2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

[nofuxCZ]

Any fans of ice hockey here?
Only 4 days left before the puck drop for this year's Ice Hockey World Championship in Helsinki and Stockholm.
New format will be introduced this year, 16 teams will play in two preliminary round groups with eight teams in each. The top four teams in each preliminary round group will advance to the quarterfinals. The teams that finish last in each group will be relegated to Division I.

Group S (Stockholm):
Russia
Sweden
Czech Republic
Germany
Norway
Latvia
Denmark
Italy

Group H (Helsinki):
Finland
Canada
USA
Switzerland
Slovakia
Belarus
France
Kazakhstan

Game schedule http://www.iihf.com/channels-12/iihf-world-championship-wc12/home/tournament-info/game-schedule.html
Results of recent pre-tournament ebition games http://www.iihf.com/channels-12/iihf-world-championship-wc12/home/exhibition-games.html

 

[aletem]

I don't like this new system with 8 teams in a group. Group S seems a lot easier than group H.

I am cheering for Canada and Finland of-course! As long as Sweden doesn't win.

 

[as78]

But I like the new system. Each team has guaranteed 7 games, there is no relegation round, where you could also get a pretty strong teams, game schedule for the whole group of the tournament is known, fans may be easier to schedule time.
I hope that Latvia will be able fight for access to 1/4F. Germany, Norway, Latvia and Denmark are quite similar teams and it will be a fierce battle for 4. place behind the favorites. Germany maybe a little stronger, but the game will show everything.
It seems that the new Latvian national team coach Ted Nolan is keen to do his job and has well-prepared team. I'm looking forward to the start of the championship.

 

[CPV4931]

I don´t like this new system.
Germany did well in the recent world Championships, so I hope we also can do well this year.

 

[Scooby]

I like new system, it's much more fair then old system, now we can enjoy in much more good games.

I'm cheering for Canada (just LOVE way how they play) and Slovakia (cause my idols Zdeno Hara and Branko Radivojević are in the team). My 3rd fav is Sweden (thanks to Zäta who is my favorite european player in NHL).

I think that both host nations have a very good teams and there will not be a big surprise if both countries play in big final. Finland can defend the title this year. It will be interesting to see what Russia, CZ and Slovakia can do this year. Germany and Switzerland can go very far this year. Italy and France are probably the weakest teams this year, and most probably new members of Division I in 2013.

My predictions in group stage:

Group Helsinki:
Finland, Canada and Slovakia are without any doubt in QF, and battle for 4th place will be very close, but I'll give advantage to Belarus this time. And in this group it will be sensation if France can manage to win at last one point.
1. Finland
2. Canada
3. Slovakia
4. Belarus
*************
5. USA
6. Switzerland
7. Kazakhstan
***************
8. France

Group Stockholm:
Top teams in this group are SWE, RUS and CZE and all others can fight for that 1 QF place. Norway is totally enigma in this group
1. Sweden
2. Czech Republic
3. Russia
4. Latvia or Germany
***********************
6. Norway
7. Denmark
*******************
8. Italy

 

[nofuxCZ]

I agree with your top 3 predictions in both groups, Scooby. I think that instead of Belarus, USA will advance to QF and that Germany is 4th qualifier in group S. I don't know, after last 2 years I kinda believe in their team and I root for them )

I'm really excited about this championship. Last year, I had my final exams in high school and I couldn't enjoy it that much, although I attended the bronze medal game between CZE and RUS even though it was day before my most important exam

 

[Canuck]

belarus qualifying to the quarterfinal round instead of the usa? impossible. xD

 

[Scooby]

I don't know why but I just don't believe in USA team on world champs and there is no top star players in their squad. They really care only for Olympics.

And anyone know anything about Danish and Norwegian teams

 

[Canuck]

Completely disagree, sorry .

Though I wouldn't call their team the best (I agree) - many of their players are instrumental to their team's successes in the NHL. I.E. Jimmy Howard (undoubtedly their starting goalie), Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny, Bobby Ryan, and Alex Goligoski.

I can't find the Belarussian roster anywhere, though. You know where I can find it?

