The top Championship Group A tournament took place in Finland from 19 April to 4 May 1991, with games played in Turku, Helsinki and Tampere.

Their position in Group A would be inherited by Russia, while newly independent former Soviet member states Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine began play in 1993 in qualification tournaments for Group C. The tournament itself would change significantly after this year as well.

This was the last time the top level was contested by eight teams; beginning in 1992 it would expand to twelve, requiring both Groups B and C to promote four nations each.

Getting only a tie against the last place Germans, the Americans only advanced to the final round by narrowly defeating the host Finns.

American coach Tim Taylor, trailing 9–4, pulled his goalie in the final minute, later claiming that he was trying to score the necessary number of goals to win the bronze medal.

As well, the top three qualified directly for the Olympics, with fourth place needing to defeat the winner of Group C.[1][3]

Source: [1] Only the top five goaltenders, based on save percentage, who have played 50% of their team's minutes are included in this list.