Montreal Canadiens: Love them, and Enjoy the Sochi Olympics

It’s never easy being a Montreal Canadiens fan. In fact, it’s pretty much always an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Even when the Habs were on that winning streak a couple of months ago (it feels so long ago), I was mentally preparing myself to expect the kind of play we have witnessed over the past couple of weeks. Let’s just say that the mental prep failed to diminish the frustration and disappointment while watching our team…tank miserably. Some may call the previous description as melodramatic, but need I remind you that I’m a Montreal Canadiens fan?

I was one of the unlucky fans to attend a game at the Bell Centre this weekend. Sometimes I wonder, why should I bother cheering for a team that makes me want to get a refund on my ticket (although I’ve been fortunate enough to go for free, but you get what I mean)? I deserve to cheer for a team that WINS (I also happen to subject myself to some torture with FC Liverpool…but that’s a story for another time folks). Despite watching one of the more boring games of the season, something hit me…
There’ something so special about seeing a game at the Bell Centre. I have been blessed with a number of opportunities to watch games in the amphitheater, and I have never passed up on the chance. How could I refuse? Lord knows how hard it can be to purchase a ticket, and yet summon the funds to actually seat your ass down (and don’t get me started on the price of food.

MINOR DETAILS (but not really) aside, the atmosphere at the Bell Centre is something people talk about time and time again, and it always lives up to the hype. It’s one thing watching a game at a bar, or at home with friends…but it’s a completely different story watching the game with 21 000 crazy fans (apart from the boring business men who sit in front…have a little life guys!).

21 000 mostly hungry, self-proclaimed hockey experts cheering and critiquing their beloved team is testament to the love we Montrealers have for our hockey.

It would be nice if the Habs could give back. It would be nice if they could play like a team fans should be cheering for. Yes, if you’re a true fan, your devotion to the team is infallible.

Let’s just say that I would be willing to be a crap ton of money to watch them if I was fairly certain of seeing a good spectacle. Despite this mini-rant, I still watch them on TV, read up on the latest news surrounding the team, and listen in on the ongoing debates on Briere and many other issues.

Heck, I even take the time to write about them every week!

Why? Because there is something beautiful about uniting yourself behind a group of individuals trying to restore their past pride and glory. This group of men, whatever their skills or shortcomings, represent an integral part of our city and are an important piece to our identity as a Montrealer.

Even if I told myself: “ Screw this, I’m going to cheer for the Blackhawks!”, I could never genuinely adhere to them. I bleed, you bleed, we all bleed the blue, white and red. Now, after this miniature grammar lesson, let’s enjoy the last game against the Hurricanes before some of our boys battle it out in Sochi.

Sit back, relax, and go Habs go, no matter what.

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Sochi 2014: Team Snublandia

Now that all the Olympic teams have been named for the upcoming 2014 Sochi Olympics, let’s have a look at the notable omissions of each major country and form the best possible team with the talented players that have been left out by their respective countries. Luckily for us Habs fans, P.K. Subban was named to Team Canada so there will be no riots in Montreal this week.

This squad of cast-offs would be one of the most dominant teams of the Olympic tournament thanks to a mix of talent, speed and leadership. Those disgruntled players are ready to prove their detractors wrong and go for Gold in late February.

Hand picked team Canada myself so I wouldn't have to toss a hipcheck at Claude Giroux if he came close to scoring a golden goal.
— Sidney Crosby's Ego (@SidneyCrosbyEgo) January 7, 2014

Forwards:

James Neal (CAN) – Claude Giroux (CAN) – Martin St. Louis (CAN)
Alexander Semin (RUS) – Joe Thornton (CAN) – Bobby Ryan (USA)
Taylor Hall (CAN) – Logan Couture (CAN) – Tyler Seguin (CAN)
Sean Bergenheim (FIN) – Eric Staal (CAN) – Jiri Hudler (CZE)
Extras: Kyle Okposo (USA), Radim Vrbata (CZE)

-Canadian forwards with more points than Claude Giroux since the 2010 Olympics: Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. This means that if Stamkos is not ready to go, all three players will be left off Canada’s roster.

-Joe Thornton not only leads the NHL with 43 assists in 42 games this season, he is also 4th in scoring with 48 points and has a lot of international experience.

