46 replies to this topic

[faster]

The first round of the World Championships is over and the 9 direct qualifiers have assured there place in the Olympics.

The Big Six of Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and Russia have qualified along with Slovakia, Switzerland and a very surprising Norway (who dominated Germany 12-4 in this tournament).

The final 3 qualifiers will be determined by three tournaments that will be hosted by Denmark, Germany and Latvia.

Germany's group will be Germany, Austria, Italy and one of Great Britain, Japan, Romania and South Korea*
Latvia will face Kazahkhstan, France and one of Ukraine, Poland, Estonia and Span*
Denmark will be with Slovenia, Belarus and one of Hungary, Netherlands, Lithuania and a qualifier.

*team might have to qualify depending on the number of nations registering to play.

Germany and Latvia should have no problems qualifying. Denmark might have some issues with Belarus if the KHL releases players to play for the tournaments.

[intoronto]

France played good in this tournament, and might in 2013 and pose a threat to Latvia. Austria will be without Vanek. I want to see a smaller hockey nation squeak through. If the top 3 seeds left qualify we will only have one new team from 2010 (Denmark).

[Fox334]

Norway is doing quite good lately, nice to see they keep improving. Of the qualification tournaments, I would like to see Germany, either Kazakhastan or France (France to see a smaller hockey nation in the tournament and Kazakhastan because it would be nice to have an Asian team) and Denmark (they have never qualified for the Olympics).

Might as well note that, for what its worth, Switzerland is locked as the third seed of pool C since it is the 9th seed. It will play with the 3rd and 4th best team in the world ranking along with the winner of Germany's group. So, looks like Canada has a good chance of playing in Switzerland's pool (since Canada is currently 4th in the world ranking) - not great news, the Swiss tend to do good against Canada

Edited by fox334, 16 May 2012 - 06:52 PM.

[Boston2022/24]

I want to see a US- Russia 2014 Gold Medal Game..

[intoronto]

Norway is doing quite good lately, nice to see they keep improving. Of the qualification tournaments, I would like to see Germany, either Kazakhastan or France (France to see a smaller hockey nation in the tournament and Kazakhastan because it would be nice to have an Asian team) and Denmark (they have never qualified for the Olympics).

Might as well note that, for what its worth, Switzerland is locked as the third seed of pool C since it is the 9th seed. It will play with the 3rd and 4th best team in the world ranking along with the winner of Germany's group. So, looks like Canada has a good chance of playing in Switzerland's pool (since Canada is currently 4th in the world ranking) - not great news, the Swiss tend to do good against Canada

Well a lot of hockey still left to be played in Helsinki and Stockholm.

[faster]

Unfortunately the 3 teams in the qualification that have high quality NHL players all cannot qualify because Denmark and Slovenia play each other. Austria being the other.

Out of all the teams though I would like Latvia to qualify since they are so passionate about hockey.

[intoronto]

Unfortunately the 3 teams in the qualification that have high quality NHL players all cannot qualify because Denmark and Slovenia play each other. Austria being the other.

Out of all the teams though I would like Latvia to qualify since they are so passionate about hockey.

Thats rather unfortunate. I would love to see differences between each Olympic cycle, because that potentially helps the sport grow.---

[Gangwon]

Of the qualification tournaments, I would like to see Germany, either Kazakhastan or France (France to see a smaller hockey nation in the tournament and Kazakhastan because it would be nice to have an Asian team) and Denmark (they have never qualified for the Olympics).

That's exactly who I'd like to see qualify (if I had to choose, I'm happy with any of the teams making it, because if they make it, they probably deserved it).

I'd like to see Germany and France because they're big population countries with potential yet small hockey countries, and Denmark because their growth would be great for the game in setting up Scandinavian rivalries. I also wouldn't mind Kazakhstan in place of France for some Asian representation.

In addition, I'd like to see Korea beat out Britain, Japan and Romania to make the final round of Olympic qualification (where they'd eventually lose to the big boys like Germany/France/Kazakhstan/Denmark mentioned above).

[intoronto]

That's exactly who I'd like to see qualify (if I had to choose, I'm happy with any of the teams making it, because if they make it, they probably deserved it).

I'd like to see Germany and France because they're big population countries with potential yet small hockey countries, and Denmark because their growth would be great for the game in setting up Scandinavian rivalries. I also wouldn't mind Kazakhstan in place of France for some Asian representation.

In addition, I'd like to see Korea beat out Britain, Japan and Romania to make the final round of Olympic qualification (where they'd eventually lose to the big boys like Germany/France/Kazakhstan/Denmark mentioned above).

Anything is possible, but yea Korea needs to step up their game to qualfiy for 2014.

[Gangwon]

Anything is possible, but yea Korea needs to step up their game to qualfiy for 2014.

They will never qualify for 2014.

I just want them to be among the final 12 left to battle it out for the last 3 spots, and even that will be a challenge.

Baby steps.