Norway continues to prove "experts" wrong

by Brandt Corbin

                When Norway beat Sweden earlier in the week, many of those on the International Hockey scene considered it one of the biggest upsets of all time.  Since that opening win, Norway’s one mission is to say we were all dead wrong and they’re doing just that. After today’s 3-2 win over Switzerland, the Norwigeans are now 3-1-0. If they can pull off one more win versus, Canada or France, they’ll advance the Quater finals for the first time in the countires history. But they also could finish as high as second in pool F.

Haugen and Olimb continue domincance

                The two biggest surprises  in the World Championshiops are goaltender Lars Haugen and forward Mathias Olimb. In today’s win Haugen stopped 39 of 41 shots, improving his gaa to 2.45 with a 94 SP%.  He’s been the best goaltender thus far, no one can say otherwise the numbers just do not lie.

             Olimb on the other hand is the best skater hands down. The winger has 1 goal and 6 assists over the last two days, and now leads the tourament in scoring with 9 points (2 more points than teammate Andres Bastiansen).  The next closest point getter is Canada’s John Tavares & Jeff Sknner with 5 points. Put these numbers into perspective, in Olimb’s previous 19 games at the World Championships he managed to get 3 goals and 8 assists. This year he has 9 points in four games, pretty big difference.

Group E three way tie for 1rst

                Germany is one  win away from clinching a spot in the quarterfinals, but they are two wins away from clinching second and possibly first place. The Germans and Czech Republic are tied for first 2-0 (6 points) the Russians are in third (2-1) with 6 points.  Germany plays both the Czech’s, Finland, plus Denmark within the next 5 days.

                Germany is led by Dennis Endras, he’s won both games and has given up 1 goal in each game. Offensivley they are led by Felix Schutz, John Tripp, Christoph Ullmann and Frank Hordler, with nine other players getting atleast 1 point each.

                The advantage for Germany if they get first or second is to avoid Canada in the quarter finals and maybe semi finals. Their likely opponents in the quaters would be , Switzerland, Sweden or USA.

                As a team they’ve proven not to be push overs, just ask team Russia as they found out the hard way.