So far this years tournament is rather quite. No scandals. No huge penalties. And I have watched only 1 game

[LTU_btc]

@TopTort777, not bad prediction, Kazakhstan were able to stay in the game for long. But I expect that in 3rd period Canada will score few more goals, as result of Kazakhs getting tired after playing big intensity.

Team Norway is doing great so far. They have always end at +12th place, now they are already in quarterfinals. Which means they will be on 8th place minimum.

So far this years tournament is rather quite. No scandals. No huge penalties. And I have watched only 1 game

Are you sure about Norway? They are 5th now with 3 games remaining. Games with direct competitors Czechia and USA will be decisive for them.
About whole tournament so far, good point from you, I also would like to add that we didn't had any big upsets.
Tomorrow's games doesn't looks very attractive, maybe Latvia - Austria might be interesting, but both teams isn't likely to fight for playoffs.

[TopTort777]

Team Norway were on 4th place in group yesterday. I think I did not pay attention to number of games CZE had, a they are now on 4th place.

As for the games on May 20, Latvia vs Austria will be most competitive and interesting  to watch. Germany - Italy, Germany will win obviously. GB vs Finland at 16:20. It is 5 o`clock time, which means Finland will win (just kidding ). Kazakhstan vs Slovakia. Kazakhstan havent recovered fully from game against Canada. We are left with Latvia vs Austria. Austria had 1 day extra to rest.

In 2019 Latvia already beat Austria (Latvia dominated 3rd period with 4:1). That year Austria got kicked to Division 1. This means that Latvia is stronger, on the paper... Both teams have same number of points. Latvia need that win to get 3 points, then beat GB and finish 4th in group. Austria will face Finland this Sunday and definitely would lose. Norway, that are on 5th will lose to Sweden and Czech. Plus Czech will lose to Finland and if they lose to USA, than Latvia has chances to go play-off. In todays game between Latvia vs Austria the faith of Latvia will be decided, as other teams in group will lose to a stronger opponents. That is why todays game gonna be hot

[LTU_btc]

Latvia won yesterday, but just after penalties. Now it's almost impossible for ghem to reach playoffs. They now have 5 points after 5 games, Czechia have 7 after 4 games.
Now there is interesting game between USA and Sweden were Sweden leading 2:1 in 2nd period.
Later today Switzerland will play against Canada, what is likely to be game for 1st place in group.

[TopTort777]

Gonna grab some beer and snack for Switzerland vs Canada game. I see that Canada does not have a lot of nhl stars this time. Anyway, Canada is Canada, they will get medals anyway. Team Switzerland improves from tournament to tournament, from olympics to olympics. Even though they dont have nhl or khl players alot. Turns out their local legue is strong.

P.s. Who is Czechia?   Czech Republic?

[Pmalek]

This is the first Ice hockey World Championship with stronger squads compared to the teams we saw at the Olympic Games a few months ago that I can remember. The NHL didn't release their players for that tournament, but the athletes from the teams that didn't make the NHL playoffs are now allowed to participate.

My hockey heart is always with the Swedes, but I was surprised when they defeated Finland on home turf. I was happy to read that William Nylander will join his national team and should probably be ready to play the next match. He can't help the Swedes in their match against the Americans though. 

[LTU_btc]

P.s. Who is Czechia?   Czech Republic?

Yeah, for me it's a bit strange that IIHF calling themnCzechia, but now I Googled it and this term was approved for use by Czech Government back in 2018.

This is the first Ice hockey World Championship with stronger squads compared to the teams we saw at the Olympic Games a few months ago that I can remember. The NHL didn't release their players for that tournament, but the athletes from the teams that didn't make the NHL playoffs are now allowed to participate.

In 2018 it was same situation, in Olympics there were no players from NHL, but later they were able in World Championship.
In general, teams have stronger squads, but in general, level of competition probably dropped after ban of Russia. Though, not saying that it was wrong decision.

[Pmalek]

but in general, level of competition probably dropped after ban of Russia. Though, not saying that it was wrong decision.

