Each of the IIHF Championship schedules were recently approved and released by the IIHF. All games schedules can be found on IIHF.com and for each of the Irish National Teams, the deatails can be found below.
2011 IIHF World Championship Division II
Group B (Zagreb, Croatia: 10th – 16th April 2011)
The Senior Irish National Team finds itself facing an old foe in its first game when it returns to the Division II level next April. Bulgaria are first up and definitely one of the teams Ireland will be looking to get a result off when they face each other at 4:30 pm on 10th April. Last time the teams met, Ireland came out on the wrong end of a score line. Next up for Ireland is China on the next day in the first game at 1:00 pm. Ireland have never faced China in international competition before and will definitely weary when going into this encounter. Other highlights include Ireland playing Iceland on the last day of the tournament on 16th April. This could be an interesting one as the teams have a long history of competing against one another.
2011 IIHF World Women’s Championship Division V
(Sofia, Bulgaria: 14th – 19th March 2011)
Ireland’s first ever Women’s team to compete in an IIHF Championship find themselves in the first game of the Division V tournament next March. Poland are first up in what will no doubt be a tough encounter. The team will go into each of its games slightly tentative as they won’t be sure what to expect. However, they’ll be hoping that the green rubs off and St. Patricks brings a little luck to the side. There aren’t any games on the 17th March but games against Turkey on 16th March, Bulgaria on the 18th March and Spain on the 19th March will all provide enough entertainment for the week.
2011 IIHF World U18 Championship Division III
Group B (Mexico City, Mexico: 13th – 19th March 2011)
The U18 Irish National Team finds itself in tough competition when its faces a familiar rival in the form of South Africa in the opening game of this season’s Division III tournament. Things don’t get much easier for the Irish as they then go on to face Mexico in the highlight game on the following day. This could be an interesting game though and the result could affect the final standings so mark 14th March as the day to follow the game. A well deserved rest comes before Ireland is back into action against Iceland on 16th March in what will undoubtedly be their toughest test. Before facing Israel in it’s final game on the 18th March. With only five teams in the group, a medal to add to the Bronze won in 2009 is a realistic aim and again we will hope St. Patrick wishes the team some luck!