FloHockey continues our previews of the upcoming IIHF World Championships quarterfinals. In case you missed the first installment, click here to read about Russia vs. USA and Sweden vs. Finland. 

Quarterfinal #3: CANADA vs. SWITZERLAND

Canada is not a flashy team, but it is ruthlessly efficient, deep at every position, and has the best chance to derail the Big Red Machine in the gold-medal game. The Swiss should present no more than a speed bump to the Canucks in the quarterfinal.

Switzerland is the reigning silver medalist at the World Championships, but its grandest accomplishment in this tourney is to threaten, but not defeat, the brass of the B group: Russia, Sweden, and Czech Republic. 

Switzerland has a scoring star in the Devils’ Nico Hischier, but that hasn’t been enough to get the team over the top. In past years, elite goaltending has carried the Swiss to the podium, but this year’s championship has seen a flip-flop between Reto Berra (two shutouts) and Genoni Leonardo. The 32-year-old Berra will probably get the nod against superpower Canada, but he has seen too much rubber over his 16-year career, one that has taken him from Switzerland to San Diego and back. For a guy who has lost his fastball, stopping Canada and its devastating power play is simply too big an ask.

One statistic leaps off the page when you handicap the boys with the Maple Leaf on their chest: a power play clicking at 52 percent. It truly looks like a misprint, the five and two must have accidentally been flipped. But the numbers don’t lie, 10 power play goals in 19 opportunities. Red Wings future star Anthony Mantha has been devastating, as has Jonathan Marchessault. Defensemen Shea Theodore and Thomas Chabot have all filled the net for Canada with the extra man. If Switzerland gets called for retaliating against Canada’s rugged play, this game will get ugly, early.

For those who enjoy hockey’s version of “The Perfect Game,” sit back and watch the short space passing off the rush between Kyle Turris, Jared MacCann, and Mantha.

McCann --> Turris --> Mantha --> Net@HC_Men #SVKCAN #IIHFWorlds
Stay up to the minute with game action on the IIHF App:
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— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 13, 2019

It should be a fun show, but not for the Swiss. Take Canada by a handful of pucks.

Quarterfinal #4: CZECH REPUBLIC vs. GERMANY

After its three-hour train commute south from Prague two weeks ago, the Czech national team has felt entirely at home in Bratislava, and by finishing second in Group B, it has extend its visit. 

Ondrej Nepela Arena has become the Czechs’ second home, and they will be unkind hosts in their quarterfinal match versus plucky Germany. IIHF and TSN play-by-play broadcaster Dennis Beyak has called all the Czech games, and refers to this bunch as “the most physical team in the tournament.” They are hardened pros, desperate to return the winner’s circle for the first time since 2012. They should storm into the semifinals, a perch that gives them two games to clinch a medal.

Germany is the proverbial IIHF overachiever. The team has been outshot repeatedly in this tourney, like in its 4-2 win over Finland in which it was outgunned 41-21. But goaltender Philipp Grubauer clearly outplayed his Finnish counterpart, and the reigning Olympic silver medalist dodged another showdown with Russia, coming back twice against the Finns on the final day of round robin play. 

The Fatherland has a legitimate scoring threat in Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl, and a nice story about American college kid Marc Michaelis, who has earned a spot on Germany’s top line. Michaelis, who plays in Mankato, Minnesota, for the Mavericks, is the only NCAA captain from Europe. He has potted two sweet goals in limited time, helping his nation upset Finland and Slovakia in the process. Germany’s feel-good story ends in the quarters.

If the refs call a tight game in Germany’s match with the Czechs, Germany might see several power play opportunities. Unfortunately for the boisterous German fans, their club has only netted three power-play goals in the tourney. Part of Beyak’s broadcast prep has been to focus on Czech’s top offensive unit of Jakub Voracek, Michael Frolik, and Dominik Simon, “The offensive driver for Czech.” They all have sold NHL pedigrees, and should outclass the Germans. 

Because of both nations’ proximity to Slovakia, the stands should be full of painted faces, flags, horns, and lips ready to whistle at each indignity. This will be an entertaining gritty battle, but the Czechs should prevail.