 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country |  Czechoslovakia |
| Venue(s) | 2 (in 1 host city) |
| Dates | 17 April – 3 May |
| Teams | 8 |
| Final positions | |
Champions  | Czechoslovakia (6th title) |
Runner-up  |  Canada |
Third place  |  Soviet Union |
| Fourth place |  United States |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Games played | 40 |
| Goals scored | 305 (7.63 per game) |
| Attendance | 411,659 (10,291 per game) |
| Scoring leader(s) | Sergei Makarov 14 points |
The 1985 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 17 April to 3 May. Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once. The four best teams then played each other once more with no results carrying over, and the other four teams played each other again to determine ranking and relegation. This was the 50th World Championships, and also the 61st European Championships of ice hockey. The home side, Czechoslovakia, became world champions for the 6th time, and the Soviet Union won their 23rd European title. For the European Championship, only games between European sides in the first round are included.
This was a historic tournament in a few respects. The Soviets were playing without goaltender Tretiak for the first time since 1969. This was Canada's best finish since returning to the Championships in 1977, and after defeating the Soviet Union for the first time in the World Championships since 1961, they played for gold on the last day. Despite Canada's silver medal, the first round saw a professionally stocked Canada lose to the Americans for the first time. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the tournament was Sweden's poor play. After finishing second in the 1984 Canada Cup expectations were high, but they had their worst finish since 1937, playing in the relegation pool for the first time.[1][2] It would also be East Germany's final appearance at the top level.
The tournament finished on a sour note when the US and Soviet Union faced off against each other for the bronze medal. Several fights broke out, resulting in suspensions of coaches Viktor Tikhonov and Dave Peterson, as well as players Irek Gimayev, Vyacheslav Fetisov and Tim Thomas.[1] Additionally referee Kjell Lind was disciplined for failing to keep control of the game.
