View source for 1978 Ice Hockey World Championships

{{Short description|1978 edition of the World Ice Hockey Championships}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox international ice hockey competition
 | tourney_name =
 | year = 1978
 | other_titles =
 | image =
 | size =
 | caption =
 | country = Czechoslovakia
 | dates = 26 April – 14 May
 | num_teams = 8
 | venues = 1
 | cities = 1
 | type = ih
 | winners = USSR
 | count = 15
 | second = Czechoslovakia
 | third = Canada
 | fourth = Sweden
 | games = 40
 | goals = 322
 | attendance = 362642
 | scoring_leader = {{Flagicon|FRG}} [[Erich Kühnhackl]] <small>16 points</small>
 | mvp =
 | prevseason = [[1977 Ice Hockey World Championships|1977]]
 | nextseason = [[1979 Ice Hockey World Championships|1979]]
}}
The '''1978 [[Ice Hockey World Championships]]''' took place in [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]] from 26 April to 14 May. Held at the [[Sportovní hala Fortuna|Sportovní hala ČSTV]] in the capital city, it was the sixth time Czechoslovakia hosted the competition.<ref name="start-1978">{{cite news| date = 27 April 1978| title = Úspěšné vykročení našich| page = 8 | url = https://archiv.ucl.cas.cz/index.php?path=RudePravo/1978/4/27/8.png| work = [[Rudé právo]]| location = Prague | language = cs | access-date = 2 September 2024}}</ref> Eight teams took part, with each team playing each other once in the first round, and then the four best teams meeting in a new round. This was the 45th World Championships, and also the 56th [[IIHF European Championships|European Championships]].  The [[USSR]] won for the 15th time, narrowly defeating the incumbent Czechoslovaks.

On the final day, there was essentially a gold medal game, and a bronze medal game.  The Soviets played the Czechoslovaks and needed to win by at least two to win the Championship.<ref>[http://www.passionhockey.com/hockeyarchives/mondial1978.htm Tie breaker]</ref> They took a three nothing lead, and hung to win by two, capturing gold by being even head-to-head with the Czechoslovaks, but having a cumulative two goal advantage against everyone else.  Canada and Sweden came into the final game even, so the winner would claim the bronze.  [[Pat Hickey (ice hockey)|Pat Hickey]] scored with a minute left in the game to give Canada a three to two victory, and the medal.<ref>[http://www.passionhockey.com/hockeyarchives/mondial1978.htm Tournament summary]</ref>

Because of the allowance of professionals from the NHL into the tournament, a peculiar (and new) situation arose during this year's tournament.  The [[Minnesota North Stars]] had players representing Canada (2), Sweden (3), and the United States (4).<ref>Duplacey page 506</ref>

==World Championship Group A (Czechoslovakia)==

===First round===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=QR
|winpoints=2

|team1=TCH|name_TCH={{ih|TCH}}
|team2=URS|name_URS={{ih|URS}}
|team3=CAN|name_CAN={{ih|CAN}}
|team4=SWE|name_SWE={{ih|SWE}}
|team5=FRG|name_FRG={{ih|FRG}}
|team6=USA|name_USA={{ih|USA}}
|team7=GDR|name_GDR={{ih|GDR}}
|team8=FIN|name_FIN={{ih|FIN}}
|win_TCH=7|draw_TCH=0|loss_TCH=0|gf_TCH=44|ga_TCH=15
|win_URS=6|draw_URS=0|loss_URS=1|gf_URS=46|ga_URS=23
|win_CAN=4|draw_CAN=0|loss_CAN=3|gf_CAN=32|ga_CAN=26
|win_SWE=4|draw_SWE=0|loss_SWE=3|gf_SWE=35|ga_SWE=21
|win_FRG=2|draw_FRG=1|loss_FRG=4|gf_FRG=23|ga_FRG=35
|win_USA=1|draw_USA=1|loss_USA=5|gf_USA=25|ga_USA=42
|win_GDR=1|draw_GDR=1|loss_GDR=5|gf_GDR=13|ga_GDR=45
|win_FIN=1|draw_FIN=1|loss_FIN=5|gf_FIN=23|ga_FIN=34

