GDT: World Cup Day 5 - Fire & Ice

Good afternoon sports fans. Now that each team has played 2 games we have one pool that’s pretty much set and another that’s wide open. The Czechs and Americans have been eliminated and will play a meaningless game to close out group play tomorrow evening. Canada and the surprising Europeans will face off tonight for top seed in Group A and a spot vs the runner-ups of Group B in the Semis on Saturday. The loser gets the top seed.

On the other hand, the teams in Group B fighting to make it to the Semis come down to the games today & tomorrow. Here’s how it can go down following today’s game

• Sweden clinches the B1 spot with a win or if the game goes to OT
• Team Excitement gets a spot in the Semis with a regulation win
• TNA is eliminated if it loses by 5 or more goals (not happenin’)
• Finns are gone with TNA winning or making it to OT

The Sweden/North America matchup is one that I’ve been looking forward to since the tournament began. Polar opposites, the clash of styles will be fascinating to watch. Will the youngsters find a way to use their speed or will the Swedes methodically grind them to death? Nate MacKinnon has looked absolutely terrifying so far with strength and speed beyond anything we’ve glimpsed in an Avs uniform. This is a game where he could make a huge difference because speed alone will not get it done against Sweden’s big mobile defense.

Sweden vs Team Excitement
3pm ET/1pm MT on ESPN/SN/TVA
Landy & Big Carl try to hold Mack in check

Team Some of Europe vs Canada
8pm ET/6pm MT on ESPN2/SN/TVA
Dutch is the only player in the WC with multiple goals and he wants more

Tomorrow we have the Russia/Finland game to determine the final spots in the semis in the afternoon then the 3-hour funeral dirge for the Czechs and Team USA at night.