Note: Most information from the IIHF website.
Standings
Team | Wins | OTW/SOW | OTL/SOL | Losses | Points | Goal Diff. |
Lithuania | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | +32 |
Japan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | +22 |
Romania | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | -8 |
Estonia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | -6 |
Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | -15 |
Croatia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -25 |
Results
December 11
Romania 3 - Croatia 4 (SO)
Estonia 2 - Japan 6
Lithuania 5 - Netherlands 0
December 12
Japan 11 - Croatia 2
Netherlands 2 - Romania 6
Lithuania 7 - Estonia 1
December 14
Japan 7 - Netherlands 2
Lithuania 11 - Romania 5
Estonia 6 - Croatia 3
December 16
Croatia 0 - Lithuania 13
Romania 1 - Japan 7
Netherlands 2 - Estonia 4
December 17
Japan 4 - Lithuania 6
Croatia 2 - Netherlands 3
Estonia 5 - Romania 6
Team Recap
Lithuania: Lithuania started off their tournament against the Netherlands. The Lithuanians were all over Holland, pelting them with 44 shots, scoring on five of them. Artur Pavliukov didn't have much work in comparison, stopping 18 shots, as Lithuania shut out the Netherlands 5-0. Lithuania looked to have a tougher time against Estonia, as Emilijus Krakauskas' first period goal was quickly answered back by the Estonians. Lithuania took the lead for good in the second, thanks to goals by Mark Kaleinikovas and Krakauskas. They piled on in the third, scoring four times in the period, as Lithuania took the game 7-1. Goals came quick in their game against Romania. Patrik Misiuk scored just under two minutes into the game, then Romania responded with one of their own moments later. Krakauskas kept up his torrid scoring pace, scoring twice before the first period ended. It was goals galore in the second, as Lithuania found the back of the net six times (Krakauskas had two of them). Romania wasn't left out, as they scored twice in the middle frame. Both teams scored a pair in the third, as Lithuania won the high-scoring affair against Romania 11-5. Lithuania would light the lamp against Croatia, scoring seven times in the first period. They went on to score four in the second period, and two in the third. Pavliukov had 19 saves this time, as he registered his second shutout. Lithuania blew out Croatia 13-0. Lithuania faced Japan in what was the first place game. It didn't look good for Lithuania in the first half of the opening period, as then fell behind 2-0. Two quick gaols by Kostas Gusevas and Krakauskas help tie the game. Krakauskas stuck twice early in the second, putting Lithuania in the lead. Japan scored later on in the period, and could have tied it on a penalty shot, but did not convert on the chance. Lithuania put the game out of reach with two powerplay goals in the third. Japan did get one back, but the end result was a 6-4 win for Lithuania. Lithuania went undefeated in the tournament, ending up in first place, and will play in Division I next year.
Japan: Japan kicked off their tournament against Estonia. The Japanese didn't have a good start, as Estonia opened the scoring on the powerplay. Five minutes later, Yushi Nakayashiki scored on the powerplay to tie the game. Masaki Tokoro scored late in the first to put Japan in the lead. Japan expanded their lead in the third, scoring three unanswered. Estonia did get one back late in the period. Hiroshi Matsui scored on the powerplay in the last minute of the game to cap off the scoring. Japan ended up winning the game 6-2. Facing Croatia, Japan would be the one who opened the scoring. Nakayashiki's powerplay goal came nine minutes into the game. Croatia answered back minutes later to tie the game. It was all Japan after that, as they exploded for four goals in a five minute span. Japan kept rolling in the second, scoring three times. Croatia did get one back in the third, but again Japan managed to score three unanswered. The end result was a blowout, as Japan won the game 11-2. Against the Netherlands, Japan kept up their attack. Despite the 19-3 shot disparity in their favour, only Jin Sawade managed to score in the first. Hiroshi Matsui added to the lead with a goal in the second. There offensive play paid off in the third, as they scored four times in the first nine minutes. The Netherlands did break the shutout midway through the period. Both teams added only more before the game ended, as Japan beat the Netherlands 7-2. Japan got off to a quick start against Romania, thanks to Hiroya Tokuda's goal just a minute into the game. Romania would strike back minutes later to tie the game. Masaki Tokoro scored halfway though the period to put Japan back in the lead. Goals by Yusuke Kon and Tokoro midway through the second period helped put Japan up 4-1. The Japanese added three more goals in the third. Yujiro Isobe had a great game, stopping 22 of 23 shots, as Japan took the game 7-1. Japan's final game was against Lithuania, were the winner of the game claimed first place. Japan got the scoring started, as Atsuki Ikeda and Sawade score in the first half of the opening period. It didn't take long for Lithuania to tie it us, as they scored twice in 35 seconds. Lithuania would take the lead in the second, scoring twice in the first three minutes. Daichi Saito scored minutes later to pull Japan to within a goal. Koki Ishikura was awarded a penalty shot late in the second, but failed to convert on it. Penalties hurt Japan in the third, as Lithuania scored twice on the man advantage. Daichi Igari scored with three seconds left in the game, but by then the result was a foregone conclusion. The 6-4 loss to Lithuania resulted in Japan finishing second place. They got the sliver medal, but will be playing in Division II for another year.