 

[Scooby]

You can find all roosters @ official IIHF page: http://www.iihf.com/competition/272/homeiihf/camp-rosters.html

For Belarus:
Goalkeepers:
Vitali Koval, Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod (RUS)
Andrei Mezin, Dynamo Minsk
Dmitri Milchakov, Metallurg Zhlobin

Defencemen:
Andrei Antonov, Neman Grodno
Pavel Chernaok, Shakhtyor Soligorsk
Vladimir Denisov, Dynamo Minsk
Oleg Goroshko, Dynamo Minsk
Roman Graborenko, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Ilya Kaznadei, Metallurg Zhlobin
Dmitri Korobov, Dynamo Minsk
Viktor Kostyuchyonok, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (RUS)
Nikolai Stasenko, Severstal Cherepovets (RUS)

Forwards:
Sergei Drozd, Dynamo Minsk
Mikhail Grabovski, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Alexei Kalyuzhni, Avangard Omsk (RUS)
Alexander Kitarov, Dynamo Minsk
Andrei Kolosov, HK Gomel
Konstantin Koltsov, Salavat Yulayev Ufa (RUS)
Yevgeni Kovyrshin, Severstal Cherepovets (RUS)
Alexander Kulakov, Dynamo Minsk
Dmitri Meleshko, Dynamo Minsk
Andrei Mikhalyov, Dynamo Minsk
Andrei Stas, Dynamo Minsk
Andrei Stepanov, Amur Khabarovsk (RUS)
Alexei Ugarov, Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod (RUS)

Head Coach: Kari Heikkilä

 

[aletem]

I also don't think USA will miss out the 1/4-finals. Wishful thinking and it would be nice to see, but I don't think it will happen. I don't know if Ryan Miller is good as he was during the Olympics.
Canada will probably have the Macedonian Stamkos in their team!! If not, there is always Crosby and Staal...

I can see Latvia or Norway pulling a 4th place in group 1, instead of Germany. Latvia is more likely than Norway though.
As for Group 2, it is an open battle here. I think it will actually be a fight between Slovakia and Switzerland. Switzerland has surprised Canada few times in the past couple of years. Slovakia is a pretty firm team and I think they are better than Belarus. I think Finland is the likely candidate for the first place, since they are the host. But then again, anything can happen.
I agree that Italy and France will end last in their groups.

 

[Canuck]

I also don't think USA will miss out the 1/4-finals. Wishful thinking and it would be nice to see, but I don't think it will happen. I don't know if Ryan Miller is good as he was during the Olympics.
Canada will probably have the Macedonian Stamkos in their team!! If not, there is always Crosby and Staal...

I can see Latvia or Norway pulling a 4th place in group 1, instead of Germany. Latvia is more likely than Norway though.
As for Group 2, it is an open battle here. I think it will actually be a fight between Slovakia and Switzerland. Switzerland has surprised Canada few times in the past couple of years. Slovakia is a pretty firm team and I think they are better than Belarus. I think Finland is the likely candidate for the first place, since they are the host. But then again, anything can happen.
I agree that Italy and France will end last in their groups.

Unfortunately, Steven Stamkos, Eric Staal and Sidney Crosby already declined their invitations ;_;

 

[aletem]

Unfortunately, Steven Stamkos, Eric Staal and Sidney Crosby already declined their invitations ;_;

Whaaaaaaaaaaaattt????

 

[nofuxCZ]

Woohoo, Czech Repubic in the semifinals!
Czech fans watching CZE-SWE quarterfinal game at Old Town Square in Prague

Czechoslovak derby this saturday ahh, should be a good game!

 

[nofuxCZ]

Congratz Slovakia for making it into the final! Hope you will beat Russia tonight!
The atmosphere was great in the whole Czechoslovakia yesterday and even though we lost to Slovaks, I think every Czech will cheer for them in their gold medal game.
Celebrations in Bratislava .)) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGzOZrGDsNk

 

[Yuliya]

WE"RE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!

 

[nofuxCZ]

WE"RE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!

Congratulations! You were really unstoppable this year.
Slavic nations took all the medals

1 Russia
2 Slovakia
3 Czech Republic
4 Finland
5 Canada
6 Sweden
7 United States of America
8 Norway
9 France
10 Latvia
11 Switzerland
12 Germany
13 Denmark
14 Belarus
15 Italy
16 Kazakhstan

 

[Yuliya]

Congratulations! You were really unstoppable this year.
Slavic nations took all the medals

1 Russia
2 Slovakia
3 Czech Republic
4 Finland
5 Canada
6 Sweden
7 United States of America
8 Norway
9 France
10 Latvia
11 Switzerland
12 Germany
13 Denmark
14 Belarus
15 Italy
16 Kazakhstan

Thanks!! Congratulations to you with bronze medal!!

Russia celebrates

 

[CPV4931]

Congratulations to Russia :-)
I was a bit disappointed with the results of the German team.

 

[Den]

Viva European hockey. Congrats to Czech rep. and Slovakia, well done, Slavs!
And Malkin is a Hockey King!