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The IIHF posted their new international rankings after the Olympics, and suprisingly, the United States is fifth in the world and Russia is somehow second. The explanation of the rankings criteria can be found here. The key bit:
The IIHF World Ranking is based on awarding points for the final positions in the last four IIHF World Championships and in the last Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.
The rankings are just below the jump.
The top eight teams are standard and expected, but after Switzerland, things really just go nutty. Germany, traditionally the top dog in at the bottom of the pile is ranked twelfth, below Belarus, Latvia and Norway.
Mexico is the biggest gainer on the list, up six places to #32. Mexico Hockey is gaining on the world. Need a jersey? The green ones are actually pretty nice-looking.
Korea, Australia and Belgium all fell three places.
Other interesting things on the list? How about #45 Mongolia? Mongolia has a hockey team? Why, yes they do. In fact, they have a six team hockey league! I'm rooting for Zolboot this year.
North Korea is #43, and by "team" on the national roster, they apparently have a hockey league. I can't imagine an in-game experience in North Korea.
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