2 games what should be mentioned before play offs
Latvia 1-8 Germany
What a game, sorry I never thought it can happen, it was like well when Latvia get real opponent, because Poland, France, kazakstan is not same level, but Germany, good players, good DEL tournament. Its first time I see team what never left A level in WC since came beck lose so much to equal team (yes 9-1 or 11-something to Sweden and Canada) dont counts.

Canada 7-6 Austria in OT and Finland 2-3 Austria is basically to Austria means they won medal, they stay in top get 5 important points. I never thought.

Big teams as Canada, Finland, Sweden, Cz, Suisse and USA plaid well as they should so far. Now lets wait 1/4

Just checked roosters for WC
What a Irony Sweden ha sonly 2 players from home league and not even Champion Felix Unger Sörum from Leksands IF and Linus Johansson from Färjestad
Thing I noticed in this WC from Denmark and Norway, that they most play in Finland Liiga, not in Swedish SHL or Hockeyallsvenskan. There are less and less players what play here, yes there are many but not so much as before. Finns often play in Sweden, good level players and get paid more as in home . If we dont count NHL Only Suisse players all play at home league also Canada and USA since only NHL players are there,

One Czech, David Tomášek in Färjestad.

Dens: Oscar Mølgaard-Malmö Redhawks, Matias Lassen and Frederik Dichow - HV71, Joachim Blichfeld - Växjö Lakers, Nick Olesen - IK Oskarshamn

Finland - Rasmus Rissanen , Hannes Björninen- Örebro, Oliwer Kaski - HV71, Jere Innala - Frölunda, Lassi Lehtinen - MoDo, Emil Larmi - Växjö, Ahti Oksanen - Oskarhamn.

Norwegians Mattias Nørstebø - Björklöven, Noah Steen, Petter Vesterheim , Michael Brandsegg-Nygård - Mora, Thomas Berg Paulsen – Malmö, Tobias Normann - AIK Solna, Jonas Arntzen - Örebro, Max Krogdahl - Östersunds IK

Latvians Mārtiņš Dzierkals - Skellefteå AIK, Rodrigo Ābols - Rögle(to me best foreigner whit 6 I think year stats in SHL; if we dont count juniors), Miks Indrašis - Brynäs

Slovaks - Marek Hrivík and Peter Cehlárik- Leksand,

I wont count but Sweden maybe Finland has most player from SHL or Liiga



Sweden 7-2 Latvia
I know Sweden has one Latvia 9-0, 11-0 in odl WC format but not in a group
Good game, but what is uniqe in such level Latvia had 5 minutes power play and Sweden in penalty kill in 3 seconds lose 3 goals, basically I dont remember anything like that.

On paper this is best Swedish team in a ages, many NHL teams did not reach play offs or was eliminated in first round , so why not Gold? quastion is how they will fin each other , Suisse, Finland, Canada, Cz who knows

So we had quarter finals here.
Group stage was interesting, 3th place team Latvia did not qualify to the play offs. Austria almost shocked Finland, UK proved they can play same Poland.

I predicted UK progesss 10 years ago. They have good leuges well players from Canada and USA what speaks same lingo.

Denmark and Norway had weaker leuges ad UK had imo. To me those teams had reach max, can happen miricle. They can produce players what can play in Ger, Swe and Fin even tier 2.

French leuge is good, but can't progress needs mord teams and money, buy they are in top level.

Poland, they well I belive they will return in top level some time in a future.

A group : Canada, Suisse, Cz, Finland /Austria, Norway, Denmark / UK

B group : Sweden,USA, Germany, Slovakia /Latvia, Kazakstan, France / Poland

1/4 Finas
Sweden vs Finland
Bad Finland and good Sweden, that's scares me. Because now all can turn. Finns has dominate in last 3 finals, 2 gold, 1 silver. Sweden has not been in final hmmm 10 years. Good team, I say if we hold 10 minutes and get rapid goal it will be good, if no Finland can kill if defense starts struggle and goal machine can't score.

Canada vs Slovakia
Rusty game whit srugle in late 3th canafs find a way for 3 goals.

