photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Andre Ringuette
The playoff stage of the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is here. From Stockholm, IIHF.com writers Risto Pakarinen and Andrew Podnieks look back at the group stage, and ahead to what’s next.
We witnessed a ton of hat tricks in the preliminary round. Which one was the most memorable for you and why?
Andrew Podnieks: I mean, you can’t top Roman Cervenka’s hatty. The 39-year-old was playing in his 100th IIHF WM game, and what better way to celebrate than to score three and lead his team to a dominant 8-1 win over Kazakhstan. Last year’s IIHF Male Player of the Year is making a strong case to be considered again this year.
Risto Pakarinen: My favorite was the one with an extra goal thrown in for good measure – Finland’s Eeli Tolvanen’s four-goal game against Slovenia. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember ever seeing a Finnish player score four goals in an Ice Hockey World Championship game before. And Teuvo Teravainen’s six assists – which tied an Ice Hockey World Championship record from 1973 – were the icing on the cake.
Who from Group A is most likely to win the tournament scoring title?
Pakarinen: The scoring race is so close that the winner will most likely come from a team playing on Sunday, and I’m betting on Team Canada there. Nathan MacKinnon is my pick.
Podnieks: The preliminary round is where players can pile up the points. Once the playoffs hit, it’s a much tougher slog. So anyone who’s going to lead the tournament in scoring is likely in the top five or six right now. And then you have to figure out how far they will go and who they’ll play. That being said, I’ll go with Nathan MacKinnon, who is having a blast playing alongside number 87. He is in the prime of his career, on a high-scoring team, and likely a gold-medal contender. Plan B is David Pastrnak, who is having a great tournament as well.
What’s a savvy coaching decision or tactic that has impressed you so far?
Podnieks: France looked like it was going to pull off a mammoth upset against Finland. They scored an empty-net goal with 2:42 remaining to take a 3-1 lead. It was pretty much game over. But Finnish coach Antti Pennanen decided to pull goalie Emil Larmi again, and just 16 seconds later Suomi made it 3-2. Soon after the faceoff, Larmi came to the bench again, and Finland tied it. They won in OT. But kudos to Pennanen to pull Larmi even when two goals down. You just never know!
Pakarinen: I like how Sweden’s coach Sam Hallam has constructed his lines, and more than one line has basically two centers on it and, for example, Mika Zibanejad and Alexander Wennberg can both take faceoffs on their strong sides.
Not a tactic, but I’m impressed with the Finnish video coaches who haven’t missed on any of their challenges in the tournament. Their latest one came in the game against Slovakia when the Finnish bench challenged a goal for goalie interference. “The engine room is in great shape,” head coach Pennanen said.
Some WM players are virtual locks to suit up at the Olympics in February. Others are on the bubble. In the latter category, who stands out to you as someone who is closer to booking his ticket to Milan?
Pakarinen: With so many great forwards available, Team Canada brass will be faced with an embarrassment of riches. I’m not sure if Macklin Celebrini was really on the bubble coming into the tournament, but he’s looked great. I’ve also been impressed by Kent Johnson.
It’s tough to find bubble guys on Team Sweden, but for Finland, I’ll say Lenni Hameenaho, and in his case, I’m counting on another eight months of growth and development.
Podnieks: One player I keep watching and looking to in this context is Ryan O’Reilly. He’ll have just turned 35 by the start of Milan, but he has been a loyal soldier for many years with Team Canada at the World Championship. He’s playing well this year and could be a solid bottom six-type player.
Predictions time! Who will win each of the four quarter finals?
Podnieks: Sorry, Denmark, but…no chance. Canada is better. Austria? I’m afraid not. The Swiss are too good. Then it gets interesting. Finland-United States. I’ll go Finland. They have played near-flawless hockey so far. Sweden-Czechia. Sweden, because they’re at home.
Pakarinen: Having consulted my crystal ball, I’ll take Canada over Denmark.
Switzerland vs Austria – the Battle of the Alps (?) – goes to Switzerland, although I’ve been impressed by Austria. Kasper and Rohrer, especially.
USA vs Finland is a tricky one. Every year, I admire the Americans’ fast-paced style, and every year, they bow out too early. Finland is a hard team to beat, and they have Juuse Saros in goal. So, Finland.
Sweden vs Czechia? Hmm… Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised to see a long line of sad Swedes heading for the subway after the game, but I, too, will pick the home team here.
Which quarter-final matchup could you imagine spawning an upset?
Pakarinen: Switzerland had a hard time finding the back of the net against Kazakhstan. While that wasn’t the most important game of their tournament, Austria can also make life miserable for the Swiss.
Podnieks: Czechia, for sure. Sweden should have the advantage, playing at home, but we also know in IIHF WM history that home ice doesn’t mean much most games. The Czechs have been playing well in Herning, have the firepower and goaltending, and the experience. If they win, it won’t be an upset or shocker.
