WJC: Next year's groups

[Muuri]

If I recall right they are determined like this

Group A: 1,4,5,8,9

Group B: 2,3,6,7, winner of Division 1A

which would make next year groups look like:

A: Sweden/USA, Russia/Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany
B: Sweden/USA, Russia/Canada, Switzerland, Finland, Norway

However 8 team quaterfinals are back next year, so they're might be changes.

[dmacgreg37]

Was just coming here to post this.

I honestly think that with the 8-team QF set-up, you're MUCH better to play the stronger group. There's no point in playing 3 easy-ish RR games and 1 difficult game, to end up first and be playing a strong 4th place team.

Challenge yourself for 2 or 3 tough games, play your easy 1 or 2 games and then go into the QF, possibly against a bit lesser opponent.


At this point, group B looks more difficult to me, although with graduations, I can't say I know enough about these teams for next year. Just general opinion would be that normally Fin>Cze, SWI>SVK, NOR<=GER

Also, group B would mean we win Bronze, so that's what I'm hoping for.

[Gaps]

I hope Sweden loses and Canada wins tomorrow, because I'd rather have Finland face them in the preliminary round than in the QFs.

[Ville231]

Originally Posted by Gaps

I hope Sweden loses and Canada wins tomorrow, because I'd rather have Finland face them in the preliminary round than in the QFs.

Assuming that we get to the QFs

[dmacgreg37]

Originally Posted by Ville231

Assuming that we get to the QFs

Imagine the backlash at home if you lost to Norway and had to face Germany in a best-of-3 relegation series. Yikes.

I hope for Sweden and Canada wins, leaving us with

Sweden, Russia, Czech, Slovakia, Germany

USA, Canada, Switz, Finland, Norway

Would be interesting groups, would get Canada/USA and Sweden/Russia on NYE which would be nice.

[Gnawer]

Those who ending up in Sweden's group will play in the 13000 seater Malmö Arena And the other group will play in the 5000 seater Malmö Isstadion

[AwesomePanthers]

Norway is in Germanys position next year. All tough teams..

Hope we can meet Sweden, so that means my Swedish brethren must lose tonight..

[Gaps]

Originally Posted by Ville231

Assuming that we get to the QFs

If we can't beat Norway, then we should just stop playing hockey altogether.

[Gnawer]

So:

A: USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany
B: Sweden, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Norway

[Whitesnake]

So strangely, the group A has the disadvantage to play in an easier group 'cause even if you finish unbeaten, you have the chance, as the #1, to be eliminated by the Swiss or Finland in QF.

[LubluXokkei]

Group B is more even. And all are european countries..((

[JAS 39 Gripen]

aoooo looks like Finland will be in the relegation round next year aswell

[Jeez]

Originally Posted by JAS 39 Gripen

aoooo looks like Finland will be in the relegation round next year aswell

A new format will be implemented for the Top Division. The four best ranked teams from each group of the preliminary round will advance to the quarterfinals, while the last placed teams from each group will play a relegation round in a best of three format to determine the relegated team.

[Wasted Talent]

Originally Posted by JAS 39 Gripen

aoooo looks like Finland will be in the relegation round next year aswell

Since it will be 8 teams in QFs next year, that would be a huge upset.

[FinRuutu]

Originally Posted by JAS 39 Gripen

aoooo looks like Finland will be in the relegation round next year aswell

Actually if history repeats it self Finland wins gold

[Small Brain Presence]

There is no chance of 12 teams in the A Pool next year or subsequent years? 80% in the playoffs makes the CFL look stringent.

[timekeep]

Originally Posted by Small Brain Presence

There is no chance of 12 teams in the A Pool next year or subsequent years? 80% in the playoffs makes the CFL look stringent.

this is a joke, makes the prelim games more meaningless. Only advantage is no bye and Canada has been hurt by not having another game to jell with the bye. I would like to see them go to the system that curling uses.

1 vs 2
3 vs 4
loser of 1-2 plays winner of 3-4 and then winner of this game plays winner of 1-2 game.

For WJCs it could be
A1 vs B1
A2 vs B2
loser of A1 vs B1 plays winner of A2 vs B2 and then winner of this game plays winner of A1 vs B1 game. Really rewards the prelims games.

[PensBeerGeek]

What kinds of North American start times are we looking at for games next year?

[GrigsAndGirgs]

So...NYE USA/Canada showdown? Nice....