Hopes to come true and collapse on Tuesday

Group A

A tough challenge awaits the home team. The Finns played a very solid game against Russia on Monday, and their clash with the Czechs will likely decide who will join Russia in the semifinals. If the hosts grasp three points, they will advance; similarly, if Finland can not score a single point, their journey is over. This all means we are in for a treat as both teams will have a lot to play for.

It is basically the same with Switzerland and Russia. The Russians beat Finland 5-2, and will be playing for the playoffs. As for the Swiss, they need to step up and make up for their loss against the Czech Republic if they want to continue at the tournament. However, this will definitely not be easy as the Red Machine came to Břeclav with a very stacked roster led by a rising star Matvei Mitchkov.

Group B

The afternoon game of the second gameday does surely have the potential to be the gem of the Group Stage as the United States will try to forget their surprising loss against Slovakia and will fight for hope against the Swedes. Tre Kronor, on the other hand, were able to beat Germany 5-3, and started their journey into the play-offs on a high note. It was especially Liam Öhgren who led his team to the three points by scoring two goals.

The Slovaks could not ask for a better way to introduce themselves at the tournament as they surprisingly led against the USA by three at the end of the first period and secured a 5-2 win. The 16-year-old Dalibor Dvorský netted the last three goals of his team and was responsible for the first hat-trick of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.