-Alexander Semin, despite being a 0.86 point per game player in his career, was snubbed in favor of some unknown KHL players who are struggling to put points on the board in Putin-land.

-Talented wingers Jiri Hudler and Radim Vrbata was left out of Czech Republic’s roster in favor ofPetr Nedved who played for the Canadian National Team back in 1993-94…

Olympic snubs are trying to create their own Olympics.

Defensemen:
Keith Yandle (USA) – Victor Hedman (SWE)
Jack Johnson (USA) – Kris Letang (CAN)
Jonas Brodin (SWE) – Brent Seabrook (CAN)

Extras:

Dan Boyle (CAN) – Jan Hejda (CZE)

Paul Martin made Team USA over Keith Yandle, Jack Johnson, and Erik Johnson. Lord help us. https://t.co/irLdCWP75Q
— Drunk Patrick Kane (@Drunk_Kane88) January 6, 2014

-Kris Letang, Brent Seabrook and Dan Boyle were all left off the Canadian squad because they shoot right. Instead, left-handed Canuck Dan Hamhuis gets the call despite scoring only 13 points this year.

-Sweden decided to select washed up defenseman Henrik Tallinder instead of talented youngsters such as Victor Hedman and Jonas Brodin…

Goalenders:

Marc-André Fleury (CAN)
Ben Bishop (USA)

Pekka Rinne (FIN)

-Team Canada decided to chose Mike Smith, who has more goals than shutouts this season, over former Stanley Cup winner Marc-André Fleury. Flower also leads the NHL with 24 wins this season.

-Despite suffering from the lingering effects of an infection to his surgically-repaired hip, Pekka Rinne should have been nominated, at least temporarily, as one of the top three Finnish netminders.

Other notables:  Nail Yakupov, Brandon Saad, Jordan Staal, Mike Richards, Jeff Skinner, Sven Baerstchi, Dustin Byfuglien, Marc Staal, Mark Giordano, Erik Johnson, Dmitry Kulikov, Corey Crawford, Josh Harding, Robin Lehner.

Did I miss anyone?

Do you think this team of misfits could contend for gold in Sochi?

Follow me on Twitter to debate and talk about puck!

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Sochi 2014 Preview: Canada's Gold Medal Team

When I was asked by Habs Addict to choose which country I thought would bring home the Gold medal in the upcoming Olympics, Canada jumped to mind without hesitation.

While I am Canadian, this is in no way a prediction based solely on where my heart lies. The reason why Canada is known for hockey, and why not winning gold in any tournament we play in is unacceptable is simply because it is in our blood.

Hockey is Canadian culture. It's no surprise that our country boasts the most talent when it comes to the game we hold so dear. That is not meant to disrespect any other country. This gold medal is in no way a guarantee. With the skill of Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin to name a few in Russia, the men between the pipes for Finland in Tuuka Rask, Pekka Rinne and Niklas Backstrom and the NHL stacked team the Americans will bring to Sochi, this will be no cake walk.

What Canada has that fuels my confidence however, is depth. With that said, here is the roster that wold be headed to Sochi, Russia in 2014 to compete for the gold medal if I were in charge of Team Canada.

Goaltending

Carey Price- Corey Crawford- Cam Ward

Price may not have backstopped his way into the "elite goaltender" category yet, but his outstanding play on a team that's been less than mediocre for the majority of his career makes you wonder what he's capable of on a star studded roster.

Ward has also done well on a basement team, and in 2006 he proved he can go all the way when his Conn Smyth winning performance lead his Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship.

Crawford is less experienced than Price and Ward and already has shown his ability to win by backstopping the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup.

Defense

Duncan Keith - Brent Seabrook
Shea Weber - P.K. Subban
Drew Doughty - Kris Letang
Alex Pietrangelo

Keith and Seabrook have two Stanley Cups together and an Olympic gold medal so they're an ideal pairing. The absence of a player like Chris Pronger will definately be felt. Doughty and Weber can both play physical. Subban will chip in as well. With players like Letang, Keith, Subban and Doughty patrolling the blue line, it's hard to imagine any other team coming close to providing as much scoring from the point as Canada will.

