The world championships of hockey are underway right now. Sweden are the current Olympic and World champions, but Russia look strong too and you can never discount Canada, who despite winning by narrow margins against poor teams so far still top their qualifying group.

These are the current standings (as of May 4th):

Qualifying group 1

1. Sweden
2. Russia
3. Finland
4. Switzerland
-----
5. Italy
6. Denmark

Qualifying group 2

1. Canada
2. Czech Republic
3. USA
4. Slovakia
-----
5. Germany
6. Belarus

Any bets on which teams will finish as the top 3?

all the talk here has been on the politics of choosing our team captain

really? you don't think we are playing very well?




you just want to start something

emm said:

Well, I just don't think their results are glowing so far:

Canada 3-2 Germany
Canada 5-4 Slovakia
Canada 4-2 Norway
Canada 6-3 Belarus

...but they keep on winning, and that's all you need to take the title. We'll see...

So which teams do you think will finish as the top 3 and in what order?

Missed the game against Norway edit
[Edited 5/4/07 11:05am]

Sweden has only played crappy - half crappy teams so far. Here are their results:

Sweden 7-1 Italy
Sweden 8-2 Latvia
Sweden 6-0 Switzerland
Sweden 5-2 Denmark

At least they keep scoring plenty of goals, whoch bodes well for the rest of the tournament.

The Americans are doing quite well too. They've only lost one game and that was against a strong nation.

USA 6-2 Austria
USA 5-1 Belarus
USA 3-4 Czech Republic
USA 4-2 Slovakia

Are our Phoenix Coyotes doing o.k.? They come see our Pediatric patients all the time. They seem like nice guys.

Freespirit said:

Um, I think you're looking for the Stanley Cup thread. This is about whole countries competing against each other.

No really, I don't know what I'm talking about. I was just trying to start conversation with you.

Freespirit said:

Sorry, I'm a bit slow when I'm in hockey mode.

I think it's great when famous athletes go and see their young fans. For them it must be like meeting Superman or something, and if they get an autograph they'll be able to brag about it the rest of the year. Lots of reward for very little effort on the athletes' part.

.

retina said:

Word, my friend.

retina said:

I Hockey

For those who are interested, here are the World Champions the last 20 years:

2006 Sweden
2005 Czech Republic
2004 Canada
2003 Canada
2002 Slovakia
2001 Czech Republic
2000 Czech Republic
1999 Czech Republic
1998 Sweden
1997 Canada
1996 Czech Republic
1995 Finland
1994 Canada
1993 Russia
1992 Sweden
1991 Sweden
1990 USSR
1989 USSR
1987 Sweden

GO Canada!

Heja Sverige!!!

canada vs sweden in the final
so retina and i can growl and bear our teeth to each other
and get all nationalistic

then and makeup later

fins and czechs duke it out for bronze.

emm said:

That would be the dream final.

I'm not so sure yet that Sweden will make it there though. They've mostly just played mediocre teams and have yet to prove themselves in this tournament. Finland and Russia are up next so that will be a real test.

Canada have not been impressive either, but I wouldn't be surprised if I saw them in the final anyway.

I agree that Finland will make it to the semifinal at least, but I think the Czechs will fall short this time.

A real dark horse contender for the title is the USA. Even though they haven't won the gold since 1960, they might still have a chance this time.

.
[Edited 5/5/07 13:37pm]

Today's results:

Sweden 1-0 Finland

Czech Republic 3-4 Canada

Russia 6-3 Switzerland

Slovakia 4-3 Belarus

Who would have thought the Slovaks would have such great difficulty with Belarus?

Sweden got a win over Finland despite not playing very well. The Finns were playing as if their lives depended on it, as always when they play against their arch rivals and neighbours.

Oops, sorry, apparently Canada scored and won on overtime making it 4-3 instead of 3-3 edit.
[Edited 5/6/07 12:27pm]

retina said:

those overtime losses really suck though. poor czechs

Hopefully Ovetjkin (or Ovechkin if you're in North America and can't spell it properly ) will be suspended for the attack on an opposing player in today's game, then he won't be playing against us.

Belarus is a nightmare though I cringe every time we play them.

Teacher said:

I want a nice little sweden shirt for max. where can I get one? I like the tre kronor design



or with crowns all over it?



(though max is not a baby any more )

Anywhere on Drottninggatan, all those tourist trap stores But feel free, you ARE a tourist after all

Teacher said:

my eldest 2 got argentina shirts yesterday, and my mother in law FORGOT to get max one

so I am going to have my revenge on them all

Okay, so now we know what the quarter finals will be:

Sweden Vs. Slovakia

Canada Vs. Switzerland

Russia Vs. Czech Republic

USA Vs. Finland

My guess is that the winners of these games will be Canada and Russia comfortably and Sweden and the USA by narrow margins.

.

retina said:

I agree.

So, I had to take Snooze out for a bike ride before Russia v. Czech Republ ended, did Russia win as expected?

So, we get to beat up Canada in the semi

So far Suomi v. US is really tight, Russia had no probs with the Czechs as expected.

As a Minnesotan, I should probably care.

But I don't.

CarrieMpls said:

Carrie j/k

Teacher said:

Finland beat the US after penalty shots