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Final Results Group A in Cologne Latvia - Denmark 3-0 (0-0, 1-0, 2-0) 23:08 Gints MEIJA 1-0 41:50 Miks INDRASIS 2-0 52:40 Miks INDRASIS 3-0 Group B in Paris Switzerland - Slovenia 5-4 After GWS (4-0, 0-1, 0-3, OT: 0-0, GWS: 1-0) 10:49 Andres AMBUHL 1-0 11:01 Gaetan HAAS 2-0 16:59 Romain LOEFFEL 3-0 17:47 Simon BODENMANN 4-0 38:31 Jan MURSAK 4-1 45:50 Ziga JEGLIC 4-2 54:02 Jan URBAS 4-3 55:23 Robert SABOLIC 4-4 Winning Shoot-out Scored by Damien BRUNNER 5-4 (GWS)

Results after 2nd Period Group A in Cologne Latvia - Denmark 1-0 (0-0, 1-0,-) 23:08 Gints MEIJA 1-0 Group B in Paris Switzerland - Slovenia 4-1 (4-0, 0-1,-) 10:49 Andres AMBUHL 1-0 11:01 Gaetan HAAS 2-0 16:59 Romain LOEFFEL 3-0 17:47 Simon BODENMANN 4-0 38:31 Jan MURSAK 4-1

Results after 1st Period Group A in Cologne Latvia - Denmark 0-0 (0-0,-,-) Group B in Paris Switzerland - Slovenia 4-0 (4-0,-,-) 10:49 Andres AMBUHL 1-0 11:01 Gaetan HAAS 2-0 16:59 Romain LOEFFEL 3-0 17:47 Simon BODENMANN 4-0

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAY 1 The BEST OF Top 3 Goals of the Day 1 Top 3 Saves of Day 1

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 DAY 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEAMS PREVIEW Switzerland ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JERSEY Home Away ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fischer needs results Can Swiss create silver magic again? It had been nearly two decades since a non-Canadian coached the Swiss team, so there was optimism last year when former player Patrick Fischer took over. A disappointing 11th-place finish, though, has dampened the Swiss spirits and put extra importance on this year’s tournament. Goal At 35, Jonas Hiller is closer to the end of his career than beginning, but he had a good year with Biel in the Swiss league and will be playing his first World Championship since 2008. He played at the last two Olympics as well, and his experience will be an important factor for the team. Behind him will be Leonardo Genoni and 22-year-old Niklas Schlegel. Defence If the names on the blue line seem familiar in a distant sort of way, that’s because coach Fischer has recruited heavily from the team’s junior programs of the last several years. Raphael Diaz is the one rock who has been with the team at various levels for more than a decade, and Philippe Furrer isn’t far behind. But the common thread is youth with a bit of international experience. Ramon Untersander, Dave Sutter, Dominik Schlumpf, and Dean Kukan all fit into this category. Joel Genazzi is a real shot in the dark. The 29-year-old has been with Lausanne for several years but has never donned a Swiss sweater in IIHF competition. The “old rookie” will be eager to prove his worth. Forward The unstoppable Andres Ambuhl is playing his way into the IIHF record books. This will be his 14th consecutive World Championship appearance going back to 2004, and at 33 he may have a few more left in him. Denis Hollenstein and Kevn Romy are the only other mainstays, but Fischer has revamped the forwards in the same manner as the blue line. Denis Malgin is making his senior debut after a lengthy career in U18 and U20. But the list of newcomers to the senior team is long—Chris Baltisberger, Fabrice Herzog, Vincent Praplan, Richard Tanner, and Pius Suter among them. It’s clear Fischer is considering the program ahead of any other criteria in the hopes that experience with the Swiss team at the junior level will carry up to greater results with the seniors. Coaching Patrick Fischer has crafted a team with great thought and precision. He has enough experience on the roster so he youngsters won’t be overwhelmed by the occasion, but his goal is to give the whole national team a makeover. In the past, the World Championship roster was heavy with years and years of experience, but often short of results, so there’s no reason not to applaud Fischer’s audacity. Projected Results With good goaltending and timely scoring the Swiss can qualify for the quarter-finals, after which anything is possible. Playing in Paris (bein sur!), they aren’t likely to push Canada, the Czechs, or Finland out of the way, but their other opponents—Belarus, Slovenia, Norway, and France—are all within striking distance. A solid 4th-8th finish could well be expected. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous Previews France Latvia Slovenia Canada Denmark Italy Belarus United States Russia Finland Sweden Germany Czech Republic

