Hungary claim bronze on home ice

The last game of the Division 1A World Championships in Budapest had little residing on it apart from pride, as neither team could be promoted or relegated from the division. As a consequence, Miklos Rajna got the start in net for Hungary, although Yutaka Fukufuji remained in goal for the Japanese. Hungary, backed by another near sell out crowd, were the better team in the opening exchanges, with Csaba Kovacs, Janos Vas and Janos Hari creating chances in the first couple of minutes. It would only take four minutes for Hungary to light the lamp, as while on the powerplay, Istvan Sofron beat Shuhei Kuji to the loose puck and got enough of it from the slot to beat Fukufuji low to his left. Saturday’s bronze medal game did seem to have more spark than the gold medal game, with the hosts not wanting to let their fans down, and it showed as their pressure built and Fukufuji had to be the busier of the two netminders, making a fine save on a Krisztian Nagy shot with five minutes to go. Just before that, Japan had a potential goal reviewed, but Go Tanaka’s shot was adjudged to have hit the post and gone straight out, rather than crossing the line.

The second period continued in a similar manner to the first, with both teams looking lively and creating chances. Arpad Mihaly looked dangerous once again for the Hungarians, as in the opening minutes of the second frame, he cut to the net with a beautiful deke but could not get the angle on his backhand. A few minutes later, Balazs Ladanyi went close for the hosts, but he put his one timer wide after a great feed by Istvan Bartalis. Japan were given a powerplay chance after Janos Hari was penalised for picking the puck up off the floor with his hand, and Japan’s powerplay flattered to deceive, spurning chance after chance, with only Yosuke Haga’s point shot forcing Rajna to make a save. Mid way through the period, a chance opened for Hungary, and it fell to Istvan Sofron on a 2 on 1 down low, but he failed to get all of his one timer, and Fukufuji was able to move laterally across the crease and kick away the weakened shot. Fukufuji, who has impressed throughout the tournament, also made a fine save on Balint Magosi, who hammered a slapshot on an odd man rush in the closing minutes of the penultimate frame. The Hungarians were definitely eager to claim the bronze medal, and while they had the better of puck possession, they struggled to find a way past Fukufuji.

Hungary were given an early powerplay chance in the third period of the final game of Division 1A, and they went close to doubling their advantage. First a Ladislav Sikorcin point shot was saved by Fukufuji, before Sikorcin put the puck back into the centre but Janos Vas put the puck wide. Two minutes later, Andras Benk had a great chance to make it 2:0, but Fukufuji once again got his pads in the way of the puck. Six minutes into the third period, Japan were given a powerplay chance with Krisztian Nagy in the box, and a mad scramble in the crease developed with Rajna unable to cover the puck, but thankfully for the Hungarians, their defence was able to clear the loose puck. In the 49^th minute, Hungary were given another chance on the man advantage, and yet again Hungary would be denied by Fukufuji. Janos Hari had a shot from the slot which Fukufuji saved, and Gergo Nagy was unable to get the puck out of his feet and Fukufuji had enough time to make the save. With six minutes to go in the period, Seiji Takahashi was sprung on a breakaway, but great stick work by Tamas Sille broke up the play. With 70 seconds left in the game, Japan pulled Fukufuji, who had made 33 saves prior to that point, but Japan were unable to hold onto zone possession, and Janos Vas hit the post with his effort. However, Hungary would eventually hold on to victory, as Rajna made 18 saves for his shutout, and the hosts would pick up their second bronze medal in as many years.

Hungary forward Márton Vas spoke to Eurohockey after the game, and when asked whether or not the team was happy with the bronze medal, he commented, 'If you would have asked me before the tournament, I would be happy to finish in third place'.

'When we played well, we played by the plan which we were asked to play with. We were disciplined, we worked hard, we did all the little things that the coaching staff asked of us. That’s what kept us going'.

The Hungarian fans were a credit to their team and the tournament all throughout the week in Budapest, and Vas added, 'It’s amazing playing in front of 10,000 that loves hockey. That really helped us push through the moments when we were down and it kept us going to the end'.
 

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