Poll: IIHF Medal Round Format

artermis · 04-07-2019, 11:50 AM

Now that we have expanded to 14 teams, and with the tournament around the corner, we in the IIHF HO thought it appropriate to review the medal round.

Previously, we had two groups of 6.

These groups depended on the rankings of each nation, and we're made up of the following teams:
Group A: #1, #4, #5, #8, #9, #12
Group B: #2, #3, #6, #7, #10, #11

To reflect our addition of two more teams, groups are now formatted as such:
Group A: #1, #4, #5, #8, #9, #12, #13
Group B: #2, #3, #6, #7, #10, #11, #14

However when it comes to the medal round we'd like to ask all of you your opinion.

Our current system takes the top 4 from each group into a crossover stage (1A, 2B, 3A, 4B in one bracket, 1B, 2A, 3B, 4A in the other).

However, in a 14 team tournament this excludes 6 teams.

An alternative is adding two additional spots to play in wildcard spots.

That could look a little something like this:
1A, 2B, 3A, (4B vs 5B)
1B, 2A, 3B, (4A vs 5A)

We could make those wildcard match-ups cross-overs as well and having 4B play 5A.

Anyway, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter!

CptSquall · 04-07-2019, 11:59 AM

I am not really a fan of changing the format, I think having the 4 best teams from each group move on is the right move to ensure this tournament is the best of the best. However I will say that, for simplicity on the site it will likely need to be changed to reflect the SHL Playoff structure as it would be hard I think for us to have 3 different styles.

Segi · 04-07-2019, 12:14 PM

I think there's a case to be made for the cross-over wildcard games. If one group ends up being much stronger than the other, it gives a team than barely didn't make it in 4th a chance to still advance.

Obsidian311 · 04-07-2019, 12:34 PM

I like the crossover idea

Tomasnz · 04-07-2019, 05:29 PM

Personally down with only four teams progressing.

Avakael · 04-07-2019, 07:08 PM

The more important decision would be switching the rounds to best of 3.

Poll: IIHF Medal Round Format You do not have permission to vote in this poll.
Current Format (Top 4)	64.00%	16	64.00%
Add Wildcards (Top 5)	28.00%	7	28.00%
Other	8.00%	2	8.00%
Total		25 vote(s)	100%

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