1959 Ice Hockey World Championships


The 1959 Ice Hockey World Championships were held between March 5 and March 15, 1959, in Prague, and six other cities in Czechoslovakia. Canada, represented by the Belleville McFarlands, won their eighteenth World championship, winning every game but their last. The Soviet Union finished second, claiming their fifth European title followed by the host Czechoslovaks. In the consolation round, West Germany played against East Germany for the first time in a World Championship, with the west winning easily, 8–0. The Canadian games were broadcast on CJBQ radio by Jack Devine.

World Championship Group A (Czechoslovakia)

First Round

Twelve teams played in three groups where first and second place advanced to the final round, while the 3rd and 4th place teams competed in a consolation round.

Group 1

Played in Bratislava.
PlaceTeamGPWDLGFGAPts
1330039–26
2320124–84
331028–352
430034–300

Group 2

Played in Brno.
PlaceTeamGPWDLGFGAPts
1330024–56
2320122–104
3310210–262
430036–210

Group 3

Played in Ostrava.
PlaceTeamGPWDLGFGAPts
1321021–55
2311113–123
3310211–132
431027–222

Final Round

Played in Prague. Canada finished first by virtue of a better goal differential, 14 to 10. The Czechoslovaks captured bronze in dramatic fashion, they needed to win against the previously undefeated Canadians in the final game and by enough of a margin to beat out the Americans on tie-breakers. By scoring an empty net goal in the dying moments of the final game the Czechs equaled the Americans on points, and goal differential. The final tie-breaker was goal average, in which the Czechs had the advantage 1.57 to 1.53.
PlaceTeamGPWDLGFGAPts
1540121–78
2540120–108
3530222–146
4530223–156
551046–212
650057–320

Consolation Round

Played in Kladno, Mladá Boleslav and Kolín.
PlaceTeamGPWDLGFGAPts
7541030–99
8531120–207
9530220–216
10521220–175
11510411–202
12501408–221

World Championship Group B (Czechoslovakia)

Three other nations played a secondary tournament in Plzen. A Czechoslovakia 'B' team also participated in the tournament. Had their games counted, they would've finished first.

Final Round

European Championship medal table

Tournament awards