Bendzius, Pliskaukas lead Lithuania on Estonia

Lithuania won its second game after a surprising success against Netherlands in the opening day and an equally surprising loss against Croatia last Tuesday. So the match against Estonia becomes crucial to keep alive the hope of promotion. On the other side of the ice, newly promoted Estonia desperately need points to avoid an immediate relegation. Jussi Tupamaki troop had a shocking debut against Korea, but in the loss against Great Britain the team played well and optimism is back. Estonia played equally woth the opponent for the first two period, dominating the second, but has a clear decline in physical in the last.

With roster completed, Mantas Armalis and Roman Sumikhin in the net, the team takes the ice in Eindhoven in front of a decent crowd, considering the time and the weekday, including a noisy patrol of Lithuanian fans. Donatas Kumeliauskas opens the fire with a powerful shot whispering over the bar. Estonia works a couple of dangerous pucks in front of Armalis, but is Lithuania to open the score at 04:58: after two tentatives rebounded by the defence, the puck arrives on Aivaras Bendzius stick, Energija Elektrenai forward finds a nice shot with no chance for Sumikhin. Survived a power play for a naive line change, Lithuania has a couple of good chances with Bosas and Kumeliauskas, but Sumikhin is reactive blocking the shots, while finallyArmalis has first demanding save at 14, deflecting a shot by Andrejev. At 16 Sumikhin shows his skills deflecting with a dive a shot-without-fail by Zidkovas. Lithuania has taken the control of the game in the second part of first period with Estonia trying to organize some counter-attack to ease the pressure. The second goal comes at 19:02 on power play – out Urushev - with veteran Darijus Pliskauskas, skilled to finalize a pass by Nerijus Alisauskas.

The second goal, scored by Pliskauskas

Estonia has a great start in the second period, pressuring opponent in its defensive zone, having the best chance with a shot from long distance by Auksi and scoring at 25.16 with Aleksei Sibirtsev finalizing a brilliant offensive move. Rooba wastes with a weak shot a quick counter-attack by Makrov and same Makrov try from long distance on power play but Mantalis is ready to block. Power play for Lithuania around minute 32 with the best chance for Estonia: Fedoruk wastes a one-to-one shooting on Mantalis in the last emotion of central period, totally dominated by Estonia that would surely deserved a goal more.

Last period is back to expected, Lithuania leading the game and Estonia trying to bite on counter-attack: at 43:30 Aivaras Bendzius leaves his signature with another goal similar to his first, with a precise shot. At 48 Sumikhin stops a shot from close range from Bogdziul. In the first power play Lithuania scores again, with Mindaugas Kieras finalizing from the corner a quick move from the power play unit. At 51 very classy move by Lahesalu getting in Lithuanian defense, stopped by a brave dive by Mantalia. In the same action Estonia gains a power play and coach Tupamaki decided to pull off Sumikhin but Mantalis stops everything until the empty net goal scored by Danielius Nomanovasat 53.29, the word: “end” for Estonian hopes. There is still time for fifth goal, scored by Pliskauskas with a precise shot in the angle after a first tentative rebounded by a defender

Lithuanian fans celebrating

A five goal difference is certainly too much for what seen on ice; as for all teams emerging from Division II, the most evident limit is the lack of finalization and the physical condition. Lithuania continues hoping in a promotion, probably decided in the game against Korea, Estonia has perhaps the match against Croatia as best chance to avoid relegation

MVP: Bendzius - Andrejev

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