The Western hockey world was in hysteria before the 2027 World Cup:.
The International Hockey Federation (IIHF) is literally begging the Russian team to withdraw from the tournament. Officials no longer have legal reasons to deny entry, and Canada's brilliant "just don't give visas" plan has failed - the roster will be made up of the same hockey players they already have.
As a result, the "brave" European teams brought the situation to an absurdity:.
Switzerland held a demarche and refused to go on the ice in advance.
Latvia was afraid.
So much so that she banned her people from playing against Russia at the legislative level.
Now the IIHF can only cross their fingers and hope that the Russians do not come up on their two guaranteed technical victories, which the opponents generously contributed before the opening whistle.