Suisse vs Germany
Last time Ger won in quarter, was last year, this year will be other way around. I think Suisse remember it and will play well. Even after loosing final against Sweden 10 or more years ago in Sweden btw, Suisse don't show so good game.

USA vs CZ
USA always are underdogs what should win think but wake up whit fact that Norden naibours plays better. Cz is not ad they was in 90s. Home ice factor might help, but I think USA will take it.

USA 2-1 Cz
I underestimated Cz team , even it was hard and tide game, seems Cz wanted it more

Sweden 2-1 OT Finland
Thanks, I almost get chock, but no matter what team you have, Finland has good skilled players, one game can happens all. For Sweden it was easy group stage games

Canada 6-3 Slovakia
Easy game for Canada

Suisse 3-1 Germany
I told it will be turn around here.

Semi Finals

Sweden - CZ
Swe has better team, Cz is hard biting dog here, wont let it, its be hard even Swe has better NHL players team on paper, but good they struggled against Fin, can be wake up call

Suisse - Canada
I believe Suisse will win, in hard game, more I hope they do and get gold once.

Sweden 3 - 7 CZ
Damn match, started well, but individual mistakes, sleepy situations and duels is why we lose that match. Maybe best team on paper, but damn. It's Cz first final in 10 year I think. Sad, but well maybe nhl players need more practices together, maybe staff should find other way, it was possible to win, but individuals and mistakes made that we loose.

Canada 2-3 Suisse in penalty shoot outs.
Good game, long penalty killing time was why Suisse lose 2 goals, in end hold it. They had better first half, more attack situations and Puck controls. In end Canada came back. But på is lothery. We can say cynic predictions on shout box worked, he told Canada sucks.

3th place game.
Sweden vs Canada.
Both came for gold, are burn out, no motivation, can be many mistake game, but I believe Sweden has bigger motivation.
Canada often don't play well bronze match.

Final
Cz vs Suisse
Hard to predict cz has home crowd, motivation,. Negative that they won easy over Sweden.
Suisse has good team almost all from home leuge won tide hard game against worlds best team. Team know each other.
Minus, they had late game players can be tired.

I hope the Swiss win the gold medal. Nothing against the Czechs, I just think it would be refreshing and more exciting to see some underdog beating the odds instead of the same few teams winning every year.

Written by Metal Diogenes on 26.05.2024 at 10:26

I hope the Swiss win the gold medal. Nothing against the Czechs, I just think it would be refreshing and more exciting to see some underdog beating the odds instead of the same few teams winning every year.

I agree, even this wc was awesome Poland did get point from Latvia, Austria almost reached play offs UK plaid well. A lot of suprises here in this wc. Good to see Rus n Belarus is banned.

I may be alone in this, but I think banning Russia and Belarus from sports tournaments was a stupid and unnecessary move. For one thing, I think international political conflicts and rivalries make competitions way more exciting. Victory is also worth the level of competition, and Russia had one of the best teams, so people can always point out that Canada, Finland, Sweden, Swiss, etc. didn't actually have to face the best. That's the like when they banned Muhammed Ali for protesting against Vietnam War, and George Foreman had to face Ali separately to be considered the real champion other than in name only.

I think it was good idea, I enjoyed few Olympics in row when Finland beat Russia, and Vancouver when Canada scored 7 goals.
So I hope ban stays and they re start from Division 4. Russia way in Eurotoyr us locked forever.
Best team well, we can only hope NHL players can play in Olympic games.
On paper Suisse has its best team, then Canada, Sweden.
Only 2 players from SHL.

3th place game
Canada 2-4 Sweden
Not best game, medal yes, but still to slopy to menaingless, I did not like it

Cz 2-0 Suisse
I am disappointed. one day Suisse will get medal , to much negative emotions here to comment

What's next?
Negative:
Well few Ukraine support banners was not allowed to take in, super cheap prices, Latvian team was robbed in hotel and such small things. And yes wrong winner

Positive: I saw small teams start to deliver and Poland, UK, Austria and France start play well, few years till and UK will be great team.

