Day 2 Preview: Finns, Czechs, Swedes, Russians eye semi-final berths

Switzerland vs USA

Břeclav, 13:30 CET/ 9:30am ET

The early game in Břeclav is a must-win for both Switzerland and the USA, as whichever team loses can kiss good-bye the semi-finals. Both lost big on Monday, the USA 6-1 Sweden and the Swiss 6-2 to the host Czechs. However, both know they can do better and look to bounce back in Game 2.

“We have to work harder in the slot,” said Swiss coach Thierry Paterlini. “We had four breakaways and we couldn’t score one. If you have those chances, you have to score. That’s what we have to change.”

“Take away the special team goals it was a 1-1 game. We’re trying to stay positive, play Switzerland tomorrow and bounce back with a win," forward Philippe Lapointe said after Team USA’s defeat on Monday. "We talked in the locker room that previous USA teams lost their opening game, but got it together after. We’re not out after just one game.”

Finland vs Canada

Bratislava, 13:30 CET/ 9:30am ET

Canada lost its opening game in a shootout to Russia, and now faces a situation where a loss to Finland could keep them out of the semi-finals for a second-straight year. However, coach Brent Kisio knows that the game could have gone either way and feels that his team is getting better each game.

“I think the group’s coming together well, after coming overseas and getting over the jetlag,” the Canadian coach said Monday night. “We had a good game on Saturday and I think a better game today - it was a tougher test - so we’re headed in the right direction. We’ve just got to make sure we keep getting better. This game’s a tough grind - three games in three days - so you’ve just got to get past one game, regroup, and get ready for the next.”

After an opening night win against Slovakia, the Finns lead the Bratislava Group, but coach Tommi Niemelä knows things will only get tougher.

“Slovakia was a tough opponent, but these next games will be different. We know we’re going to have to play tougher in our defensive zone and be more tenacious in winning battles for pucks in our zone and the neutral zone, because we’re not going to have the same opportunities to win pucks in the attacking zone,” against Canada or Russia, he figures.

Czech Republic vs Sweden

Břeclav, 19:00 CET/ 1:00pm ET

In past years at this tournament, games between the Czechs and Swedes have been very intense, including a memorable semi-final last year. After both of these teams won their opening games, the winner today is assured a berth in the semi-finals, which means we can expect another tough battle.

Czech coach David Bruk knows that his team will not be able to give the Swedes the same chances they gave to the Swiss and still be successful, stating: “We know that we made big mistakes because there were several breakaways. If I remember right, our goalie saved six goals. Of course, we are satisfied with the result, but we could have played better.”

“I think we played an excellent game,” Swedish coach Bendelin Torgny said after Monday’s 6-1 win over the USA, thanks to four power-play goals. “We were very focused and we paid attention to details. We did the things we talked about before the game.”

Slovakia vs Russia

Bratislava, 19:00 CET/ 1:00pm ET

The Russians are on a high after winning a high-level, entertaining game against Canada. The Slovaks competed at a high level for a while against Finland, but ultimately couldn’t keep it up the whole game. They now face another challenge in their second game, as the group hosts look to keep their chances of advancing alive and the Russians now eye a spot in the semis.

“I think the difference in the game was our inability to capitalize on our chances,” Slovak assistant coach Ján Pardavý said after his team’s loss to Finland, noting that effort was not the problem. “The boys really worked hard and stuck to the game plan, but unfortunately it didn’t work out the way we wanted, so we’ll just have to get better.”

Russian coach Alexander Zybin was pleased with his team’s performance against Canada, but thinks there are still things they can do better, noting the heat in the arena and the need to keep shifts short. “We can get better. The play of our forwards in the attacking zone needs to improve, and our passes need to be better too.”