2023 IIHF World Championship
The 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship was the 86th annual edition of the top-level international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), featuring 16 national teams competing for the title from 12 to 28 May in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia.[1][2] Canada defeated Germany 5–2 in the gold medal game to claim their 28th world championship title, while co-host Latvia secured bronze with a 4–3 overtime victory against the United States in the third-place match, the Baltic nation's first medal in the event's history.[3][4][5] The tournament, split between Nokia Arena in Tampere and Arena Riga, saw strong performances from underdogs including Germany reaching their first final since 1953 and Latvian goaltender Artūrs Šilovs earning MVP honors with seven wins and a .921 save percentage.[6][7]Host selection
Bidding process and initial award
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) selects host nations for its World Championships through a competitive bidding process conducted among its member national associations, with final decisions made by majority vote at the IIHF Annual Congress. Bids are evaluated based on factors including the availability of suitable arenas with sufficient capacity and infrastructure, expected fan attendance and support, logistical capabilities, and financial viability to ensure the event's success and compliance with IIHF standards.[8][9] On May 25, 2019, during the IIHF Annual Congress in Bratislava, Slovakia, the hosting rights for the 2023 IIHF World Championship were awarded to Russia, with Saint Petersburg designated as the primary host city.[10][11] The selection highlighted Russia's prior successful hosting of the 2016 tournament across Moscow and Saint Petersburg, which drew strong attendance and met operational requirements, along with commitments to utilize a new multi-purpose arena in Saint Petersburg capable of accommodating over 20,000 spectators.[10][12]Revocation from Russia
On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, prompting immediate international responses including sanctions and travel restrictions.[13] Four days later, on February 28, 2022, the IIHF Council suspended all Russian and Belarusian national and club teams from IIHF competitions until further notice, citing the ongoing armed conflict as a direct threat to the safety, security, and well-being of participants, and withdrew Russia's hosting rights for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship as an initial measure.[13] The IIHF extended this action to the senior World Championship on April 26, 2022, during a Council meeting in Zurich, formally revoking Russia's co-hosting rights for the event originally awarded to Saint Petersburg and Kazan.[14] The decision was grounded in empirical assessments of heightened risks, including potential disruptions from Western sanctions on Russia—such as flight bans, financial restrictions, and unavailability of event insurance due to war-related exclusions—making safe and logistically feasible organization untenable.[14] IIHF President Luc Tardif emphasized adherence to the federation's statutes, which prohibit events in countries involved in international armed conflicts, prioritizing verifiable security concerns over claims of political impartiality in sports governance.[15] Russian officials, including the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, condemned the revocation as discriminatory and a politicization of sport, framing the invasion as a "special military operation" and arguing that the IIHF's actions violated principles of neutrality without evidence of direct threats to the tournament.[16] Russia subsequently appealed the bans through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the appeals were rejected in July 2022, upholding the IIHF's evidence-based prioritization of participant safety amid ongoing hostilities and sanctions.[17] This contrasted with the IIHF's causal focus on tangible risks, such as documented protests against Russian teams at prior events and logistical impossibilities under EU and U.S. sanctions regimes.[14]Reassignment to Latvia and Finland
On 27 May 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) selected a joint bid from Latvia and Finland to host the 2023 IIHF World Championship, designating Riga as the venue for one preliminary-round group and Tampere for the other, along with the playoff rounds.[18][19] This decision prioritized the bidders' demonstrated infrastructure readiness and geographic proximity, enabling efficient logistics such as charter flights between the host cities.[20][21] Latvia qualified through Arena Riga's proven track record, having hosted the full 2006 IIHF World Championship and serving as a co-host venue for the 2021 edition amid adjusted formats.[22][23] Tampere's selection leveraged the newly completed Nokia Arena, which had already accommodated high-volume international play during the 2022 IIHF World Championship, building on the city's established event-hosting infrastructure from prior tournaments at legacy venues.[24][25] To accommodate the divided hosting, the tournament structure assigned Group B entirely to Riga and Group A to Tampere for the preliminary round from 12 to 23 May 2023, with quarter-final venues finalized post-preliminary based on qualifiers, while semifinals, the bronze medal game, and final centralized at Nokia Arena from 25 to 28 May to streamline operations and ensure capacity for knockout contention.[26][27] This setup incorporated neutral-site principles for playoff assignments, mitigating home advantages for the host nations by determining later-stage locations dynamically rather than pre-assigning to either venue.[26]Venues