Next WC in 2025 Stockholm (Sweden) and Herring (Denmark)
2026 : Zürich and Fribourg in Suisse
2027 : Düsseldorf and Mannheim
2028 : Paris and Lyon

France has organized whit Germany one WC , Paris had group stage and Köln had group stage and finals

France maybe is not hockey county but they will do good job , they have arenas and possibilities. Question is will locals attend it?

I would like see WC in Austria again, but then I had interesting idea. Why not Italy? Milan and some other city where they have 10000 indoor arena?
London and Glasgow to can be. Then interesting for hockey bid would be Poland/Hungary .

Congratulation Florida Panters whit 1rth ever Stanley Cup and even its not hockey state sad it happened. I was in Edmonton Oilers side
Panters had 3-0 in series, Oilers get 3 games back its incredible, but last game in Florida panters won, sad I was hoping Canadian team takles it, south has money, north has traditions and so on

Rumors
Top group 16 teams two groups.
Div 1 14-18 teams
No more Division 2,3,4
Only 2 groups plus outsiders as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and such outsiders will make qualification to WC.,

Finally they understand. I hope it happens

2 winter Olympic games NHL players will play

2024–25 Champions Hockey League

They have same format as CL footnall has, seems teams are dropped from 32 to 24 two years ago
Swedish, Finnish, Suisse Leagues can delivere great hockey , but I am disappointed whit attendee and interess. In other sports where we have international competition interests is higher and better. Good they suck team number, but I would prefer some qualification where few more teams can enter. 3 Swedish is not enough, IMO Swe, Fin and Sui should have 3 to 6 , maybe via qualification.

Crosby signs 2-year, $17.4 million contract with Penguins

https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-signs-two-year-contract-with-pittsburgh-penguins#:~:text=Sidney%20Crosby%20signed%20a%20two,in%20the%202025%2D26%20season.

Best Canadian player in modern days when Connor McDavid tock his place

His 20th season in team 18th as captain, only mighty Steve Yzerman had 19 seasons as C in Detroit Red Wings

I wish troy boy was here, I could make fun about him

I dont like junior team sport unless its hockey
U20 hockey WC is awesome
95% happens in Canada this time in Otawa
Canada and USA are kings there same time Sweden, Finland is close, Cz and Sui between outsiders and medal. Russia was there, how they are now, nobody cares and dont know
Canada 2-3 Latvia in OT
Yes Latvia did in adult WCV 2 years ago take 3th place but its professional hockey , quallity is tider and equal, only Canada, USA, Fin, Swe, Sui has 20 - 50 players to same position to chose, Lv maybe 3
We will see how all ends in group but if Lv gets Slovakia they can get in semi

Spengler Cup 2024
Always happens in Davos and HC Davos and Canada (mostly from Canadians from Suisse and German leuage)
Sad no Swedish team was invited, but Oulun Kärpät was there

Straubing Tigers did do good job, team what non outside Germany knows did eliminate Canada and Dynamo Pardubuce now are in final today against Davos, I will watch that game

IHF Not Reincorporating Russia And Belarus For 2025-26 Competitions

https://thehockeynews.com/news/iihf-not-reincorporating-russia-and-belarus-for-2025-26-competitions

Good news, I hope ban will stays forever , I dont like those countries, hockey world is better now.

Good bye, professional hockey - Andres Ambühl to hang up his skates

https://swisshockeynews.ch/en/shn/men/swiss-hockey/nl/good-bye-professional-hockey-andres-ambuehl-to-hang-up-his-skates

He has one chance this years WC in Swe/Den , like 2018 years ago I think when Suisse played well and good game in Denmark and lost what was last time Sweden won.

To me he is one of best names, most recognizable player from golden generation whit Kevin Fiala, Nino Niederreiter .

I watched final in Cl hockey between Zurich Lions 2-1 Färjestad
Not so good game, but last two seasons Switzerland teams show they are good and this was also in Suisse sign because semi
Genève-Servette HC Switzerland 1–6
ZSC Lions 3–3 Genève-Servette HC
ZSC Lions won 9–4 on aggregate.

