Canada won gold in a shootout over Finland for the first time since 1961. This was Canada's 20th global ice hockey championship. The United Kingdom returned to Group A for the first time since 1962, but failed to win a single point. Russia finished with the best record (12-0-1) out of all groups, and thus earned the right to challenge Canada for the Olympic gold medal. Russia defeated Sweden 4-3 in a shoot-out to win the 1994 Winter Olympics. It was the first time that Russia had ever beaten Sweden in an international tournament. The Canadians were defeated by Russia in the final group stage game of the 1998 Nagano Games. Canada has won the last three world titles going into the 2014 Sochi Games.