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 2 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Latvia vs Denmark Period-by-Period: May 6th 2016, h. 12:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne Slovakia vs Italy Period-by-Period: May 6th 2016, h. 16:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne Germany vs Sweden Period-by-Period: May 6th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Switzerland vs Slovenia Period-by-Period: May 6th 2016, h. 12:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris Belarus vs Czech Republic Period-by-Period: May 6th 2016, h. 16:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris Norway vs France Period-by-Period: May 6th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Czech Republic 1 - 4 Canada Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-1, 1-2 May 5th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris HIGHLIGHTS

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) United States 1 - 2 Germany Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-0, 1-1 May 5th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne HIGHLIGHTS

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Finland 3 - 2 Belarus Period-by-Period: 2-0, 0-1, 1-1 May 5th 2016, h. 16:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris HIGHLIGHTS

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Sweden 1 - 2GWS Russia Period-by-Period: 1-0, 0-0, 0-1, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1 May 5th 2016, h. 16:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne HIGHLIGHTS

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Czech Republic 1 - 4 Canada Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-1, 1-2 May 5th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris Canada wins wide-open game Cal and the kids beat Czechs, 4-1 In many cities over many decades have Canada and the Czechs played hockey, but until tonight never Paris. The massively pro-Czech crowd of 8,834 left disappointed, though, because their team was beaten by a superior, but sloppy, Canada, 4-1. The Canadians got goals from four skaters and captain Claude Giroux added two assists. Lukas Radil had the lone goal for the Czechs. Canada's goalie Cal Pickard, now 3-0 in his World Championship career, made many fine saves and looked to be in mid-tournament form. In truth, the first-game sloppiness went both ways but made for many scoring chances and a thrilling game all the same. But if Canada and the Czechs are going to be playing the kind of end-to-end hockey they demonstrated tonight, it’s going to be a fun fortnight in the City of Lights for Parisian fans of hockey sur glace. Canada won the game, but it was a thrill a minute throughout as teams sped their way up and down the ice, creating scoring chances and, yes, making some giveaways they likely won’t make in a few days’ time. The Canadians opened the scoring at 6:09 on a typical Canadian play. Three times they beat their man to the puck, and three times they did something to help put the disc in the goal. First, Tyson Barrie got to a loose puck in centre ice and got it deep into the Czech end. Then, Mark Schiefele outfoxed Jakub Krejcik behind the goal when the puck was up for grabs, sweeping a quick pas in front. And then Ryan O’Reilly outfought Jakub Jerabek to get a stick on the puck and pop it in. Brayden Point had a breakaway a short time later but was stopped by Petr Mrazek, and then Mitch Marner, who took a puck to his left cheek a few minutes earlier, gave the puck up in front of his own goal. Michal Repik wheeled and fired but Pickard made the save. The Czechs had a brief two-man advantage later, but the best chance came from Jan Rutta, who hit the post behind Pickard. Canada started the second on a power play and wasted no time in upping the lead. This time a quick point shot from Mike Matheson hit teammate Brayden Schenn on the way to the goal, changing direction and fooling Mrazek just 55 seconds into the second. The Czechs had plenty of chances to get close and showed little touch—or puck—around Pickard. Tomas Kundratek had a great chance moments after Schenn’s goal, but Pickard made a great glove grab. But the chanve of the period—it should have been a goal—came off the stick of Jan Kovar. Creating a nice give-and-go with captain Jakub Voracek, Kovar headed to the net for the return pass, but much to even his own disbelief he shot over the crossbar of the wide-open goal. The Czechs were finally rewarded on the power play midway through the third. Pickard stoned Kovar on one chance, but the goalie was down and out when Radil swatted the rebound into the open side at 12:41 to make it a 2-1 game. Travis Konecny made sure that was as far as the Czechs got. He barrelled down the right wing behind the Czech goal, fought off two defenders, and fired a great pass in front to Barrie. Barrie's low shot found the net to restore the two-goal lead just two minutes after Radil's goal. Jeff Skinner added an empty netter with 42.1 seconds remaining. The Czechs are right back at it tomorrow afternoon against Belarus (0-1) while Canada has a day off before playing Slovenia.

