Team USA Advances to Quarterfinals

Team USA played their final game of pool play on Tuesday against Team Switzerland in Helsinki, Finland. Team USA finished with a win over the Swiss, however, the game didn’t mean anything for the Swiss. For the USA, however, the game would only determine seeding for the Quarterfinals, since the USA had already clinched a spot in the next round. The seeding out of the Helsinki group finished as Team Canada first, second belonged to Team USA, third went to the hosts, Team Finland, and fourth went to Team Slovakia. Can’t say I’m surprised about how this pool ended up. I thought perhaps the USA and Finland would be swapped, but there’s no difference. So, the quarterfinal match ups for the Helsinki group are Team Canada vs. Team Slovakia and Team USA vs. Team Finland. All quarterfinal games are this Thursday.

The USA-Finland game may be the most interesting to watch on Thursday. When the two teams met during pool play, Team USA dominated and embarrassed Finland in front of their home fans. The incredible defense that the Finns displayed in their games before the USA game was non-existent in the 5-0 drubbing by the Americans. The game was so frustrating for the Finns that forward Anssi Salmela took out his frustration in a very illegal boarding hit that got him suspended for three games by the IIHF Safety Board. The Finns will definitely be looking for some major revenge on the Americans, so the USA better be ready for a big fight in order to reach the semi-finals.

A little side note, the quarterfinal match ups for the Stockholm group are: (1) Russia vs. (4) Norway and (2) Sweden vs. (Czech Republic). A huge surprise to find Norway in the quarterfinals and even more of a surprise that Norwegian forward Patrick Thoresen, former NHLer, is among the tournament leaders in points, he has 10 points in just their last two games!!!

Ducks players in Worlds:

Team Canada (advancing):

F – Ryan Getzlaf: 7 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 P, 0 PIM, +7
F – Corey Perry: 7 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P, 8 PIM, +8

Team USA (advancing):

D – Cam Fowler: 7 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 P, 2 PIM, +6
F – Bobby Ryan: 7 GP, 4 G, 2 A, 6 P, 0 PIM, +3
F – Kyle Palmieri: 6 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, 8 PIM, +1

Team Switzerland (eliminated):

D – Luca Sbisa: 7 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 P, 8 PIM, -6

Quarterfinals Schedule:

CAN vs. SVK: Thursday, May 17, 3:00 AM (Anaheim Time)

RUS vs. NOR: Thursday, May 17, 5:45 AM (Anaheim Time)

USA vs. FIN: Thursday, May 17, 8:30 AM (Anaheim Time)

SWE vs. CZE: Thursday, May 17, 11:15 AM (Anaheim Time)

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