Groups 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

[Heia Norge]

News released from IIHF today:

Groups 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship:

Group A
(in St. Petersburg)
Canada (1)
Finland (4)
USA (5)
Slovakia (8)
Belarus (9)
France (12)
Germany (13)
Hungary (19)

Group B
(in Moscow)
Russia (2)
Sweden (3)
Czech Rep. (6)
Switzerland (7)
Latvia (10)
Norway (11)
Denmark (15)
Kazakhstan (17)


Germany and France are set to host the IIHF WC 2017, so that means Germany and France can’t be relegated next year. Looks like Hungary are already doomed before the tournament even begins LoL

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[Sanderson]

Germany and France are set to host the IIHF WC 2017, so that means Germany and France can’t be relegated next year. Looks like Hungary are already doomed before the tournament even begins LoL

Technically, only the main host (Germany) is completely protected from relegation. If Germany doesn't finish last in the group, and thus qualifies for the 2017 tournament, the host-protection jumps over to France.

I'm not quite sure how things are handled if Germany ends up in last place with France second to last. At that point, Germany would be protected from relegation because they are the main host of the next tournament, thus sending the second to last team down, which could mean that France gets relegated.

In other words: Germany cannot get relegated. France cannot get relegated as long as Germany doesn't finish last, with the possibility of France going down if they finish 7th while Germany finishes 8th.

 

[Stats01]

Canada vs. Czech's or Swiss in the QF bring it on!

 

[Back in Black]

Canada vs. Czech's or Swiss in the QF bring it on!

I was actually disappointed with Canada's round robin competition. I would rather see Canada play Russia, USA, Sweden & the Czechs, instead of teams like France, Belarus, Germany....

10-0 games are a joke!

 

[varsaku]

I was actually disappointed with Canada's round robin competition. I would rather see Canada play Russia, USA, Sweden & the Czechs, instead of teams like France, Belarus, Germany....

10-0 games are a joke!

France beat us last year and nearly did this year also.

 

[Stats01]

I was actually disappointed with Canada's round robin competition. I would rather see Canada play Russia, USA, Sweden & the Czechs, instead of teams like France, Belarus, Germany....

10-0 games are a joke!

well there are only 7-8 competitive hockey nations so you're just going to have to accept some games being lopsided. Part of the tournament is having countries like Belarus, Latvia etc. Even in the other group there are teams we would beat 10-0, it's normal.

 

[swissexpert]

I was actually disappointed with Canada's round robin competition. I would rather see Canada play Russia, USA, Sweden & the Czechs, instead of teams like France, Belarus, Germany....

10-0 games are a joke!

1. so place all good teams in group one so czech rep rep., finland to miss quarters while belarus fighting hungary and germany in group 2 with 4 of them to qualify? So you get your lopsided results in the K.O. Stage, not really better.
2. Don't act like Canada always goes 10-0 against weaker opponents, they've had their struggles more than once every year.
Need a few more dominating years like this before the "every team outside top 4 is no competition and a disgrace to play against"-statements.

 

[tony d]

Going to be nice to see Hungary compete, be interesting to see how they do.

 

[swissexpert]

Going to be nice to see Hungary compete, be interesting to see how they do.

Definitely, they made huge steps during the last few years! Also, nice additional fanbase for World's Hockey!

 

[xxxx]

With World Cup on the line, I think Canada could very well bring another strong roster next year.

 

[Back in Black]

Don't act like Canada always goes 10-0 against weaker opponents, they've had their struggles more than once every year.

True, and I hate seeing Canada win those 10-0 games and then lose in the quarter final. False sense of us playing well, then lose easy!

 

[Past Considerations]

I don't like how IIHF how ignores their own damn rankings for the sake of filling arenas. There was apparently same decision even before the groups were finalized that Finland is going to play in St Petersburg (geographically closer to Finland) and same thing with Slovakia & Ostrava in this year's tournament. Also at least in 2013 Czech and Russia just swapped places. Just draw rest of the teams from lottery pools then.