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Czech Republic 1 - 4 Canada Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-1, 1-2 May 5th 2016, h. 20:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris Group B Provisional Standing After Day 1 Nation P W(OTW) L(OTL) GF GA +/- Pt. Canada 1 1(0) 0(0) 4 1 +3 3 Finland 1 1(0) 0(0) 3 2 +1 3 France 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Norway 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Slovenia 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Switzerland 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Belarus 1 0(0) 1(0) 2 3 -1 0 Czech Republic 1 0(0) 1(0) 1 4 -3 0

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) United States 1 - 2 Germany Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-0, 1-1 May 5th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne Made in Cologne Home-town heroes snatch German win Philip Gogulla and Patrick Hager, two players from Cologne's DEL team, thrilled the home crowd with the game-winning play as Germany downed the USA 2-1. Few things wake up a tournament like a strong start for the host nation, and Germany delivered exactly that in Cologne. Marco Sturm’s roster has genuine hopes of progressing to the knock-out phase here and it burnished those credentials with an opening-day victory over the USA. To make things even better for a sell-out 18,600 crowd in Cologne, the winning goal was made right here on the banks of the Rhine. On a power play Kolner Haie's Philip Gogulla played the puck out to the point, Yannic Seidenberg fired in a shot and Patrick Hager - another Kolner Haie man - got the vital downward deflection to deceive Jimmy Howard and reinstate Germany's lead with six minutes to play. It would be hard not to feel some sympathy for the USA, though. After falling behind early in the game, Jeff Blaishill's team dominated proceedings to the extent that Hager's goal was only the fourth shot Germany mustered in the final stanza of a game which, at times, threatened to turn into a personal shoot-out between Johnny Gaudreau and home goaltender Thomas Greiss. Greiss finished with 42 saves to help his nation to victory. The Americans enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, with Gaudreau going one-on-one in the third minute only to be thwarted by Greiss. But Germany came into the game and took the lead in the 11th minute through Tobias Rieder. The Arizona Coyotes man showed great composure in front of the net, collecting the rebound after his close-range effort was blocked, spotting a gap between Jimmy Howard’s pad and his far post, and holding the puck until the angle opened up for a backhand finish that went beyond the goalie’s reach. Chants of ‘Deutschland, Deutschland!’ rolled around the capacity crowd in Cologne’s Lanxess Arena. Gaudreau remained the stand-out player. After his early chance, the youngster produced a beautiful piece of skill to spin away from the sprawling Konrad Abeltshauser only to find Greiss slamming the door shut in his face once again. Gaudreau first came to prominence playing in the 2014 Worlds, and looks to be in the mood for another big showing on the international stage. The middle stanza was dominated by the Americans, but the tying goal would not come. Gaudreau again went close, sparking a huge scramble on the German crease during the first USA power play of the tournament. Anders Lee couldn’t quite make contact with the loose puck as it slewed crazily across the paintwork and – eventually – Greiss got on top of the situation. Another big moment fell to Andrew Copp when he got a clear look at Greiss’s net late in the session. Invited inside by Justin Krueger, Copp’s shot clipped the outside of the post and went wide. Not surprisingly the USA continued to press early in the third. Seven minutes into the final frame, Greiss had turned away a further 10 shots while Germany had managed just one attempt at the other end. The big chances came and went: Charlie McAvoy found Griess’s pads when well-placed, Clayton Keller went short-side and found the side netting, Christian Dvorak fanned on a shot with a clear look at goal. Germany was reeling, willing the clock to tick down faster. Instead, team captain Connor Murphy finally tied the game for the USA. His wrist shot from the top of the right-hand circle beat Greiss with nine minutes left to play, the goalie's view perhaps obscured by his own defence. Twenty seconds later, Lee was convinced he’d got the better of his New York Islanders team-mate and put the Americans in front but the effort was ruled out as the puck was hooked from the goal line by a German defenceman. It felt like a temporary reprieve, but the Cologne connection struck to kickstart a new carnival beside the Rhine.

