WINTERTHUR – The final day of Preliminary Round action sees the Americans gunning for a bye directly to the semi-finals – if they can get by Sweden. And either Slovakia or Russia will advance to the quarter-finals with a win, while the loser of that game heads to the precarious best-of-three Relegation Round. Slovakia-Russia, 14.00 Winterthur
Russia beat Slovakia 4-2 last year at the Olympics, the only meeting between the women’s teams at any level…Slovakia has two diametrically opposed qualities. At the back end, Zuzana Tomcikova has been as good as any goalie at these championships. At the front end, the team has yet to score a goal in two games and has shown so little ability to create offence one wonders if it can score enough to win today…Tomcikova has faced an incredible 137 shots in two games and given up just eight goals. On offence, the team has managed just 25 shots in the two games…Russia has had its own difficulties, having lost to Sweden, 7-1, and to the U.S., 13-1…The goaltending duo of Anna Prugova and Valentina Ostrovlyanchik have struggled at the best of times, but the Russians have proved moderately effective with the puck at times…The game will be decided by Slovakia’s success, or lack thereof, on offence. United States-Sweden, 20.00 Winterthur
The Americans may have had a bit of a slow start in the opening game against Slovakia, but they were firing on all cylinders during “pad the stats” day against Russia, winning 13-1. Sweden’s monumental win in the semi-finals in Turin seems a long time ago now, but the team has a good mix of veterans and newcomers that perhaps they can give the U.S. a run for its money...Four of the top five scorers are American, led by Hilary Knight who has four goals and nine points. Erika Holst is part of a group tied for third, with five points…The U.S. has scored five power-play goals on just eleven chances and has yet to surrender a short-handed goal, so if the Swedes have a chance, they have to play 5-on-5…Both teams have given up just one goal in two games…The key will be the first goal. If the Swedes fall behind, playing catchup will be difficult if not impossible. ANDREW PODNIEKS