Forwards

Rick Nash- Sidney Crosby- Patrice Bergeron
Claude Giroux- Steven Stamkos- Martin St. Louis
John Tavares- Jonathan Toews- Patrick Sharp
Mike Richards- Ryan Getzlaf- Corey Perry
Jordan Eberle

Having Crosby, the world's best player, on your roster is not a bad way to start. These lines would provide each trio with elite snipers who can put the puck in the net at any given moment. Bergeron and Toews are two of the best two way players in the game. Mike Richards plays a hard nosed style that will make the line of him sniper/pest Corey Perry and big bodied Getzlaf tough to play against.

No other country can match the depth Canada has in every position. The goaltending, while young, is stacked with three net minders who play focused hockey and have come up big in their careers for either their country or their NHL club.

Canada's back end will be mostly made up up of offensive minded rearguards but the amount of talented two way forwards will make up for their lack of shut down defensemen.

Up front is any and every opposing goalitender's nightmare. Having to face a team that will have multiple scoring threats on the ice shift after shift.

Canada has something to prove at Sochi. This country is proud to be heralded as the best in the world at hockey. That reputation is not something we take lightly and not something these players want to risk by coming home with anything other than gold.

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Sochi 2014: Russia's Hope For Gold On Home Soil

Let me first stand up, and in a strong and proud voice exclaim, “I am Canadian”. I have the maple leaf (that’s singular and lower case) firmly tattooed on my heart.

But with that said, despite my love of my country and trust that Team Canada will always strive, well I am sorry folks but the Gold Medal in Mens Hockey in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi is destined to go to Team Russia.

Before I get into the 23 players who will help win this medal, let’s talk about the extraneous variables that will come into play.

First, the living conditions. Russia is not exactly known for it’s top notch accommodations when it comes to sports. Yes the KHL throws out a huge amount of money to lure top end talent but the housing, the travel, the food is less than desirable. Team Russia will certainly have a competitive advantage in this domain whereas other nations will have to learn to cope and adjust to having a less than usual experience in preparing for the tournament.

Second the climate. It is one thing to hoist a gold medal in Vancouver or Salt Lake City while taking in the weather and the city. Players were able to unwind, take in a good restaurant, enjoying the athletes village and bask in the beauty of some major metropolis areas. Now they turn to a small Russian city with a population slightly larger than the Bell Centre with a climate which, although not harsh, is still colder than of more recent Olympics.

Third and perhaps the most important, home field advantage. I am sure we all remember the images of the tens of thousands of fans both outside and within the arena screaming “Go Canada Go”. Well that support that Canada once shared will now be solely on the backs of the knowledgeable Russian hockey fans. Sure you’ll see the 50-100 Canadians in the audience but there spectators will be Russian.

With that said, here is the line-up that will be bringing home the GOLD medal.

Forwards:

Alexander Ovechkin-Evgeny Malkin-Alexander Semin
Alexander Radulov-Pavel Datysuk-Ilya Kovalchuk
Nail Yakupov-Artem Anisimov-Alexei Morozov
Sergei Mozyakin-Andrei Loktionov-Nikolai Zherdev

Nikolai Kulemin, Evgeny Kuznetsov

If there is a team that can put together a better group of top end talent on the top two lines then I would like to see it. This group consists of Hart, Rocket Richard, Art Ross, Selke, Con Smythe trophy winners who excel at both the offensive and defensive side of the puck.

Combine that with the speed, youth and familiarity of the country, they are without a doubt the best collection of forwards that any team will put together.

The list of players who make the team will include 4 players who are currently playing in the KHL. Including the top point getter in Sergei Mozyakin who some may remember from the 2010 Olympics, young Evgeny Kuznetsov as well as former NHL players Alexei Morozov and Nikolai Zherdev and

Watch for KHL standouts like Igor Mirnov or Andrei Subbotin to at least have a chance at making the club should injuries be a factor.

Player to watch out for,Alexander Radulov. He’s a big game player who loves to keep his best for international play. Watch for “Radu” to be named on of the tournament All-Stars

Defense:

Sergei Gonchar-Fedor Tyutin
Andrei Markov- Alexei Emelin
Renat Mamashev-Slava Voynov

Illya Nikulin-Evgeny Medvedev

If there is a weakness for the favorites then it has to be on defense. Sure there are some young, up and coming players who look to make an impact but on a whole the Russian blue line is again, battered and bruised.

