Tonight’s contest between Norway & Austria is not going
to be a ratings bonanza; but for the two countries, it will be the biggest game
they will play atleast for the next 4 years; for one of the next six years.
Quite simply put, the winner qualifies automatically for the 2018 Olympics; the
loser (unless in OT or shootout) are
almost guaranteed to be relegated and being out of the 2018 Olympics.
Ironically the win today by Slovenia secures the fate of the
losing team (between Norway-Austria). Why you ask? Slovenia is 1-2 which
secures them of NOT being relegated. The
Slovaks are 0-2 (-8 GF/GA) and MUST defeat Russia to avoid going 0-3, which guarantees
them to be relegated. Latvia is 0-3 but (GF/GA is -5) which is better than Austria’s
-10 & Norway's -7 (goals for/ goals against). The key stat to be looking at
is the best gf/ga.
The best players must
be at their very best.
Michael Grabner, Tomas Vanek & Michael Raffel have been
playing very good so far; but must continue doing so. For Norway; they need
more out of Patrick Thoreson, & Mats Zucharello offensively, no questions
asked. While Ole Kristian Tollfesson & Lars Haugen must play at the level
they have thus far.
The keys to the game is this. Austria have the best
offensive players by far; but have a little less depth than the Norwegians. On
the backend & in goal; Norway has a slight edge (especially in net).
Just like always specialty teams will be another key; this likely
will determine who wins/loses.
If the game is tied going into the 3rd period;
look for both teams to play like they have the lead. If the loser atleast gets
the game to OT or shootout; they would NOT be relegated (assuming Russia beats Slovakia).
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