News

Sweden is World Champion once again, claiming its second successive gold medal after a shoot-out win against surprise package Switzerland. Neftekhimik’s Dennis Everberg collected his second World triumph as part of the Swedish roster, while game-winning goalie Anders Nilsson is familiar to fans of Ak Bars after he helped them to the 2015 Gagarin Cup Final. Nilsson’s back-up, Magnus Hellberg, is another KHL representative, currently at Kunlun Red Star. Earlier in the day, Team USA claimed bronze with a 4-1 win over Canada.

An eventful pair of semi-final games saw defending champion Sweden power past the USA with a 6-0 scoreline. Then Switzerland shocked Canada with a 3-2 victory to set up a repeat of the 2013 World Championship final.

World Championship quarter-final day brought battling defeats for Russia and Latvia in Copenhagen. The Russians went down to Canada in overtime, while Latvia pushed defending champion Sweden all the way before losing 2-3. In Herning, the USA defeated the Czech Republic 3-2 and Switzerland shocked Finland by the same scoreline.

The big clash is ON! Russia will face Canada in Thursday’s World Championship quarter-final after finishing second in Group A behind Sweden. A 1-3 loss to the Swedes on Tuesday night set up the Trans-Atlantic classic. Latvia also had plenty to cheer after a 1-0 victory over Denmark saw the Baltic State pip the host nation to a place in the QF.

Nikita Gusev got his first goal of this year’s World Championship to help Russia beat Slovakia 4-0 and maintain its hopes of securing top spot in Group A. In Group B, meanwhile, Latvia took Canada to overtime as it warmed up for a showdown with Denmark to determine who will claim the remaining quarter-final berth.

It was a quiet day for Russia – and for Czech goalie David Rittich – but there were goals aplenty elsewhere as the group phase of the World Championship nears its end.

Nikita Gusev returned to action with two assists as Russia earned a tight 4-3 win over Switzerland, but it was a disastrous day for Belarus as a 0-4 loss to Austria saw the country drop out of the Elite Pool for the first time since 2003. In Herning, Eeli Tolvanen had a goal and an assist as Finland shocked Canada with a 5-1 victory.

The final roster places are being filled, and two stars of the KHL season are about to appear in this year’s World Championship for the first time. SKA’s Nikita Gusev is ready to play for Russia, while former Jokerit star Eeli Tolvanen is heading over the Atlantic to join Finland. Belarus would love to fly in some top-class talent of its own: Friday’s 0-3 loss against the Czechs means the team’s survival hopes hang on a Saturday showdown against Austria.

Russia went down to its first defeat of the World Championship after a Boston blast led the Czech Republic to an overtime win. Elsewhere, Latvia took team USA all the way before going down in overtime. Connor McDavid’s hat-trick for Canada paced a 5-0 victory over Norway and Slovakia beat France 3-1.

After three shut-out victories against the World Championship outsiders, Russia’s task gets tougher on Thursday when it faces the Czech Republic. Next season’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk head coach runs the rule over that game, while Belarus continues to struggle despite switching its staff mid-tournament.

For the third time in four days, Russia powered to a convincing shut-out victory. Belarus was the latest victim, going down 6-0. But more challenging days lie ahead, with captain Pavel Datsyuk anticipating a tougher task on Thursday when the Czech Republic provides the opposition.

Russia got a boost with news that Nikita Gusev is now in Denmark with the national team while Belarus desperately needs some encouragement after a second heavy defeat. Elsewhere, Latvia and Finland started with victories, Slovakia suffered a heartbreaking late loss against the Czechs and Team USA overpowered Denmark.

Day one of the 2018 IIHF World Championship saw a comfortable 7-0 victory for Russia against France before defending champion Sweden made an impressive start in a 5-0 win over Belarus. In Group B, both games went to shoot-outs before the USA defeated Canada and host nation Denmark edged Olympic finalist Germany.