Day 11 of the IIHF men’s World Championship tournament arrives as some teams close out their round-robin schedules. It was a day of tight contests and future implications. Let’s dive into how things unfolded.

🇨🇿 Czechia vs 🇩🇪 Germany

Czechia came into this matchup looking to stay undefeated. For Germany, the tournament had taken a downturn after starting 3-0. They needed a win to stay comfortably in the playoff picture.

In the first period, Germany found itself on the penalty kill. After failing to clear the puck, Czechia executed crisp puck movement that ended on David Pastrňák’s stick, who one-timed it home to open the scoring.

Czechia added two more goals in the second, including Jakob Flek’s first of two on the day. The third period started disastrously for Germany as captain Moritz Seider turned the puck over in front of his own net and collided with his own goalie, gifting Jakub Lauko an easy goal. The game ended 5-0 in favour of Czechia.

A major storyline was Calgary Flames netminder Dan Vladar. In his third start of the tournament, Vladar recorded his first shutout and improved to 3-0. With a .951 save percentage and a 1.00 GAA, he’s emerged as one of the top goalies of the tournament.

Adam Klapka was quiet following his three-point performance in the previous game. Despite logging solid minutes, he registered no shots and remained off the scoresheet.

Germany now faces a must-win game tomorrow to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Next games:

🇨🇿 Czechia: May 20 vs 🇺🇸 U.S.A.
🇩🇪 Germany: May 20 vs 🇩🇰 Denmark

🇫🇷 France vs 🇸🇮 Slovenia

While both teams sit at the bottom of Group A, this game held major stakes: the winner would remain in the top division for next year’s tournament.

Slovenia came out strong, firing 10 shots in the opening period and opening the scoring on a 5-on-3 power play with a point shot that beat the screened French goalie.

Slovenia was awarded a penalty shot shortly after, but French netminder Quentin Papillon shut the door to keep it 1-0. The score didn’t stay that way for long, as Nik Simšič buried a rebound into an open net, giving Slovenia a 2-0 lead after one.

The second period was quiet, but France pushed hard in the third. Slovenian goalie Luka Horak kept the puck out for most of the frame. With under two minutes left, Tim Bozon found a loose puck after a net-front scramble and cut the deficit to one. Despite a late push, France couldn’t find the equalizer.

An empty-net goal sealed it for Slovenia by a 3-1 score, which secured their place in next year’s tournament in Switzerland. France has been relegated.

Both countries are now eliminated and have completed their round-robin schedules.

🇭🇺 Hungary vs 🇳🇴 Norway

Another high-stakes match-up, the winner would secure its spot in next year’s tournament. The loser would have to wait and see what Kazakhstan does tomorrow.

This was a tight, defensive game. Norway controlled most of the first period and capitalized on a Hungary turnover that led to a 2-on-1. Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Noah Steen finished the play to make it 1-0.

Hungary took control in the second, out-shooting Norway 11-6, but Norwegian goalie Tobias Normann held strong to keep the lead intact.

Roles reversed in the third as Norway regained momentum. This time, Hungarian goalie Bence Bálizs stood tall, making several highlight-reel saves. However, Hungary’s offence stalled, managing just two shots in the final frame and failing to equalize.

Norway held on for a 1-0 win and secured their place in next year’s tournament. Hungary must now hope that Kazakhstan loses in regulation tomorrow. If Kazakhstan records at least one point, Hungary will be relegated. If Kazakhstan loses in regulation, Hungary stays up due to their head-to-head win.

Both teams have completed round-robin play.

🇨🇦 Canada vs 🇫🇮 Finland

Canada entered the game undefeated, while Finland was seeking a third consecutive win.

Goaltending took centre stage. Marc-André Fleury and Juuse Saros were both outstanding. The first period ended scoreless despite 21 combined shots.

Ryan O’Reilly broke the deadlock in the second with a shorthanded goal. He and Noah Dobson escaped the zone on a 2-on-1, and O’Reilly finished the play to give Canada the lead.

Canada pressed in the third, but Saros was sharp, making 11 of his 37 saves in the frame. Patrik Puistola tied it for Finland by knocking down a shot in front and jamming in the rebound. The game went to overtime, which solved nothing.

In the shootout, Puistola scored first. After two misses, Kent Johnson tied it for Canada. Eeli Tolvanen quickly restored Finland’s lead. Saros then stopped Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Adam Fantilli had a chance to extend the shootout, but missed wide, giving Finland a 2-1 win.

For Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar, it was another quiet outing. His only mark on the game was a tripping penalty in the second period. There’s hope he’s saving his best for the knockout rounds, though his game has yet to peak.

Playoff-wise, both Canada and Finland are safe near the top of the standings. Finland can’t finish first, but Canada will need a regulation win over Sweden tomorrow to take top spot. Otherwise, Sweden will finish first.

Next games:

🇨🇦 Canada: May 20 vs 🇸🇪 Sweden
🇫🇮 Finland: May 20 vs 🇸🇰 Slovakia

Day 12 schedule

(All times MT.)

🇱🇻 Latvia vs 🇦🇹 Austria – 4:20 a.m.
🇨🇭 Switzerland vs 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan – 4:20 a.m.
🇸🇰 Slovakia vs 🇫🇮 Finland – 8:20 a.m.
🇨🇿 Czechia vs 🇺🇸 U.S.A. – 8:20 a.m.
🇨🇦 Canada vs 🇸🇪 Sweden – 12:20 p.m.
🇩🇪 Germany vs 🇩🇰 Denmark – 12:20 p.m.

Follow along tomorrow as round-robin play wraps up and playoff matchups and relegation outcomes are finalized. All Flames players are expected to be in action—except Dan Vladar—so it promises to be an exciting day of hockey.

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