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As we head into the last day of the group stage, all eight teams still have a mathematical chance to advance to the semi-finals and all eight teams could still end up in a placement games. Of course, some teams have much better chances than others and tie-breakers will probably be needed to determine who advances when this day is done.
Germany vs USA
Bøeclav, 15:30 CET
Heading into their last game of the group stage, the Americans have their eyes on a semi-final game and they can get there but their destiny isn´t entirely in their hands. A regulation win would put them in good shape but even that won’t assure their spot, as it could come down to a three-way tie scenario with Czechia and Sweden, where goal difference would decide. As the USA is -1 against those teams and Sweden lost by 4 to the Americans, they have to then hope the Swedes don´t beat the Czechs by 4-6 goals – if it´s 7 or more, strangely, the Americans would be fine again. The Germans could escape last place in the group with a regulation win and even have a mathematical shot at the semis, but even if they win in regulation time it’s a longshot given their goal difference.
Switzerland vs Canada
Trenèín, 15:30 CET
This is a big one in Group B as the Swiss have won their first two games and a single point from this game would see them through to the semis for the first time. Even if they lose in regulation time, they would still advance if they keep the score within 2 goals or if Slovakia takes at least a point from Finland in the evening. The Canadians probably need to win this one in regulation, ideally by at least 3 goals to get ahead of the Swiss on a potential three-way tiebreaker. Anything less and they’ll have to nervously watch the group’s last game to see what their fate will be.
Czechia vs Sweden
Bøeclav, 19:30 CET
While nobody has yet secured a semi-final berth, no team is currently in a better position than Czechia. Depending on what happens in USA-Germany, the Czechs might already be through to the semis when this game starts, and even if not, a single point will see them through or even a regulation loss by six or fewer. After yesterday’s 6-2 loss to the USA, Sweden’s task is a fair bit tougher. If the USA does the expected and beats Germany in regulation time, the Swedes will need to win by 4 to overtake the Americans on the three-way tiebreaker.
Slovakia vs Finland
Trenèín, 19:30 CET
The Finns looked to have a clear path to the semis after their opening win against Canada and they´re still in decent shape, but yesterday’s loss to Switzerland complicates things a bit. They’ll know exactly what they need to do after Switzerland-Canada is finished but there is no way they can be eliminated before their game starts. That’s not the case for the Slovaks, who are the only winless team in the group. They might be locked in fourth place when this game starts, and their semi-final hopes are minuscule after their 14-4 loss yesterday – they need a Swiss regulation win and then a win over Finland by 7 or more to win a three-way tiebreaker over Finland and Canada.