Italy and Kazakhstan Rejoin Elite for 2012 Worlds

It may have been the expected result of this year's two Division 1 Men's World Championship tournaments, but the path to rejoining the top 14 teams at this year's World Championships next year in Sweden and Finland was anything but expected.  First, both Italy and Kazakhstan had to play their way back on hostile ice, as both Hungary and Ukraine were expected to be their main roadblock to the gold medal no matter where the tournament was played.  Having to play it in front of 7000-8000 fans cheering for their main opposition provided an additional challenge, and by overcoming it for overtime wins on Saturday, both teams definitely showed not just superior talent, but great resolve under adversity. 

For Kazakhstan, the 3-2 OT win over Ukraine also showed the ability to rally from behind under these circumstances.  Early in the third period on Saturday, Ukraine took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Oleg Tymchenko at 5:08 of the 2nd period.  While that result might have made things look good for Ukraine, it was actually Great Britain who was sitting pretty.  The Brits had upset Ukraine 5-3 to open the tournament, and kept Kazakhstan close, losing by only a 2-1 margin, and they also won their other three games in regulation.  If Ukraine won by one to three goals, it was Great Britain who were going to advance to their first elite level World Championship tournament since 1994.  With 7:38 to play, Kazakhstan's Andrei Gavrilin, who plays for Barys Astana of the KHL, scored to even the game, and despite some close calls from Ukraine down the stretch, that 2-2 score held into overtime.  The winning goal by Fyodor Polishuk was essentially the icing on the cake for Kazakhstan, allowing them to boast of an undefeated record in Division 1B action.  Great Britain's strong tournament resulted in a silver medal, still better than most expected of them, but they were just 7:38 away from gold.

Kazakhstan's gold matches their early accomplishment in the Asian Winter Games back in February, which they won on their home ice in Astana over Japan.  Japan, BTW, did not participate this year at the Division 1A tournament as originally scheduled due to the fallout from the earthquake/tsunami in March.  They will be given the same amount of World Rankings points as last year and will be allowed back in Division 1A next year on an exemption.

Italy, meanwhile, had to win one less game in Division 1A to advance as a result of Japan's withdrawl, but the tournament was still set up for a big showdown in the final game with the hosts from Hungary.  Budapest fans showed up in droves to support their home team, as Hungary continues to try to return to the top level of the World Championships, which they reached in 2009 for the first time since before WWII.  Hungary is very serious about advancing their hockey program, so much so that the President of the country, former Olympian fencer Pal Schmitt, met with IIHF President Rene Fasel about ways to increase participation and the competition level of the sport.  Both teams went undefeated against the likes of South Korea, The Netherlands, and Spain to set up the winner take all final.  No scenarios depended on the specific result of the game, just win whether by five goals in regulation or in a shootout, and a spot at the 2012 Worlds is yours. 

Italy started off the game strong, building a quick 2-0 lead on goals by Michael Souza and Giulio Scandella against Hungarian goaltender Zoltan Hetenyi, who was a surprise starter.  In went former OHL goaltender Levente Szuper, who quickly settled the Hungarian team as they started to chip away at the early deficit.  Scandella scored again for Italy, but goals by Viktor Tokaji, Ladislav Sikorcin and Marton Vas had this game tied up by the end of the third period.  It was a wide open game, with the shots 55-48 after regulation in favour of Italy.  The winner take all overtime was short, as Armin Helfer buried the winner before the period was a minute old.  Daniel Bellissimo went the distnace in goal for Italy for the 45 save win.  Italy, who have been at the top level of the Worlds in four of the past six years, will return in 2012.

Of note as well in the Division 1s is that most likely next year the format will change, with Division 1A being made up of the six highest ranked teams outside the elite division, and Divison 1B the next six ranked teams.  Essentially, the A and B distinctions will be irrelevant, and they will be two seperate levels of differing quality.  So a medal at this year's tournament was the only way you'd have a chance at promotion to the top level in 2013.  In that light, the bronze medals for Ukraine and South Korea (their highest ever finish) were important, although South Korea might be treated as a 4th place team due to the Japan withdrawl.  We'll see how it all sorts out.  Here is the final ranking for teams 17 and lower in 2011 (unofficial):

2011 World Championship Standings

Rank	Country	2012 Tourney
17	Kazakhstan	Championship
18	Italy	Championship
19	Hungary	Division 1A
20	Great Britain	Division 1A
21	Ukraine	Division 1A
22	South Korea	Division 1B*
23	Poland	Division 1B
24	The Netherlands	Division 1B
25	Lithuania	Division 1B
26	Spain	Division 2A
27	Estonia	Division 2A
28	Romania	Division 1B
29	Australia	Division 1B
30	Croatia	Division 2A
31	New Zealand	Division 2A
32	Serbia	Division 2A
33	Iceland	Division 2A
34	Belgium	Division 2B
35	China	Division 2B
36	Mexico	Division 2B
37	Bulgaria	Division 2B
38	Ireland	Division 3
39	Israel	Division 2B
40	South Africa	Division 2B
41	Turkey	Division 3
42	Luxembourg	Division 3
43	Greece	Division 3
DNP	Japan	Division 1A
DSQ	North Korea	Division 3
DSQ	Mongolia	Division 3