Sparta Praha Czech Republic 2–6 Färjestad BK
Färjestad BK Sweden 4–2
Sparta Praha
Färjestad BK won 10–4 on aggregate.

To me this tournament lost meaing when teams drop and football CL format came alive but then again it elimates real weak teams and what suppose be there are so I dont know

2025 4 Nations Face-Off

Maybe best short hockey tournament I have seem , sorry Canada, USA, Finland, Sweden are best hockey nations, NHL are best league, Swedes, Finns, Czechs, well all understand whit out one nation, show we say name? Specially domestics leagues.
I think last time NHL players played in Olympics was in Sochi, Firts time ever in Nagano 1996. After to Sochi ever games. Next two in Milano and 2030 Franche will be whit NHL players
But yes 12 teams 98% best , 100% can be due injury and so on, but such quality hockey, maybe Vancouver was equal. NHL ice rinks, not Europeain, fast speedy hockey.
I hope NHL will re open this formath after few years. Yes I want NHL players in Olympics, but this was much better, TOP 4 teams atm in a world whit best players and yes Swedes and Finns are most foreigner nations in NHL. Even Boxar agreed about final was best hockey game ever

Canada 4-3 Sweden OT
USA 6-1 Finland
Finland 4-3 OT Swdden
USA 3-1 Canada
Canada 5-3 Finland
Sweden 2-1 USA

1 USA
2 Canada
3 Sweden
4 Finland

Final
Canada 3-2 OT USA

Canadians are natural's, they can play usually in WC and OS they simply jump in whit out training camp and play and to play off they get rytme and play offs they do and often win, while in group stage they do tralala, Europeans need time. they have traning camp, before WC one month before from free players, since nation finals ends like one week before WC. Still own school , system but we need play together to be able show best. Since Nagano moden day NHL players
1998 Nagano - Czceh Rep
2002 Salt Lake City - Canada
2006 Torino - Sweden
2010 Vancouver - Canada
2014 Sochi - Canada (Latvia did make Canadians nerpose )
2018 Pyeongchang - United Atlets should I say where
2022 Beijing - Finland

As you see Canadians and USA is dominated Finland was involved in medal games

So Canada simply are best hockey nation, in NHL play best players and its best league

So in all European national Leagues play offs has started
Interesting after like 15 years Finnish Liiga has relegation and in tier 2 Mestis, Jokerit Helsinki after leaving stupid Russian KHL well they won reglat season whit blast 3-0 in quarters aganst TUTO Hockey and now leading 2-1 against Kieko Vantaa , might be blast over final to. Not sure format but in Liiga last two Pelicans Lahti (harder nutt) or Mikkelin Jukurit (baby nutt) are easy oponets IMO
Rare case Kärpöt Oulu did not reach play off zone

Sweden
Hockeyallsvenskan (tier 2)
like I said due big historical names its good to watch specially play offs
Not sure what 4 teams be in play ot from tier 3

Quarters (winner goes to SHL)
Djurgården leading series against Mora 1-0 , might be easy walk

BIK Karlskoga 1- Oskarshamn
Might be tight match series

Södertälje SK vs Kalmar
Hmm Kalmar ha sno traditions, so even SSK in last 20 years well no comments why PM if you want to know

AIK - Björklöven
Damn unjustrice
Due stupid leadership and Umeå case its student town, mo big strong local fan base and investors dont invest much

DIF, AIK, SSK, Björklöven are historic names

SHL Tier 1
Regular season was weird, not so many teams did play stabil and a lot of turns, later it stabilized.
Leksands saved ass but I hope MoDo does it. they cam up last year, even Ördskondvik has traditions, but small Peter Forsberg one of Swedish legends. Markus Näslund, Daniel and twin bro Herik Sedins, no need introdution. Sad it happened whit it, sometimes I want Sweden go Finnish way close leage for legendary clubs, let relegate south Swedish teams

1/8 finals to 2 wins

Rögle BK 1-2 Malmö
Växjö Lakers 1-1 Örebro

1/4 finals you need 4 wins in series

Brynäs - Malmö
After come back 2 years team show their force, even 60's wibes here, I might predict Malmö best can do one win

