Today's report is unfortunately only second-hand; I was not able to attend last night, so I am taking this info from the morning paper.
Our heroes from Mother Svea came up short yesterday against the archrival Russians, 6-2. These two teams are likely to meet in the final, so the Swedes will be looking for revenge.
Our other favorite team, the USA, fell to Kazakhstan 5-1. The Yanks did hold the Kazaks to a slim 2-1 lead at halftime, but couldn't stay in the match.
The other matches were thrillers, with Finland dumping Norway in overtime 7-6, and Canada slipping past Hungary on penalty shots.
That ends the first round. Sweden and Russia have earned byes in the quarterfinal round, and thus are already in the semis. Canada and Hungary have been eliminated. That leaves Kazakhstan vs. Norway and USA vs. Finland in the struggle for the two remaining semifinal slots.
The teams have the day off today (presumably to visit the Mall of America) and will resume on Friday. The long-awaited semifinals and finals will be on Saturday and Sunday.