It’s a Baltic affair

Ukraine 2018 edition it's not even remotely comparable to the team promoted two years ago in Zagreb, now the hockey in the country is in a deep crisis which obviously also reflects on the national team, formed by a lot of young players and a couple of veterans. The strong version of Ukraine lost 2-1 in Zagreb against Lithuania, let alone in this Championship where home team flies propelled by an enthusiastic Zalgiris Arena.

With Bogdan Dyachenko in the net, Ukraine begins better than the opponent with a couple of shots saved by Mantas Armalis, before to capitulate at the first real opportunity: a precise shot in the angle by Daniel Bogdziul. But unexpectedly is captain Viktor Zakharov to rain on Zalgiris  Arena parade at 11:54 shorthanded, finalizing a pass from Andrei Mikhov, smart in stealing a puck from Tadas Kumeliauskas in Lithuania defence. It is like the Ukranian goal put out a fire, not in the standing but on the ice on Lithuanian side. The team loses the aggression that put Ukraine into a corner in first minutes. Thus when Nikita Butsenko scores a beautiful goal at 22:01 seems the natural consequence of this attitude. but it was the slap Lithuania needed to restart the engine: Rulevicius and Kaleinikovas have good chances, countered by Dyachenko. It’s Paulius Gintautas to equalize the game on power play with a ground shot. The momentum of the game is now again on Lithuania’s hands, with many chances and an extra work for Dyachenko. At 35:14 Kirill Zhovnir breaks down Ilja Cetvertak for a penalty shot not converted by Edgard Rybakov.

Bogdfan Dyachenko stopping the penalty shot of Edgard Rybakov

In the third period the game is more balanced with chances on both side: Lithuania takes advantage by a real masterpiece by Paulius Gintautas at 45:39: the IK Comet forward makes two nutmegs in a row, on the defender and the goalie to leave the puck in the net. Three minutes after Ugnius Cizas’ goal seems to seal the coffin, despite Ukraine creates two clear chances right after with Butsenko -the puck hits the outside part of the cage - and Karpenko who finished missing the net a good attacking move. Ukraine shows all the pride recovering from the abyss, scoring the third goal with a precise shot by Denis Petrukhno. Then Vitaly Lyalka has the puck to tie game with three minutes to play, shooting on Armalis pads, an alarm bell for Bernd Haake side. While the crowd already celebrating in the stands, Ukraine bravely pulls the goalie and finds an unexpected draw at 59:23 with Dmitri Nimenko, ready to deflect in the net a wandering puck in front of the cage. The Arena feels the anxiety of a possible tough defeat and pushed even more the home team that need the help and the class of one of best players: at 61:04 Arnoldas Bosas finds a perfect shot from medium range to beat Dyachenko sending all the country at seventh heaven

Now just a last effort separates Lithuania from the dreaming promotion, and will be a Baltic affair against the surprising Estonia

Danius Zubrus: “on Wednesday it was a very emotional victory against Japan and I think this affected a little our attitude. Today we faced a brave team that played also with desperation. For me it is a long-awaited experience to play in front of my family and this fantastic crowd. In all my career I hadn’t this opportunity, I’m loving it”

Andrei Mikhnov: We have a lot of fresh guys who never play at this level, so in cases like this the pressure can flurry, but we at same time we showed a great character recovering from two goals in last five minute. I’m confident about our future. Tomorrow we want to win to close positively this tournament

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