The Lithuanian storm crashes into the Netherlands
Baltics left no chances for fragile Dutch team
Lithuania confirms the role of possible
contender for gold medal earning other three points at the expenses of a
fragile Netherlands, already down in the score after three minutes: after a
post hit by Stace van Bentem, is Domantas Cypas to find the right path to beat
a not perfect Sjoerd Idzenga, in the goal after the 6 goals suffered yesterday by
Fabian Schotel. Dutch goalie redeems shortly after when is decisive on Bendzius
twice. Netherlands try to threaten the opponent mainly with shots from long
range, suffering the second goal at 14:27 when Pijus Rulevicius finds the right
angle to beat Isdzenga.
In a quiet central period comes as a flash the
third goal for Lithuania, scored after a beautiful combination by Ugnius Cizas
at 30:45, breaking out a rain of goals: Netherlands doesn’t react so Baltics
can net another two goals, both coming with a classy solo: at 34:48 Emilijus Krakauskas
get in a static defense , his first shot is rebounded, not the second, while at
35:26 Edgar Rybakov finishes a classic frontal penetration. Coach Chris Eimers
calls a tme-out and change the goalie, but his team is totally groggy and
suffered the sixth goal 40 seconds after: Darius Pliskauskas is on perfect time
to deflect a pass for Cizas with no chances for Schotel. The storm continues
after the last break, with the seventh goal scored at 42:35 by Bendzius,
courtesy of goalie Schotel, not perfect on the shot. The Dutch goalie is
instead very reactive at 44 closing the angle to Cizas. Then are Verenis and
same Cizas to miss easy chances to replenish the score, but, surviving a power
play – and continuing not to score when in superiority – Lithuania, that switch
the goalies conceding some ice time to Simas Baltrunas, finds again the net
with Paulius Gintautas. While Bendzius misses a penalty shot - saved by Schotel - Baltrunas keep the Lithuanian net clear denying the
consolation goal to Melissant with a nice save
Dutch goalie saving the penalty shot from Bendzius
MVP: Joey Oosterveld – Darius Pliskaukas