Tournament Format
The preliminary round will be played in 4 groups (A-D) with 4 teams each. The groups A and B form the Top Division, the groups C and D form Division I. The two last-placed teams of the groups A and B and the two first-placed teams of the groups C and D play for 4th place in group A and B to participate in the Top Division playoffs. The losers of those games play as first placed teams in group C and D to participate in the Division I playoffs. Playoffs starting with the quarterfinals and placement games will be played both in the Top Division and in Division I.
All games in the preliminary round and in the playoffs will be played with 5-minute sudden-death overtime and a penalty shootout in case of a tie. The final games will be played with a 12- minute sudden-death overtime, followed by a penalty shootout competition in case of a tie.
Teams will be awarded points on the following system:
- Win after regular time = 3 points
- Win after overtime or shootout = 2 points
- Loss after overtime or shootout = 1 point
- Loss after regular time = 0 points
Read more about this topic: 2004 IIHF Men's In Line Hockey World Championship