Germany pulled off a tight 2-1 upset over Czechia yesterday at the Women’s Worlds, throwing Group A into absolute chaos as most teams have now played three games. This isn’t just about wins and losses, it’s about avoiding relegation and punching a ticket to the quarterfinals.
Women’s Worlds Group Stage: Upsetters, Underdogs, and Looming Relegation
The upsets didn’t stop with Germany’s big win. Switzerland beat last-place Austria 4-2, while we saw some serious demolitions as Finland crushed Japan 8-2 and Sweden absolutely annihilated Denmark 10-0. With Austria already locked into last place in Group A, the relegation battle is focused squarely on Denmark and Japan. Denmark has played all their games, and Japan is only one point behind them. But Japan has to play Sweden today, making their chances of avoiding relegation “so faint as to be invisible.” It looks like the hosts, Denmark, might surprisingly snag fourth place in their group.
Meanwhile, the middle of Group A is a total free-for-all. Czechia, Switzerland, and Germany are all tied up with five points each. How that shakes out for quarterfinal spots is completely up in the air. Remember, fourth place means a quarterfinal against either the USA or the winner of today’s Canada-Finland clash. Speaking of which, that Finland versus Canada game, kicking off at 9 AM Toronto time, is the absolute match of the day because a regulation win could see Finland snatch first place. As for the USA, they’re sitting pretty; no one can knock them out of first place.
The NHL’s Complicated Future: From Salary Cap Jumps to Geopolitical Ice Skates
Beyond the on-ice action, the hockey world is grappling with some massive off-ice issues. There’s a “rupture” shaking the sport, specifically how war has shattered Russian-Nordic friendships forged on Arctic rinks. The ban on Russian teams competing internationally has been lifted, but those friendly relations between Norwegian, Finnish, and Russian players? They’re now a “distant, if fond, memory.” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is monitoring a “complicated” situation daily, with Russia’s inclusion in the World Cup of Hockey 2028 in a “wait-and-see” mode. The NHL has apparently realized that including Russia in the World Cup could actually lead to *four other countries* opting out, and the league’s tone on this has clearly shifted.
Looking closer to home for the league’s operations, there’s big news on the salary cap. With a large increase in the cap forecast from next year to the year after, the plan might be to adjust next year’s cap upwards. The NHL and NHLPA are set to discuss these salary-cap options in the new year. Commissioner Bettman also mentioned the NHL will explore replay assist technology for officials, although he was quick to remind everyone that “wholesale changes won’t be coming to the way the game is officiated.” The hope is that tech advancements could streamline everything from information to the flow of the game.
Insider talk also has some tidbits: Matvei Michkov’s situation? Apparently, the news started by Kevin Weekes about him was news to the Flyers. And on the NHL Insiders circuit, they’re buzzing about Connor Hellebuyck’s media availability, how his chase for the Stanley Cup fueled his trade demand, Bettman and Bill Daly meeting the IIHF about Russia, and the Red Wings and Chicago being open to trade options. Oh, and our friends the Leafs? They fought hard last night against a much better team and paid for every single mistake. Ouch.
Tomorrow, all eyes will be on that Finland-Canada game to see who comes out on top in Group A. And the NHL’s off-ice decisions? Those discussions are just getting started. It’s clear that in the world of hockey, there’s more than just pucks hitting nets changing the game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
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