2026 WJC Day 2 RECAP: Closer than it should be

Some of the higher powers of this tournament decided they wanted to scare the living daylights out of their fanbases on Day 2.

Game 1: Germany disappoints in 4-1 loss to Slovakia

You got my hopes up for that?

Game Notes

• It was the Tomas Chrenko show tonight as the young man from Slovakia came away with a hat trick against Germany. Also a pretty good day for Adam Nemec who got primary assists on two of his goals.
• This game was otherwise pretty even in shots, the Germans had a bad first period but roared back to even things out, the problem was in net. Michal Pradel is a helluva lot better than either of Germany’s goalies, and the Slovaks were not exactly struggling to get shots through Germany even if they were tied up with German players. This may end up a much longer tournament for Germany than I anticipated.
• Dustin Willhoft might end up with a point in every game Germany plays and Germany will still play like hot dog water. Like ash in your mouth.

Game 2: Canada is put into a position to survive Latvia again. This time they do it in 2-1 OT winner.

You are so lucky Team USA looked just as bad today.

Game Notes

• I will give Latvia all the credit in the world. They kept pace with Canada, something I did not think was feasible for them, Nils Maurins took up the reins in net and kept this game as close as humanly possible, they worked like dogs to get their first and only goal and when they got it they got it in the most clutch moment possible. This is why people love watching Latvia in these tournaments, they always find the drama of the sport through dogged effort. Full marks, didn’t get the win, but bodes well for when they play fellow middle powers.
• SO! Canada! I said you were supposed to blow this team out of the water! By all accounts, you probably should’ve! You did win, and that does count for something, but that was a sloppy effort. You’re not in any real danger yet, but I want you think carefully about how that net-front defense is gonna look when it plays Team Finland, because if you bring that effort to the Finns you’re gonna be in trouble.
  • Another 23 minute night for Zayne Parekh and frankly he could’ve had more with how much they relied on him.

Game 3: Team USA plays like ass, beats Switzerland 2-1 anyway.

Oh don’t you worry Eagleland you’re getting some of this too.

Game Notes

• This was exactly the kind of game Switzerland likes playing; low event, high defense, strong fundamentals game…and it took advantage of the United States deciding to play some of their worst hockey imaginable. Passing was getting sloppy, defensive zone coverage became lackadaisical, players lost their man constantly, and meanwhile all Switzerland had to do was be patient. Unfortunately for them, the US is also mind-bendingly talented, so that couldn’t quite save them. But they should be able to pull at least a couple of decent games out of that if they can score more than once a game.
• Team USA should be thanking their lucky stars that Will Zellers and James Hagens are putting their efforts towards getting shots going the right way, because they’re officially out of easy games after this one. Slovakia and Sweden are already difficult games and given the history Slovakia and the States have recently, this should be considered a one-off performance unless they too want to know what a scare really looks like.

Game 4: Denmark is put in the device once again in 7-2 beatdown by Czechia

Grant the Danes the grace to “Sim to End”.

Game Notes

• I dunno what to tell you man. Czechia is just such a better team all around than Denmark, as Denmark usually finds out in this tournament. 4 players had 2 point nights, Tomas Galvas had 3, I think maybe 4 dressed skaters for the Czechs failed to obtain a point and even then it never felt particularly close. This was a bloodletting that unfortunately the IIHF tournaments still have sometimes.
• I will give the Danes endless credit that they’ve yet to be shut out in this tourney, which previously was almost a guarantee. I don’t think it’ll save them in the long run, but I am glad they are capable of keeping their pride.

Bruins on Day 2:

Will Zellers and James Hagens came away with points on Team USA’s win over Team Switzerland! Zellers had the opening goal, and James Hagens had the primary assist on Brodie Ziemer’s game winner!

Games Today

Switzerland vs. Sweden

If the Swiss can keep up the low-event style of game and impart it on Sweden, then they have as good a chance as any to beat the Swedes; especially given how haphazardly Sweden won their first game. If the Swedes don’t fall for it however, Switzerland is gonna need to match this team’s firepower and I just don’t think they have the necessary bodies.

Finland vs. Latvia

The lovable Latvian Underdogs vs. the fierce Finns, who busted up Denmark to start the tourney. Last time Latvia gave Canada a scare they had to follow it up with another team that was starting the tournament well and it didn’t go nearly as smoothly. I don’t expect miracles here, but if any team can give a traditional power in this tournament a fright, then it’s in maroon and white.

Game of the Day: I flipped a coin and Finland/Latvia came up, so that one.