|col_A=#ccffcc|text_A=
|result1=A|result2=A|result3=A|result4=A
|col_R=red1|text_R=
|result5=R|result6=R|result7=R|result8=R
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SWE}}
| score = 6–2
| team2 = {{ih|FRG}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 8–0
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 9–5
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 27 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FIN}}
| score = 6–4
| team2 = {{ih|CAN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 27 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 7–4
| team2 = {{ih|FRG}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 27 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SWE}}
| score = 5–1
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 28 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 6–4
| team2 = {{ih|FIN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 28 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CAN}}
| score = 6–2
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 29 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SWE}}
| score = 10–1
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 29 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 8–2
| team2 = {{ih|FRG}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 30 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CAN}}
| score = 7–2
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 30 April
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 6–3
| team2 = {{ih|FIN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 1 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CAN}}
| score = 6–2
| team2 = {{ih|FRG}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 1 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 10–2
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 2 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 8–3
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 2 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SWE}}
| score = 6–1
| team2 = {{ih|FIN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 3 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FRG}}
| score = 7–4
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 3 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|GDR}}
| score = 4–3
| team2 = {{ih|FIN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 4 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 5–0
| team2 = {{ih|CAN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 4 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 6–1
| team2 = {{ih|SWE}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 5 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FRG}}
| score = 5–3
| team2 = {{ih|FIN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 5 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|USA}}
| score = 7–3
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 6 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 6–4
| team2 = {{ih|URS}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 6 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CAN}}
| score = 7–5
| team2 = {{ih|SWE}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 7 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|GDR}}
| score = 1–1
| team2 = {{ih|FRG}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 7 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FIN}}
| score = 3–3
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 8 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 3–2
| team2 = {{ih|SWE}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 8 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 4–2
| team2 = {{ih|CAN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}

===Final Round 1–4 place===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|winpoints=2

|team1=URS|name_URS={{ih|URS}}
|team2=TCH|name_TCH={{ih|TCH}}
|team3=CAN|name_CAN={{ih|CAN}}
|team4=SWE|name_SWE={{ih|SWE}}
|win_URS=9|draw_URS=0|loss_URS=1|gf_URS=61|ga_URS=26
|win_TCH=9|draw_TCH=0|loss_TCH=1|gf_TCH=54|ga_TCH=21
|win_CAN=5|draw_CAN=0|loss_CAN=5|gf_CAN=38|ga_CAN=36
|win_SWE=4|draw_SWE=0|loss_SWE=6|gf_SWE=39|ga_SWE=37

|col_1ST=gold|text_1ST=
|result1=1ST
|col_2ND=silver|text_2ND=
|result2=2ND
|col_3RD=#cc9966|text_3RD=
|result3=3RD
|update=complete|source=
}}

{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 10 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 5–1
| team2 = {{ih|CAN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 10 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 6–1
| team2 = {{ih|SWE}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 12 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|TCH}}
| score = 3–2
| team2 = {{ih|CAN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 12 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 7–1
| team2 = {{ih|SWE}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 14 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CAN}}
| score = 3–2
| periods = (1–1, 1–1, 1–0)
| team2 = {{ih|SWE}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium = [[Sportovní hala Fortuna|Sportovní hala ČSTV]], [[Prague]]
| attendance = 14,500
| reference =<ref name="final-games-1978">{{cite news| date = 15 May 1978| title = Skončilo mistrovství světa a Evropy v ledním hokeji| page = 8 | url = https://archiv.ucl.cas.cz/index.php?path=RudePravo/1978/5/15/8.png| work = [[Rudé právo]]| location = Prague | language = cs | access-date = 2 September 2024}}</ref>
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 14 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|URS}}
| score = 3–1
| progression= 1–0 / 2–0 / 3–0 / 3–1
| periods = (1–0, 1–0, 1–1)
| goalie1 = [[Vladislav Tretiak]]
| goalie2 = [[Jiří Holeček]]
| team2 = {{ih|TCH}}
| goals1 = [[Helmuts Balderis]] / [[Vladimir Petrov (ice hockey)|Vladimir Petrov]] / [[Vladimir Golikov]]
| goals2 =[[Ivan Hlinka]]
| stadium = [[Sportovní hala Fortuna|Sportovní hala ČSTV]], [[Prague]]
| attendance = 14,500
| reference =<ref name="final-games-1978"/>
}}

