In one of the closest finals competed, Canada took the tournament with a 2–1 final win, in overtime. Finland picked up their sixth consecutive bronze medal, with a win over Sweden.
This year's tournament also counted as qualification for the Salt Lake Olympics. With six automatic berths available, all four semi-finalists were assured Olympic participation. In the consolation round China defeated Germany and Russia defeated Japan, to join them.
Teams
With the promotion and relegation format now in use, the top seven nations were joined by Japan, the winner of Group B in 1999.
Location: Mississauga, Canada Constructed: 1998 Renamed: Paramount Fine Foods Centre
Capacity: Ice Hockey: 5,612 (5,420 seated)
World Championship Group A
The eight participating teams were divided up into two seeded groups as below. The teams played each other once in a single round robin format. The top two teams from the group proceeded to the Final Round, while the remaining teams played in the Consolation Round.
World Championship Group B was played again with an eight team tournament which was hosted by Latvia in Liepāja and Riga. Kazakhstan won the tournament winning the final stage round robin by 3 points to win the competition and to ensure their Promotion to the main World Championship in 2001.
