6 February 20 2018
Preliminary Round
In the first matchup of the day the Czech Republic took on Belarus. Despite Belarus dominating the faceoffs in the first the Czech’s went ahead on goals by Vladimir Sobotka and Pavel Zacha, Zacha added another goal Midway through the 2nd to put the Czech Republic up by 3. The 3rd period didn't fare much better for Belarus as the Czech's added 2 more goals by Sobotka again and Ondrej Palat. The Czech's will take on team USA in the quarterfinals.
In the second matchup of the day we had a rivalry of sorts with Germany taking on Switzerland. The first period of this one was dominated by the Germans but Jonas Hillier kept the Swiss in with brilliant goaltending. However the German domination carried over to the 2nd period as they went up 3-0 in the first 10 minutes on goals by David Wolf, Philip Gogulla, and Geritt Fauser. Going into the 3rd the game looked it of reach however the Swiss had other plans. In the matter of 3 minutes the Swiss tied the game on 2 goals by Reto Suri and the tying goal by Andreas Ambuhl. The rest of the 3rd would be even less and despite a back and forth overtime the game would go to a shoot out. This Swiss would strike early on a goal by Nino Niederreiter. It was all saves after that until Tobias Rieder tied it for the Germans on the last attempt. In the sudden death round Philip Gogulla would win it for Germans and send them on to the quarterfinals vs Canada.
In the third matchup of the day Norway took on Russia. This game was a classic for sure. Early on it was all Norway as they went up 3-0 on goals by Tommy Kristiansen, Mathis Olimb, and Mats Zuccarello. Going into the 2nd the Russians got on the board on a goal by Alexander Radulov however Norway would get one back on a goal by Ken Olimb. This was short-lived however as Russia would get within 2 on a goal by Evgeny Kusnetsov. The Russian’s would then tie it on goals by Alexander Ovechkin and Nikolai Kulemin. After a scoreless 3rd period the game would head to overtime. Late in the ot Norway would take a penalty and Russia would win on the ensuing power play on a goal by Nikita Kucherov. Russia will play Slovakia in the quarterfinals.
In the fourth matchup of the day it would be Sweden vs Japan. The game was an even affair early on, but Midway through the period Sweden went up 1 on a goal by John Klingberg 3 minutes later the Swedes found themselves on a power play and doubled the lead on a Filip Forsberg goal. Forsberg would strike again on the power play late in the 2nd to put Sweden up 3. Early in the 2nd Japan would get on the board, however Sweden would ice the game on an empty netter by Gabriel Landeskog. Sweden moves on to play thier bitter rivals Finland in the quarterfinals.