The Lions’ World Cup tournament continues tonight with a match against Denmark. Finland is fifth in the group, but only the top four advance to the quarterfinals.
The Finnish national ice hockey team will meet Denmark in the opening group of the World Cup today at 21:20. The second-to-last preliminary group match has a huge stake for Leijon: the team is playing for its next place.
Finland is in fifth place in Group A, while the top four advance to the quarterfinals. Finland needs at least four points from the remaining matches against Denmark and Switzerland in order to secure the next place. Austria and Denmark would thus fall behind Finland, and Finland would be fourth in the group.
Canada, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, the top countries in the group, have already secured their places. Austria is tied for fourth with Finland, but with the win in the mutual match, Austria is ahead of the Lions in the table. Denmark is sixth, only one point away from Leijon.
In the World Cup, you get three points for a regular time win, two points for an overtime win, and one point for an overtime loss. With a loss in actual playing time, the team is left with zero.
Finland and Great Britain are the only teams in Group A with two matches left. Austria will meet Great Britain and Denmark in the day game on Tuesday. The first group will end with the Finland match.
How will the result of the Denmark match affect Leijon?
In the simplest terms, Finland can advance when it takes four or more points from two matches. With Finland and Austria tied for fourth place, Austria advances to the next round.
Here are the different scenarios that are possible for the Lions in the final culmination of Group A.
Finland beats Denmark in regular time
If Finland beats Denmark in regular time, Leijonat will rise to ten points. Denmark will definitely drop out of the next round. If Austria wins, as is expected, in normal time against Great Britain, Finland needs at least one point from the group’s final match against Switzerland to advance to the next round. If Austria doesn’t win in regular time, Finland will in the future.
Finland beats Denmark in overtime or in a shootout
If Finland beats Denmark in overtime or in the shootout, Leijonat will rise to nine points. Denmark will definitely drop out of the next round. If Austria wins in regular time, Finland must beat Switzerland in a shootout at the latest to advance.
If Austria wins by two points, Finland needs at least one point from the match against Switzerland. In other words, Finland cannot lose to Switzerland in regular time, but the other results are enough for the Lions to advance.
Finland loses to Denmark in overtime or in a shootout
If Finland takes one point against Denmark, Leijon will have eight points. If Austria beats Great Britain in regulation time, Finland needs a victory over Switzerland in regulation time for the next place.
If Austria takes a two-point victory, Finland needs a victory over Switzerland at least in overtime or in a shootout. If Great Britain beats Austria, Finland will surely be in the future.
Finland loses to Denmark in regular time
If Finland loses to Denmark in normal time and Austria wins against Great Britain in normal time, Finland will be eliminated from the playoffs. If Austria wins by two points, Finland must beat Switzerland in regulation time.
If Austria gets one point against Great Britain, Finland must beat Switzerland in overtime or a shootout at the latest. Otherwise, Austria will continue. If Austria doesn’t get a single point from Great Britain, one point from the match against Switzerland will be enough for Finland to advance.
20.5. at 21:20 Finland–Denmark
21.5. at 13:20 Austria-Great Britain
21.5. at 21:20 Finland–Switzerland
Denmark advances from the group only by beating Finland, but even this scenario requires Austria to lose points against Great Britain. Austria is a massive early favorite against Great Britain. The British have not won a single match in the tournament.