A day of (near) comebacks
19 Apr 2012 | Joeri Loonen
Krynica, Poland - On what was expected to be another day at the office, Day 4 of the 2012 IIHF World Championships Division 1B turned out to quite exciting.
Lithuania - Romania 5-6 (3-1; 1-2; 1-3)
With a reinforced squad Lithuania were hoping not just to play themselves safe but also kept their medal hopes alive. Playing a Romania side who yet had to win and have trouble scoring the cards looked to be on the table when Lithuania overcame an early 0-1 deficit with three unanswered goals.
Despite playing an important game against Australia on Saturday, Romania did not throw the game and saved energy. Instead they kept on going forward and by that finally got some luck on their hand.
Whereas in the previous three games Romania had severely suffered from a lack of efficiency in the offensive zone, they kept on shooting pucks at the Lithuanian net. Although
Evgeny Pysarenko and
Otto Biro managed to tie the game up, Romania were given a huge set back when
Darius Pliskauskas scored a pair of goals himself late in the second and early in the third period.
While Lithuania seemed to sit back on their two-goal lead, Romania should be given credit for their persistence. With less than five minutes to play, Lithuania's defence seemed to fall apart like a house of cards.
Contrary to before, Romania suddenly managed to find the net with ease. Within 120 seconds, the blue-yellow-and red team turned the game on its head scoring three goals including a pair of
Istvan Zoltan Nagy.
Stunned by the Romanian outburst, Lithuania did not manage to tie the game again and now find themselves in a tricky situation. A medal is out of reach and they might end up in a tricky three-way competition that decides on who will relegate to Division 2A.
If Lithuania can get at least a point against the Netherlands they will secure their spot, giving them destiny still in their own hands. If they would not pick up any points however, they will be dependent on the outcome of the Australia - Romania.
Netherlands - Korea 3-4 OT (1-2; 0-1; 2-0; 0-1)
In recent years, Korea has proven to become the bogey team for the Netherlands. In a medal colour deciding game, the Dutch looked to fall victim to the fast skating Koreans once again.
Mitch Bruijsten gave the Netherlands an early lead with a power play goal but the Dutch could not hold on to the lead. While their penalty kill has been superb with yet having to concede a goal in over 34 minutes of being short-handed, the power play is somewhat becoming an Achilles heel. Yesterday Poland managed to score twice on a Dutch power play, today Korea struck once while a man short.
Yong Jun Lee had a successful breakaway attempt after the puck fell right in front of him after a blocked shot. The agile Koreans caused problems for the Netherlands and took full advantage of the defensive chaos. First
Ki Sung Kim gave Korea the lead while
Geun Ho Kim scored the lone goal of the second period to give Korea a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Korea was hoping to go into the final tournament day undefeated, but the Dutch had other plans. They staged an impressive comeback in the third period thanks to two
Tony Demelinne goals.
The momentum swing had the Asians almost down buy not out. The Netherlands did not pull the trigger to make it a perfect comeback causing the Koreans to hand them sour grapes.
Midway the overtime period, Korea placed a blitz-attack that initally was stopped by goaltender
Ian Meierdres, but
Won Jung Kim reacted quickest on the rebound to earn Korea a hard earned victory.
"Once again individual mistakes cost us dearly," coach
Larry Suarez commented afterwards. "I'm proud though on the way this team fought back. The loss is disappointing but the team showed good character coming from behind."
The loss means the Netherlands have secured a bronze medal whereas Korea will play Poland on Saturday night to decide who will win gold and promotion to Division 1A.
Poland - Australia 5-3 (1-0; 3-2; 1-1)
Whereas many expected Team Poland to set a record score for this year's Championship, they eventually won by just two goals difference.
Of course the game had little impact on the standings making the players less focussed then normal. Poland will have its eyes on Saturday's gold medal game against Korea, while Australia can register an historic win and secure a spot in Division 1B with a win over Romania.
Nevertheless the game was more exciting than many of the 2,000 spectators had thought of when entering the arena.
Poland managed just a single goal on 17 shots in the first period, keeping the Aussies able to believe in an upset.
Nathan Walker equalised for Australia but Poland struck back strongly scoring three unanswered goals themselves to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Much like in earlier games the hockeyroos scored late in the second period, this time it was
Scott Stephenson finding the net.
The comeback effort could have been more serious if
Michael Schlamp would have converted a penalty shot in the dying seconds of the second period. His miss however meant Australia still trailed by two goals.
A deficit the hosts would not give up.
Poland will be happy to have stayed perfect and in pole position for gold, while Australia gained confidence ahead of their game against Romania.
JOERI LOONEN
Maxim Bain
(F)
Broc Little
(F)
Linköping HC
Herlev IC Eagles
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