Only one game remains in the preliminary round of the Olympic hockey tournament, the Canada-Finland showdown for first place in Group B. With the standings in the other two groups sorted out, we have a very clear picture of how the bracketed portion of the tournament will look.
Group A
| Team | Record | Pts | GD | GF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 USA |
2-1-0-0 | 8 | +11 | 15 |
 Russia |
1-1-1-0 | 6 | +3 | 8 |
 Slovenia |
1-0-0-2 | 3 | -5 | 6 |
 Slovakia |
0-0-1-2 | 1 | -9 | 2 |
Note: Record is displayed as W-OTW-OTL-L
Group B
|
Team
|
Record
|
Pts
|
GD
|
GF
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Finland |
2-0-0-0
|
6
|
+9
|
14
|
 Canada |
2-0-0-0
|
6
|
+8
|
9
|
 Austria |
1-0-0-2
|
3
|
-8
|
7
|
 Norway |
0-0-0-3
|
0
|
-8
|
3
|
Group C
| Team | Record | Pts | GD | GF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sweden |
3-0-0-0 | 9 | +5 | 10 |
 Switzerland |
2-0-0-1 | 6 | +1 | 2 |
 Czech Rep |
1-0-0-2
|
3 | -1 | 6 |
 Latvia |
0-0-0-3 | 0 | -5 | 5 |
As a reminder, here is how the seeding for the knockout portion of the tournament is decided.
- Teams are seeded based on order of finish in their groups. The 3 first place teams get the top 3 seeds, then the 2nd place teams, 3rd place teams and so forth.
- Teams receive 3 points for a regulation win, 2 for an OT/Shootout win and 1 for an OT/Shootout loss.
- Amongst each set of teams that finished in the same place, they are seeded based on points.
- Any ties on points are broken by Goal Differential, Goals Scored, then IIHF World Ranking.
The bottom of the bracket is already decided:
7. Czech Republic
8. Slovenia
9. Austria
10. Slovakia
11. Latvia
12. Norway
The Czechs will play Slovakia and Austria will play Slovenia in the opening round. Latvia will play the #6 seed and Norway will play the #5 seed
Here are the two scenarios in play for the Canada-Finland game:
If Canada-Finland ends in regulation
- The winner will be the #1 seed
- Sweden will be the #2 seed
- The USA will be the #3 seed
- The loser will be the #4 seed unless:
- If Canada wins by 7 or 8, Russia will be the #4 seed Finland the #5 seed and Switzerland the #6 seed
- If Canada wins by 9 or more, Russia will be the #4 seed, Switzerland the #5 seed and Finland the #6 seed
- If Finland wins by 5, 6 or 7, Russia will be the #4 seed, Canada the #5 seed and Switzerland the #6 seed
- If Finland wins by 8 or more, Russia will be the #4 seed, Switzerland the #5 seed and Canada the #6 seed.
If Canada-Finland ends in Overtime
- Sweden will be the #1 seed
- The USA will be the #2 seed
- The winner will be the #3 seed
- The loser will be the #4 seed
- Russia will be the #5 seed
- Switzerland will be the #6 seed
What does this mean for the US? As the #2 or #3 seed, the US will not have to face Russia (the #4 or #5 seed) until the medal round. The US would likely perfer to see Canada on the other half of the bracket (either as the #1 or #4 seed) which is possible if the Canada-Finland game ends in regulation. Additionally, this gives the US a relatively easy path to the semi-finals.
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