===Consolation round 5–8 place===
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=R
|winpoints=2

|highest_pos = 5

|team5=FRG|name_FRG={{ih|FRG}}
|team6=USA|name_USA={{ih|USA}}
|team7=FIN|name_FIN={{ih|FIN}}
|team8=GDR|name_GDR={{ih|GDR}}
|win_FRG=3|draw_FRG=3|loss_FRG=4|gf_FRG=35|ga_FRG=43
|win_USA=2|draw_USA=2|loss_USA=6|gf_USA=38|ga_USA=58
|win_FIN=2|draw_FIN=2|loss_FIN=6|gf_FIN=37|ga_FIN=44
|win_GDR=1|draw_GDR=3|loss_GDR=6|gf_GDR=20|ga_GDR=57

|col_R=red1|text_R=
|result8=R
|update=complete|source=
}}
''[[East Germany]] was relegated to Group B.''
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 9 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FIN}}
| score = 4–4
| team2 = {{ih|FRG}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 9 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|USA}}
| score = 5–5
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 11 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FRG}}
| score = 0–0
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 11 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|USA}}
| score = 4–3
| team2 = {{ih|FIN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 13 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FRG}}
| score = 8–4
| periods = (2–1, 1–1, 5–2)
| team2 = {{ih|USA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium = [[Sportovní hala Fortuna|Sportovní hala ČSTV]], [[Prague]]
| attendance = 10,000
| reference =<ref name="final-games-1978"/>
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 13 May
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FIN}}
| score = 7–2
| periods = (3–1, 4–0, 0–1)
| team2 = {{ih|GDR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| stadium = [[Sportovní hala Fortuna|Sportovní hala ČSTV]], [[Prague]]
| attendance = 9,500
| reference =<ref name="final-games-1978"/>
}}

==World Championship Group B (Yugoslavia)==
Played in [[Belgrade]] 17–26 March.
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=QR
|winpoints=2

|highest_pos = 9

|team9=POL|name_POL={{ih|POL}}
|team10=JPN|name_JPN={{ih|JPN}}
|team11=SUI|name_SUI={{ih|SUI}}
|team12=ROU|name_ROU={{ih|ROU|1965}}
|team13=HUN|name_HUN={{ih|HUN|1957}}
|team14=NOR|name_NOR={{ih|NOR}}
|team15=ITA|name_ITA={{ih|ITA}}
|team16=YUG|name_YUG={{ih|YUG}}
|win_POL=6|draw_POL=1|loss_POL=0|gf_POL=51|ga_POL=19
|win_JPN=5|draw_JPN=1|loss_JPN=1|gf_JPN=26|ga_JPN=17
|win_SUI=4|draw_SUI=1|loss_SUI=2|gf_SUI=42|ga_SUI=32
|win_ROU=3|draw_ROU=1|loss_ROU=3|gf_ROU=41|ga_ROU=29
|win_HUN=3|draw_HUN=0|loss_HUN=4|gf_HUN=21|ga_HUN=36
|win_NOR=2|draw_NOR=1|loss_NOR=4|gf_NOR=29|ga_NOR=34
|win_ITA=1|draw_ITA=1|loss_ITA=5|gf_ITA=32|ga_ITA=41
|win_YUG=1|draw_YUG=0|loss_YUG=6|gf_YUG=14|ga_YUG=48

|col_A=#ccffcc|text_A=
|result9=A
|col_R=red1|text_R=
|result15=R|result16=R
|update=complete|source=
}}
''Undefeated [[Poland]] was promoted to Group A, and both Italy and [[Yugoslavia]] were relegated to Group C.''
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 17 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ITA}}
| score = 4–5
| team2 = {{ih|JPN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 17 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SUI}}
| score = 1–8
| team2 = {{ih|POL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 17 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ROU|1965}}
| score = 6–4
| team2 = {{ih|NOR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 17 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 2–4
| team2 = {{ih|HUN|1957}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 18 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|HUN|1957}}
| score = 4–3
| team2 = {{ih|NOR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 18 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 2–5
| team2 = {{ih|POL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 19 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ROU|1965}}
| score = 5–5
| team2 = {{ih|ITA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 19 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|JPN}}
| score = 1–6
| team2 = {{ih|SUI}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 20 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|HUN|1957}}
| score = 1–2
| team2 = {{ih|JPN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 20 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ROU|1965}}
| score = 3–7
| team2 = {{ih|SUI}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 20 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|NOR}}
| score = 4–9
| team2 = {{ih|POL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 20 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 3–12
| team2 = {{ih|ITA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 21 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|POL}}
| score = 7–2
| team2 = {{ih|HUN|1957}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 21 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 1–7
| team2 = {{ih|NOR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 22 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|JPN}}
| score = 5–2
| team2 = {{ih|ROU|1965}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 22 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ITA}}
| score = 4–7
| team2 = {{ih|SUI}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 23 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|HUN|1957}}
| score = 0–8
| team2 = {{ih|ROU|1965}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 23 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SUI}}
| score = 6–6
| team2 = {{ih|NOR}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 23 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ITA}}
| score = 2–12
| team2 = {{ih|POL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 23 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 1–6
| team2 = {{ih|JPN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 25 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|SUI}}
| score = 12–5
| team2 = {{ih|HUN|1957}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 25 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|NOR}}
| score = 4–3
| team2 = {{ih|ITA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 25 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|POL}}
| score = 2–2
| team2 = {{ih|JPN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 25 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 0–11
| team2 = {{ih|ROU|1965}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|NOR}}
| score = 1–5
| team2 = {{ih|JPN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ITA}}
| score = 2–5
| team2 = {{ih|HUN|1957}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|YUG}}
| score = 5–3
| team2 = {{ih|SUI}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 26 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|POL}}
| score = 8–6
| team2 = {{ih|ROU|1965}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}