By removing a historic medal contender, the quality of the tournament is certainly not at a standard level. Everyone else has been given a boost and teams which would normally not be fighting for medals now have greater odds achieving better results. France and Austria are nowhere close to be suitable replacements.

[TopTort777]

What do you think about Switzerland beating Canada 6:3 ? Lets say, Switzerland were first to score (even though that goal wasnt counted). First period was very competitive. Canada scored 2 times, when Switzerland was in powerplay. Either Switzerland was confused that they play to well, or have lack of experience. I believe they will train that in next two championships and soon they will start to finish every championship with medals. I would not be surprised if they get a medal in 2022.

[LTU_btc]

What do you think about Switzerland beating Canada 6:3 ? Lets say, Switzerland were first to score (even though that goal wasnt counted). First period was very competitive. Canada scored 2 times, when Switzerland was in powerplay. Either Switzerland was confused that they play to well, or have lack of experience. I believe they will train that in next two championships and soon they will start to finish every championship with medals. I would not be surprised if they get a medal in 2022.

I wasn't able to watch game in full, so I can't comment it in detail. This result is probably biggest surprise in this tournament so far. With current performance Switzerland have very good chance to get medal.
Today we have USA - Czech Republic game, direct fight for 3rd place in group. I see very attractive odds for Czech win, I won't skip it.

[Smartprofit]

Many events will take place at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Finland today.  4 matches announced. 

Two outsiders will fight among themselves - the national teams of Kazakhstan and Italy.  These are hot countries in which hockey is not held in high esteem. 

Also between the teams of the Czech Republic and the United States will unfold a fierce struggle.  The chances of the US winning seem more preferable to me. 

Switzerland is the favorite for the tournament.  The phenomenal successes of the Swiss hockey players were unexpected for me.  Well done Swiss!  Perhaps they will become the winners of this tournament.  They show a great game.

[LTU_btc]

Things are getting interesting. Cana surprisingly lost to Denmark for the first time in history and dropped to 4th place. Now they are risking to get Finland or Sweden already 1/4 final.
Also, Great Britain and Italy got relegated to 2nd division, they will be replaced by Slovenia and Hungary.
Today there is few good games which will end group stage. Now Germany is playing against leaders Switzerland. Later Finland will face Czech Republic.

[TopTort777]

Not surprised about Great Britain and Italy being demoted to 2nd division. Slovenia that replaced them might be stronger, but have doubts about Hungary. They never been good at ice hockey. As to Kazakhstan, I would prefer to keep them. Compared to level of their opponent on this tournament, they are showing great results.

The weak performance of Canada I would explain with their roster being not the strongest. They come with strongest roster for Olympic Games and its seems that IIHF is less valuable for them. If team Canada had roster of Sidney Crosby level, then they would own each and every team. Crosby's P. Penguins lost in play-off and he could join team Canada, but...

[LTU_btc]

So, after all, that historical Denmark win against Canada was meaningless. Now in decisive game they were destroyed by Slovakia 7:1 and Slovakia jumps into playoffs. Denmark seems that weren't able to recover after yesterday's game.
Sweden won just 1:0 against Latvia and after Finland beat Czech Republic, we will see Sweden - Canada in 1/4 final already.
So, we have 1/ finals on Thursday, I updated OP with it. Predictions?

Not surprised about Great Britain and Italy being demoted to 2nd division. Slovenia that replaced them might be stronger, but have doubts about Hungary. They never been good at ice hockey. As to Kazakhstan, I would prefer to keep them. Compared to level of their opponent on this tournament, they are showing great results.

The weak performance of Canada I would explain with their roster being not the strongest. They come with strongest roster for Olympic Games and its seems that IIHF is less valuable for them. If team Canada had roster of Sidney Crosby level, then they would own each and every team. Crosby's P. Penguins lost in play-off and he could join team Canada, but...

I watched IA Championship and Slovenia were way above all teams, while Hungary didn't impressed me at all.
Haven't you confused something. Canada didn't come to Olympics with strongest squad, it was with mainly players from Europe, while in IIHF almost all their players from NHL. But yeah, because of Stanley Cup playoffs we will never have all best players in World Championships.