Japan again at overtime

Japan makes its duty defeating a desperate Romania, but the victory after regular time eliminates Asian country from the race to promotion, giving Romania a tiny spark of hope to avoid relegation. After the clear defeat against Lithuania, coach Yuji Iwanoto chooses to give a chance for goalie Yuta Narisawas, while his colleague Julius Penzes aligns Patrik Polc in the net. Japan opens the score after two minutes on power play, courtesy of a motionless Romanian defence, Kenta Takagi beats Polc with a wrap-around. Romania can use a double superiority at minute 6, equalizing the game with a deflection of Csanad Fodor in the traffic. Anotheer 5 vs 3 situation at the end of the period is not used at best by Romania.

Surprisingly Romania plays better then a dull Japan and deservedly finds the advantage goal after one minute of the second period when Tamas Reszegh appears in the Japan defence finishing a pass from Daniel Tranca. After the goal Romania firmly defends the cage, allowing few chances to Japan: the most notable was a personal attempt by Go Tanaka, stopped by Polc.

In the last period the Romanian castle resists to the Japanese siege until 52:53 when Shogo Nakajima pulls out of a hat a superb personal move finished with a perfect pass for Tomoya Echigo. The overtime is not exactly what Romania needs but the last minutes were totally dominated by Japan.

The overtime ends after 2 minutes half when Patrik Polc makes two miraculous saves on Hiroto Sato and Shogo Nakajima, but can’t grab the last puck, driving to same Nakajima in the net despite a desperate attempt by Huba Bors.

MVP: Yuta Narisawa - Patrik Polc

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