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) United States 1 - 2 Germany Period-by-Period: 0-1, 0-0, 1-1 May 5th 2016, h. 20:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne Group A Provisional Standing After Day 1 Nation P W(OTW) L(OTL) GF GA +/- Pt. Germany 1 1(0) 0(0) 2 1 +1 3 Russia 1 1(1) 0(0) 2 1 +1 2 Sweden 1 0(0) 1(1) 1 2 -1 1 Denmark 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Italy 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Latvia 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 Slovakia 0 0(0) 0(0) 0 0 0 0 United States 1 0(0) 1(0) 1 2 -1 0

Final Results Group A in Cologne United States - Germany 1-2 (0-1, 0-0, 1-1) 10:50 Tobias RIEDER 0-1 51:00 Connor MURPHY 1-1 53:58 Patrick HAGER 1-2 Group B in Paris Czech Republic - Canada 1-4 (0-1, 0-1, 1-2) 06:09 Ryan O´REILLY 0-1 20:55 Mike MATHESON 0-2 52:41 Lukas RADIL 1-2 54:50 Tyson BARRIE 1-3 59:18 Jeff SKINNER 1-4

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 DAY 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEAMS PREVIEW Czech Republic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JERSEY Home Away ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Czechs could surprise Jandac's boys seek first medal since 2012 Since winning gold in 2010 and two bronzes in 2011 and 2012, the Czech Republic has gone empty-handed at the Worlds. But the drought might end this year. Perhaps it’s a statement about the reduced depth of Czech hockey, but this team could perform better than the more star-studded roster that placed fourth on home ice in Prague in 2015. Josef Jandac, who took the reins as head coach for the sixth-place finish at September’s World Cup of Hockey, has some promising young talent to play with here. If his squad gels quickly, Group A opponents in Paris could be in for a tough fight. Goal In Petr Mrazek, the Czechs boast one of hockey’s most talented young netminders. The knock on Mrazek has always been his consistency. The 25-year-old Ostrava native’s numbers sagged this season (3.04 GAA and 90.1 save percentage in 50 games) as the Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs for the first time since 1990. Still, Mrazek, named Best Goalie at the 2012 World Juniors, is eminently capable of stealing a game, and shines when he faces a lot of rubber: see his 39-save performance in a 4-3 win over the United States at the World Cup of Hockey. This is Mrazek’s first opportunity as the unquestioned starter for the Czechs at the senior level. His only previous Worlds appearance was for 9:12 in an 8-1 romp over Germany in 2012. Backing up Mrazek will be Pavel Francouz. The 26-year-old is coming off an excellent campaign with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk (1.43 GAA and 95.3 save percentage in 30 games). Francouz previously played at the 2013 and 2016 Worlds, and has twice been named the Czech Extraliga’s best goalie. Defence The relatively youthful Czech blue line is intriguing. There are no budding Norris Trophy candidates, but there’s enough hockey sense and skating ability to keep most opponents at bay. Michael Kempny (Chicago Blackhawks) is the only World Cup returnee, and while the smooth-skating 26-year-old didn’t strut his offensive stuff in a bottom-pairing role in the Windy City (2-6-8 in 50 games), he should make an impact on the power play here. Montreal Canadiens fans will be watching Jakub Jerabek curiously after he signed a one-year deal with their club: the 25-year-old from Plzen shone with 34 points in 59 games for Vityaz Podolsk this season. Add the grit of Philadelphia Flyers veteran Radek Gudas and the two-way play of KHLer and former Washington Capitals prospect Tomas Kundratek, and you’ve got a nice core. This defensive group certainly isn’t on par with Canada’s or Sweden’s, but shouldn’t be underestimated either. Forward Nobody is saying that David Pastrnak will challenge Jaromir Jagr as the greatest Czech NHL attacker of all time. But the 20-year-old right winger from Havirov blossomed in his third season with Boston (34-36-70), leading all Czech NHLers, and he’ll need to be a difference-maker on the top line with veterans Roman Cervenka and Tomas Plekanec. He had six points at last year's Worlds. Prior to Pastrnak, Jakub Voracek was the top new Czech winger to enter the world’s top league, and the Philadelphia Flyers veteran had his third-best offensive campaign ever with 61 points – even if he sagged to a career-worst -24 plus-minus rating. He should be dangerous alongside two-time Gagarin Cup winner Jan Kovar: the 27-year-old centre has scored 20 or more goals in all four of his season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. The third and fourth lines won’t be as dynamic, but avoiding defensive mistakes is always the key to Czech hockey success, and if they can make it hard to skate through the neutral zone and chip in on the counterattack, Jandac will be a happy man. It’ll be interesting to see if the Czechs add more NHLers as the tournament wears on. Coaching Josef Jandac spent four seasons with Sparta Prague before serving as an assistant coach under Vladimir Vujtek on last year’s fifth-place Worlds squad. But the 48-year-old’s roots with the national team go back further: he was also a protege of Vladimir Ruzicka’s, assisting with the golden 2010 Worlds team and the Olympic team in Vancouver that year. Jandac has lively and experienced assistant coaches with former NHLers Vinny Prospal and Jaroslav Spacek, plus veteran Czech league coach Jiri Kalous – all are holdovers from the World Cup of Hockey staff. Projected Results The Czechs don’t face an easy road, debuting against defending champion Canada on Friday and facing 2016 silver medalists Finland on Monday. But if they clamp down and avoid squandering points against lesser opponents – they fell 2-1 in a shootout to Denmark last year – they should cruise into the quarter-finals. If they stumble, however, more than just playoff seeding could be on the line in their Group B closer against Switzerland. This nation is at its most dangerous when it's the underdog – see the 1998 Olympic and 2010 gold medal runs. Taking a bronze medal home from Cologne is a worthy and realistic aspiration. Czech fans could use some good news. The turn-of-the-century golden era was a long time ago. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous Previews France Latvia Slovenia Canada Denmark Italy Belarus United States Russia Finland Sweden Germany