Riga Arena
The Riga Arena, opened on 15 February 2006, features a hockey-specific capacity of 10,300 spectators and a rink size of 60 by 30 meters.[28][29] Constructed expressly for the 2006 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, the venue has hosted multiple IIHF events, including the full 2006 tournament and the 2021 edition relocated entirely to Riga due to geopolitical circumstances.[23][30] In the 2023 IIHF World Championship, co-hosted by Latvia and Finland, the arena served as the exclusive site for all Group B preliminary round games, spanning 12 to 21 May.[31] It additionally hosted two quarterfinal matches on 23 May, determined by advancement from Group B and seeding protocols.[32] These assignments aligned with IIHF venue allocations to balance logistics across host cities, with no semifinal contests scheduled or held at the arena.[33] Operational preparations adhered to IIHF standards for ice maintenance, though specific 2023 adaptations at Riga Arena emphasized standard resurfacing and quality protocols without noted deviations.[34] Crowd capacities were managed within the arena's certified limits, supporting efficient event flow for international attendance.[28]Nokia Arena
![Nokia Arena, Tampere][float-right] The Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, served as the primary venue for Group A of the preliminary round and the decisive playoff matches during the 2023 IIHF World Championship. Opened in December 2021, the arena features a capacity of 13,300 spectators for ice hockey games and incorporates modern infrastructure, including advanced ice maintenance systems compliant with IIHF standards.[35] Its central location in Tampere, adjacent to the railway station, facilitated accessibility for international visitors.[35] Group A matches were held at Nokia Arena from May 12 to May 20, 2023, accommodating teams including host Finland, the United States, Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, and others. The venue subsequently hosted the semifinal games on May 26 and 27, the bronze medal game on May 28 morning, and the gold medal game that evening, drawing record crowds for the tournament's climactic stages.[31] Tampere's selection leveraged the arena's recent completion and the city's established hockey infrastructure.[24] Tampere has a storied history in IIHF events, having co-hosted the 1965 World Championship—Finland's first—and the 1997 edition alongside Helsinki and Turku, as well as the 1992 Women's World Championship and various junior tournaments. This legacy contributed to the city's readiness for high-profile international competition, with Nokia Arena marking a return to major hosting duties following the 2022 World Championship.[25][36]Participating teams
Qualification and promotion/relegation
The qualification process for the 2023 IIHF World Championship top division followed the standard IIHF promotion and relegation system, with modifications due to the exclusion of Russia and Belarus under the organization's suspension policy enacted in February 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[13] Normally, the two lowest-ranked teams from the prior year's top division are relegated to Division I Group A, while the top two from Division I Group A are promoted; however, Belarus, which placed 14th in the 2022 tournament and would have retained its top-division status, was barred from participation alongside Russia, with no replacement teams selected to preserve the 16-team format.[37][38] Great Britain was the sole team relegated from the top division after finishing in last place (16th overall) at the 2022 championship.[37] Hungary and Slovenia earned promotion by placing first and second, respectively, in the 2022 IIHF World Championship Division I Group A, held from April 25 to May 1 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.[39] This resulted in 14 teams retaining their top-division spots from 2022 (including Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States), augmented by the two promoted teams to reach 16 participants.[40] Host nations Finland and Latvia received automatic qualification, though both had already secured berths through their 2022 performances—Finland as champions and Latvia in ninth place—ensuring no expansion beyond the standard field size despite the bans.[26] The IIHF's decision to forgo replacements for the suspended nations prioritized competitive integrity and the existing qualification criteria over ad hoc invitations.[13]Group assignments and seeding
