Six former Rochester Americans from five different countries are currently in the hunt for gold in hockey’s grandest spectacle as the preliminary round of the 82nd annual 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships in Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark is nearing its end.
The 16 teams in premiere international event are playing their final three games starting today as the quarterfinals will begin May 17 from the Royal Arena and the Jyske ank Boxen.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Forward Michal Repik, who was a member of the Amerks for all of Rochester’s three-year affiliation with the Florida Panthers from 2008-11, has helped the Czechs to 0-3-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) start in four games.
During Monday’s 5-4 shootout win over Switzerland, Repik tallied a pair of goals, including the lone marker in the skills competition to lead the Czechs to the victory.
Repik ranks second on the team in both goals (2) and shots (13) in four contests in the tournament going into the last weekend before the medal round.
SWEDEN
Former Amerk Johan Larsson returned to international stage for the first time since 2012 for Sweden, who is looking to defend its gold medal.
Sweden, who has outscored its opponents 19-2, boasts a 4-0-0-0 record and have shutout the opposition in three of the four games to begin the event.
Larsson shows one assist in four games. He recorded his helper in the Sweden’s 7-0 win over Austria earlier this week.
RUSSIA
Winners of the 2014 tournament and the last two bronze medals, Russia allowed its first goals of the event before falling 4-3 to Slovakia yesterday.
Despite the loss, the Russians have scored a tournament-high 23 goals while shutting out the opposition the first three games and show a 3-0-1-0 record overall.
Amerks alumni Evgenii Dadonov and Mikhail Grigorenko each have totaled five points in four games. The duo have also recorded a point in three of their first four contests.
Dadonov, who is serving as an assistant captain, is tied for second on the team with four assists, while Grigorenko’s three goals are also second-best among forwards.
SLOVAKIA
Thirty-one-year-old defenseman and former Amerk blueliner Andrej Sekera has helped the Slovakians to a pair of back-to-back wins after an 0-0-1-1 start to the event.
Looking to qualify for the medal round for just second time in the last 14 years, Slovakia currently ranks fourth in Group B with a 2-0-0-1-1 record.
Sekera, who is sporting the “C” on his jersey, has recorded a goal and assist in four games.
UNITED STATES
The United States, who is aiming to earn its first medal in three years and fourth in the last 21 years, is holding the top spot in Group A after four straight wins to begin the tournament.
Former Amerk Dan Bylsma, who is as assistant coach, is hoping to help the US claim its first gold since winning the tournament in 1960.