On Sunday, May 21, 2017, the World Hockey Championships ended in Germany and France. The teams of Sweden and Canada met in the final match for the world championship title.
The match turned out to be tense and low-scoring. The Swedes opened the scoring at the end of the second period. Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman scored the accurate shot. The Canadians' response came quite quickly. At the very beginning of the third period, Ryan O'Reilly returned the score with a pass from Mitchell Marner. The rest of the period and the 20-minute overtime passed without any goals scored.
Everything was decided in the post-match shootout, where the Swedes were quicker. The winning shootout was scored by the Swedish forward of the Washington Capitals, Niklas Bäckström. Sweden wins gold medals at the World Hockey Championship for the tenth time in its history!
Final standings of the 2017 Ice Hockey World Cup teams
So, based on the results of the playoff matches of the World Hockey Championship, the teams were distributed in the final table of ranks as follows:
- Sweden
- Canada
- Russia
- Finland
- Switzerland
- Czech
- Germany
- France
- Latvia
- Norway
- Denmark
- Belarus
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Italy
The national teams of Slovenia and Italy were relegated from the elite division. Their place in the elite of world hockey for 2018 will be taken by the teams of South Korea and Austria.
Best players of the tournament
Top scorer - Artemy Panarin (Russia) 17 points.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) - William Nylander (Sweden)
Best Defender - Dennis Seidenberg (Germany)
Best goalkeeper - Andrey Vasilevsky (Russia)
Nikita Kucherov (left) and Artemy Panarin are bronze medalists at the 2017 World Hockey Championship. Photo: fhr.ru
Sweden is the world champion, Russia is again in third place
On the night from Sunday to Monday, the next World Hockey Championship ended. The Swedes defeated the Canadians in the final, Russia took the bronze medal. Let's summarize the results of the tournament.
All hope for the "Buffalo Generation"
Traditionally, the World Cup is not ranked among the best hockey players in the world. Overseas clubs prefer to take care of the health of their personnel and do not send their main stars to national teams. Our team regularly becomes an exception to the rule: every year during the tournament, players of the caliber of Ovechkin, Malkin and Datsyuk joined the team.
This year, none of the three listed leaders were on the team. Malkin is still fighting for the Stanley Cup, Ovechkin was injured during the playoffs, and Datsyuk, due to his age, is no longer in the same condition. That is why the burden of responsibility at this tournament fell on new stars of Russian hockey, who became famous after the legendary 2011 World Cup finals in Buffalo. Kucherov, Panarin, Namestnikov and Vasilevsky were on the roster before the start of the tournament, Kuznetsov and Orlov joined during the championship.
Dmitry Orlov (left) and Evgeny Kuznetsov joined the Russian team
Photo: fhr.ru
The team also included KHL stars: the St. Petersburg troika Dadonov-Shipachev-Gusev, the unyielding Moscow army players Telegin and Andronov, as well as the leader of Magnitogorsk Metallurg and captain of the national team Sergei Mozyakin. It was the latter’s injury before the start of the tournament that probably affected the team’s confidence in the decisive moments of the tournament. But more on that later.
Let's start for health
In the first match of the group stage, the team had to fight with the future champions - the Swedish national team. After a stubborn fight during the main time of the match in the shootout victory was won. This was followed by two defeats in games with Italy and Germany, 180 minutes without missing a goal and a defeat in a principled game with the US team in the final match of the group stage.
Russia – Denmark – 3:0. Russian goalkeeper Andrei Vasilevsky scored a goal
Photo: fhr.ru
At the end of the group stage, the team made a mixed impression. On the one hand, the guys took on the outsiders very confidently, and the attack looked especially powerful: 35 goals in 7 games- an impressive figure. On the other hand, the defeat in the match with the Americans deprived the team of leadership in the group, so before the 1/4 finals the team was expected to move to Paris and the Czech national team as an opponent.
Adventures in Paris
The price for the Americans' defeat was parting with the already familiar ice of German Cologne and the heat (in every sense) in Paris. There were some adventures: due to a 3-hour train delay and traditional Parisian traffic jams, the team got to training accompanied by police motorcycles and cars.
Unlike our guys, the opponents did not have to get used to the Parisian heat: the Czechs played all their group stage matches at the AccorHotels Arena. However, in the match itself, our team had the advantage. Despite fears of poor defensive performance after a poor performance against the USA, the team played to zero and confidently won with a score of 3:0. Another striking match was played by the star line Panarin-Kuznetsov-Kucherov, earning 5 scoring points between the three of them.
