However Slovenia's elite status was not lost against the Americans. Slovenia played well against the U.S and even had the initiative in the second period, but was inefficient yet again. Slovenia would have preserved its chance of staying among the elite if it had won at least a point against the U.S and then beat the Danes. However now, ahead of the last match, it is already clear that Slovenia will be relegated to the lower Division I.

There were big expectations from this tournament. Slovenia traveled to the World Ice Hockey Championships in the Czech Republic with a very strong squad, but failed to impress with its game. After last year's excellent performance at the winter Olympics the disappointment is big. Under coach Matjaž Kopitar this is the third time for the national team to be eliminated from the elite, and has only won one match so far. Slovenia played against the U.S without the suspended Robert Sabolič. Žiga Jeglič made up Slovenia's attack together with Anže Kopitar, while Rok Tičar joined forces with Jan Muršak.