The 2025 IIHF World Championships were thrown into chaos on Thursday, as heavily favored Canada lost to Cinderella Denmark, and both host countries advanced to the semi-final on Saturday. The Danes followed up a 2-1 upset of Germany with a 2-1 win against a Canadian squad loaded with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, and former Buffalo Sabres Ryan O’Reilly and Brandon Montour. They will play Switzerland, who went 6-0-1 in the preliminary round, while Sweden, who finished behind Canada with a 6-1-0 record, will take on the United States.
Team USA defeated Finland 5-2 on Thursday, and Sabres forward Tage Thompson assisted Conor Garland’s game-winning goal late in the second period. Thompson played 17:16 in the win, registering three shots on goal and was +1 in the contest. Garland had a pair on the night, Clayton Kelle, Shane Pinto and Zeev Buium added singles, with Jeremy Swayman stopping 20 shots for the victory.
Former Sabre and Rochester assistant Michael Peca was not dismissed by the NY Rangers after the firing of Peter Laviolette, and there was some speculation that Buffalo might have interest in adding him to Lindy Ruff’s staff, but Peca is heading to Chicago to join Jeff Blashill’s staff with the Blackhawks.
Peca was in charge of the Rangers power play and was credited with helping their centers on winning faceoffs. Buffalo has not announced any changes to their management and coaching staff other than the addition of Eric Staal as a special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams, but some may be forthcoming after the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
