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Men's Pool A
IIHF Men's World Hockey Championships
World Championships Artifact
World Championships Photo During the 1970's, the IIHF attempted to improve the game by making the amateur and professional rules more consistent. This included the termination of a two-minute penalty as soon as the team on the power play scored, the elimination of icing for teams playing short-handed, and the introduction of delayed penalties. Other decisions were adopted at the May 1978 Congress then went into effect at the 1979 World Championship. Changes included making it necessary for the defending team to touch the puck before icing was called, abandoning the change of ends in the middle of the third period when games were played indoors and increasing the rosters of each participating squad to 22. The games began one week earlier than the previous year. This was done to accommodate the Soviets, who wanted the tournament concluded in time for May Day celebrations. As a result, Canada began the tournament with only a 19-man roster made up of young players whose teams had missed the NHL playoffs. Winger Sergei Makarov made his debut with the Soviet national team, which captured the gold medal. The Soviets won all eight of their matches and embarrassed the silver medalists from Czechoslovakia by scores of 6-1 and 11-1. Sweden claimed the bronze medal while the Canadian team, made up of NHL pros, placed fourth.
1979 Moscow Summary
Click on a team below to see its roster and stats.
Rank Country Games Wins Losses Ties Points GDF GF GA
1 USSR 8 8 0 0 16      
2 Czechoslovakia 8 4 2 2 10      
3 Sweden 8 3 4 1 7      
4 Canada 8 3 5 0 6      
5 Finland 8 4 3 1 9      
6 West Germany 8 3 4 1 7      
7 USA 8 2 3 3 7      
8 Poland 8 0 6 2 2      

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