User:MSpirit/Sandbox

=Sandbox=

Seeding and Groups
The seeding in the preliminary round was based on the 2009 IIHF World Ranking, which ends at the conclusion of the 2009 IIHF World Championship. The 2010 Olympics were therefore not included. The teams were grouped accordingly by seeding (in parenthesis is the corresponding world ranking):

Group A
 * (1)
 * (8)
 * (9)
 * (18)

Group B
 * (2)
 * (7)
 * (10)
 * (15)

Group C
 * (3)
 * (6)
 * (11)
 * (14)

Group D
 * (4)
 * (5)
 * (12)
 * (13)

Preliminary Round
Sixteen participating teams were placed in the following four groups. After playing a round-robin, the top three teams in each group advance to the Qualifying Round. The last team in each group competes in the Relegation Round.

Groups A and D play in Cologne, with one game in Gelsenkirchen, and groups B and C play in Mannheim.

Group A
All times are local (UTC+2).

Group B
All times are local (UTC+2).

Group C
All times are local (UTC+2).

Group D
All times are local (UTC+2).

Qualification Round
The top three teams from each group of the Preliminary Round will advance to the Qualifying Round. They will be placed into two groups: teams from Groups A and D will be placed into Group E, while teams from Groups B and C will be placed into Group F.

Every team will keep the points from preliminary round matches with teams who also advanced. The teams will play a single round robin, but will not play against teams which they already met in preliminary groups.

Group E
All times are local (UTC+2).

Group F
All times are local (UTC+2).

Relegation Round
The bottom team in the standings from each group of the Preliminary Round played in the Relegation Round.

Group G
All times are local (UTC+2).

Quarter-finals
All times are local (UTC+2).

Allocation of the pairings to the afternoon or evening slot to be determined by the directorate. If Germany qualifies, they will play the respective evening game.

Semi-finals
All times are local (UTC+2).

Allocation of the pairings to the afternoon or evening slot to be determined by the directorate.

Bronze Medal Game
Time is local (UTC+2).

Gold Medal Game
Time is local (UTC+2).