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IIHF Power Rankings, Pre-tournament
posted by GJ on April 24, 2009 @ 12:13PM
Yep, it's time for the annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship (IIHF, WC) that is half dictated by what teams fail to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or are eliminated in the first round or two. Exciting stuff, no doubt. Last year, those dang Russians made off with the title, to the chargin of Canada. No worries, though, the USA really never stood a chance but still managed to finish fairly strong. Well, sort of, if you consider 6th place strong. Hey, at least they haven't been relegated to the lesser divison anytime in recent memory! Anyhow, the tournament just started today, and featured Russia pounding Germany 5-0 and Canada defeating Belarus 6-1. USA plays Latvia tomorrow morning in their first game. Here's the pre-tourney power rankings, for your amusement. I'll keep you abrest of the tournament as it proceeds, since the US media doesn't even know it exists. 1. | 
| CANADA
The IIHF World Ranking says #1, so it's got to be true | 2. | 
| RUSSIA
Slava Bykov roots against Washington and Pittsburgh | 3. | 
| CZECH REPUBLIC
Jagr is back, but Vokoun they lack | 4. | 
| SWEDEN
Linus Omark, please give us more YouTube goodies | 5. | 
| FINLAND
Like a certain car company not named Skoda, we try harder | 6. | 
| UNITED STATES
Sort of young, sort of talented, as usual | 7. | 
| SWITZERLAND
Dreaming the impossible dream: a bronze medal
| 8. | 
| SLOVAKIA
Hey, who needs Chara when you've got Valabik? | 9. | 
| BELARUS
Grabovsky is eager to fight--for the glory of Belarus | 10. | 
| GERMANY
Gelsenkirchen is bigger than PostFinance Arena! Ha ha! | 11. | 
| NORWAY
The polar bear remains an at-risk species | 12. | 
| LATVIA
Still crazy after all these years | 13. | 
| DENMARK
Per Bäckman's all right, but he ain't no Per Djoos | 14. | 
| AUSTRIA
Welcome back, and how long will you be staying with us? | 15. | 
| FRANCE
We await President Sarkozy's opinion of Dave Henderson
| 16. | 
| HUNGARY
Who are you, and how did you get in here? |
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| Tags: hockey
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