Russia – Czech Republic – 3:0. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Artemy Panarin
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
In a parallel game, Canada fought with the hosts of the tournament - the German national team. Despite the frivolous attitude towards the World Championship overseas, the resource of the “maple leaves” is so impressive that the Canadians came to the tournament not only as the reigning champions, but also as the main favorite of the tournament. Having passed the group stage without any problems, the young Canadian stars faced serious opposition in the quarter-finals. The Germans were close to a sensation, but in a bitter struggle they still lost to the “founders” of hockey with a score of 2:1. Thus, In the semi-finals, a hockey classic awaited us - Russia versus Canada.
Let's start with health. Version 2.0
In recent years, the Russian team has been experiencing serious problems in matches with the Canadians. A 3:7 defeat at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, 6:1 in Prague in the 2015 World Cup final, a fresh defeat in the World Cup semi-finals in Toronto. However, before the upcoming semi-final the opponents' chances were assessed as equal. Moreover, some Canadian stars had serious concerns about the result before the match. Matt Duchaine, for example, sensationally stated: “If we don’t make the transition from defense to attack, Russia will destroy us.” One way or another, a real battle awaited us.
Toronto. World Cup 2016. Canada – Russia – 5:3
Photo: REUTERS/John E. Sokolowski
In the first period, the teams looked more closely at each other, but visually The Russians were more likely to have the advantage. The show began in the second third of the match. It must be said that during the first half of the game the Russians played very disciplined, never retired (unlike their opponents) and in the end achieved an advantage. In the middle of the second period, our strongest line Panarin-Kuznetsov-Kucherov played a brilliant combination in the best traditions of domestic hockey, Kuznetsov scored again against the Canadians – 0:1.
A few minutes later, the Canadians once again received an unnecessary removal and were immediately punished. Again a spectacular combination performed by our hockey players, and Nikita Gusev increases the lead – 0:2. It must be said that Russia played the second period almost perfectly; unfortunately, they failed to increase the score, although the opponent floated.
At the end of the period, our hockey players earned dubious deletion. Thus, the guys entered the third period in the minority. What happened next is history. And the story is sad. The Canadians realized the majority with lightning speed. 1:2. Then, during the final 5 minutes, they scored 3 more goals. 4:2, an incredible comeback by our eternal rivals. For the second year in a row, Russia is one step away from the finals.
Semi-final of the 2017 World Cup. Canada - Russia - 4:2
Photo: © Getty Images
And again bronze
After a disappointing defeat in the semi-finals, a barrage of criticism fell on the national team's hockey players. However, there was no time to relax, because already the next day they had to fight with the Finns in the fight for bronze.
Despite the abundance of injuries after a difficult battle with the Canadians and an unimportant psychological state, the team tuned up and started the game again. The Russians spent the first half of the meeting with a huge advantage – 4:0 on the scoreboard. However, 27 seconds before the end of the second period, the Finns pulled one goal back, after which the “validol” began again.
During the third period, the Finnish team scored two more goals, and our team became very afraid - another “comeback” would have been very difficult to endure. That is why Kucherov's puck, which put an end to the confrontation, was abandoned just in time. 5:3, the Russian team won bronze at the World Hockey Championship for the second year in a row.
Nikita Kucherov scores the fifth goal against Finland
Photo: REUTERS true_kpru
In the last, main match of the tournament The teams of Canada and Sweden fought for the world title. The entire match was extremely sticky, with a lot of fighting and a minimum of effective actions. Both goals were scored in the power play: first, at the end of the second period, Swedish defender Victor Hadman opened the scoring. Already in the third period, the Canadians realized the majority - Ryan O'Reilly scored.
After a hard fight in overtime the fate of the title was decided in a shootout. 3 saves from the legendary Henrik Lundqvist bring Tre Kunur victory in the final – The Swedish national team becomes the 2017 world hockey champion.
The Swedish national team is the 2017 World Hockey Champion
Photo: Alexander Safonov, “Championship”
Watch the full video of the match between the Russian and Finnish national teams. Live broadcasts of matches of the 2017 World Hockey Championship on the First Channel website. The best moments, fragments of matches, world hockey stars - watch online.
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Team Russia - Team Canada. Semi-final. Ice Hockey World Championship 2017
Watch the full recording of the match between the Russian and Canadian national teams. Live broadcasts of matches of the 2017 World Hockey Championship on the First Channel website. The best moments, fragments of matches, world hockey stars - watch online.
