It’s eternally true that the World Championships have a team or two every year that is in so far over their heads as to be a guaranteed win for every opponent. Last year Italy scored six goals in seven games played, were relegated, and turned around and won promotion to the 2019 event this year. Just in time for the Olympics, Korea played well enough in the Division 1 event last year to win promotion to the top rank. They’d never managed that before, but it was obvious at the Olympics, and it’s obvious now, that they aren’t up to the challenge of playing the top teams at the top level.
IIHF World Championship: Weekend wrap up