The sixteen participating teams were divided into two groups of eight teams each for the preliminary round, with all games in one group played at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, and the other at Arena Riga in Riga, Latvia. This venue-based assignment aimed to distribute competitive strength evenly, incorporating the host nations—Finland in the Tampere group and Latvia in the Riga group—while applying seeding logic to avoid clustering top-ranked teams together.[24][1] Seeding for group assignments was determined using the 2022 IIHF World Ranking at the conclusion of the 2022 IIHF World Championship, with teams ordered from 1 to 16 and allocated via a serpentine (snake) system to balance overall group potency. Higher seeds such as Canada (seeded 2nd), Czechia (6th), Switzerland (7th), and Slovakia (8th) were placed in the Riga group alongside host Latvia, while the Tampere group included host Finland, Sweden, the United States, and mid-tier teams like Germany. This method ensured no two top-four seeds competed in the same group, promoting parity across venues.[26][41]| Tampere Group (Nokia Arena) | Riga Group (Arena Riga) |
|---|---|
| Austria | Canada (2) |
| Denmark | Czechia (6) |
| Finland (host) | Kazakhstan |
| France | Latvia (host) |
| Germany | Norway |
| Hungary | Slovakia (8) |
| Sweden | Switzerland (7) |
| United States |
Personnel
National team rosters
Each national team could register up to 25 players for the tournament, comprising a maximum of 22 skaters (forwards and defencemen) and 3 goaltenders, with a minimum requirement of 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders to ensure competitive depth while adhering to IIHF eligibility standards.[43] Player selection emphasized national citizenship or heritage eligibility under IIHF rules, prioritizing availability amid the overlap with the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, which limited participation from top North American professionals whose clubs advanced deep into postseason contention.[26] Canada assembled a roster blending established NHL contributors and emerging talents, such as forward Connor Bedard in his senior international debut alongside veterans like Tyler Toffoli and Jordan Spence, leveraging the country's extensive talent pool despite playoff absences of stars from contending teams.[44] Germany's lineup highlighted NHL-affiliated prospects including forward JJ Peterka and defenceman Moritz Seider, providing upset potential through a mix of domestic league experience and international youth development.[45] Host Latvia incorporated local DEL and KHL players with NHL depth like forward Rodrigo Ābols, while Finland, the defending champions, relied on core domestic Liiga performers augmented by available NHL returnees such as goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.[40] Roster adjustments occurred per IIHF protocols for injuries or other unforeseen issues, allowing emergency replacements to maintain the 25-player limit without disrupting preliminary round preparations. Latvia, for instance, substituted defenceman Kristians Rubins for the injured Roberts Mamčics and forward Georgs Golovkovs for another unavailable player on May 22.[46] Such changes ensured continuity, with all modifications requiring IIHF approval and verification of player eligibility prior to subsequent games.[42]Match officials
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) appointed 16 referees and 16 linesmen from 12 nations to officiate the 2023 IIHF World Championship, held from May 12 to 28 in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia.[47] Officials were selected by the IIHF Officiating Committee based on evaluations of their performances in domestic leagues and prior IIHF competitions, in collaboration with national federations' referees-in-chief through the end of league playoffs; nominations were subsequently approved by the IIHF Council to prioritize experience at high-level international events and readiness for the tournament's demands.[47] This multinational composition aimed to uphold neutrality and impartiality, with referees responsible for primary penalty calls, game flow, and rule enforcement, while linesmen handled offside, icing, faceoff, and line change infractions.[47] Among the referees were Tobias Bjoerk and Andre Schrader, both of whom had previously officiated gold medal games at Men's World Championships, highlighting the pool's depth of elite experience.[47] Video review protocols were employed throughout, including coach's challenges for overturned goals or penalties and off-ice video goal judges for disputed plays, consistent with IIHF standards to enhance accuracy without documented systemic issues in call reversals for this event.Referees
| Name | Nationality |
|---|---|
| Andris Ansons | Latvia |
| Tobias Bjoerk | Sweden |
| Adam Bloski | Canada |
| Sean Fernandez | United States |
| Mads Frandsen | Denmark |
| Lassi Heikkinen | Finland |
| Christoffer Holm | Sweden |
| Jan Hribik | Czech Republic |
| Stefan Huerlimann | Switzerland |
| Sirko Hunnius | Germany |
| Mikko Kaukokari | Finland |
| Mike Langin | Canada |
| Sean Macfarlane | United States |
| Andre Schrader | Germany |
| Liam Sewell | Great Britain |
| Miroslav Stolc | Slovakia |
Linesmen
| Name | Nationality |
|---|---|
| Nicholas Briganti | United States |
| Eric Cattanéo | Switzerland |
| Nicolas Constantineau | France |
| Jake Davis | United States |