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Team Russia - team of the Czech Republic. Ice Hockey World Championship 2017
Watch the full recording of the match between the Russian and Czech national teams. Live broadcasts of matches of the 2017 World Hockey Championship on the First Channel website. The best moments, fragments of matches, world hockey stars - watch online.
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Russian team - Italian team. Ice Hockey World Championship 2017
Watch the full version of the ice match between the Russian and Italian national teams. The meeting ended with a score of 10:1 in favor of the Russians.
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Team Russia - Team Sweden. Ice Hockey World Championship 2017
The national teams of Russia and Sweden met in the opening match of the Ice Hockey World Championship. The game ended with a score of 2:1 in favor of the Russians.
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Russian national team - German national team. Ice Hockey World Championship 2017
Watch the full recording of the ice match between the Russian and German national teams. Live broadcasts of matches of the 2017 World Hockey Championship on the First Channel website. The best moments, fragments of matches, world hockey stars - watch online.
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Team Russia - team Denmark. Ice Hockey World Championship 2017
Watch the full version of the ice match between the national teams of Russia and Denmark on May 11 at 17:15 Moscow time. Live broadcasts of matches of the 2017 World Hockey Championship on the First Channel website. The best moments, fragments of matches, world hockey stars - watch online.
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The 81st Ice Hockey World Championship 2017 will take place in Germany and France. The tournament starts on May 5 and ends on the 21st with the final in Cologne. This tournament will be the third to be held simultaneously in two countries. The world championship games will take place in Paris and Cologne. We will tell you in more detail which arenas and where the 2017 World Hockey Championship will be held.
Why in two countries
Initially, France and Germany submitted a separate bid to host the 2017 Hockey World Championship. However, in 2012 it was decided to join forces and hold a common tournament. This joint application from France and Germany was able to outstrip the double application from Latvia and Denmark with a clear advantage. The advantage of Germany and France was the existing infrastructure, while in Latvia and Denmark it was necessary to urgently reconstruct the ice arenas.
Germany has already hosted the world hockey championships seven times. The last time Germany became the host of the championship was in 2010. France has hosted major tournaments four times, but the last time the championship was held was in 1968. All games are scheduled to be held in Cologne at the Lanxess Arena and in Paris at the AccorHotels Arena. The capacity of these modern hockey stadiums is 18.5 and 17 thousand respectively. Initially, it was planned to hold the games in the Parisian Bercy Arena, which has a capacity of 15 thousand spectators. However, it was subsequently decided to move the games to the AccorHotels Arena.
The organizers note that more than half of the tickets have already been sold, so there are guaranteed to be no problems with filling the stands. Taking into account the capacity of the ice arenas, it can be argued that the 2017 championship will be a record for the number of fans attending the championship games. According to the organizers of the tournament, holding it in France will significantly increase interest in hockey in this country.
Championship regulations
In accordance with the tournament regulations, 16 teams will take part in it, which will be divided into 2 groups. Games will be played in a round-robin manner, after which the first four teams will advance to the playoffs. The distribution of teams in the playoffs is standard - the winner of group A plays with the fourth team of group B. The teams that take the last eighth place in their groups are directly relegated to the first division. Let us only note that the championship is scheduled to be held in Denmark in 2018, so if the national team of this country takes last place in the group, then the team from 7th place in this group will be relegated to the lower division.
In Cologne, in accordance with the approved schedule of the 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship, 34 games will take place. The city will host Group A matches, two quarter-finals and semi-finals, as well as the final and third place game. Paris will host 30 games, including two quarter-finals. The organizers promise to stagger the start of the games in two cities, which will significantly increase the television audience of the championship. Distribution into groups is carried out taking into account the current IIHF ranking.
In 2016, the championship was held in Russia in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Canada confidently won the world championship, beating Finland in the final match. Third place went to the Russian team, which beat the USA in the consolation final. At the 2017 championship, the main contenders for the title will also be Canadians and the Finnish team. The strongest teams can be fielded by the Czechs, Slovaks, Russians and Americans.