Luleå - Växjö Lakers/Örebro HK winner
Luleå did well in end, but somehow I have seen they collapse in end, Here I think they take series 4-2

Frölunda - Timrå
Not interesting to me, I hope Timrå does it

Färjestad - Skellefteå
10 years ago it was final, now non of them has so good, but still to me maybe most interesting series what might go to seven games


Play Out
MoDo 4-2 HV71 In game
Same in series must be 4 wins
Good MoDo tock this one and has home game atvatage I think in last 7th game, but to take this they need win one or best 2 away games for safty
Hard one but I hope

Hockeyallsvenska will have super final AIK vs Djurgården and no away fans be allowed to this series , best of 7. Due safety reasons, police decide do it. I have seen pyro riots years ago, but this is supper final winner goes to Swedish hockey elite

I am surprised that AIK 4-3 Björklöven , they did in 7 games, one. in quarter
Same Djurgården 4-3 Södertälje. DIF struggled , all games winning team scored a lot of goals and last game went to OT

Now we have supper final. I will enjoy it. No offense its better as Brynäs vs Luleå 3-2 atm un series against Frölunda. Luleå can go to final tonight if they wins in Göteborg.
They smashed 5-1 then at home in last game and game begore on 3th overtime. NHL style
Sorry even Swedish top level, final yes, but I still prefer AIK-DIF
Damn I wish Hammarby fix hockey section, shut down all women sports in no money.

Frölunda 0-2 Luleå in series 2-4

FINAL
Brynäs - Luleå

Interesting, can Luleå get rid of curse and win after 1997 season?
I think there will be 6 games

Brynäs plus
Has good team and traditions, winner mentality
After return they reach final, its mentally good for team
Home ice advantage in we need 7 games
Players has rest after semi against Skellefteå

Minus
Can line up be long enough
Can they win away games

Luleå
Plus
Has one ace, players feel they are like rolling engine whit new oil
Has won hard away games even in 3th OT
Has good team whit Joel Lassinantti, Linus Omark what are Luleå legends and has been in team long time
Want prove them selves

Minus
Winning mentality, has not won since 1997 and only 3 finals after 1998 and few years ago,
Its play off, sometimes dont take and won games what are already one at home
Sometimes gives up after loosing some pucks

Final
Brynäs 2-1 Luleå 2X OT (1-0 in series)
Damn I was afraid of it . not its mandatory win at home


Final
Djurgården 4-2 AIK
DIF simply show iron grip and motivation and more energy and willing to win

Djurgården 5-4 OT AIK
AIK was leading 4-1 and simply lost a grip and lost the game its simply in play off nobody dony forgive it
AIK has maybe well American Scott Pooley and Canadian Gerry Fitzgerald, not even known names to not hockey people, rest are swedes and not known names unless yuoure Niklas Wikegård

DIF has Mattias Hävelid Norwegian Max Krogdahl, Dick Axelsson (no not that one , other one) , better Canadians and Marcus Krüger what has played best games in Chicago Blackhawks, and Carolina Hurricanes and Zurich Lions and 41 years old Norvegian veteran Patrick Thoresen and Linus Klasen what once played in Luleå also 2 seasons Nashville Predators and Lugano, those are key players. Better rooster whit big names. Same like in 1997 AIK had Czceh super line up Libor Procházka, Pavel Patera and Otakar Vejvoda. bit they did not won.
Those last 2 players are key factors why DIF will win this series

AIK 4-3 OT Djurgården
It was 2-0 then AIK get 5 minutes power play and they scored, and guess what DIF , Markis Kruger scored while killing penalty, I thought its end, but AIK show they hare dogs and bite in the ass and did it. Now its 2-1 otherwise if they would lose it would be 3-0 and its hard win series, 3-1 yes , not 3-0 . Has happened but not often.
Anyway Marcus Krüger and Patrick Thoresen will return Djurgården to Swedish hockey elite

Djurgårdens 5-0 AIK (3-1 series)
Hard fiscal game. Patrik Thuresen and Linus Klasen was key players, a lot of roughing. Now DIF can do after few days in ''home'' arena whit home croud. They share Hovet and no away fans.
I believe it will be heavy fight, AIK has np way back.