| Onni Hautamaki | Finland |
| Andreas Hofer | Germany |
| Daniel Hynek | Czech Republic |
| Andreas Weise Kroyer | Denmark |
| Brett Mackey | Canada |
| Tommi Niittyla | Finland |
| David Nothegger | Austria |
| Jiri Ondrácek | Czech Republic |
| Simon Synek | Slovakia |
| Tarrington Wyonzek | Canada |
| Emil Yletynen | Sweden |
| Davis Zunde | Latvia |
Competition phases
Preliminary round: Group A
The preliminary round of Group A took place at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, from 12 to 23 May 2023, involving Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, and the United States in a single round-robin format of seven games per team.[1] The top four teams qualified for the quarterfinals, while the eighth-placed team was relegated to Division IA for 2024.[48] The United States led the group with 20 points (6 wins, 1 overtime loss), powering through with high-scoring wins including 7–1 over Hungary on 14 May and 9–0 against France on 21 May.[31] Sweden secured second place with 18 points (5 wins, 3 overtime wins/losses equivalent), featuring defensive shutouts such as 1–0 against Germany on 12 May and 4–0 over France on 20 May.[31] Host Finland earned 16 points for third (5 wins, 1 overtime loss, 1 shootout loss), rallying with blowout victories like 7–1 against Hungary on 19 May and 7–1 over Denmark on 23 May, despite opening with a 1–4 loss to the United States on 12 May.[31] Germany rounded out the playoff qualifiers in fourth with 13 points, clinching advancement via wins such as 6–4 against Denmark on 18 May and 7–2 over Hungary on 21 May.[31][48] Denmark finished fifth with 10 points, boosted by overtime triumphs including 4–3 over France on 14 May and 3–1 against Sweden on 25 May, but hampered by losses to top teams. France placed sixth with 7 points, suffering heavy defeats like 0–9 to the United States, offset slightly by a 2–1 overtime win against Austria on 13 May. Austria ended seventh with 5 points, showing fight in a 4–3 shootout victory over Hungary on 22 May. Hungary, despite an upset 3–2 overtime win over France on 16 May, endured multiple lopsided losses and finished last with 3 points, resulting in relegation.[31] The group featured notable parity in mid-tier battles, with five games extending to overtime and one to shootout, influencing goal differentials and seeding. Tampere's home crowd provided vocal support for Finland, particularly in their 5–3 win over France on 17 May and 3–1 against Austria on 20 May, enhancing the atmosphere at Nokia Arena.[24]Preliminary round: Group B
Group B matches of the preliminary round were played at Arena Riga from 12 to 23 May 2023, featuring Canada, Czechia, Kazakhstan, host Latvia, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.[1] The host team Latvia opened against Canada on 12 May, suffering a 0–6 defeat despite strong home crowd support.[31] The following day, Slovakia edged Latvia 2–1 in a low-scoring affair.[31] Latvia rebounded on 15 May with a 4–3 overtime victory over Czechia, where Oskars Batna scored the decisive goal 44 seconds into the extra period, marking the host's first win of the tournament.[49][31] Subsequent successes included 2–1 and 3–2 wins against Norway and Slovenia on 17 and 19 May, respectively, a dominant 7–0 rout of Kazakhstan on 20 May, and another overtime triumph, 4–3 over Switzerland on 23 May.[31] These results, combining with two losses, yielded Latvia 13 points and third place in the group, securing playoff qualification via a head-to-head advantage over Czechia despite identical points totals.[48] The group exhibited notable competitiveness, with multiple matches extending beyond regulation time, including shootout decisions in Canada’s 2–1 win over Slovakia on 15 May, Kazakhstan’s 4–3 victory against Norway on 13 May, and Norway’s 3–2 shootout loss to Canada on 22 May.[31] Switzerland led the standings with 19 points from six regulation wins and one overtime loss, while Canada accumulated 15 points en route to second place.[48] Czechia joined the top four with 13 points, their position determined by goal difference and head-to-head results following a mixed record of four regulation wins, one overtime loss, and two defeats.[48] Slovakia finished fifth with 11 points, impacted by two overtime losses.[48]| Rank | Team | GP | W | OTW | OTL | L | PTS | GF:GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SUI | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 29:10 |
| 2 | CAN | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 25:11 |
| 3 | LAT | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 21:17 |
| 4 | CZE | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 22:16 |
| 5 | SVK | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 15:15 |
| 6 | KAZ | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 14:31 |
| 7 | NOR | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 9:17 |
| 8 | SLO | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9:27 |
Playoff quarterfinals