Results after 2nd Period Group A in Cologne United States - Germany 0-1 (0-1, 0-0,-) 10:50 Tobias RIEDER 0-1 Group B in Paris Czech Republic - Canada 0-2 (0-1, 0-1,-) 06:09 Ryan O´REILLY 0-1 20:55 Mike MATHESON 0-2

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 DAY 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TEAMS PREVIEW Germany ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JERSEY Home Away ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germans counting on home boost Hopes high for strong tournament When Germany last hosted the World Championships in 2010, they finished fourth. Expectations are certainly high here in Cologne. There’s nothing like playing in front of a supportive audience. Such support can elevate a team’s performance and have some not-so-insignificant influence how well they play. When the World Championships were last in Germany, such support propelled the native side to the bronze medal game. Although they fell short with a 3-1 loss to Sweden, it was nonetheless Germany’s best tournament showing in some years. Buoyed by fans here in Cologne, this cathedral city on the Rhine, Germany will play for country, pride and standings. The team also has the good fortune of having a few of their NHL competitors in the lineup and possibly a few more on the way should things work out. Goalie Thomas Greiss came into his own with the New York Islanders. He won 26 games and posted a 2.69 goals against average. Greiss began the season as one of three goaltenders with the Islanders. He played well enough that the Islanders waived then starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak and turned the responsibility over to Greiss, who exceled. At the 2016 World Championships, Greiss won three of the four games he played with a 2.50 goals against average. Greiss will more than likely see the bulk of the action here. Danny Aus Den Birken is no stranger to Cologne. Aus Den Birken played with the local team the Sharks from 2010-2015. He’s been named to the German team three times since 2013 but has only participated in two games. Felix Bruckmann was the third goaltender last year and did not see any action. The 26-year-old Bruckmann completed his third season with Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams. Defence Germany was strong defensively in Russia where they gave up five goals in a game only twice and that came at the hands of the two gold medal teams. Germany surrendered 24 goals in the 2016 tournament. Konrad Abeltshauser scored 10 goals and 31 points in his second year with Munich EHC ia making his senior men's debut. In his first season with the New York Islanders, Dennis Seidenberg scored five goals and is familiar playing in front of Thomas Greiss. Moritz Muller is an active Cologne Sharks player who will be playing in a familiar city, in a familiar arena. Denis Ruel, a Mannheim Eagles product, is a defensive defenseman who should bolster the blueline. Same can be said for Justin Krueger, and Frank Hordler. Christian Ehrhoff will wear the captain’s C for this team but will miss out at least on the first game with an upper-body injury. A member of the Cologne Sharks, Ehrhoff will help this team in many ways. Ehrhoff played alongside Marco Sturm from 2003 to 2005. Forwards Tobias Rieder put up a career best 16 goals with the Arizona Coyotes. This is his third opportunity to represent his country at the World Championships. Winnipeg born Brooks Macek moved from Iserlohn to Munich last season and tied for second in goal scoring. His teammate Yannic Seidenberg was third in scoring for Munich with 42 points Yannic will be playing with his brother Dennis on this team. Patrick Reimer is a constant scoring threat, first as a DEL player with Nuermberg, where he scored 26 goals this season, but also in his career as a national team contributor. In 29 World Championship games, Reimer has scored 11 goals. Last year he scored four in eight games. Philip Gogulla, a second round draft pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2005, has had a solid career playing in Cologne. Since 2004, he’s been a mainstay with the DEL's Sharks except for a brief stint in North America in 2009-10. After a two year absence, Gogulla returned to the national team in 2016 and tied for the team lead in scoring with seven points. Patrick Hager was also one of their leading scorers and led all skaters with a +6 rating. Marcus Kink, Yasin Ehliz, Gerrit Fauser, Dominik Kahun fill out the roster. Coaching Marco Sturm breathed life into Germany hockey with his debut as head coach at the 2016 World Championships. With a 7th place finish, Germany qualified for the playoffs and played strong, balanced hockey. As a player, Sturm was a member of the 2001 team that played in Germany. In seven games, he led his team with four goals scored. Sturm will be aided by Geoff Ward, Patrick Dallaire and Tobias Abstreiter. Abstreiter represented Germany as a player from 1994-2004 and briefly played in Cologne from 1994-1997. Projected Results Germany made great strides in 2016 under Sturm’s leadership. Now they will hope to continue their rise with another impressive showing. But before the books can be written on this tournament, Germany will have a lot of work to do. A top four finish in the group can set them up for a playoff round clash with one of the team's competing in Paris. At that point, hard work, coaching, good bounces, fan support, and opportunity will carry the German effort. Not only can Germany look at hosting the World Championships as a win off ice, they can also feel good about qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Every building block is an important one for the Germans. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous Previews France Latvia Slovenia Canada Denmark Italy Belarus United States Russia Finland Sweden

