Since we’re already doing so many hockey updates for the playoffs, we’re going to cover the 2009 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Switzerland. The round robin (or preliminary round as the IIHF calls it) opened today with four games with the powerhouse Canadians and Russians opening their tournaments.

Group A: Canada 6 vs. Belarus 1 – It was never going to be close, but I’m sure it was closer than most Canadians would have liked. On the power of a pair of two goal performances by Steve Stamkos and Dany Heatley, Canada destroyed Belarus in the opening game of the tournament. It was a busy night for Belarus’ goalie Vitali Kovol who faced 42 shots. Mikhail Grabovski had the only Belarussian goal coming off a rebound in the third period. Canada plays Hungary next while Belarus matches up against Slovakia.

Group A: Slovakia 4 vs. Hungary 3 – This should have been a walk-over.  Slovakia, a reasonably strong hockey nation, against Hungary, which rarely sees any snow and was making its first world championship appearance in 70 years.  Instead, Slovakia needed a goal with 13 seconds remaining to lift them past the troublesome Hungarians.  That’s not to say that the Slovaks weren’t in control for most of the game.  They had a two-goal lead heading into the second.  If it wasn’t for the 48 save effort put in but Hungarian goalie Levente Szuper, this would have been an absolute drubbing. Lubos Bartecko had two goals for the Slovaks including the game winner.  Slovakia’s task gets a little bit harder facing off against Belarus next while Hungary takes on Canada.

Group B: Russia 5 vs. Germany 0 – On paper it was a rout and it was the same on the ice. Five different players scored while Ilya Brygalov stood tall (that being a relative term) to get the win. If there was a point of concern for the Russians, it was that they only got one power play goal on 9 opportunities. Russia has another warm-up to go through with France up next while Germany gets a slight break with an upcoming game against Switzerland.

Group B: Switzerland 1 vs. France 0 – The host team had a little bit of opening night jitters as the curtain was raised on their tournament. A first period goal by Martin Pluss was the only scoring in the game but behind a shutout pitched by Martin Gerber, it was enough to send the Swiss fans home happy. While the French hung tough, they’ll have a harder go of it against Russia. Meanwhile, the host Swiss next play neighbouring Germany.

Three Stars of the Day:
1. Levente Szuper (Hungary) – 48 saves
2. Dany Heatley (Canada) – 2 goals, 1 assist
3. Denis Zaripov (Russia) – 1 goal, 1 assist

Saturday’s Schedule:
Group C: USA vs. Latvia
Group C: Sweden vs. Austria
Group D: Norway vs. Finland
Group D: Czech Republic vs. Denmark