Slovak hockey fans in Ostrava, Czechia, on May 21, 2024. (source: TASR)
Slovakia are certain of progressing to the quarterfinals of the 2024 World Hockey Championship in Czechia thanks to the USA defeating Latvia on Tuesday.
Slovakia will played its final game in Group B against Sweden on Tuesday evening. Slovakia obtained 12 points, coming fourth in the group.
The Slovak team will play their first game in the quarterfinals against Canada, the winner of Group A, on Thursday at 16:20. The defending champion beat Czechia 4-3 after overtime on Tuesday.
The last time Slovakia faced Canada at this stage of the championship was in 2012 in Helsinki, Finland, and won 4-3.
Then, Slovakia, under the leadership of Czech coach Vladimír Vůjtek, reached the finals, where they lost to the Russians and won the silver.
Slovakia games in Group B:
Friday, May 10: Slovakia 4-6 Germany
Sunday, May 12: Slovakia 6-2 Kazakhstan
Monday, May 13: USA 4-5 Slovakia (OT)
Wednesday, May 15: Slovakia 4-0 Poland
Saturday, May 18: France 2-4 Slovakia
Sunday, May 19: Slovakia 2-3 Latvia (SO)
Tuesday, May 21: Sweden 6-1 Slovakia