==World Championship Group C (Spain)==
Played in the [[Canary Islands]] ([[Las Palmas]]) 10–19 March.
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|winpoints=2

|highest_pos = 17

|team17=NED|name_NED={{ih|NED}}
|team18=AUT|name_AUT={{ih|AUT}}
|team19=DEN|name_DEN={{ih|DEN}}
|team20=CHN|name_CHN={{ih|CHN}}
|team21=BUL|name_BUL={{ih|BUL}}
|team22=FRA|name_FRA={{ih|FRA}}
|team23=ESP|name_ESP={{ih|ESP}}
|team24=BEL|name_BEL={{ih|BEL}}
|win_NED=6|draw_NED=1|loss_NED=0|gf_NED=74|ga_NED=17
|win_AUT=5|draw_AUT=1|loss_AUT=1|gf_AUT=65|ga_AUT=31
|win_DEN=4|draw_DEN=1|loss_DEN=2|gf_DEN=59|ga_DEN=25
|win_CHN=4|draw_CHN=0|loss_CHN=3|gf_CHN=47|ga_CHN=30
|win_BUL=3|draw_BUL=1|loss_BUL=3|gf_BUL=27|ga_BUL=30
|win_FRA=3|draw_FRA=0|loss_FRA=4|gf_FRA=46|ga_FRA=39
|win_ESP=1|draw_ESP=0|loss_ESP=6|gf_ESP=26|ga_ESP=84
|win_BEL=0|draw_BEL=0|loss_BEL=7|gf_BEL=13|ga_BEL=101

|col_A=#ccffcc|text_A=
|result17=A|result18=A
|update=complete|source=
}}
''The [[Netherlands]] and Austria were both promoted to Group B.  China and Denmark also ended up being promoted to alleviate a political situation between the Chinese and the South Koreans and to address the IIHF missing that Austria should have been disqualified for using [[Pentti Hyytiäinen]].<ref>[http://www.passionhockey.com/hockeyarchives/mondial1979.htm Group B and C summaries 1979]</ref><ref>[http://www.passionhockey.com/hockeyarchives/register/HyytiainenPentti.htm Pentti Hytiainen profile]</ref>''
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 10 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CHN}}
| score = 8–4
| team2 = {{ih|FRA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 10 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|NED}}
| score = 18–3
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 10 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|AUT}}
| score = 7–4
| team2 = {{ih|DEN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 10 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 2–7
| team2 = {{ih|BUL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 12 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CHN}}
| score = 3–2
| team2 = {{ih|DEN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 12 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|AUT}}
| score = 9–7
| team2 = {{ih|FRA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 12 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 11–4
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 12 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|BUL}}
| score = 0–8
| team2 = {{ih|NED}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 13 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CHN}}
| score = 12–1
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 13 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|DEN}}
| score = 7–6
| team2 = {{ih|FRA}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 13 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 0–19
| team2 = {{ih|NED}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 13 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|AUT}}
| score = 3–3
| team2 = {{ih|BUL}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 15 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|BUL}}
| score = 10–3
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 15 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|NED}}
| score = 12–3
| team2 = {{ih|FRA}}
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 15 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|AUT}}
| score = 9–4
| team2 = {{ih|CHN}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 15 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 2–10
| team2 = {{ih|DEN}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 16 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|NED}}
| score = 3–3
| team2 = {{ih|DEN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 16 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|FRA}}
| score = 9–0
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 16 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 4–14
| team2 = {{ih|AUT}}
| goals1 =
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{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 16 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CHN}}
| score = 2–4
| team2 = {{ih|BUL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 18 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|AUT}}
| score = 19–1
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 18 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|DEN}}
| score = 8–3
| team2 = {{ih|BUL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 18 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 3–13
| team2 = {{ih|FRA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 18 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|CHN}}
| score = 4–6
| team2 = {{ih|NED}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 19 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|DEN}}
| score = 22–1
| team2 = {{ih|BEL}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 19 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|BUL}}
| score = 0–4
| team2 = {{ih|FRA}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 19 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|AUT}}
| score = 4–8
| team2 = {{ih|NED}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}
{{IceHockeybox
| bg = #eeeeee
| date = 19 March
| team1 = {{ih-rt|ESP}}
| score = 4–14
| team2 = {{ih|CHN}}
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
}}