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

This has to be one of the best travel destinations.

With Germany and France lots of sightseeing to do during the day then go to games at night or whenever.

 

[Jets4Life]

Going to be nice to see Hungary compete, be interesting to see how they do.

My guess would be -0-7-0, relegated to Division I A.

 

[Master Radishes]

I was actually disappointed with Canada's round robin competition. I would rather see Canada play Russia, USA, Sweden & the Czechs, instead of teams like France, Belarus, Germany....

10-0 games are a joke!

Well, I'd rather see hockey develop into a sport that has more than just 8 competitive countries. You can't do that unless you give second-tier countries a chance to compete at the top level too.

I don't mind "suffering" a 10-0 blowout here and there if it means long-term development for a smaller hockey nation like France, Belarus, Austria, Latvia, etc.

Don't forget, just a few years ago Switzerland was one of those countries too. Now they are on par with Slovakia, where they can compete with the top teams and occasionally beat them. They may not be a top-6 nation yet, but they are improving every year, and the Swiss league is a legitimate place for players to play.

The more exposure Belarus, Latvia, and other countries get at the top level, the better for the sport. It will give their players experience and grow their fan base bit by bit.

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

When playing against a top team like Canada why not just say Canada must play with one skater less? This would only apply to teams ranked 10 and lower.

For example, Canada just beat Germany 10-0. If you played the entire game with Germany having a 5 on 4 advantage the score would have been a lot closer.

 

[Pominville Knows]

When playing against a top team like Canada why not just say Canada must play with one skater less? This would only apply to teams ranked 10 and lower.

For example, Canada just beat Germany 10-0. If you played the entire game with Germany having a 5 on 4 advantage the score would have been a lot closer.

They could do it volontarily to get the "sense of competition".

However, they would regret it.

 

[GKJ]

well there are only 7-8 competitive hockey nations so you're just going to have to accept some games being lopsided. Part of the tournament is having countries like Belarus, Latvia etc. Even in the other group there are teams we would beat 10-0, it's normal.

Can't beat them if you don't play them.

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

They could do it volontarily to get the "sense of competition".

However, they would regret it.

You mean Canada would regret it?? I doubt that.

I bet Canada would have beaten Germany even if they were shorthanded the entire game but it would've been a lot closer.

 

[Urbanskog]

When playing against a top team like Canada why not just say Canada must play with one skater less? This would only apply to teams ranked 10 and lower.

For example, Canada just beat Germany 10-0. If you played the entire game with Germany having a 5 on 4 advantage the score would have been a lot closer.

Sometimes I'm not sure if you're serious or not.

 

[Back in Black]

Well, I'd rather see hockey develop into a sport that has more than just 8 competitive countries. You can't do that unless you give second-tier countries a chance to compete at the top level too.

I'm all for other Countries competing, that's basically what I'm saying. I don't want to see Canada beat a Team 10-0!

I want to see Canada work hard against top teams to get to the medals rounds, not a cake walk.

 

[BladesofSTEELwFIRE]

Sometimes I'm not sure if you're serious or not.

What do you think would have happened 2 weeks ago if Canada played the entire game against Germany down a man?

 

[joe89]

I'm all for other Countries competing, that's basically what I'm saying. I don't want to see Canada beat a Team 10-0!

I want to see Canada work hard against top teams to get to the medals rounds, not a cake walk.

You have one great tournament in too fresh memory.

 

[Back in Black]

No, actually you go back 10 years regarding the worlds, and we always do well in the round robin only to be sent home in the quarter finals.

I want to play the good teams early!

 

[Past Considerations]

When playing against a top team like Canada why not just say Canada must play with one skater less? This would only apply to teams ranked 10 and lower.

For example, Canada just beat Germany 10-0. If you played the entire game with Germany having a 5 on 4 advantage the score would have been a lot closer.

Yay, awesome gimmicks. Exactly what hockey needs. Maybe we can try those in the upcoming World Cup of Jokes.