The Horrific Script

Netherlands - Lithuania 7-1 (2-0; 1-1; 4-0)

Boxscore

With still a slim chance to get relegated, Lithuania started the early game of the final tournament day with just 15 skaters again. Much like in previous games the green/red/yellow dressed players did not manage to gel together to put together a genuine team effort.

The opening period was fairly even but the Netherlands ran out to a somewhat undeserved 2-0 lead. Lithuania got a reward when 18-year old Daniel Bogdziul scored a power play goal. It proved to be first time the Dutch penalty kill was beaten all tournament long. Any hopes of a comeback son vanished. Five minutes later Tony Demelinne restored the two-goal deficit.

Lithuania never recovered from that blow. The third period was simply one-way traffic in which the Netherland ran up the score to 7-1 including a pair of power play goals and a short handed tally.

Diederick Hagemeijer struck twice for the Netherlands to become the tournament's top goal scorer with 5 goals. Between Ian Meierdres continued his good form. Having been dressed in all five games there were no signs for fatigue for the first time starting goaltender. He made 30 saves and was voted best goaltender of the tournament.

The Netherlands were already assured of a bronze medal but the 7-1 victory has added some shining to it. For Lithuania this year's tournament was a valuable lesson not to start a World Championship undermanned. Adding five players in such a tight schedule makes it near impossible to get lines to gel. This time it didn't cost them, but they were looking relegation in the eyes for a moment.

Romania - Australia 5-3 (2-2; 1-0; 2-1)

Boxscore

In a game deciding on relegation Australia knew it had to win to keep its hopes of survival alive. After having defeated Lithuania, Romania knew even a single goal loss would see them save. Luckily for Romania it never got to a mathematical puzzle.

Despite lacking the high end quality as seen in some other games this tournament, both teams played an entertaining game in which there was no room for either team to walk away with the game.

After Australia had twice erased a deficit, Romania took command of the game in the second half of the game. Evgeny Pysarenko earned Romania's third lead of the game in the second period after which Levente Zsok sent the Romania bench crazy opening up his scoring account this tournament to give Romania a two goal cushion.

Blessed with a terrific spirit and fighting for their ultimate chance, Australia wasn't going to let their heads down.

Only 20 seconds after Zsok's goal, it was Scott Stephenson who brought back belief in the Australia team. But even faster then hope was restored, it was shattered. Straight from the faceoff Romania scored again. Attila Goga found a hole behind goaltender Anthony Kimlin to make it 5-3 with eight minutes left to play.

Another comeback was not in the works for Australia who ended the tournament with five losses but can take pride in their performance. Despite relegation to Division 2A is now a fact, Austrialia was very much competitive this tournament including a notable performance against  tournament favourites Poland (3-5 loss).

Korea - Poland 3-2 (1-2; 1-0; 1-0)

Boxscore

They were playing on home ice and had support from 3,200 fanatic fans. They were the most scoring team and had conceded the fewest goals. They were unbeaten so far and had a 2-0 lead against their lone rival.

Things looked to be going according to script for Poland in the tournament's final game against Korea.

But the script turned out to be written for a horror movie and the good guys lost to the bad guys from a Polish point of view.

Unfazed by the early deficit, Korea kept playing their typical quick skating game combined with unlimited persistence. They were rewarded for sticking to the plan when Won Jung Kim put Korea on the board late in the first period.

Both teams created chances in the second period but only Sang Woo Sin managed to find the net to set the game up for a great finale.

The third period mainly dominated by Poland, but time after time the Poland players shots at net were answered by a stellar Hyun Seung Eum in net for Korea. While the hosts got more and more frustrated at not being to regain the lead, it was Korea who struck with poisonous precision.

At 51:39 Hyung Joon Kim scored Korea's third consecutive goal that not only earned his team their first lead of the game but also put the team in pole position for gold and an unexpected promotion to Division 1A next season.

The goal forced Poland to go forward and leave space behind their defense which they realized is a risky exercise given the speed of their opponents. Nevertheless Poland launched a series of attacks on the Korean net but despite outshooting them 13-5 in the final period they could not master Eum.

As the final buzzer went the hosts dreams were shattered and the fans were hard to believe what they had just seen. While the Poland players fell down on the ice, the Korean bench cleared to group together around goaltender Eum who finished the game with 32 saves.

The victory gives Korea 14 points and a ticket for Division 1A  next season. Poland will get a new shot at promotion next year but realize they will not be coming as close to promotion as this year. The conditions were there to open up the way but altough the team have had an extended preparation, Poland will have to take on Ukraine, The Netherlands, Lithuania, Romania and Estonia next year.

With the script now fully written the following actors were given noteworthy nominations and awards:

Directorate Awards

Best goaltender: Ian Meierdres (Netherlands)

Best defenceman: Adam Borzecki (Poland)

Best forward: Marcin Kolusz (Poland)

Media All-Star team

Goaltender: Przemyslaw Odrobny (Poland)

Defence: Adam Borzecki (Poland)

Defence: Mike Dalhuisen (Netherlands)

Forward: Marcin Kolusz (Poland)

Forward: Leszek Laszkiewicz (Poland)

Forward: Diederick Hagemeijer (Netherlands)

JOERI LOONEN

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