Romania: Romania opened the tournament facing Croatia. The Romanians gave up the first goal of the game six minutes into the first. Romania would tie it up in the second, then some. Szilard Rokaly, Zoltan Sandor, and Otto Szopos all scored, putting Romania up 3-1. Croatia scored twice midway through the third to tie the game. Rokaly had a chance to break the tie late in the third, but could not convert on the penalty shot. It stayed tied for the rest of regulation, and overtime solved nothing, so a shootout was needed. Romania tried mixing it up before the shootout started, as Daniel Uruc was replaced in goal by Ors Adorjan. The goalie which backfired, as Croatia ended up winning the shootout. Romania lost by a final score of 4-3. Against the Netherlands, Romania would concede the first goal of the game midway through the first. Five minutes later, Tamas Reszegh scored to tie the game. Romania took the lead in the second, thanks to goals by Sandor and Andrei Vasile. Florin Creanga scored early in the third to extend the lead. The Netherlands scored five minutes later, but Rokaly got that goal back five minutes after that. Reszegh scored on the powerplay late in the game to capp off the scoring, as Romania went on to win the game 6-2. The goals started early against Lithuania, as Romania gave up the opening goal almost two minutes in, then Rokaly responded 26 seconds later. Lithuania scored twice later in the period to regain the lead. The second period was not good for the Romanians. Goals by Reszegh and Balazs Gajdo did little to counteract Lithuania's six-goal period. The Lithuanians added two more in the third, while Rokaly managed to complete his hat trick. Romania fell 11-5 to Lithuania in the high-scoring affair. Another game, another conceded first goal by Romania, as Japan scored just over a minute into the game. Vasile struck back a little later to tie the game. The tie only lasted five minutes, as Japan scored to retake the lead. It was mainly Japan the rest of the way, as they scored twice in the second and three times in the third. Adorjan stopped 33 of 40 shots throughout the game, as Romania was blown out 7-1 by Japan. Romania's last game was against Estonia, and this time they managed to score first. Creanga and Szopos scored late in the period to give Romania a 2-0 lead. Estonia managed to get one before the period ended. Reszegh struck early in the second, then the game turned against Romania. Estonia scored four unanswered in the second period, taking the lead as a result. Romania started to comeback in the third, starting with Sandor's goal 47 seconds into the period. Reszegh scored later in the period, and Gajdo just 32 seconds later, as Romania regained the lead. They held on for the remaining three-plus minutes, as Romania won 6-5. The win propelled Romania into third place, getting the bronze medal and a spot in next year's tournament.
Estonia: Estonia's first game was against Japan. An early powerplay helped Estonia get on the board, as Nikita Smirnov struck on the man advantage. Japan would score twice later in the period to take the lead. It remained 2-1 until the third, when Japan scored three unanswered to extend their lead. Dmitri Kuznetsov potted one late in the third. Japan added one more, as Estonia ended up losing 6-2. Facing Lithuania, Estonia conceded the first goal of the game three minutes into the first. Vladimir Nestertsuk score minutes later to tie the game. It was all downhill for Estonia after the first, as Lithuania scored six times in the remaining 40 minutes. Bogdan managed to stop 31 of 38 shots, as Estonia lost to Lithuania 7-1. Estonia got off to the right start against Croatia, thanks to Nestertsuk's goal eight minutes into the game. A goal by Croatia minutes later tied the game. Estonia really put on the pressure in the second, outshooting Croatia 23-4. Only Nestertsuk found the back of the net, as Estonia ended the period up 2-1. Nikita Kozorev scored early in the third to extend Estonia's lead. The two-goal lead would evaporate, as Croatia took five minutes to tie the game. The later half of the period was a showcase of Estonia's powerplay, as Robert Arrak, Valentin Sverdlov, and Smirnov all scored on the man advantage. Their powerplay was enough to lift Estonia to the 6-3 win. Facing the Netherlands, Estonia's powerplay continued to roll. Kozorov scored on Estonia's first powerplay of the game in the first period. The Netherlands would tie the game early in the second with a powerplay goal of their own. Estonia regained the lead minutes later, thanks to Ed Slessarevski's shorthanded goal. Kirill Volkov and Smirnov scored later in the period to extend the lead. The Netherlands got one back in the third on a penalty shot. Estonia held off the Netherlands the rest of the way, winning the game 4-2. Estonia's last opponent was Romania. The Romanians struck twice late in the first period. Nestertsuk would get one on the board for Estonia before the buzzer to end the period. Romania added one to their total early in the second, then it was Estonia's turn to fill the net. Goals by Arrak and Morten Arantez Jurgens were sandwiched by Nestertsuk's two, as the four goal explosion in the second put Estonia in the lead. The Estonians could not hold on in the third, as Romania scored three times. Estonia ended up losing to Romania 6-5. The loss bumped Estonia down to fourth place. They will be back for next year's tournament.
