IIHF World Championships Update

Preliminary Round Final Standings:
Group A
1. Canada
2. Belarus
3. Slovakia
4. Hungary
Group B
1. Russia
2. Switzerland
3. France
4. Germany
Group C
1. United States
2. Sweden
3. Latvia
4. Austria
Group D
1. Finland
2. Czech Republic
3. Norway
4. Denmark

The top 3 in each group have advanced to the Qualifying Round… here are the groups for that:
Group E
France
Latvia
Russia
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
Group F
Belarus
Canada
Czech Republic
Finland
Norway
Slovakia

The biggest surprise so far in this tournament has been Latvia. They lost a close one to USA, and beat Sweden in overtime. Martin St. Louis, my projected tournament MVP winner, leads all scorers with 9 points for Canada. USA’s point leaders are Patrick O’Sullivan, Jack Johnson, and John-Michael Liles… all have 5 points thus far. Goalie Robert Esche has been less-than-stellar (what's new!?) U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
The Qualifying Round will run through Monday. The action should start to really pick up after that!