Michal Kars scores a hat trick as the Netherlands handles Croatia 8-2

09 Nov 2012 | Tim Bourcier

Budapest, Hungary The Netherlands completely dominated Croatia 8-2 in the first game of the Group G Olympic qualifiers. Croatia came out strong in the first seven and a half minutes of the first, nearly scoring on a shorthanded opportunity. It was all downhill from there as the Netherlands played the rest of the game in Croatia's end.

Michal Kars scored three goals, two in the first and one in the second to help lead the Netherlands to an easy 8-2 victory in Budapest. Kars also had an assist on the second on goal from Marco Postma. The first two lines of the Holland national team dominated by getting in front of the net and getting easy shots, deflections and second chances on Croatia's Tomljenovic. The Hagemeijer-Hagemeijer-Demelinne line had several quality scoring chances, including a second period penalty shot that rang off the post. The Netherlands second line still ended up with a goal on a nice feed to Kevin Hagemeijer in the second period to make it 4-0.

Meierdres was on his way to a shutout, but with five minutes left in the game, Croatia's Marko Tadic ended that opportunity nine seconds into a late period power play. Rendulic put another one in for the Croats with 2:35 remaining to end the game 8-2.
The Netherlands finished strong and will play the Lithuanian squad Saturday. Croatia is hoping to carry the late period momentum into Saturday's second game against the home team Hungary.

Tim Bourcier will be live tweeting this weekend's Gorup G Olympic qualifiers from Papp Laszlo Arena in Budapest. Follow him on Twitter @bourciertm and follow his blog bourciertm.wordpress.com.