Aatu Räty and Finland squared off against tournament host Switzerland in a battle between the event’s two undefeated (regulation) teams. Meanwhile, Linus Karlsson and Sweden faced Slovakia, Max Sasson and the United States took on Latvia, while Filip Hronek and Czechia battled Canada.

Sweden vs. Slovakia

The Slovaks drew first blood early in the first period, but a late second-period goal from Anton Frondell sparked Sweden offensively and helped fuel a three-goal stretch.

Sweden went on to secure a 4-2 victory after former Vancouver Canuck Oliver Ekman-Larsson sealed the game with an empty-net marker. The Swedes finish fourth in Pool B with a 4-0-0-3 record and will now face undefeated host Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

Karlsson was held off the scoresheet for a third consecutive game, recording one shot in 13:22 of ice time while skating on Sweden’s second line. He concludes the preliminary round with four points (one goal, three assists), 11 shots, six penalty minutes, and a plus-3 rating while averaging 14:24 per game.

USA vs. Latvia

The United States entered the matchup needing a victory to secure a quarterfinal berth against a surprisingly resilient Latvian team that had climbed the Pool A standings throughout the tournament.

Fortunately for the Americans, they got off to a perfect start. Two quick goals less than a minute apart early in the opening period gave the U.S. control, eventually leading to four unanswered goals before Latvia spoiled the shutout late in a 4-1 final.

Sasson finished with a quiet stat line while skating 14:47 on the third line alongside Mathieu Olivier and Paul Cotter. The Canucks forward wraps up the preliminary round with two points (one goal, one assist), nine shots, two penalty minutes, and a plus-1 rating while averaging 13:53 of ice time.

The United States finishes fourth in Pool A with a 3-1-0-3 record and will face Canada in the quarterfinals.

Czechia vs. Canada

Czechia appeared well on its way to another statement win after building a 2-0 lead midway through the second period. That’s before Macklin Celebrini entered the chat and picked up a pair of goals for his fourth and fifth of the tournament to even the score through two periods.

Then, midway through the third, veteran NHL forward John Tavares buried the eventual game-winner to lift Canada to a 3-2 victory.

Hronek once again led all skaters in ice time for Czechia, logging 24:47 while contributing one shot on goal. He closes out the preliminary round with two assists, 15 shots, a plus-4 rating, and an impressive 24:11 average ice time per game.

Czechia finishes third in Pool B with a 4-1-0-2 record and will now face Finland and Räty in the quarterfinals.

Switzerland vs. Finland

Switzerland entered the matchup looking to become the only team to finish the preliminary round undefeated in regulation, and the hosts wasted little time setting the tone. The Swiss opened the scoring just 40 seconds into the contest before adding another only minutes later.

Finland responded in the second period behind captain Aleksander Barkov, who scored twice in quick succession to even the game heading into the third. But the hosts eventually regained control late in regulation, adding both the go-ahead and insurance markers to secure the victory and complete a perfect preliminary round.

Räty was held off the scoresheet for the first time in the entire tournament, recording one shot, two penalty minutes, and a minus-1 rating in 14:06 of ice time.

The Finnish forward wraps up preliminary play with six points (three goals, three assists), 12 shots, six penalty minutes, and a plus-2 rating while averaging 13:13 per game.

Finland finishes second in Pool A with a 6-0-0-1 record and will now meet Hronek and Czechia in the quarterfinals.

All teams will enjoy Wednesday off before the playoff rounds begin Thursday, when all eight remaining nations return to action looking to advance to the semifinals.