The playoff quarterfinals took place on May 25, 2023, utilizing a crossover format where the top four teams from Group A faced off against the bottom seeds from Group B and vice versa, with games hosted at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, and Arena Riga in Latvia.[50] This structure ensured neutral-site play for non-host matchups, emphasizing defensive discipline and power-play efficiency in high-stakes elimination games. Latvia, as co-hosts, secured a historic 3–1 upset victory over top-seeded Sweden at Arena Riga, with goals from Jānis Jaks, Miks Indrašis, and Dāvis Lokmelis outpacing Timothy Liljegren's lone response for Sweden; Latvia's goaltender Artūrs Šilovs stopped 28 of 29 shots, leveraging a disciplined penalty kill that neutralized Sweden's top-ranked power play from the preliminary round.[51] [52] Canada defeated defending champions Finland 4–1 at Nokia Arena, ending the Finns' title defense with goals from Jack Quinn, Sammy Blais, Michael Carcone, and Tyler Toffoli; Canada's Sam Montembeault recorded 27 saves for the win, while Finland managed only one goal despite outshooting Canada early, highlighting Canada's transition game and Finland's fatigue from hosting duties.[53] [54] The United States shut out Czechia 3–0 in Tampere, advancing with a balanced attack featuring goals from Johnny Gaudreau, Matt Boldy, and Brady Tkachuk, backed by goaltender Jeremy Swayman's 23-save performance that exploited Czechia's 0-for-4 power play.[5] Germany edged Switzerland 3–1, with timely scoring and strong goaltending from Mathias Niederberger securing the win against a Swiss team that had topped Group B preliminaries but faltered in five-on-five play.[54]| Matchup | Score | Venue | Advancing Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia vs. Sweden | 3–1 | Arena Riga, Latvia | Latvia |
| Canada vs. Finland | 4–1 | Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland | Canada |
| United States vs. Czechia | 3–0 | Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland | United States |
| Germany vs. Switzerland | 3–1 | Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland | Germany |
Playoff semifinals
The playoff semifinals took place on 27 May 2023 at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, with the quarterfinal winners reseeded by preliminary round performance to determine matchups: Canada (highest seed) against Latvia and the United States against Germany.[1] These contests decided the finalists, with Canada pursuing a record-extending 28th world championship title and Germany aiming to end a 70-year medal drought.[54] Canada overcame Latvia 4–2 in the opener, rallying from a 2–0 deficit after two periods. Latvia struck first in each of the opening frames, capitalizing on early chances against Canadian goaltender Samuel Montembeault, but Canada's offensive depth prevailed in the third period with three unanswered goals, including a highlight-reel tally by Adam Fantilli midway through the frame. Montembeault's 24 saves, particularly in tight situations during the comeback, proved decisive in preserving the win and advancing Canada to the gold medal game.[54][55][56] In the later matchup, Germany stunned the United States 4–3 in overtime, marking a historic breakthrough as Germany reached the final for the first time since 1930. The U.S. dominated early, surging to a 2–0 lead within four minutes through aggressive forechecking and shots from players like Johnny Gaudreau, but Germany responded with disciplined defense and opportunistic scoring to tie the game at 3–3 with 1:23 left in regulation via a deflected shot. In overtime, Frederik Tiffels netted the winner at 7:32, aided by goaltender Mathias Niederberger's 30 saves that neutralized U.S. pressure and enabled Germany's tactical shift to counterattacks. This comeback underscored Germany's resilience against a higher-ranked opponent, propelled by superior special teams execution and Niederberger's edge in high-danger saves.[57][58][59]Bronze medal game
The bronze medal game of the 2023 IIHF World Championship was played on 28 May 2023 at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, pitting the United States—semifinal losers to Germany—against Latvia, who had fallen to Canada in the other semifinal.[60][61] The match determined third place overall, with the winner securing a medal and the loser finishing fourth among the 16 teams.[60] Attendance was 11,033.[61] Latvia opened the scoring at 7:49 of the first period on a goal by Roberts Bukarts, assisted by Rihards Bukarts and Martins Dzierkals.[61] The United States equalized at 9:45 through Rocco Grimaldi, with assists from Scott Perunovich and Anders Bjork, but Latvia regained the lead at 16:08 via Janis Jaks, assisted by Rihards Bukarts and Miks Indrasis.[61] Grimaldi scored again at 19:03, assisted by Perunovich and Matt Coronato, tying the game 2–2 after the first period, during which the United States outshot Latvia 11–8.[61] The second period was scoreless, with the United States holding a 10–3 shots advantage.[61] In the third period, Coronato gave the United States a 3–2 lead at 6:19, assisted by Dylan Samberg and Drew O'Connor.[61] Latvia tied it at 14:21 on Kristians Rubins' goal, assisted by Dans Locmelis and Rihards Bukarts, forcing overtime after the United States were outshot 13–8 in the frame.[61] Rubins then scored the sudden-death winner at 1:22 of overtime, assisted by Kaspars Daugavins and Janis Jaks, securing a 4–3 victory for Latvia—their first medal in IIHF World Championship history, surpassing prior best finishes of seventh place in 1997, 2004, and 2009.[60][61] The United States finished with 29 shots to Latvia's 25 overall.[60] Both teams recorded five penalties: for the United States, Carter Mazur (tripping, 6:02 first), Alex Tuch (boarding, 10:27 first), Connor Mackey (tripping, 12:59 second), Nick Bonino (hooking, 2:56 third), and Grimaldi (embellishment, 11:39 third); for Latvia, Ralfs Freibergs (interference, 13:34 first), Rubins (tripping, 17:19 first), Rihards Bukarts (hooking, 1:33 third), and Oskars Batna (tripping, 11:39 third).[61] Referees were Jan Hribik and Liam Sewell, with linesmen Onni Hautamaki and Tarrington Wyonzek.[61]Gold medal game