None the less, as a collective, this 6 man unit will help in keeping the puck out of the net and ensuring that the high flying Russian transition game be a factor against whomever they are playing.

Assuming that injuries are not a factor, this group will consist of 5 NHL players and 3 players currently in the KHL.

Player to watch out for, Renat Mamashev. You likely do not know much about the guy but the 30 year old Defenseman from the Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk is an offensive superstar. He’s a point per game producing river gambler who takes chances and jumps in the rush at the expense of his own zone. Watch for him to make an impact.


Goaltending

Sergei Bobrovsky-Evgheni Nabokov- Stanislav Galimov

Goaltending has long been a question mark for the Russian team however the emergence of Sergei Bobrovsky as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL has solidified a position of weakness.

“Bob the goalie”, who I will argue should have not only won the Vezina this year but also had my vote as the Hart Winner, will be backed up by the KHL stand out goaltender Stanislav Galimov.

If “Bob” should struggle then Galimov has proven more than capable of leading a team. Galimov is the catalyst of a strong CSKA Moskow team who completed the 2012-13 season with a 1.76 GAA and .932 save %. Together they will form one of the best 1-2 punches in this tournament and will be supported by the veteran leadership of the aging but still effective Evgheny Nabakov.


Conclusion

When you combine arguably the top 2 lines of this tournament with the superb goaltending and the stand out play of an offensive minded D-core with the extraneous off ice variables, you have the makings of what looks like a Russian gold medal victory.

I am still hoping and preying that our Canadian boys prevail victoriously, but they will be in tough for what I predict will be a Russian Gold Medal victory.

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Sochi 2014 Preview: Team Finland

First and foremost, I am proudly Canadian and I fully expect the gold medal to be coming home to Canada.   The reason I chose to write up about Team Finland is simple:  Former Habs captain Saku Koivu has long been my favorite NHL player. 

Finland has been a force in the past two Olympics, ending up with a silver medal in 2006 and a bronze in 2010. The strength of the Finnish program is goaltending. While Canada is trying to figure out who will be more consistent between Carey Price and Corey Crawford, Finland is trying to figure out which all-star to leave OFF the roster. Good goaltending can help a bad team win games.  This is good because Finland has an aging roster that is short on top-level talent, especially on defense.

Goaltending

Pekka Rinne (starter)

Tuukka Rask

Anti Niemi (3^rd)

With incumbent starter Mikka Kiprusoff retiring, the reins have been passed to All-Star and two-time (arguably should have been three-time) Vezina trophy candidate Pekka Rinne. Tuukka Rask is coming off a defining playoff run and Antti Niemi has won a Stanley Cup in Chicago and was a Vezina nominee for his play this year in San Jose.  Kari Lehtonen is a former 2^nd overall draft pick and star for the Dallas Stars, but does not boast the talent and resume to make this squad.  Barring injury to one of the top three, Lehtonen is watching from home, along with Minnesota Wild standout Niklas Backstrom.

Grade: A+

Defense

Kimmo Timonen  --  Sami Salo

Joni Pitkanen  --   Toni Lydman

Sami Lepisto  --  Sami Vatanen

Ossi  Väänänen (scratch)

This group is old.  Timonen and Salo are both 38 years old, but both still posess puck-moving skills to lead the power-play (Timonen) and a cannon point shot accessorize it (Salo).  Lydman is an elite shutdown defender, but is also 35 years old.  Sami Lepisto makes the team based on his past experience, but is currently playing in the KHL.  Sami Vatanen (Anaheim Ducks prospect) is an up-and-coming NHL player who should break camp with the Ducks this upcoming season and will be a part of Finlands future. Olli Maata (Pittsburgh Penguins prospect) has a bright future, but at 19 will not be a part of this team.  Ossi Väänänen is a well-regarded veteran and will be on the squad to provide depth.

