Belgium U18 perfect in Sofia

19 Mar 2012 | Henrik Lundqvist

The Belgian under-18 team won all five games of the U18 World Championship Division 3 in Sofia to win promotion.

The Belgian U18 team, coached by Philippe Cools, with a perfect record and the goal difference 48-12 won the U18 World Championship Division 3 in Sofia, Bulgaria ahead of New Zealand, Mexico, Bulgaria, Chinese Taipei and South Africa.

Up till the last game of the tournament Belgium and New Zealand both had won all 4 games so the final game turned out to actually be the final. Belgium won the game quite easy 8-3 to win the gold medals and win promotion to Division 2B.

The Belgian goalie Neil Bruyninckx wasn't surprised to win the tournament.

"Hard work and the play together was the difference between us and New Zealand", he says to Eurohockey.com.

Bryan Henry scored 3 goals and added 3 assists in the game. Michael van Egdom recorded 2+3. Top scorer of the tournament was however their team-mate Yoren de Smet.

Michael van Egdom was named best forward of the tournament, Kahu Joyce of New Zealand was the best defenseman while Mexico's Richard Albrecht got the Best Goalkeeper award.

Neil Bruyninckx wasn't too disappointed that we didn't get this award.

"You go for the gold, not to be the best goalie", he says.

South Africa and Chinese Taipei who finished on the last two places will have to play the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Qualification.