Group B chaos could push Canada, USA or Sweden into an early must-win at the Olympics
A three‑team tie in Group B (Slovakia, Finland, Sweden) will be decided by head‑to‑head goal differential, likely sending Slovakia to win the group and Sweden down to 7–9 in the standings. That creates a scenario where two of the event’s powerhouses—Canada and the United States—could meet in a do‑or‑die quarterfinal, with Sweden forced into a tougher path and Slovakia facing Latvia or Germany in the quarters. The bracket’s lack of reseeding after the prelims heightens the drama and makes top seeds crucial for avoiding the toughest immediate matchup.