The gold medal game of the 2023 IIHF World Championship took place on May 28, 2023, at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, pitting Canada against Germany in their first-ever matchup for the title.[62] Canada secured a 5–2 victory, claiming their record-extending 28th world championship gold medal.[4] For Germany, the appearance marked their first final since 1953, highlighting a rare breakthrough for the nation against a historically dominant opponent.[62] Germany struck first in the opening period at 7:44 when John Peterka wristed a shot from the left circle past Canada's Samuel Montembeault, assisted by Moritz Seider and Moritz Müller on an even-strength play.[3] Canada equalized at 10:47 through Samuel Blais' tip-in, set up by Peyton Krebs and Jake Neighbours, also at even strength, leaving the score tied 1–1 after 20 minutes with Canada holding a 12–7 edge in shots on goal.[3] In the second period, Daniel Fischbuch restored Germany's lead at 33:47 with a low shot on a rebound, assisted by Maximilian Kastner and Seider at even strength.[3] Canada responded late in the frame at 37:28, capitalizing on a power play when Lawson Crouse deflected a shot from MacKenzie Weegar—assisted by Krebs—for a 2–2 tie, despite Germany outshooting Canada 9–7 in the period.[3] Canada dominated the third period with three unanswered goals, breaking the deadlock at 44:51 when Blais scored his second of the game on a wrist shot assisted by Cody Glass at even strength.[3] Tyler Toffoli extended the lead to 4–2 at 51:51 with an unassisted even-strength goal on a loose puck.[3] Scott Laughton sealed the win at 58:06 into an empty net, assisted by Jack Quinn and Crouse, also at even strength.[3] Overall, Canada outshot Germany 28–23, reflecting superior puck control and sustained pressure that overwhelmed Germany's defense in the decisive frame despite early deficits.[62] Following the final buzzer, the medal ceremony awarded gold to Canada amid performances of their national anthem, while Germany received silver in recognition of their tournament upset run.[62]Results and standings
Final rankings
Canada defeated Germany 5–2 in the gold medal game on May 28, 2023, securing first place.[31] Latvia earned third place with a 4–3 overtime victory over the United States in the bronze medal game.[31] The United States finished fourth after advancing to the semifinals but losing both subsequent matches.[5] The teams eliminated in the quarterfinals—Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, and Czechia—were ranked 5th through 8th based on their performance in the preliminary round among the eight quarterfinal qualifiers, using points, goal difference, and other tiebreakers as needed.[63] Switzerland, with 19 points from the preliminary round, placed 5th; Sweden, with 18 points, 6th; Finland 7th; and Czechia, with the lowest points among them at 12, 8th.[64][48] Teams not qualifying for the playoffs were ranked 9th through 16th according to their finishing positions within their preliminary round groups, with corresponding places from Groups A and B compared via points, goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results where applicable.[48] Austria and Slovenia, finishing last in their respective groups, occupied 15th and 16th and were relegated to Division I for 2024.[48]| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Canada |
| 2 | Germany |
| 3 | Latvia |
| 4 | United States |
| 5 | Switzerland |
| 6 | Sweden |
| 7 | Finland |
| 8 | Czechia |
| 9 | Denmark |
| 10 | Slovakia |
| 11 | France |
| 12 | Great Britain |
| 13 | Hungary |
| 14 | Kazakhstan |
| 15 | Austria |
| 16 | Slovenia |
Relegation outcomes
In accordance with IIHF regulations, the team finishing last in each preliminary round group was automatically relegated to Division I Group A for the 2024 tournament, a mechanism designed to preserve competitive equilibrium by elevating performers from lower tiers while demoting consistent underachievers from the elite division.[26] Hungary, concluding Group A with 3 points from 7 games (1 win, 2 overtime losses), secured relegation after a 3-3 tie resolved by a 2-0 shootout defeat to Austria on May 22, 2023, in Tampere, Finland; this marked Hungary's return to Division I following their promotion from there in 2022.[66] Slovenia placed eighth in Group B with 6 points from 7 games (2 wins, no overtime results), their demotion confirmed by the preliminary round's end on May 22, 2023, in Riga, Latvia, after failing to overcome superior opponents despite earning points against mid-tier teams like France and Kazakhstan.[66] These outcomes facilitated the ascent of Great Britain and Poland, who topped Division I Group A earlier in 2023 with 21 and 18 points respectively, ensuring the top division's roster reflects recent merit-based performance rather than entrenched participation.[67]Statistics and records
