IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships 2022, Day 12!

Today is the final day of regular competition, believe it or not!  We have several Blue Jackets in the mix for the Quarter-Finals, but a few countries and their players didn't make it.  Let's recap the day, 5th Line!  

Game 1, Team Germany took on Team Switzerland.  Again, for those who are busy or are new to reading these, Team Switzerland had Dean Kukan.  Kukan had an assist point today in Team Switzerland's win , the final was 4-3.  Team Switzerland will move on to the Quarter-Finals however, so plenty of opportunities ahead to add more.   

Game 2 would see Team Sweden would take on Team Latvia.  Team Latvia, as many know, have our current Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltender, Elvis Merzlikins.  With that being said, Elvis Merzlikins wouldn't play at all today.  Instead, A. Silovs would take the Latvia net and do a near perfect job, too.  Out of the 35 Sweden shots on his net, he stopped all but 1.  Look, I understand that he isn't a Blue Jacket, but that is very impressive, so I'm not going to let this slide by.  This will be the countries last game, as Sweden took them out of contention with a 1-0 shutout win, today.  On the other side of the ice, Emil Bemstrom plays for Sweden.  He had no points today.  With that being said, Team Sweden is moving on to the Quarter-Finals, as I said.  So again, plenty of opportunity still ahead for Bemstrom.  Well done to Team Latvia though, truly.     

Game 3 would show Team USA hosting Team Norway.  No points for Andrew Peeke or Nick Blankenburg today, however Team USA did make the Quarter-Finals. We'll see them play again on the 26th of May.  

Game 4 we have a big matchup, Team Canada hosting Team France.  This is another game with multiple Blue Jackets.  Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson are on Team Canada, but had no points today in the landslide victory.  On the other side of the ice, Alexander Texier would also not have any points today.  As I said, it was a landslide victory for Team Canada though, winning 7-1.  Team Canada continues to remind us why their the defending World Champions, no doubt.  They will obviously be in the Quarter-Finals, while France is sadly out.  However, this is the way championships work, only one country and team can win.  

The Quarter-Finals will start on May 26th, as I said in one of the paragraphs above.  We'll see Team Sweden host Team Canada, which should be a great matchup.  The other great matchup for Blue Jackets players and fans, Team Switzerland will host Team USA.  There are two other Quarter-Final games, including Team Germany Vs. Team Czechia, while the host country of Team Finland will host Team Slovakia.  These teams don't have current Columbus Blue Jackets players on their rosters, however I want you all to be aware who is playing in the Quarter-Finals for when we discuss the the Semi-Finals on May 26th.  Two games above have Blue Jackets facing Blue Jackets, so it's very important to keep this as information rich as possible!  

Go CBJ!  

Source:   “IIHF - Schedule and Results 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.” IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation, https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm/schedule. "