\ud83c\udfc6 The set up<\/h3>\n
The highly anticipated annual icy showdown <\/strong>between the world\u2019s best knife shoe<\/a> wielders is taking place on Canadian soil in Brampton, Ontario<\/a>.<\/p>\n In terms of the setup, typically, the world\u2019s top 10 teams<\/strong> \u2014 ranked by the IIHF<\/a> based on prior World Championship and Olympic performances \u2014 are split by skill into two groups of five (the top five teams in group A and the bottom five squads in group B) for the initial round-robin competition.<\/p>\n A key difference between the round robin and knockout stage?<\/strong> If a game is tied after three periods of regulation play, the game moves to three-on-three sudden death overtime (OT).<\/p>\n SOURCE: DEREK LEUNG\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n With the format in mind, let\u2019s take a look at the groups.<\/strong> Group A may be stacked with top talent, but with Group B teams facing potential elimination after the round robin, there will be drama to spare.<\/p>\n Group A:<\/strong> In ranking order, Canada, the U.S., Switzerland, Czechia and, for the second year in row, Japan fill out the top tier. The round-robin battle of North America on April 10th will likely<\/em> be a sneak peek of the gold medal game. That said, keep an eye out for potential upsets by Switzerland or even Czechia \u2014 no win is guaranteed.<\/p>\n Group B: <\/strong>Continuing down the list, Finland<\/a>, Sweden, Hungary, Germany and newbie France round out the second tier of competition. Outranking their closest opponent by five places, Finland is the team to beat, and after years of mostly bronze medal finishes, they\u2019re chomping at the bit to improve their hardware.<\/p>\n Now that the big picture\u2019s covered<\/strong>, let\u2019s narrow in on the top three contenders\u2026<\/p>\n SOURCE: HOCKEY CANADA\/TWITTER<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n It feels like just yesterday that storied forward Brianne Jenner<\/strong> notched a pair of beauties<\/a> to propel Canada to their 12th Women\u2019s World gold with a 2\u20131 win over the Americans last September. Truly the greatest rivalry. Now, she\u2019ll look to assist her squad to a lucky 13th.<\/p>\n Players to watch: <\/strong>You can\u2019t talk about Canadian hockey without discussing captain Marie-Philip Poulin. She\u2019s netted three Olympic golden goals<\/a>, recorded countless clutch overtime game-winning goals, and has no intention of slowing down. A hard-working player on and off the ice, the 32-year-old is aging like the finest of wines.<\/p>\n Keys to success: <\/strong>While Canada boasts a stacked roster<\/a> and has won the last two Worlds titles, the 2022 Olympic gold and<\/em> the most recent Rivalry Series<\/a>, they can\u2019t rest on their laurels \u2014 Team USA has some serious speed on their side, as well as a growing disdain for silver jewelry.<\/p>\n SOURCE: SEATTLE KRAKEN\/TWITTER<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n After several years of losing to their arch nemesis,<\/strong> this new-look U.S. squad<\/a> is refreshed, renewed and ready to change the narrative.<\/p>\n Players to watch: <\/strong>Hilary Knight has been the heart and soul of Team USA for as long as we can remember, with this year marking the forward\u2019s 13th Women\u2019s Worlds appearance \u2014 a USA Hockey record. She has dangles<\/a> for days and never seems to struggle<\/a> against a Canadian defense. Every team needs a knight in Keys to success: <\/strong>The biggest challenge for the U.S. will be adjusting to a roster without longtime captain Kendall Coyne Schofield (pregnancy), Hannah Brandt (cut) and 2018 Olympic gold\u2013winning tendy Maddie Rooney (cut). Eek.<\/p>\n SOURCE: NCAA\/TWITTER<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Finland\u2019s World Championship story can be summed up as, <\/strong>\u201cAlways the consolation game, never the final.\u201d <\/strong>But the team may be ready to build off their controversial 2019 near-success<\/a> and leapfrog their way to the elusive gold medal and subsequent Group A promotion.<\/p>\n Players to watch: <\/strong>NCAA Minnesota Golden Gopher and two-way threat<\/a> Nelli Laitinen is poised to dazzle her unassuming competition. In the past year, the 20-year-old defender helped her Lady Lions secure Olympic bronze, and led her Gophers to the Frozen Four<\/a>. Hear her roar.<\/p>\n Keys to success:<\/strong> For Finland, this year will only be considered a success if they move beyond the bronze, which likely means usurping either Canada or the U.S. They\u2019ve done it before, but they\u2019ll need to be quick to the puck and consistently firing on all cylinders to get the job done.<\/p>\n SOURCE: HARRY HOW\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n With support of women\u2019s professional hockey rising<\/strong>, the start of the PWHPA\u2019s new league<\/a> on the horizon, and the PHF drawing record viewership numbers<\/a>, this tournament is perfectly timed to #InspireTheNext<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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\ud83c\udfd2 The groups<\/h3>\n
\ud83c\udf41 Canada: The defending champs<\/h3>\n
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\ud83e\udd85 Team USA: The runners up<\/h3>\n
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shining<\/del> sweaty armor.<\/p>\n\n
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\ud83e\udd81 Finland: Always the bronze<\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udcfa How to watch<\/h3>\n
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