Scoring leaders
Rocco Grimaldi of the United States led all skaters in scoring at the 2023 IIHF World Championship with 14 points, consisting of 7 goals and 7 assists over 10 games played.[68] Dominik Kubalik of the Czech Republic and John Peterka of Germany tied for second with 12 points each, with Kubalik recording 8 goals and 4 assists in 8 games, while Peterka had 6 goals and 6 assists in 10 games.[68] The leaderboard includes players from multiple nations, with defenders contributing significantly through assists, such as MacKenzie Weegar (Canada) and Henrik Tommernes (Sweden).[68] No minimum games-played threshold was applied for eligibility in the official scoring leaders; rankings reflect total points for all participating skaters excluding goaltenders.[68]| Rank | Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocco Grimaldi | USA | 10 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | Dominik Kubalik | CZE | 8 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| 3 | John Peterka | GER | 10 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| 4 | Rihards Bukarts | LAT | 10 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| 4 | MacKenzie Weegar | CAN | 10 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| 6 | T.J. Tynan | USA | 10 | 1 | 10 | 11 |
| 7 | Henrik Tommernes | SWE | 8 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| 8 | Cutter Gauthier | USA | 10 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 | Lawson Crouse | CAN | 10 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 10 | Nikolaj Ehlers | DEN | 7 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
Goaltending leaders
Stanislav Skorvanek of Slovakia led all qualified goaltenders with a 95.37% save percentage and 1.26 goals-against average (GAA) over four games, contributing to Slovakia's quarterfinal appearance despite their eventual relegation fight.[69] Samuel Montembeault of Canada posted a 93.87% save percentage and 1.42 GAA in seven games, anchoring the gold medal-winning effort with strong performances in the knockout rounds.[69] Lars Johansson of Sweden recorded two shutouts among five appearances, tying for the tournament lead and supporting Sweden's semifinal run.[69] Qualified goaltenders, defined as those playing at least 40% of their team's total minutes, were ranked by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).[69]| Rank | Goaltender | Team | GP | MIN | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanislav Skorvanek | SVK | 4 | 238:39 | 95.37 | 1.26 |
| 2 | Karel Vejmelka | CZE | 4 | 236:26 | 94.35 | 1.78 |
| 3 | Samuel Montembeault | CAN | 7 | 423:07 | 93.87 | 1.42 |
| 4 | Lars Johansson | SWE | 5 | 303:42 | 93.33 | 1.58 |
| 5 | Samuel Hlavaj | SVK | 3 | 189:05 | 93.20 | 2.22 |
| Rank | Goaltender | Team | GP | MIN | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanislav Skorvanek | SVK | 4 | 238:39 | 1.26 | 95.37 |
| 2 | Samuel Montembeault | CAN | 7 | 423:07 | 1.42 | 93.87 |
| 3 | Lars Johansson | SWE | 5 | 303:42 | 1.58 | 93.33 |
| 4 | Karel Vejmelka | CZE | 4 | 236:26 | 1.78 | 94.35 |
| 5 | Robert Mayer | SUI | 4 | 236:38 | 1.77 | 90.28 |
| Rank | Goaltender | Team | SO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (tie) | Lars Johansson | SWE | 2 |
| 1 (tie) | Casey DeSmith | USA | 2 |
| 3 (tie) | Stanislav Skorvanek | SVK | 1 |
| 3 (tie) | Karel Vejmelka | CZE | 1 |
| 3 (tie) | Samuel Montembeault | CAN | 1 |
Tournament records and milestones
Canada secured its record-extending 28th IIHF World Championship gold medal with a 5–2 victory over Germany in the final on May 28, 2023. This marked the second Canadian title in three years, following the 2021 win, and extended their lead over rivals Sweden and Russia (each with 11 golds).[70] Germany earned its first World Championship medal since the East German team's bronze in 1953, achieving silver after a competitive run that included upsets over higher-seeded opponents. Latvia claimed its inaugural IIHF medal with bronze, defeating the United States 4–3 in overtime on May 28, 2023, in a semifinal rematch; this was the host nation's deepest tournament run, reaching the semifinals for the first time.[71] The tournament featured notable parity, with frequent comebacks and overtime decisions underscoring competitive balance: Canada rallied from 3–0 down to win 4–3 in overtime against Slovenia; the United States overcame a 4–1 deficit to tie Latvia before losing 5–4 in overtime; Norway erased a 4–1 hole against Austria for a 5–4 overtime victory; and Canada trailed 2–0 early in the final before scoring five unanswered goals.[71] Such reversals were recurrent, reflecting elevated scoring (an average of 6.52 goals per game) and resilience among underdogs.[71] Attendance reached 441,885 across 64 games, the second-highest in tournament history at the time, driven by passionate local support in co-host cities Tampere and Riga.[71] Riga's Arena Riga averaged over 5,500 spectators per game, with fan zones drawing 220,000 visitors, amplifying Latvia's home advantage amid their medal breakthrough.[71]Awards and recognition