We witnessed a ton of hat tricks in the preliminary round. Which one was the most memorable for you and why?
Andrew Podnieks: I mean, you can’t top Roman Cervenka’s hatty. The 39-year-old was playing in his 100th IIHF WM game, and what better way to celebrate than to score three and lead his team to a dominant 8-1 win over Kazakhstan. Last year’s IIHF Male Player of the Year is making a strong case to be considered again this year.
Risto Pakarinen: My favorite was the one with an extra goal thrown in for good measure – Finland’s Eeli Tolvanen’s four-goal game against Slovenia. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember ever seeing a Finnish player score four goals in an Ice Hockey World Championship game before. And Teuvo Teravainen’s six assists – which tied an Ice Hockey World Championship record from 1973 – were the icing on the cake.
Who from Group A is most likely to win the tournament scoring title?
Pakarinen: The scoring race is so close that the winner will most likely come from a team playing on Sunday, and I’m betting on Team Canada there. Nathan MacKinnon is my pick.
Podnieks: The preliminary round is where players can pile up the points. Once the playoffs hit, it’s a much tougher slog. So anyone who’s going to lead the tournament in scoring is likely in the top five or six right now. And then you have to figure out how far they will go and who they’ll play. That being said, I’ll go with Nathan MacKinnon, who is having a blast playing alongside number 87. He is in the prime of his career, on a high-scoring team, and likely a gold-medal contender. Plan B is David Pastrnak, who is having a great tournament as well.
What’s a savvy coaching decision or tactic that has impressed you so far?
Podnieks: France looked like it was going to pull off a mammoth upset against Finland. They scored an empty-net goal with 2:42 remaining to take a 3-1 lead. It was pretty much game over. But Finnish coach Antti Pennanen decided to pull goalie Emil Larmi again, and just 16 seconds later Suomi made it 3-2. Soon after the faceoff, Larmi came to the bench again, and Finland tied it. They won in OT. But kudos to Pennanen to pull Larmi even when two goals down. You just never know!
Pakarinen: I like how Sweden’s coach Sam Hallam has constructed his lines, and more than one line has basically two centers on it and, for example, Mika Zibanejad and Alexander Wennberg can both take faceoffs on their strong sides.
Not a tactic, but I’m impressed with the Finnish video coaches who haven’t missed on any of their challenges in the tournament. Their latest one came in the game against Slovakia when the Finnish bench challenged a goal for goalie interference. “The engine room is in great shape,” head coach Pennanen said.
Some WM players are virtual locks to suit up at the Olympics in February. Others are on the bubble. In the latter category, who stands out to you as someone who is closer to booking his ticket to Milan?
Pakarinen: With so many great forwards available, Team Canada brass will be faced with an embarrassment of riches. I’m not sure if Macklin Celebrini was really on the bubble coming into the tournament, but he’s looked great. I’ve also been impressed by Kent Johnson.
It’s tough to find bubble guys on Team Sweden, but for Finland, I’ll say Lenni Hameenaho, and in his case, I’m counting on another eight months of growth and development.
Podnieks: One player I keep watching and looking to in this context is Ryan O’Reilly. He’ll have just turned 35 by the start of Milan, but he has been a loyal soldier for many years with Team Canada at the World Championship. He’s playing well this year and could be a solid bottom six-type player.
Predictions time! Who will win each of the four quarter finals?
Podnieks: Sorry, Denmark, but…no chance. Canada is better. Austria? I’m afraid not. The Swiss are too good. Then it gets interesting. Finland-United States. I’ll go Finland. They have played near-flawless hockey so far. Sweden-Czechia. Sweden, because they’re at home.
Pakarinen: Having consulted my crystal ball, I’ll take Canada over Denmark.
Switzerland vs Austria – the Battle of the Alps (?) – goes to Switzerland, although I’ve been impressed by Austria. Kasper and Rohrer, especially.
USA vs Finland is a tricky one. Every year, I admire the Americans’ fast-paced style, and every year, they bow out too early. Finland is a hard team to beat, and they have Juuse Saros in goal. So, Finland.
Sweden vs Czechia? Hmm… Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised to see a long line of sad Swedes heading for the subway after the game, but I, too, will pick the home team here.
Which quarter-final matchup could you imagine spawning an upset?
Pakarinen: Switzerland had a hard time finding the back of the net against Kazakhstan. While that wasn’t the most important game of their tournament, Austria can also make life miserable for the Swiss.
Podnieks: Czechia, for sure. Sweden should have the advantage, playing at home, but we also know in IIHF WM history that home ice doesn’t mean much most games. The Czechs have been playing well in Herning, have the firepower and goaltending, and the experience. If they win, it won’t be an upset or shocker.