International Ice Hockey Federation

Slovakia, Japan or Germany?

Slovakia, Japan or Germany?

Three teams left in race for promotion

Published 14.01.2016 06:41 GMT-5 | Author Martin Merk
Slovakia, Japan or Germany?
Lucia Zaborska and Diana Vargova celebrate a goal for Slovakia at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship Division I in Hungary. Photo: Oliver Ban
This week it will become clear which team will have to leave the top division of the U18 Women’s World Championship – and which one will be promoted instead.

In the top division, Switzerland and France battle in the relegation round. The odds are on the Swiss, who beat the French 6-0 in the preliminary round and 5-1 in the first game of the best-of-three relegation series.

Today at noon in St. Catharines, Canada (18:00 CET) the two neighbouring countries will play their second game. A free live stream will be available on u18worldwomen2016.iihf.com for all games at the Meridian Centre.

If Switzerland wins, the red-and-white team will stay in the top division and France will be relegated. If the French win and tie the series, a third game will be played tomorrow at noon.

Meanwhile in Miskolc, Hungary, six teams are battling in the Division I tournament and three teams remain in the race for promotion with two game days to go.

Slovakia and Japan are the only undefeated teams after three games while Germany still has theoretical chances despite its 2-1 record due to a loss to Japan.

The Japanese could already earn promotion today with a regulation-time win against Slovakia thanks to the head-to-head games against Slovakia and Germany. Otherwise the winner will be decided in the last round on Saturday.

Slovakia, currently leading the standings thanks to the better goal difference, could also do a big step forward by defeating Japan but the Slovaks may also need points against Germany on Saturday – if the Germans stay in the race with a regulation-time win against Hungary in the late game.

The Germans can’t win without external help anymore. They need to beat host Hungary today and Slovakia on Saturday, both in regulation time, while hoping that the Japanese won’t earn more than two points from their games against Slovakia and Norway.

All Division I games are streamed live and for free here.

 

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