Annnnnnnd we're back! After a short hiatus from international hockey, the players have stepped back onto the ice and we've seen some excellent hockey. The standings are beginning to form as some of the teams have finished half their group stage games. There are some usual suspects near the top and a few teams that many may not have picked to be at the top.
Group A
Rank | Team Name | Record |
1 | Canada | 3-0-1-1 |
2 | Switzerland | 3-0-1-0 |
3 | France | 3-0-1-0 |
4 | United States | 1-2-2-0 |
5 | Germany | 2-0-2-0 |
6 | Norway | 1-1-2-1 |
7 | Quebec | 0-0-4-1 |
Group B
Rank | Team Name | Record |
1 | Czechia | 5-0-1-0 |
2 | Great Britain | 4-0-2-0 |
3 | Ireland | 2-0-2-1 |
4 | Finland | 2-0-4-0 |
5 | Latvia | 2-0-3-0 |
6 | Sweden | 2-0-3-0 |
7 | Japan | 1-1-3-0 |
In Group A, is a close group for six of the seven teams. Four points separating the top spot and sixth in the group. No one will be surprised to see Canada

at the top, having a record of 3-0-1-1 for a group best 10 points. Continuing two points earned per game will be enough to earn them a spot in the playoffs. Switzerland

, France

and the United States

round out the top 4 in group A. The Americans

will be looking to improve on their start to make sure they can give their fans something to cheer about! Norway

who finished atop group A in S78 will be shocked about their location in the standings. Luckily for them, they have 7 games left and are only behind Canada

by 4 points. Quebec

who had a great pre-tournament clearly had too much to think about during the hiatus as they have fallen to remain the only winless team.
Over in Group B, we see the tournament leading team Czechia

with 15 points, who have outscored their opponents 28-13 to double the next best team in goal differential. Czechia

has all but punched their way to the playoffs already. Historically 15-19 points is enough to claim 4th in the group. Of course, Czechia

will be looking to do better than that. Their fans don't chant "Czechia" is the Bestia" for fourth. Great Britain

has doubled their points from the S78 tournament. Ireland

and Finland

are the last two teams in playoff spots. Latvia

, Sweden

and Japan

are all out of the playoffs for now but easily within reach as they all have 7 games remaining and are 1-2 points out of third.
Players to Watch:
Offense: Aumy Junior II (@
st4rface)

has had a solid start to the tournament with 5 goals and 5 assists for a tournament leading 10 points. The Fins are second in the tournament for goals for thanks partially to Aumy. Aumy will need to continue thier scoring success and maybe help on the defensive side a bit to help propel their team up the standings.
Defense: FHM is doing it's thing by keeping the denfese at bay when it comes to scoring. Dunkler Sowerine (@
oknom)

is leading the defensive players in points with 7 (2 goals and 5 assists). Germany

is currently out of a playoff spot will need all the fire power they can get to jump up a few spots in the standings. Looking at the defensive stats, David Doug (@
TheSparkyDee)

is the only player in the top 10 for hits and shots blocked. Unfortunately, blocking 22 shots hasn't prevented Quebec

from giving up the most goals in the tournament.
Goalie: In the crease, Roman Cechmanek II (@
prattk1987)

is stopping everything... literally. Although they have only played two of the six games, they are a perfect 50 saves on 50 shots. Czechia's strong start can be partially contributed to Roman. We'll see if they continue to ride the success of Roman.
Tomorrow is moving day. We will see what teams are able to do to move their way up the standings to put themselves in a position to have a run for gold.