Results after 1st Period Group A in Cologne United States - Germany 0-1 (0-1,-,-) 10:50 Tobias RIEDER 0-1 Group B in Paris Czech Republic - Canada 0-1 (0-1,-,-) 06:09 Ryan O´REILLY 0-1

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POWER RANKING As of May 5th, 2017 Two-time defending champion Canada tops our first Power Rankings of 2017, followed by Russia and Sweden. Let the good times roll! 1. Canada: Speak softly and carry a big Ron Hextall stick 2. Russia: Like Metallica said: “Ride The Lightning” 3. Sweden: Because Norris Trophy potential is sexy 4. United States: Team North America First 5. Czech Republic: Forget about deodorant, we’re all about Cologne 6. Finland: Underestimate us! Go on! Do it! 7. Switzerland: But why can’t we have Team Europe again? 8. Germany: We grew up dreaming of finishing fourth 9. Slovakia: The good news is we have a guy named Stastny 10. Denmark: Mr. Ehlers, is it OK if we triple-shift you? 11. Belarus: Bound for the finals – of the Fed Cup 12. Norway: Thoresen was the ancient Norse god of pucks 13. France: Croyez-vous aux miracles? 14. Latvia: Baryshnikov just got citizenship, but he has a pulled groin 15. Slovenia: In fairness, Melania's not here either 16. Italy: Why does Luongo always turn us down? Why? *The Power Rankings are for the enjoyment, and reflect the progress of teams during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. They are distinct from the official standings and IIHF World Ranking.