Grade: C

Forwards 

Valterri Filppula  --  Mikko Koivu  --  Mikael Granlund

Tuomo Ruutu  --  Saku Koivu  --  Teemu Selanne

Lori Korpikoski  --  Olli Jokinen  --  Ville Leino

Antti Miettinen  --  Sean Bergenheim  --  Jussi Jokinen

Teemu Hartikainen, Jori Lehtera (scratches)

Up-front, this squad is led by the brothers Koivu (Mikko is my choice for captain, Saku an assistant), the ageless Teemu Selanne and Detroit Red Wings stalwart Valterri Filppula.  After that, the talent level thins out considerably.   This is a veteran group through and through, as Saku is 38 years old, Selanne is 42 and Olli Jokinen is 34. Most of the core players are at or around 30 years of age.  Granlund and Hartikainen (20 and 22 respectively) will provide the youth.

The top line of Filppula/Koivu/Granlund boasts two potential line-mates from Minnesota playing together. If they develop a chemistry together during the regular season, that should theoretically carry over to the Olympics.  Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne have played together in Olympics past and currently play together with the Anaheim Ducks. Tuomo Ruutu provides a physical presence on that line.  The third line consists of veteran sniper Olli Jokinen, with two-way Phoenix Coyote Lori Korpikoski and the gritty Ville Leino.  The checking line should be able to shut down teams on the penalty kill, with proven grinders Miettinen and Jussi Jokinen paired up with Florida Panther Sean Bergenheim.  This line can also put the puck in the net.  Teemu Hartikainen is a top-prospect with the Edmonton Oilers and pairs up with top KHL player Jori Lehtera (52 games, 17 goals, 48 pts) to provide depth.  While Aleksander Barkov was drafted 2nd overall in the 2013 NHL draft by Florida and is an extremely talented player, I do not see him making the team this year barring a Sidney Crosby-esque start to his NHL career. Sochi is about taking one last veteran run at winning Olympic gold.

Grade: C

Prediction

Finland has the goaltending depth to steal another medal.  While they lack the firepower to compete with power-houses Canada, Russia and the United States, this has always been the case for them.  Finland has enough two-way forwards to make up for the lack of depth on defence.  Age will be a factor, as will health.  Sami Salo, Joni Pitkanen, Saku and Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu have been injury prone in the past and losing any of these players to injury around Olympic time will be a hard blow to overcome.

Group B consists of Finland, Canada, Austria and Norway.  Canada and Finland advance.

Finland rides hot goaltending to make another appearance in the medal round but lacks the offensive firepower to upset the United States.  Canada and Russia meet for the gold.

The Finnish Finish:  4^th 

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Sochi 2014 Preview: Team Switzerland

BY: Steven Hindle (@StevenHindle)

Neutral No More

Fresh off of a Silver Medal finish at the recently completed IIHF World Championship, Head Coach of Team Switzerland, Sean Simpson, has high hopes for the upcoming 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Having long been considered a competitive club, Team Switzerland has yet to make a dent among the top nations in International play. Finishing 8^th at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, the Swiss are sure to challenge for a better finish this time around.

Despite only 0.35% of the population of Switzerland play hockey, the talent pool has grown exponentially, as witnessed in recent years as Swiss prospects have produced some 1^st round prospects in the NHL.
Building off the development of recent prospects, the Swiss look to ice a club that will not only cause fits for top Nations such as Sweden, Canada, Russia and the U.S., but they will look to cement their place as a legit contender in International competition.

Sure, they’ve pulled off some upsets and caused a few scares in the past, but the outlook is different this time around. Most imagine that Sean Simpson was ecstatic over the Silver Medal earned in Sweden at the World Championships, yet that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Though proud of the accomplishment, internally the Swiss are focused on nothing but winning. Anything less isn’t good enough.
And it is this change of attitude and thinking, internally, which has the elite hockey Nations thinking twice about how to handle Simpson’s Swiss club.

While the projections will remain conservative for the Swiss heading into Round Robin play, the 9^th ranked Nation will be motivated through rivalry as they will share Group C with Team Sweden, Gold Medal winners over the Swiss at the 2013 IIHF World Championships. Included in the group with the Swiss and Swedes are the Czech Republic and Latvia.

Though the odds have Switzerland ranked behind the 3^rd and 4^th ranked Nations (Czechs and Swedes), the Swiss are getting younger and faster and will look to have their most talented and competitive roster on the ice this upcoming February.

Included in the mix for the final cut on Team Switzerland are a few NHL players and prospects, and a dearth of talented players skating across Europe.

