Note: Most information from the IIHF website.
Standings
Team
|
Wins
|
OT/SOW
|
OT/SOL
|
Losses
|
Points
|
Goal Diff.
|
Italy
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
13
|
+6
|
Kazakhstan
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
+12
|
France
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
8
|
-1
|
Ukraine
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
6
|
-4
|
Great Britain
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
6
|
-7
|
Japan
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
-6
|
Results
December 9
Ukraine 2 - Kazakhstan 7
Japan 3 - France 4
Great Britain 3 - Italy 4 (OT)
December 10
Italy 4 - Japan 3
France 2 - Ukraine 0
Kazakhstan 6 - Great Britain 1
December 12
Japan 2 - Ukraine 3
Kazakhstan 3 - Italy 4
France 4 - Great Britain 5 (SO)
December 14
Italy 4 - France 3 (OT)
Kazakhstan 8 - Japan 7
Ukraine 4 - Great Britain 0
December 15
France 2 - Kazakhstan 4
Italy 4 - Ukraine 2
Great Britain 4 - Japan 2
Team Recaps
Italy: The Italians were Team Clutch in this tournament. They started off needing a last-minute, powerplay goal to tie their game against Great Britain. Italy ended up winning the game just over a minute into overtime. Against Japan, Italy's comeback happened in the second period, were they erased a 2-goal deficit. This time, Italy won on a shorthanded goal early in the third period. Italy was outplayed by Kazakhstan, but still managed to get by them in a 4-3 win. Italy won their next game 4-3, and in true Italian fashion (for this tournament), a third period special team goal was needed, and the game was won in overtime. Italy ended the tournament beating Ukraine 4-2. Going undefeated in the tournament helped Italy finish first overall and earn a promotion to Group A next year.
Kazakhstan: It was a case of "so close but not enough" for the Kazakhs. They started the tournament on fire, blowing out Ukraine and Great Britain 7-2 and 6-1 respectively. Their only loss was against eventual tournament winner Italy. Kazakhstan's game against Japan will go down as the craziest of this tournament. The teams swapped goals in the first, then all hell broke loose. The 8-goal second period (3 for Kazakhstan, 5 for Japan) set the Kazakhs behind going into the third. By the end though, a 4-goal explosion was enough for Kazakhstan to complete the comeback and win the game 8-7. The Kazakhs won their last game against France, in what ended up being the second-place game. for the second straight year, Kazakhstan finishes one point shy of first and a promotion to Group A.
France: After getting relegated from Group A last year, France was hoping to get back there from next year. Things started off well, as they came back against Japan 4-3 and shut out Ukraine 2-0. Then the losses happened. France was able to force overtime against Great Britain, but could not close out the game and ended up losing the shootout. The French then took a late delay of game penalty against Italy, allowing the Italians to tie it up and eventually win it in OT. A win against Kazakhstan would have given them a chance for a promotion, but it was not to be, as the Kazakhs beat them 4-2. France ended the tournament in third place.
Ukraine: Despite finishing in fourth again, Ukraine did worst this year. They started off getting blown out by Kazakhstan and shutout by France. Ukraine finally got one in the win column when they held on against a late comeback attempt by Japan, winning the game 3-2. Ukraine then followed up with a shutout of their own, blanking Great Britain 4-0. Ukraine had a chance to play spoiler against Italy in their last game, but were unable to, losing 4-2 to the Italians. Ukraine finishes the tournament in fourth.
Great Britain: The host probably wish they had a better tournament in front of their home crowd. Their opening game was a devastating lost against Italy, were they gave up a last-minute tying goal and the overtime winner. Penalties killed them against Kazakhstan, as they racked up 22 PIMs and gave up 5 while shorthanded in the 6-1 loss. Great Britain did battle back against France, but again gave up a late equalizer. In the end, the Brits won in a shootout. As with the senior team, the U20 Brits needed a win against Japan to survive and they did just that, winning 4-2. The host ended up finishing 5th with the worst goal differential of the tournament, and will hope to do better in next year's tournament.
Japan: After sweeping though their Division II group last year, Japan was swept this year in Division I. Japan started the tournament with a heartbreaking loss against France, giving up the tying goal early in the third and the winner late in the same period. It didn't get any better for them, as they blew another lead to Italy in a 3-2 loss. Japan was outmatched against Ukraine in a 3-2 loss (their two goals were both late third period powerplay goals). It looked like Japan would finally get one in the win column during that insane game against Kazakhstan, as they were up 6-4 after a 5-goal second period. Japan couldn't hold on though, and blew the lead in the third, losing the game 8-7. Japan needed a win against Great Britain to stay alive in Division I, and failed to come through in the end. Japan gets relegated back to Division II Group A.
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