Games calendar
Playoffs
1/4 finals | 18.05.2017, 17:15 | USA – Finland | 0:2 |
1/4 finals | 18.05.2017, 17:15 | Russia – Czech Republic | 3:0 |
1/4 finals | 18.05.2017, 21:15 | Canada – Germany | 2:1 |
1/4 finals | 18.05.2017, 21:15 | Switzerland – Sweden | 1:3 |
1/2 finals | 20.05.2017, 16:15 | Canada – Russia | 4:2 |
1/2 finals | 20.05.2017, 20:15 | Sweden – Finland | 4:1 |
For 3rd place | 21.05.2017, 17:15 | Russia – Finland | 5:3 |
The final | 21.05.2017, 21:45 | Canada – Sweden | 1:2 |
The 2017 World Hockey Championship will truly be a very spectacular competition, which will be attended by the most outstanding teams, coaches and various sports specialists who enjoy great authority. Every time the World Championship attracts the attention of a huge number of fans who are able to objectively evaluate the battles of professional hockey players, the intensity of emotions and uncompromisingness in every meeting.
Coming IIHF World Championship 2017 will be the most spectacular compared to all previous ones, since the level of most of the announced teams is almost equal, and this suggests that it will be almost impossible to predict the results of future games.
Where will the 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship be held?
The planetary forum for this sport will begin on 05/05/2017, and the final game is scheduled for 05/21/2017. Two countries will host the tournament: Germany (Cologne) and France (Paris). The proposals of these countries seemed more attractive to the members of the international federation than the applications from Latvia and Denmark to host the championship (62 votes against 46).
The main venue of the championship will be the Lanxess Arena (Cologne), which is designed for 18,500 spectators. All meetings of one of the subgroups, the final meeting, the bronze medal match, and two semi-final meetings will be held here. In France, namely in Paris, professionals in their field will compete on one of the largest ice rinks - Bercy, which can accommodate 15,000 fans.
This place will host all meetings of one of the subgroups where French hockey players will play, as well as two quarterfinal matches. It is interesting that Paris will host the world championship only for the third time after 65 years, but the Germans will host these competitions for the seventh time.
Championship regulations 2017
Following established tradition, the 2017 World Cup will also include 16 of the strongest teams, which will be divided into two groups of eight teams. Germany and France, as the countries hosting the championship, have already been included in the group; all other places will be given to the best teams, in accordance with the IIHF ranking, which will be fully formed at the end of the 2016 World Championship.
Each of the sixteen teams at the group stage will meet in one match with the opposing team from its subgroup. After this, the eight best teams that managed to take the first four lines in the subgroups will form pairs for the quarterfinals. Teams that make it through the quarterfinals will advance to the semifinals.
The teams that were defeated in the semi-final matches will compete for bronze medals, while the teams that won the semi-final matches will compete in the main competition of the tournament for the title of “world champion”.
I would like to remind you that ice battles last for an hour, that is, three 20-minute periods. In addition, if the leader of the match could not be identified, five-minute overtimes are played according to the 4x4 scheme. In this case, the game continues until the first goal, but often it is not possible to score the puck into one of the goals at this time. In this situation, the referee orders post-match shootouts, but they are not arranged at the playoff stage.
In knockout matches, in the event of a draw, everything is decided in an extra ten minutes. In the final meeting this time is increased to twenty minutes.
Tournament leaders
The 2017 World Hockey Championship will bring together a certain list of teams that, year after year, claim to win this most prestigious award. So, the list of potential winners includes:
- Canada;
- Finland;
- Sweden;
- Russia.
American hockey players have been considered the favorites of this championship for many years, but from year to year they lack a little bit of luck to reach the final match. The last time US hockey players managed to win this trophy was back in 1960, but the best result of this team in recent times was third place in 2013.
The Americans will try to stop the sad statistics for themselves both at the 2016 World Championships and at the 2017 World Championships in Germany, making every effort and opportunity to please their loyal fans with a long-awaited victory.
Russian hockey is now experiencing a generational change. This explains the recent uncertain performances of our team at important international tournaments. Oleg Znarok (the main coach of the national team) is currently doing everything possible: playing key links, working on the optimal composition, the bench, in order to give his best at the upcoming world championship.
Sweden, for the last few years, has been showing a dynamic game where defense dominates attack. But the team has one unpleasant weakness: as soon as the team reaches the playoffs, it suffers defeat. Despite this, in 2013, at the world championship, which was held right at their home, Sweden managed to win the gold award.
The Finnish national team is characterized by instability, alternating brilliant planetary tournaments with disastrous ones. The Finns last lifted the main trophy of this championship in 2011, then the team suffered a protracted period of failure.