Preliminary Round Preview: Group A

Group A is shaping up to be thrilling at the top and a competitve slugfest thereafter. Several teams in this group could win a medal, and virtually all could qualify for the playoffs. But, in truth, only four make it to the quarter-finals, and the last place team will be relegated. Let the games begin!

Austria

Playing in the top level for the sixth year running, the Austrians come to Stockholm feeling good about their program. Their 10th place finish last year was their best since 2003, and when they look back they will recall a miracle comeback against Canada. Trailing 6-1 entering the third period, they set an IIHF record by scoring five unanswered goals and sending the game to overtime. Not surprisingly, last year’s excellent finish was partly the result of setting a team record for most goals in a Ice Hockey World Championship in the modern era. They had 21 in seven games, their most since 1949. 

Their leading scorer was Dominic Zwerger (2+6=8) and returning coach Roger Bader hopes the 28-year-old Ambri Piotta forward will be back this year. Many of the players play in either Switzerland or at home, with longtime captain Thomas Raffl falling into the latter category. He just led Red Bull Salzburg to the national championship and will be playing in his seventh Men’s Worlds. The Austrians are also excited to have Marco Kasper on the team. The 21-year-old played this past season in the NHL with Detroit. They will also have Vinzenz Rohrer, who just helped ZSC Lions win the Swiss championship, and goalie Atte Tolvanen, Raffl’s teammate in Salzburg.

Canada

Fans in Stockholm are in for a treat. Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Marc-Andre Fleury are coming to the World Championship. They will be joined by Ryan O’Reilly, who helped Canada win gold in 2015 and 2016. This will be his seventh Worlds, and the team also features three young superstars as well—Adam Fantilli (20), Macklin Celebrini (18), and Kent Johnson (22). 

The team will be coached by Dean Evason, who played on Canada’s gold medal-winning team of 1997 and who currently coaches Columbus in the NHL. He will also have MacKenzie Weegar, who played a huge role in Canada’s gold medal in 2023, his first time playing for Canada. Mike Matheson won gold in 2016 with O’Reilly, and Bo Horvat, 30, will also be playing. Top to bottom, this lineup is poised for a medal.

Finland

The Finns have some recalibrating to do. After having their greatest period of success…