Here is a look the players vying for spots on Team Switzerland:

Goaltenders:

Jonas Hiller, Reto Berra, Martin Gerber, Benjamin Conz, Tobias Stephan

Defense:

Mark Streit, Raphael Diaz, Roman Josi, Julien Vauclair, Severin Blindenbacher, Goran Bezina, Robin Grossman, Mathias Seger, Luca Sbisa, Felicien DuBois, Yannick Weber (maybe Mirco Muller)

Forwards:

Bruno Hollenstein, Kevin Romy, Damian Brunner, Sven Bärtschi, Martin Pluss, Nino Neiderreiter, Roman Wick, Andrey Bykov, Luca Cunti, Ryan Gardner, Reto Suri, Simon Moser, Morris Trachsler, Andres Ambühl, Julian Walker (maybe Sven Andrighetto)

With a potent mix of veteran leaders and young, up-and-coming prospects, Sean Simpson will have his work cut when it comes to making the final cut for the opening night roster against Team Latvia.

Beyond Group C, the Olympic Hockey tournament promises to be one of the greatest hockey competitions of all-time. With hosts Russia leading Slovakia, the U.S. and Slovenia in Group A, Group B will offer up Finland, Canada, Norway and Austria. Needless to say, the Swiss couldn’t have picked a better time to begin their rise in Hockey.

Making it to the medal round at the Olympics is quite a different story as compared to the World Championships, but with a roster that exuded great chemistry at the WC and an ability to add to that, Team Switzerland is no longer a team without expectations. Rather they have now entered the realm of great expectations; territory the Swiss hope propels them to a seat among the elite of hockey Nations.

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Sochi 2014 Preview: Team Slovakia

BY: Patrick Scebba (@MTLDriveFor25)

As we draw closer to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, most of us are all really looking forward to see who will be winning the gold medal. Like some people, I’ve always been a fan of watching the world’s top players face off in one of the biggest stages you’ll ever see. It’s a lot of fun to see all these all-star players play together. At HabsAddict.com's request, I’m going to be reviewing Team Slovakia.

Team Slovakia is looking good. Coming off a fourth place finish in Vancouver 2010, The Slovaks have opened some eyes recently, winning silver medal in last year’s IIHF World Hockey Championships. Team Slovakia looks to rebound with another strong showing in Sochi.

Here is my prediction of the final roster:

Forwards:

• Marian Hossa - Tomas Kopecky - Marian Gaborik
• Mario Bliznak - Michal Handzus - Miroslav Satan
• Martin Cibak - Tomas Tatar - Richard Panik
• Stefan Ruzicka - Jozef Stumpel - Branko Radivojevic
• Marcel Hossa

Defense:

• Zdeno Chara - Lubomir Visnovsky
• Andrej Sekera - Andrej Meszaros
• Milan Jurcina - Ivan Baranka

Goaltenders:

• Jaroslav Halak
• Peter Budaj
• Jaroslav Janus

If Slovakia wants to continue its success this season, they will have to rely on their strong core of defenseman and very skillful offense. The team will look to captain Zdeno Chara as the key guy running the Slovak blue line. 

Chara, coming off a Stanley Cup loss, is arguably one of the world’s best defenseman. At a frightening six foot, nine inches, 255 pounds there is no getting by this guy. His ability to see the puck and shut down the opposition's top forward line is incredible. 

Up front it will be up to 2-time Stanley Cup champion Marian Hossa and Blue Jackets forward, Marian Gaborik. Hossa notching 31 points in 40 games with the Blackhawks this year, and is the Slovaks most dangerous offensive weapon. Gaborik scoring 27 points in 47 games (NYR + CBJ), and looking to make a statement for the Slovaks.

This tournament will be tough for Slovakia, but if they can play to their full potential, they have a shot at advancing to the medal round.

Here is a look at the Groups:

Group A – Russia, Slovakia, United States, Slovenia

Group B – Finland, Canada, Norway, Austria

Group C – Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Latvia

How it works:

The format will be the same as in Vancouver 2010. The four teams with the best records (the group winners and the second-place team with the best record) advance to the quarterfinals; the remaining eight teams will play a qualification game.

It looks pretty tough for Slovakia to get into the quarterfinals. I think if they play their best hockey, it’s definitely possible.

My prediction: Slovakia finishes 6^th overall. 

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