The Swedes didn’t lose a single IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship game in Copenhagen, and finish atop our Power Rankings after defending their world title.
photo: Matt Zambonin / HHOF-IIHF Images
In our final Power Rankings of 2018, Sweden stays on top after winning its second straight gold medal. The plucky Swiss come second, while the United States is third. See you next year in Slovakia!
| 1 | SWE | Like Foppa taught us, there ain’t no gold like shootout gold |
| 2 | SUI | Nazareth sang “Love Hurts,” we sing “Silver Hurts” |
| 3 | USA | We shall cast a statue of Kane in bronze |
| 4 | CAN | As Neil Young said, “It’s better to burn out than fade away” |
| 5 | FIN | Our 2011 team was so good that Patrik Laine didn’t make it |
| 6 | RUS | Comrades, our stickhandling needs to be fancier |
| 7 | CZE | Jaromir? Have you been working out? |
| 8 | LAT | We’re loud, we’re proud, and you took more penalties than us |
| 9 | SVK | Thanks for the memories, Marian: here’s to new ones in 2019 |
| 10 | DEN | Duckly quacks “Thank you!” 520,481 times |
| 11 | GER | Nobody’s perfect – just ask Bayern |
| 12 | FRA | Denmark is nice, but we prefer Belarus and Austria |
| 13 | NOR | At this level, we can’t rely on our Nordic good looks |
| 14 | AUT | Sacher Torte > baked beans |
| 15 | BLR | We shall return – with bigger mustaches |
| 16 | KOR | Our peaceful people dream of the day when no one loses 13-1! |
Click here to check out the previous editions of the Power Rankings.
The Power Rankings are for the enjoyment of IIHF.com readers, and reflect the progress of teams during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. They are distinct from the official standings and IIHF World Ranking.