1959 Ice Hockey World Championships
Canada won 18th title; first East-West Germany meeting.
The 1959 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in Czechoslovakia from 5 March to 15 March, with games held in Prague and six other cities. Canada, playing as the Belleville McFarlands, secured their 18th world title by winning all but their final match. The Soviet Union finished in second place, earning their fifth European championship, while the host Czechoslovak team took third. In the consolation round, West Germany faced East Germany for the first time at a World Championship, winning decisively 8–0. Jack Devine provided radio coverage of Canada’s games on CJBQ. The top division featured twelve teams split into three groups for the first round, with group winners and runners-up advancing to the final round in Prague. The remaining teams competed in a consolation round held in Kladno, Mladá Boleslav, and Kolín. Canada topped the final round based on a superior goal differential of 14 to 10. The Czechoslovaks earned bronze in a dramatic finish: they needed to beat the previously undefeated Canadians in the last game, and by a large enough margin to surpass the Americans on tie-breakers. An empty-net goal in the final moments gave Czechoslovakia the same points (6) and goal differential (8) as the United States, but the Czechoslovaks won on goal average, 1.57 to 1.53. Three other nations played a secondary tournament in Plzeň. A Czechoslovakia 'B' (junior) team also participated in the tournament. Had their games counted, they would've finished first. The tournament’s directorate selected Nikolai Puchkov as best goaltender, Jean Lamirande as best defenceman, and Bill Cleary as best forward.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1959
- Country
- Czechoslovakia
- Dates
- 5–15 March
- Num Teams
- 12
- Cities
- 7
- Winners
- Canada
- Winners-Flagvar
- 1957
- Count
- 18
- Second
- USSR
- Second-Flagvar
- 1955
- Fourth
- USA
- Games
- 48
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The tournament featured twelve teams in the first round, divided into three groups played in Bratislava, Brno, and Ostrava. The first and second place teams from each group advanced to the final round in Prague, while the third and fourth place teams competed in a consolation round held in Kladno, Mladá Boleslav, and Kolín. Canada finished first in the final round by virtue of a better goal differential, 14 to 10. The host 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, the Czechoslovaks equaled the Americans on points (6 each) and goal differential (8 each), winning on goal average (1.57 to 1.53). In the consolation round, West Germany played against East Germany for the first time in a World Championship, winning easily 8–0. Three other nations played a secondary tournament in Plzeň. A Czechoslovakia 'B' (junior) team also participated in the tournament. Had their games counted, they would've finished first.
Reader's Guide
The 1959 Ice Hockey World Championships are significant for several reasons. Canada, represented by the Belleville McFarlands, won their 18th World championship, winning every game except their last. The Soviet Union finished second, claiming their fifth European title. The host Czechoslovaks secured bronze in a dramatic tie-breaker, scoring an empty net goal in the final moments to equal the Americans on points and goal differential, then prevailing on goal average. The tournament also marked the first World Championship meeting between West Germany and East Germany, with West Germany winning 8–0. The Canadian games were broadcast on CJBQ radio by Jack Devine. The directorate awarded best goaltender to Nikolai Puchkov, best defenceman to Jean Lamirande, and best forward to Bill Cleary. The event was held across multiple cities in Czechoslovakia, including Prague, Bratislava, Brno, Ostrava, Kladno, Mladá Boleslav, Kolín, and Plzeň.
Did You Know?
- The Soviet Union finished second and claimed their fifth European title.
- West Germany defeated East Germany 8–0 in their first World Championship meeting.
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