Group A: Switzerland and Finland Set Up Top-Seed Showdown

Group A has narrowed to a head-to-head race for first place between two unbeaten giants, with the chase for the final quarterfinal berth tightening behind them.

Two perfect teams

Switzerland and Finland are tied at the top on 15 points after five games each. The Swiss have outscored opponents 26-5 and posted three shutouts in their run, including a 4-1 dispatch of Great Britain on Thursday. Finland have been almost as ruthless, riding a 4-0 win over Great Britain to a 24-5 record. The two will meet on May 26 at Swiss Life Arena in what now looks like a winner-takes-top-seed showdown.

Austria hanging on

Austria sit alone in third on 9 points after their 3-1 start ran into Switzerland's juggernaut. The Austrians have lost just once and remain in solid quarterfinal position with games against Germany and the United States still to come.

Race for fourth

Latvia have moved into fourth on 6 points after a 4-2 win over the United States. The Latvians are 2-3 with a -6 goal differential. The United States dropped to fifth on 5 points and a -3 differential, still in the picture but needing wins from a tough closing schedule. Germany are sixth on 4 points after their shootout point in defeat. Hungary are seventh on 3 points and need an upset.

Eliminated

Great Britain remain pointless after five regulation losses and a -19 differential. Their tournament now becomes a fight to retain top-division status.

Looking ahead

Friday delivers a heavyweight session: Switzerland host Hungary at 16:20 and Austria face Germany at 20:20. The four-way scramble between Latvia, USA, Germany and Hungary for the fourth quarterfinal spot will likely run to the final whistle on May 26.