Assuming Canada, the USA, and Sweden all defeat both Denmark and Switzerland in regulation, the NYE game against Sweden will be for first place in the pool. A Canada regulation win would result in a three-way tie between Canada, the USA, and Sweden, with each team having a 3-1-0 record.
In the event of a three-way tie, the tie breaking procedure is as follows: The games played between the three tied teams are taken into consideration first. Points gained in the direct head-to-head games are the first tiebreaker, but in the event of a 3-way tie, all three teams will have a 1-1-0 record in the head-to-head games, so we'll go directly to the second tie-breaker.
The second tiebreaker is the goal differential in the head-to-head games between the tied teams.
In the 2 games that have been played so far, the USA defeated Canada 4-2 and lost to Sweden 1-0. So, the USA has a +1 differential and have played both their games against Canada and Sweden. Canada is -2 and Sweden is +1 after their games against the USA.
So, here are the scenarios...
- If Sweden wins on Thursday, or loses to Canada in OT/SO: Sweden wins the pool; USA is second; Canada is third
- If Canada wins in regulation on Thursday:
- By one goal: USA first (+1); Sweden second (0); Canada third (-1)
- By two goals: USA first (+1); Canada second (0); Sweden third (-1)
- By three goals: USA first (+1/win over Canada); Canada second (+1/loss to USA); Sweden third (-2)
- By four goals: Canada first (+2); USA second (+1); Sweden third (-3)
It will be very difficult for Canada to win the pool, especially if Soderstrom plays they way he did today.