How did they decide Olympic rankings?

[octopi]

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/1/6/7/5/0/index1.shtml

Didn't Russia win bronze last Olympics? Why are their first two games against Sweden and Slovakia, serious medal contenders when all the other "Big6-7" teams get at least one easy team(Canada gets Swiss and Italy as first two games)

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[jekoh]

How did they decide Olympic rankings?

The seeding is based on the IIHF rankings. Russia is 7th.

Why are their first two games against Sweden and Slovakia, serious medal contenders when all the other "Big6-7" teams get at least one easy team(Canada gets Swiss and Italy as first two games)

Why not ?

 

[Gozer]

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/1/6/7/5/0/index1.shtml

Didn't Russia win bronze last Olympics? Why are their first two games against Sweden and Slovakia, serious medal contenders when all the other "Big6-7" teams get at least one easy team(Canada gets Swiss and Italy as first two games)

And why would it be better to start off against harder teams? You are still going to play them anyhow.

 

[GKJ]

And why would it be better to start off against harder teams? You are still going to play them anyhow.

Well the Americans' 2 Cupcake games are the first 2. I'd rather it spread out