Netherlands: Holland faced Lithuania in their first game. It wasn't good for the Netherlands, as they were stymied on every chance. Goaltender Ruud Leeuwesteijn did what he could, stopping 39 of 44 shots. The end result was the Netherlands getting shut out 5-0 by the Lithuanians. Against Romania, the Netherlands managed to open the scoring, as Max Hermes found the back of the net midway through the first. Romania's attack was relentless though, as they tied the game five minutes later. The Romanian attack was too much for the Netherlands in the second, as they conceded two goals. Romania added one early in the third before Jonne de Bonth scored to put another tally on the board for the Netherlands. Romania scored two more times, as the Netherlands lost another game, this time by the score of 6-2. Another game, another need for a defensive effort by Holland, as Japan outshot them 19-3 and 13-2 in the first and second periods (respectively). Despite this, the Netherlands only gave up two goals. That all changed in the third, as Japan railed off four straight goals. Joey Geurts scored midway through the third, finally putting the Netherlands on the board. Japan added one more, as did the Netherlands (thanks to de Bonth). Holland was handed another bad loss, a 7-2 blow out by Japan. Facing Estonia, the Netherlands once again had a rough first period, getting outshot 15-5. Again though, they managed to hold their opponent to just a goal in the opening frame. Tobie Tjin-A-Ton got the Netherlands on the board early in the second, scoring on a powerplay. The tie lasted just over two minutes, as Estonia scored to regain the lead. The Estonians scored twice more before the end of the period. The Netherlands got one back in the third, as Max Hermens scored on a penalty shot. Other than that, any comeback attempt by the Netherlands fell flat, as they lost to Estonia 4-2. The Netherlands faced off against Croatia in what ended up being the relegation game. It didn't look good for the Netherlands, as Croatia struck twice seven minutes into the game. Kai Willems scored on the powerplay goal midway through the period to pull Holland to within a goal. The Netherlands turned it on in the second, and it would pay off. Ties van Soest scored twice late in the period, putting Holland in the lead. The Netherlands managed to hold on the rest of the way, and ended up beating Croatia 3-2. The win put the Netherlands in fifth place, cementing their spot in next year's tournament.
Croatia: The Croatians kicked off the tournament facing Romania. Stejepan Cizmadija scored just over six minutes into the game to put Croatia on the board. The second period was Romania's as they scored three times. Croatia did come back in the third. Jan Smolec and Tomo Trstenjak both scored midway through the period to tie the game. Romania had a chance to regain the lead later in the third, but could not convert on a penalty shot. The game remained tied 3-3, and would go all the way to a shootout. Smolec struck in the shootout, and Nikola Kopricanec capped it off, as Croatia took the game 4-3. Croatia didn't have as good a game against Japan. Dominic Rene Canic scored midway through the first to tie the game (Japan scored the powerplay moments before). It was all Japan after that though, scoring four more in the first and three times in the second. A powerplay early in the third led to Smolec potting one for Croatia, but that was all they could muster. Japan added three more to end the game. Vito Nikolic and Leon Junker Djuric were pelted with shots, and combined to save 61 of 72 shots. Croatia ended up being blown out 11-2 by Japan. Against Estonia, Croatia again conceded the first goal. Canic did tie the game midway through the first. It stayed tied at 1-1 until early in the second, when Estonia scored to retake the lead. Estonia added one more early in the third, then Croatia fought back, as Borna Crnec and Josip Vuglac scored in a five minute span to tie the game. Penalties started to hurt Croatia, as three straight penalties resulted in three powerplay goals for Estonia. That's what sunk Croatia, as they ended up losing 6-3 to Estonia. Croatia's penalty trouble continued over to their game against Lithuania. The first four goals scored by the Lithuanians all came when Croatia was shorthanded. Lithuania added three more before the end of the period, as Croatia found themselves down 7-0 after the first period. Lithuania scored four more in the second, and twice more in the third. Junker Djuric endured the Lithuanian attack, and managed to stop 30 of 43 shots, as Croatia was blanked 13-0 by Lithuania. Croatia faced the Netherlands in their last game, and needed to win to survive. They got off to a good start, thanks to goals by Hrvoje Kriksic and Sven Paulovic. The Netherlands sturck back later in the first. Croatia held the lead until late in the second, when the Netherlands scored twice in three minutes. Going into the third period down a goal, Croatia did what they could to try and tie the game. Their efforts would not be rewarded though, as they fell to the Netherlands 3-2. The loss cemented Croatia's sixth place finish, and are relegated to Group B for next year.
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