IIHF individual awards
The IIHF Directorate Awards, selected by tournament officials evaluating players' on-ice performance, empirical statistics, and overall contributions, honored three standout individuals at the 2023 IIHF World Championship held in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia. These positional awards—best forward, best defenceman, and best goaltender—emphasize causal impact on team success, such as scoring efficiency, defensive reliability, and goaltending save percentages, rather than subjective media polls.[72][73] Germany's JJ Peterka received the best forward award for his tournament-leading offensive output, registering 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in 10 games, including clutch scoring that propelled Germany to the final.[72][74] Canada's MacKenzie Weegar was named best defenceman, anchoring the gold-medal-winning squad with 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 10 games while logging heavy minutes and contributing to a plus-7 rating amid Canada's dominant defensive structure.[73] Latvia's Arturs Šilovs earned best goaltender honors, posting a 1.98 goals-against average and .935 save percentage over 9 appearances (8 starts), including critical stops in Latvia's bronze-medal upset run despite facing high shot volumes.[72][74]| Award | Recipient | Team | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Forward | JJ Peterka | Germany | 7G, 5A, 12P in 10 GP |
| Best Defenceman | MacKenzie Weegar | Canada | 1G, 4A, +7 in 10 GP |
| Best Goaltender | Arturs Šilovs | Latvia | 1.98 GAA, .935 SV%, 9 GP |
Media All-Stars
The Media All-Star Team for the 2023 IIHF World Championship was selected by journalists accredited to cover the tournament, emphasizing players' overall contributions and impact beyond statistical totals.[75] The team, announced on May 28, 2023, after the final between Canada and Germany, followed the standard format of one goaltender, two defensemen, and three forwards.[75] This selection differed from the IIHF Directorate Awards by incorporating a broader consensus from media observers, who highlighted performers from multiple nations, including those from non-medaling teams like Latvia and Czechia.[75] [76]| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Goaltender | Artūrs Šilovs | Latvia |
| Defenseman | Moritz Seider | Germany |
| Defenseman | MacKenzie Weegar | Canada |
| Forward | Dominik Kubálik | Czechia |
| Forward | John Peterka | Germany |
| Forward | Rocco Grimaldi | United States |
Other honors
The IIHF Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the class of 2023 took place on 28 May 2023 in Tampere, Finland, immediately prior to the bronze and gold medal games of the tournament.[77] The inductees included players Cristobal Huet of France, Brian Leetch of the United States, Caroline Ouellette of Canada, and Henrik Zetterberg of Sweden; referees and builders Jimmy Foster of Great Britain, Sandra Dombrowski of Germany, Kalervo Kummola of Finland, and Viktor Tikhonov of Russia.[78] During the same ceremony, the Paul Loicq Award, recognizing outstanding service to international ice hockey, was presented to Kimmo Leinonen of Finland for his long-standing contributions as a journalist, IIHF media director, and organizer of events including multiple World Championships.[78] Leinonen, who began covering IIHF events in 1974 and served in official capacities from 1991 to 2014, was honored for advancing the sport's global visibility.[78] The Richard “Bibi” Torriani Award, given annually since 2015 to players from non-elite nations for exceptional national team contributions, went to Viktor Szélig of Hungary.[79] Born in 1975, Szélig represented Hungary in 11 IIHF World Championships across divisions, accumulating 20 goals and 34 assists in 68 games, and later coached the national under-20 team.[79]Media coverage
Broadcasting rights
The 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship was distributed by nearly 80 broadcast partners across more than 150 territories, coordinated by Infront, the IIHF's exclusive media rights agency.[80] Infront Productions served as the host broadcaster, producing a unified international feed from the venues in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia, utilizing 31 camera signals for standard games and 35 for semifinals and medal matches, including specialized units like ultra-motion and robotic super slo-mo cameras.[27] The feed was delivered in 1080p resolution for enhanced clarity, with clean and dirty versions available, alongside isolated camera options, and distributed via redundant fiber routes for reliability.[27] In host nation Finland, MTV Oy held domestic rights, providing comprehensive live coverage.[81] Latvia's public broadcaster LTV1 aired the event locally.[82] Territories without local partners accessed free live streams on the IIHF's official YouTube channel.[27]| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Canada | TSN, RDS[83] |
| United States | NHL Network, ESPN+[83] |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport[82] |
| Sweden | SVT[82] |
| Czech Republic | Česká televize[82] |