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Sweden 1 - 2GWS Russia Period-by-Period: 1-0, 0-0, 0-1, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1 May 5th 2016, h. 16:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne OT is OK with Russia Panarin SO goal caps exciting afternoon tilt Three periods of exciting hockey, an overtime and shootout opened the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship afternoon game between Sweden and Russia. Russia and Sweden met this afternoon in the first game of the 2017 World Championships in Germany. Artemi Panarin’s shootout goal at ended an entertaining contest played before a sold out crowd of 18,537 at LANXESS arena in Cologne. Sweden limited a Russian team known for offensive theatrics and high powered scoring to a goal in regulation time. Last year, Russia scored 44 goals at the World Championships, second only to gold medal winning Team Canada. But as the game wore on, Russia kept pressing and finally found its stride. "It was going to a tough game but a great game." Swedish head coach Rikard Gronborg said in the postgame press conference. "We started first 15-16 minutes excellent. We forchecked well and caught their transition game and scored. In the second we got on our heels and I think Russia got stronger then by the third we cold not keep going for 60 minutes. Weeed to look forward. Good to get this game in as a measuring stick for our team." The first period was fun to watch as both teams traded chances. Sweden came out on the attack, taking the play to their opponents and keeping the inexperienced Russian defenders bottled up in their own zone over the early part of the game. A strong pace to the contest led to chances in both ends of the ice. There were few whistles over the first half of the period. Shots on goal in the period were 10-9 Sweden. Alexander Edler established an early presence with two jarring hits in the period. Sweden would get on the board at 14:40 when Victor Hedman sent a long pass out of the defensive zone through the neutral zone, rebounding off the board to Victor Rask on the wing. Rask brought the puck along the sideboard, fought of a check from Artyom Zub, to find Elias Lindholm streaking towards the net. Lindholm’s high wrister beat Andrei Vasilevski, putting Tre Kronor up early. Both team continued at it in the second period but both defences cut down the number of quality chances. Vasilevski was in fine form, handling the wave of Swedish attacks on his net. Vasilevski was a member of the 2014 gold medal winning Russian team that went undefeated in Minsk, Belarus. In the two games he appeared, Vasilevski won both, conceding a lone goal and registering a shutout. Panarin was involved in the action and had a few opportunities to get Russia event. In the first period, he received a cross ice pass from Vadim Shipachyov that he fired on goal but was stopped by Viktor Fasth. Then in the second period he was stonewalled on another high quality chance. Russia applied pressure early in the third period and were close. A wraparound try by Alexander Barabanov was blocked by a perfectly positioned Fasth. At 3:58 of the third, Russia’s continued pressure finally led to a goal. Working to keep the puck deep, Ivan Provorov sent the puck behind the net to Barabanov whose backhand pass found Sergei Andronov in front to equalize the game. The goal brought the decidedly pro Russia crowd to life and sparked the team. In the period, Russia was dominant, showing more energy and getting after loose pucks. The stat sheet told the story as they outshot Sweden 14-3. "Maybe we didn't play all that well in the first two periods, but we got it right in the third." Vasilevski said. "We worked harder, skated harder, the guys never gave up. They blocked shots well, they helped me see the puck. It wasn't easy to adapt but thanks to the way our guys played - especially in the third period - it got easier." In overtime three-on-three made for more thrilling action. Nikita Kucherov missed on a breakaway when he shot the puck backhand and wide. Then Vasilevski made a stop in front, shoveled the puck forward to create a two-on-one for his team but an errant back pass by Provorov sent Sweden back two-on-one in the other direction but Rask could not tee up the puck off a pass from Hedman that hit him in the chest. The ever dangerous Panarin scored the only goal of the shootout to cap the Russian comeback and earn his team its first win of the tournament. Sweden came up just short but able to pick up a point.

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group A Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Sweden 1 - 2GWS Russia Period-by-Period: 1-0, 0-0, 0-1, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1 May 5th 2016, h. 16:15, LANXESS Arena, Cologne

