2009 IIHF World Championship Preview

The 2009 IIHF World Championship is here! Fresh off last year’s championship game with Russia stunning Canada in OT, it’s time to look at this year’s version of the tournament. These games will be played in Switzerland…

*Reminder… these predictions are based off the current rosters. As teams get eliminated here in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a few players from those teams will travel to this tournament and participate.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Projected order of finish:
Group A
1. Canada
2. Slovakia
3. Belarus
4. Hungary
Group B
1. Russia
2. Switzerland
3. Germany
4. France
Group C
1. United States
2. Sweden
3. Austria
4. Latvia
Group D
1. Finland
2. Czech Republic
3. Denmark
4. Norway

The ’09 favorite: Canada
A sleeper to watch: Denmark

The top three teams in the standings of each group of the Preliminary Round advances to the Qualifying Round, and are placed in two groups: teams from Groups A and D compete in Group E, while teams from Groups B and C compete in Group F.
QUALIFYING ROUND
Projected order of finish:
Group E
1. Canada
2. Finland
3. Czech Republic
4. Denmark
5. Slovakia
6. Belarus
Group F
1. Sweden
2. United States
3. Russia
4. Switzerland
5. Germany
6. Austria

The top four teams in both groups E and F will advance to the Playoff Round.

PLAYOFF ROUND BRACKET
E2 Finland vs. E3 Czech Republic
F1 Sweden vs. F4 Switzerland

E1 Canada vs. E4 Denmark
F2 United States vs. F3 Russia

Playoff Round projections:
Round 1
Finland over Czech Republic
Switzerland over Sweden

Canada over Denmark
Russia over United States

Round 2
Finland over Switzerland
Canada over Russia

Bronze Medal Game
Russia over Switzerland

Gold Medal Game
Canada over Finland

Tournament MVP: Martin St. Louis, Canada