Damn Luleå, Skellefteå, Björklöven, MoDo, Timrrå, AIK, Djurgården, Hammarby shod be ion a elite and then close the leuage as Finns did it and open because Jokkerit Helsinki will come back, but they lost 4-1 to Pelicans Lahti. I beleieve if they come up, they will close the leuage.

Djurgårdens 4-1 AIK in series
DIF is returning to Swedish hockey elite
Marcus Krüger, Patrik Thuresen and Linus Klasen did it
DIF won in not easy but they won whit fight, last 2 games 4 goals diference

What next, I believe AIK will keep main players, might start not so good, but I think they and Björklöven will be in final. AIK will be hungry and fans demanding.
Björklöven might do it, good line up, play together might make it this time.
MoDo after relegation they wont have all players, might get some ok and youth, I believe it take 2 years for them to build up a team. Even Forsberg is pissed, but why live in Zug, Suisse, why not at home town? Money and players numbers, can be issue. Need build and use local talants, they did it once, why not, but after 2-3 years, not next one.
Södertälje are 4th potential what can win , but depends.
Mora can bite ass, rest is outsiders .

Again interesting season there will be.

2 derbies AIK-SSK
MoDo - Björklöven


Brynäs 2-6 Luleå 2-3 series
I see Luleå win whit a lot of goals, but they play one game good, one bad, they could win last game at home, but no. Now they have home chance win this one at 1th of may
Itys be hard but one game they win, one loose, so but somehow Thomas "Bulan" Berglund who all time played in Luleå, yes in Piteå as well as youngster, but he was in line up when they won first n only gold. He and Stefan ”Skuggan” Nilsson are like legends what played in Luleå (he in few seasons in Austria, one in Suisse)
Well we will see, but like I told if Bulan find way how change they mind and win two final play off games in a row. They did it in quarter aganst Växjö and semi aganst Frölunda, but semi was so close to loose. Now its time. this is time for Luleå

So Luleå won their second gold after 29 years.
I predicted 6 games, they won Brynäs in 4-2 series
Both final 2 home games 6-2, 5-2
Good important wins in Gävle as well

So 1996 was last time against Västra Frölunda 3-1 in series

Finals
1993 lost against Brynäs , yeah ravenge
1997 lost against Färjestad
2013 4-0 against Skellefteå (they were in ace that time won few tittles in a row )
2022 - 3-4 lost against Färjestad (I remember it was like how to put weird, because Färjestad show same game as in period they won few in a row)

what next?
I believe there are two scenario Luleå in final and wins gold if weaker ranked team are, or they dont enter play of zone
No relegation, I dont think so (even Brynäs went out, HV71 as well for one season. But well AIK, Djurgården, struggles, Björklövens struggles come up. What more Leksands has a lot of time. Skellefteå went out in 80's took 20 years .

Luleå lost almost all defenders , center forwards are ok, 2 wingers out. 3 new players and 2 from Finland has sign contact
We will see how it goes, I believe HV71, Linköping or Leksands will go out, but I hope Malmö

This friday Hockey WC will start in Sweden/Denmark
It will be interesting

Marc-André Fleury bids final farewell to NHL after 22 seasons
https://www.nhl.com/news/marc-andre-fleury-bids-final-farewell-to-minnesota-wild

almost all career in NHL in Pittsburg Penguins , then 4 years in Vegas Golden Knights, one in Chicago Blackhawks and last 4 seasons in Minnesota Wild
One of legends retiring


2025 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships

Gosh Dib 4,3,2 are jokes, sorry and even Div 1 B group Lietuva was promoted. but Div 1 A , Romania relegated whit horrible game, quastion is what they do there?
Anyway UK and Italy was promoted to next years top level. BTW this years Edition srarts on this Friday in Stockholm and Herring in Denmark

Sweden has gather all star game almost all NHL players , maybe best Europeain team on paper. I have not seen Finland's roosters yet

Group A Stockholm
I will put as I think how it ends, 1-4 goes to quarter, last place relegated to Div 1 Group A

