Note: Most information from the IIHF website.
Standings
Team
|
Win
|
OT/SO Win
|
OT/SO Loss
|
Loss
|
Points
|
Goal Difference
|
Israel
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
+16
|
New Zealand
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
+8
|
Mexico
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
11
|
+7
|
China
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
6
|
-5
|
Turkey
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
-3
|
Bulgaria
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
-23
|
Results
April 21
Bulgaria 5 - New Zealand 10
China 3 - Israel 6
Turkey 4 - Mexico 6
April 22
New Zealand 4 - Mexico 2
China 9 - Bulgaria 6
Israel 5 - Turkey 3
April 24
New Zealand 2 - Israel 3
Bulgaria 7 - Mexico 8 (OT)
China 3 - Turkey 2
April 25
Israel 13 - Bulgaria 2
Mexico 5 - China 0
Turkey 1 - New Zealand 2
April 27
Mexico 4 - Israel 3
Bulgaria 3 - Turkey 6
New Zealand 6 - China 5
Recap
Israel: Mazel tov! Israel edges out New Zealand on goal differential and earn a promotion to Group A. Israel started off the tournament win 6-3 win against China. Against Turkey, Israel had to come back after being down 1-0 and 3-2 in the first two periods, and was able to with a 3-goal third period, ending the game with a 6-3 win. Israel was able to fend off New Zealand in a really close game, squeaking by with a 3-2 victory. Then Israel was just able to explode against Bulgaria, scoring 13 goals on 52 shots. Israel finished off the tournament with a 4-3 loss against Mexico. Israel did finish in a tie with New Zealand with 12 points, but had the bigger goal different (+16 to +8), which resulted in Israel taking first place and a promotion to Group A next year.
New Zealand: The Ice Blacks were close. So, so, so, so, so, so close. New Zealand started the tournament off relatively easy, beating Bulgaria 10-5. It got tougher from there, as New Zealand fended off Mexico for a 4-2 win. The Kiwis only lost came against Israel in a tight 3-2 game. New Zealand got back on track, as they got by a resilient Turkish team 2-1. The Kiwis ended the tournament by edging out China 6-5 on a late goal. New Zealand ended the tournament tied for first, but Israel beat them in goal difference, meaning the Ice Blacks stay in Group B for another year.
Mexico: Along with New Zealand, Mexico came oh-so-close to a promotion. Mexico began the tournament with a win against Turkey, before losing a tough game against New Zealand. Mexico had a battle against Bulgaria, needing overtime to win the game 8-7. Against China, Mexico earned the only shutout of the tournament, winning 5-0. The Mexicans ended the tournament with a win against Israel, needing two late goals to pull ahead 4-2. Mexico finished the tournament with 11 points, which wasn't enough to get past Group B.
China: China was just "there" (not good enough to challenge for promotion, not bad enough to be near relegation). The opening game for China was not good, as Israel was able to capitalize on China's penalty trouble. China was able to rebound against Bulgaria, winning 9-6 and fending off Bulgaria's attempted comeback. China had a tough time against Turkey, needing a goal midway through the third to get by in the 3-2 win. The Chinese could not get anything done against Mexico, getting shutout 5-0. China finished the tournament losing in last-minute, heartbreaking fashion against New Zealand. China ends the tournament in fourth, slipping a bit from last year's performance.
Turkey: For once, Turkey was able to stay up in Division II. Turkey started out with a 6-4 loss to Mexico. Turkey was better against Israel, holding a 3-2 lead going into the third, but Israel woke up and eventually won the game 6-3. Against China, Turkey was once again close, tying the game up early in the third before letting China get the winning goal. The Turks still couldn't find the win column, as New Zealand was a close game 2-1. Turkey finally found the win column against Bulgaria, as they were able to claw back from being down 3-1 and winning the relegation game 6-3. The win against Bulgaria assured that Turkey will hang around in Division II for a second year.
Bulgaria: This was not a tournament Bulgaria was hoping to have. They started off with a high-scoring loss against New Zealand. Bulgaria had a bit better time against China, but couldn't complete the comeback, falling 9-6 in the end. Bulgaria was finally able to get a point, going toe-to-toe with Mexico before being defeated in overtime. They couldn't keep up the good feeling though, as Israel crushed them 13-2 the next day. Bulgaria need a win against Turkey to stay alive in Division II, but couldn't do it, losing 6-3 after leading 3-1 early on. Bulgaria is now relegated to Division III for the first time since the change from "Pools" to "Divisions", and will be looking for a new goalie now that 48 year old Konstantin Mihaylov has retired.
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