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Finland 3 - 2 Belarus Period-by-Period: 2-0, 0-1, 1-1 May 5th 2016, h. 16:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris Finns open with win Savinainen's goal saves the day versus Belarus Veli-Matti Savinainen got the third-period winner as Finland edged Belarus 3-2 to kick off the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Paris on Friday. It was a lovely power play goal at 9:15. Sebastian Aho fed Mikko Rantanen below the goal line, and he centered it to Savinainen, who made no mistake. The 31-year-old forward led Finland's Liiga with 30 goals for champion Tappara this season. Aho and Oskar Osala tallied for Finland in the first period. In his Worlds debut, goalie Joonas Korpisalo earned the win despite some nervous moments. Shots were even at 24 apiece. "We had a good first period, but then let the Belarus team back in the game after that," said Finnish captain Lasse Kukkonen. "In the end, we found a way to get the win, and that's the main thing." Yegor Sharangovich and Yevgeni Kovyrshin replied for Belarus. The Finns, who settled for silver last year, are hoping to win gold for the first time since 2011. The Belarusians, meanwhile, would love to return to the quarter-finals. They came seventh in 2014 and 2015, but fell to 12th last year. "They're a good team," Kukkonen said of Belarus. "You have to respect them. They have a lot of players in the KHL, and many of the forwards play on the top lines, so they're skilled." The AccorHotels Arena hosted the first top-level World Championship game in Paris since Norway blanked the U.S. 3-0 on 9 March, 1951. It took just 2:43 for Finland to open the scoring. Valtteri Filppula found Aho in the right face-off circle for a one-timer that squeezed through Belarus netminder Kevin Lalande. The 19-year-old forward, appearing in his second Worlds, was fifth among NHL rookies this season with 49 points for the Carolina Hurricanes. At 5:09, Osala made it 2-0 after a Belarus turnover along the side boards, whipping the puck over the goalie’s right shoulder. Osala, a veteran KHL winger who plays for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, had waited a long time for his first World Championship goal. He went scoreless in four games in his only other Worlds in 2009. Sensing the game was getting away from his players, Belarus coach Dave Lewis called a timeout to regroup. It was when Belarus killed off Finland’s late first-period two-man advantage that the difference between this year’s Suomi and the 2016 silver medalists became most apparent. Last year, Finland led the tournament with 12 power play goals, clicking at 29.2 percent with Patrik Laine’s howitzers and Mikael Granlund’s silky passes. Here in Paris, Finnish coach Lauri Marjamaki doesn’t have quite as much creativity to deploy. Play turned sloppy in the second period as both teams struggled to find their rhythm. The gaffes climaxed when Korpisalo coughed up the puck behind his own net. Mikhail Stefanovich centered it to Sharangovich, who fired it into the gaping cage with 1:52 left before the buzzer. It was the 18-year-old Minsk native's first Worlds goal. Belarus tied it up at 4:32 of the third period. Kovyrshin won a draw in the Finnish zone and then went to the net to tip Roman Graborenko's point shot home. The play was video-reviewed to check for a high stick and ruled good. "We got those two goals in the first, which was good, but then we stopped working and let them come back," said Finland's Ville Lajunen. "The power-play goal at the end was important." Trailing late in the game, Belarus pressed for the equalizer, but couldn't capitalize despite getting two man advantages and pulling Lalande for the extra attacker with 1:48 left. "The first game is always a little bit tough," said Finland's Joonas Kemppainen. "Anything can happen. But we know we will play better." This was the tenth all-time meeting between Finland and Belarus at the Worlds, and the ninth Finnish victory. Oleg Antonenko scored the shootout winner on 2 May, 2009 when Belarus edged Finland 2-1. Right now, Finland and Belarus are also rivals off the ice. The Finns are bidding to host the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, and Belarus has made a joint bid with Latvia. The decision will come at the IIHF Congress in Cologne later this month. Three Finnish fans showed up in Tupu, Hupu, and Lupu jerseys. Those are the names of Donald Duck’s nephews in Finnish, and the legendary line of Saku Koivu, Ville Peltonen, and Jere Lehtinen was thus christened when leading Finland to its first World Championship title ever in 1995. This year’s team still has a long way to go before matching that kind of glory. Next up, Belarus faces the Czechs on Saturday, while Finland battles host France on Sunday.

MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Round DAY 1 Group B Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) Finland 3 - 2 Belarus Period-by-Period: 2-0, 0-1, 1-1 May 5th 2016, h. 16:15, AccorHotels Arena, Paris

Final Results Group A in Cologne Sweden - Russia 1-2 After GWS (1-0, 0-0, 0-1, OT: 0-0, GWS: 0-1) 14:40 Elias LINDHOLM 1-0 43:58 Ivan TELEGIN 1-1 Winning Shoot-out scored by Artemi PANARIN 1-2 GWS Group B in Paris Finland - Belarus 3-2 (2-0, 0-1, 1-1) 02:43 Sebastian AHO 1-0 05:09 Oskar OSALA 2-0 38:08 Yegor SHARANGOVICH 2-1 44:32 Yevgeni KOVYRSHIN 2-2 49:15 Veli-Matti SAVINAINEN 3-2