UFA – The Preliminary Round is over and the stage is set for the Final Round and the Relegation Round starting on 2 January.

Canada and Sweden won their groups with four victories in four games to earn a bye and advance directly to the semi-finals.

In a tight race on the last day, the Czech Republic and Switzerland made it to the quarter-finals from Group A at the expense of Finland. Russia and the United States are the other teams from Group B to advance to the quarter-finals.

After a one-day break on 1 January, the quarter-finals will be played at Ufa Arena on 2 January.

The Czech Republic will play the United States in the early game at 15:00 local time, and the winner will face Canada in the early semi-final the day later.

Host nation Russia will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals at 19:00 local time, and the winner will play against reigning champion Sweden in the late semi-final game on 3 January.

Quarter-Finals (at Ufa Arena)
2 Jan. 15:00 Czech Republic vs. USA
2 Jan. 19:00 Russia vs. Switzerland

Semi-Finals (at Ufa Arena)
3 Jan. 15:00 Canada vs. CZE/USA
3 Jan. 19:00 Sweden vs. RUS/SUI

Placement Games (at Ufa Arena)
4 Jan. 19:00 5th-Place Game
5 Jan. 15:00 Bronze Medal Game
5 Jan. 19:00 Gold Medal Game

The Relegation Round to determine the one team relegated to next year’s Division I Group A will also start on 2 January. The four teams will play a round robin with results from the head-to-head games in the group stage carrying over. After one game apiece played in the group stage, the teams start with the following standings:

1. Finland 3 points
2. Slovakia 2
3. Germany 1
4. Latvia 0

Relegation Round (at Sports Palace)
2 Jan. 17:00 Finland vs. Germany
3 Jan. 17:00 Slovakia vs. Latvia
4 Jan. 15:00 Germany vs. Latvia
5 Jan. 19:00 Finland vs. Slovakia