==Ranking and statistics==
{{stack begin}}
<br />
{{winners|ih|1978 IIHF World Championship winners|URS|15th}}

===Tournament Awards===
*'''Best players selected by the directorate:'''
**'''Best [[Goaltender]]:'''      {{flagicon|CSK}} [[Jiří Holeček]]
**'''Best [[Defenceman]]:'''      {{flagicon|URS}} [[Viacheslav Fetisov]]
**'''Best [[Forward (ice hockey)|Forward]]:'''         {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Marcel Dionne]]
*'''Media All-Star Team:'''
**'''Goaltender:''' {{flagicon|CSK}} Jiří Holeček
**'''Defence:''' {{flagicon|CSK}} [[Jiří Bubla]], {{flagicon|URS}} Viacheslav Fetisov
**'''Forwards:''' {{flagicon|CSK}} [[Ivan Hlinka]], {{flagicon|URS}} [[Sergei Kapustin]], {{flagicon|URS}} [[Alexander Maltsev]]
{{stack end}}

===Final standings===
The final standings of the tournament according to [[IIHF]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:gold;"
|align=center|{{gold1}}|| {{ih|URS}}
|- style="background:silver;"
|align=center|{{silver2}}|| {{ih|CSK}}
|- style="background:peru;"
|align=center|{{bronze3}}|| {{ih|CAN}}
|-
|align=center|4|| {{ih|SWE}}
|-
|align=center|5|| {{ih|FRG}}
|-
|align=center|6|| {{ih|USA}}
|-
|align=center|7|| {{ih|FIN}}
|- style="background:#fcc;"
|align=center|8|| {{ih|GDR}}
|}

===European championships final standings===
The final standings of the [[Ice Hockey European Championships|European championships]] according to [[IIHF]]:
{| class="wikitable" style="width:200px;"
|- style="background:gold;"
|align=center|[[Image:gold medal icon.svg]]|| {{ih|URS}}
|- style="background:silver;"
|align=center|[[Image:silver medal icon.svg]]|| {{ih|CSK}}
|- style="background:peru;"
|align=center|[[Image:bronze medal icon.svg]]|| {{ih|SWE}}
|-
|align=center|4|| {{ih|FRG}}
|-
|align=center|5|| {{ih|GDR}}
|-
|align=center|6|| {{ih|FIN}}
|}

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*[http://www.passionhockey.com/hockeyarchives/mondial1978.htm Complete results]
*{{cite book |last=Duplacey |first=James |title=Total Hockey: The official encyclopedia of the National Hockey League |year=1998 |publisher=Total Sports |isbn=0-8362-7114-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/totalhockeyoffic0000unse/page/498 498–528] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/totalhockeyoffic0000unse/page/498 }}
*{{cite book |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |title=IIHF Media Guide & Record Book 2011 |year=2010 |publisher=Moydart Press |pages=146–7}}

{{Ice Hockey World Championships}}
{{IIHF Ice Hockey European Championships}}

[[Category:IIHF Men's World Ice Hockey Championships]]
[[Category:1978 in ice hockey|World Championships]]
[[Category:1977–78 in Czechoslovak ice hockey|World]]
[[Category:International ice hockey competitions hosted by Czechoslovakia|1978]]
[[Category:April 1978 sports events in Europe|World Ice Hockey Championships]]
[[Category:May 1978 sports events in Europe|World Ice Hockey Championships]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Prague]]
[[Category:1970s in Prague]]
[[Category:March 1978 sports events in Europe]]
[[Category:International ice hockey competitions hosted by Yugoslavia]]
[[Category:International ice hockey competitions hosted by Spain]]
[[Category:1970s in Belgrade]]
[[Category:International sports competitions in Belgrade]]
[[Category:Sport in Las Palmas]]
[[Category:1977–78 in Yugoslav ice hockey|World Ice Hockey Championships]]
[[Category:1977–78 in Spanish ice hockey|World Ice Hockey Championships]]
[[Category:1978 in Serbia|World Ice Hockey Championships]]
[[Category:Ice hockey competitions in Belgrade]]