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USSR
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Sweden |
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Czechoslovakia |
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The championship was scheduled for Canada, with games to be played in Winnipeg and Montreal. It was to be the first time that the tournament would be played in the country where hockey was born. Canada withdrew however from international competition as a result of a dispute with the IIHF over the use of professional players. Sweden agreed to host the tournament at the last minute. Poland was brought up from Pool B to replace Canada, but managed just one tie in 10 games.
Stumbling in a 4-2 first-round loss to Sweden, the Soviet Union recovered in time to win the gold medal with a record of 9-1-0. Sweden earned the silver medal and Czechoslovakia the bronze, although by only one point over Finland, which was rapidly improving its hockey program. The Finns defeated Sweden 3-1 and Czechoslovakia 5-3 in the first round.
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