Hello everyone! I'm Val Pix, coming to you from just outside of Lanxess Arena in Cologne for the daily IIHF recap for the third day of round robin action. As we get into the business end of the round robin, there's plenty of hockey to talk about, so let's not waste time!

Day 1 - October 15

 Czechia 4-1 Ireland  

After a scoreless first, the Czechs struck first on a Greyson Cooper power play marker and never looked back, cruising on the back of Cooper's two goals and three points from Petr Svoboda. Ragnar Lothbrok's shorthanded marker spoiled Copernicus Doomslatter's shutout bid.

 France 3-2 (OT) Finland  

Against the veteran Finns, it was a youngster coming up big for the French. Alvin Wong bagged the OT winner 96 seconds into OT for Les Bleus.

 Switzerland 1-8 Japan  

Japan's offense absolutely smokes the Swiss, led by three points each from Slavakov Vladimirashenko, Ryuuji Kawashima, and Evil AllBran. The Swiss finished with just ten shots on goal but did avoid the shutout.

 Great Britain 7-1 Norway  

A very uncharacteristic game for both teams. Defense-first Britain went sicko mode on offense, led by a Lev Lebedev hat trick. Norway, meanwhile, got smashed offensively while producing very little. The power play was the story, as Britain went a staggering 5 for 5.

Day 2 - October 16

 Sweden 5-3 Great Britain  

Britain's power play continued its torrid form with a pair of first-period man-advantage tallies. But this time, they did not go 5 for 5, and at even strength the Swedes prevailed thanks to five different goal scorers.

 Latvia 6-3 IRHF

Latvia started hot and never looked back, racking up the game's first five goals. A late Sbornaya rally made the score a bit more respectable. Mats Marner struck twice and added an assist, while Sophie Bordeleau dished out three apples.

 Germany 5-4 (SO) USA  

Justin Time's 49 saves and a late Lord Raiden hat trick salvaged a point for the Stars and Stripes. Defender Jonas Kahnwald preserved the second point for the hosts, who got two goals from Konstantin Selich.


Day 3 - October 17

 Japan 7-2 Ireland  

A game that was close until it wasn't, as Japan's offense turned up to 11 in a five goal third. Dwayne Gretzky racked up three assists, and five players logged multi-point games.

 Canada 7-5 France  

Despite jumping out to a 3-0 lead, Canada could not quite put the French away until late in the game. But their top line continued their dominance, as Sarah Burke and Max Manning logged three points each. France just could not find an equalizer no matter how close they got.

 Switzerland 0-5 Sweden  

After starting the tournament with a six goal game, the Swiss attack has gone ice cold. Jon St. Ark only needed 15 saves for the shutout, and Sweden's attack cruised to a dominant win.

Day 4 - October 18

 Canada 2-4 Germany  

At long last, Canada's 16 game win streak dating back to last season concludes at the hands of the hosts. Hans Graf struck twice, Olof Korsikko stopped 26, and Red Kirkby and Jaeger Jones added key insurance goals. 

IRHF 4-3 France  

Down 3-1 in the third, the Russian representation rallied. A power play goal by Patya Perevalov pulled IRHF within one, and Ekaterina Valieva tied the game midway through the third. In the last minute, Raiya Rabinov secured the game winner and a vital three points for the white-blue-white.

 Japan 7-5 Czechia  

This was...not a good game to be a goalie. Czech starter Brick Wall was chased, and Sir Devoir wasn't great for the Japanese. The Czechs stayed persistent and efficient, but two goals each by Ryuuji Kawashima and Aleksander Iskandrov helped bury them. 

 Latvia 3-4 USA  

Mats Marner's third period power play goal makes the last ten minutes spicy, but Latvia is unable to find an equalizer. Philip Fry scored the go-ahead goal, and assisted on the game winner for the USA.

Day 5 - October 19

 USA 2-4 Germany  

Justin Time's 40 saves keep the US in it, but Greg Davies's third period goal proves to be a backbreaker for the red-hot hosts. Adam Liebold scored a goal and added an assist for the US.

 Switzerland 1-2 Ireland  

Caleb Hayden steals the show and the three points for the Irish, making 37 stops for the side in green. Meta Knight scored the lone goal for the Swiss.

 Norway 0-4 Sweden  

The Swedes absolutely boss their eastern neighbors. Willie Miller makes 16 saves for the shutout, and Melvin Majestik-Moose scores twice as Tre Kronor cruise. 

 Finland 5-2 Latvia  

Latvia is able to match Finland's first two goals, but Leijonat pull away with three third period strikes. Mikko Rashford scores twice, and Igor Victory adds a pair of helpers.

Current Standings:




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