The owners of the bronze

Lithuania completes another positive campaign in Division Ib earning three more points against Croatia, grabbing the fourth consecutive bronze medal revenging the defeat of the past year in Zagreb, when Croatia won at shootouts and more in general winning Croatia after three consecutive defeats at World Championship. Same Croatia closed a disappointing campaign in Belfast with only one victory, a step back from positive performance of last year at home. Without David Brine, out after the charge suffered in last game against Estonia, and with Vilim Rosandic in the net, Croatia suffers the pressure of rival since the beginning of the game and the goalie has suddenly to work facing dangerous attempts by Rybakov, Verenis and Bosas, but manages to open the score at 10:18 with a nice wrap-around by Luka Mikulic. The Croatian lead lasts six minutes during which Rosandic is the only goalie busy: after deflecting a shot by Pliskauskas, Rosandic is lucky rebounding by chance along range shot by Aluikonis before surrendering to another missile from the distance of veteran Mindaugas Kieras at 16:41. Before the first siren Bosas again has the puck of second goal on the stick but fires on Rosandic. After a good start of second period, Croatia suffered the second Lithuanian goal, scored again with a shot from the distance by Edgar Protcenko and Rosandic not perfect in the placement. Croatia breaks the siege with a chance for Vedlin, deflected by Pavliukov, before to concede two consecutive power play and then earning two consecutive in turn with the crossbar hit by a missile from Rendulic in the second one. Same Croat captain is the protagonist of two other chances for his team, not finalized in front of Pavliukov. Rosandic opens the battle of last period with a great save on Rulevicius to keep his team on tracks and an incredible recover with the stick to kick out a shot with open cage by Cizas. After Rendulic having fired on Pavliukov the best chance for his team, at minute 45 Luka Jarcov lost a puck in his defensive zone, stolen by Bosas who quickly serves Cizas for the third Lithuanian goal. Two minutes after Verenis could close the question but misses clumsily the finalization, even so Lithuania has the game wrapped up despite the last assault of Croatia pulling out the goalie and benefits of a power play, well controlled by defense. The ceremony of the bronze medal, right after the game, officiated by Lithuania President Petras Nauseda, former teammate of many of the players in the roster, is a truly Lithuanian party, with many fans celebrating with the players

MVP: Borna Rendulic – Arturs Katulis

Lithuania captain Mindaugas Kieras with Federation President Petras Nauseda (right)

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