The Group A tournament was held in Asiago, Italy from 8 to 14 January 2018.[1] Having just been relegated to Division I in 2017, Japan entered the tournament with something to prove, handily winning all five matches in regulation and reclaiming their place in the Top Division. Despite eking out a shootout win against Hungary, Norway amassed the fewest points and were relegated to Division I Group B.[2]
Source: IIHF Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament. (H) Host
The Group B tournament was held in Katowice, Poland from 6 to 12 January 2018.[3]Denmark won the tournament with a +27 goal difference and were promoted to Division I Group A. With only one point earned in five games, Australia was relegated to Division I Group B Qualification.[4]
Danish defenceman Amanda Refsgaard was the highest scoring player of the tournament, notching 4 goals and 6 assists. Seven of the highest scoring players were Danish, including all five of the top ranked players. The leading scorer from a team other than Denmark was forward Elise Lombard of France, who ranked sixth overall with 4 goals and 2 assists.[5]
Denmark also topped the charts on the goaltending front, with goaltenders Martine Terrida and Emma-Sofie Nordström ranking first and second in both goals against average (GAA) and save percentage (Sv%). Goaltender Martyna Sass of Poland recorded the highest time on ice at 258 minutes, nearly fifteen minutes more than any other goaltender at the tournament.[6]
Source: IIHF Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament. (H) Host
The Group B Qualification tournament was held in Mexico City, Mexico from 30 January to 4 February 2018.[7] The Netherlands won promotion to Division I Group B.
Source: IIHF Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) result against closest best-ranked team outside tied teams; 6) result against second-best ranked team outside tied teams; 7) seeding before tournament. (H) Host