Stars, mode, favorites: Everything about the Ice Hockey World Cup

Who are the favorites? The top favorites include Olympic champions and hosts Finland as well as defending champions Canada. If Canada becomes world champion again, the North Americans will be the sole record world champions with 28 titles ahead of Russia, which is excluded because of the attack on Ukraine. A year ago in Riga, after a weak start to the tournament, the Canadians won the World Cup final against Finland 3-2 after extra time. The final is on May 29th.

What are Italy's chances? Last year in Riga, the Azzurri lost all seven World Cup games - and sometimes badly. Everything should be better this year, staying in the league is the declared goal. Given the convincing test match performances, this certainly seems possible - even if important regular players such as Thomas Larkin or Giovanni Morini are not available to coach Greg Ireland. There are ten South Tyroleans in total in the official World Cup squad.

Andreas Bernard is Italy's most important player. © srwiggins

Who matters in Italy's team? The most important player is undoubtedly goalie Andreas Bernard. Only if the 31-year-old performs at his best can Italy dream of staying in the league. In the offensive, hopes rest on Fehervar ace Alex Petan, who proved in the friendly games that he is the linchpin. In defense, the skills of DEL cracks Peter Spornberger and Alex Trivellato are in demand. They should take a leading role in the Azzurri structure.

Who are Italy's opponents? The start is tough. Switzerland, packed with NHL players, will make life difficult for the Azzurri. Just like the reigning world champion from Canada, who is traveling to Finland with one of the best teams in recent years. Germany can also count on prominent reinforcements from the best league in the world. The decisive games against relegation for Italy will take place against Denmark, France and Kazakhstan. Slovakia, which won the silver medal at the Olympic Games, is probably a bit too big.

What is the mode? The first four of the two groups of eight advance to the quarter-finals, which are played crosswise with the other preliminary group. Italy will play its Group A preliminary round games in Helsinki. The other group plays in Tampere. The final weekend also takes place there with the semi-finals, the game for third place and the final. Unlike 2021, the two worst teams in the preliminary round will be relegated - as before the Corona crisis.

Who are the stars of the World Cup? Matthew Barzal, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Thomas Chabot are the well-known names among the Canadians. The Czech Republic is also home to stars like Thomas Hertl and Jakub Vrana. Tim Stützle, Moritz Seider and Philipp Grubauer should take the coals out of the fire for Germany. Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Pius Suter strengthen Switzerland, Sweden's stars are Rasmus Dahlin and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The United States are once again traveling with a very young squad, from which players like Seth Jones and Alex Nedeljkovic stand out.

How does the corona pandemic affect the World Cup? Only a little. Unlike 2021, the tournament will not be played in a bubble. The players are also allowed to stroll around the city in their free time. A year ago, spectators only returned to a very limited extent during the tournament. This time full halls are allowed. As a precautionary measure, a PCR test was mandatory before departure and only a rapid test upon arrival.

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Stars, mode, favorites: Everything about the Ice Hockey World Cup

Italy's national ice hockey team starts the World Cup in Finland on Saturday (15.20:XNUMX p.m.) with a preliminary round game against Switzerland. The Azzurri are the stark outsiders in Group A, which plays its games in Helsinki. The goal: staying in the league.

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