Finland, Sweden, Canada, Latvia / Slovakia, France, Austria / Slovenia

Group B Herring
Cz, Suisse, USA, Denmark / Germany, Norway, Kazakhstan / Hungary

All almost all games are on channels as I have, so I will watch

From organizing last WC in Sweden was disaster, now better, but we don't see much interest in Stockholm, maybe Malmö or Göteborg would be better but those are football towns, so no. Stockholm is Djurgården, AIK N Hammarby town, no national team. Latvians are best fans, sad. Last in Praha n Ostrava was better.
Hockey towns in north has max 6000 arenas to little.
Get away your club pride when national team play.

Game quality is goid, fast rapid, skating hockey whit fast moves and atractive, fusical game.
Canada, Sweden and USA has all star game. Suisse good line up. Finland has not so many NHL players, ceks to. All Slovakians from NHL rejected.

Sweden well in Europe training camp starts Ealy 6 weeks whit looking closer reserves, but swe has only 3 or 4 from hone leuge, rest came direct
Games against Slovakia was well good offense, bad defense and well all attacks, controlling puck, but last combination was blooper but still they won. Non want skare back to defense. That's why almost Austria won. I hope is woke up call and remember Olympics is close.


Latvia vs France is best come back in hdtv I have seen whit Latvia after eliminate at home Belarus to Torino qualifications. 4 to 1 down and in kast 5 they won.
Now 4 to 1 and 2 empty net goals, awesome game.

William Eklund caught a skate to the wrist/hand area in a friendly game against Czechia

Maybe best WC I have seem . I would say so while big teams had own game to fix place between 1-4 , outsiders put damn awesome game to prove they are not outsiders , bite hard to big teams and in miracle way get in quarter

I would add Austria awesome game, Can, USA, Swe has 97% of best players, and Olympics are ahead.

Slovenia should somehow have team and re open ex Jugo league whit out ultras or put 4 teams what plays in Austria or Alpine leuage
Slovak as in CSSR days should re unite league as before because they struggles. Why Latvia and Estonia can have United basket, handball and volley league and Baltic hockey leakage. Because they have no stupid ultras, but normal fans. United and later national play offs works just fine
Norway and Denmark should unite championships. France has good league, good finances, wide geography even foreigner players plays there. Why UK cxan have one chanpinship, not splut as football, it works better.

United Rugby Championship
Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and SA can not have 10-12 good rugby professional teams that's why they unite it
Same Super Rugby, NZ and Aus they unite it
For hockey such thing would make better .

Group A
Canada, Sweden, Finland, Austria / Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia / France
Good groip my fav, maybe best so far ever
Slovak NHL players rejected, who knows maybe they hate Fico? They like 10-15 years are not top 8 team, I would say they struggles, Den, Nor, UK, Fra are high above in progress atm
Austria surprised me big time and kicked Latvia in last game. Latvia is not stabil top 8 team, but normal year they would be in quarter. They had tio many US student league players but in last game north American few stars arrived but it was not enough, Austria supposed me.

Group B
Suisse, USA, Cz, Denmark / Germany, Norway, Hungary / Kazakstan


Same even weaker big teams and better weak teams and likie I said they had own battle to fight

Quarter
Canada vs Danmark
Canada should travel from Stockholm to Henning but NHL men are use to travel across the N America and so its not a problem

Suisse vs Austria
To be honest Austria has nothing to loose if they play as they do and get goal whit contra, Suisse can struggle, because Austria has reach a point what they wont reach in 15 years and Suisse supose be in semi

Sweden - Cz
Can Swedish NHL stars brake Cz machine, kotor and defense and old hard school of hockey what they practice as Italians football, good defense, fast, rapid skaters and fats contra attack whit good should. Swe defense are good, but center forwards even wingers should come back rapidly. Sweden has same school and style to play but NHL players well they even dont forget it but can all stars follow it? I am afraid

USA - Finland
Finland are hard nut, but USA never wins gold, but NHL players, I say same as Swe style playing, but this time Fin has no so good masters what practice that game. I say USA