Denmark promoted, Lithuania relegated

Denmark secured the group win after the fourth game in which Lithuania was beaten 9-1. The last game against Austria (5-8) was of no importance for the Danish side. The key to the victory was however the third round with the 2-1 win against Slovenia along with Austria's surprising point loss to Croatia. Nicolai Meyer was the points and scoring leader of the team as well as the whole Championship. The 1993 born forward who usually plays for Malmö in the Swedish junior league scored 8 goals and 4 assists. Jesper Jensen was named Best Defenseman of the tournament by the directorate.

Slovenia finished second thanks to the last period of the tournament. The team was down 4-1 against Kazakhstan but scored 4 goals in the third period to avoid the fourth place. After big wins against Croatia and Lithuania in the first two games Slovenia lost to Denmark (1-2) in the third. Then the wins against Austria and Kazakhstan wasn't enough to get past the Danish team. Luka Gracnar (1993) was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament and Eric Pance Best Forward.

Austria lost the chance to win the group becase of an annoying loss of point to Croatia. Austria had the lead but allowed a late game-tier while playing on the power-play. Peter Schneider scored the over-time winner but the lost point ruined the tournament for Austria. Champions Denmark was beaten 8-5 in the last game and Austria finished one point behind Denmark and Slovenia. Kevin Puschnik lead the team in scoring (6+5).

Kazakhstan must be disapointed with the championship. They ended up fourth after losses to Denmark, Austria and Slovenia.Already in the first game it was clear that they were no contenders to win promotion after 1-7 against Denmark. Anton Petrov was the best scorer of the team with 5 goals and 3 assists.

Croatia beat Lithuania 5-2 on the last day to stay in the Division I. The line with Mislav Blagus, Dominik Kanaet and Borna Rendulic was behing most of the Croatian goals in the tournament.

Lithuania lost all games and were relegated to the second division but they were actually not that far from staying in the first. In the last game against Croatia Lithuania had a 2-1 lead after two periods but in the third they allowed 4 goals to lose the game. Defenseman Nerijus Alisauskas lled the team in scoring (2+4).

 

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