Croatia gains another year in Division I

After the good performance against Romania the optimism – and the audience on the standings – grows up around team Croatia, expecting another victory against hard Estonia, a team able to battle with the giants of the group thanks mainly to its first classy line. And exactly the “wonder-trio” tailor the first two goals of the game: at 03:23 Robert Rooba and Aleksandr Petrov prepare the finishing, with a precise one-timer, of Andrei Makrov and at 05:20 same Makrov returns the favour serving the 2-0 for Rooba striking down the goalie. A tough punch for Croatia, having Marko Ljubic suspended and Vilim Rosandic in the net for the first time as starting goalie, down by two after 5 minutes, trying to react with his best player, Borna Rendulic, calling Koitmaa to a complicate deflection after a speedy personal move, captain Igor Jacmenjak and Nathan Perkovich, both stopped by Koitmaa. The pressure over Estonia defence bears fruit, with a bit of luck, at 15:21: the shot of Marko Tadic bumps on Rendulic stick and on the skate of an Estonian defender before to get in the net. Another chance for Perkovich closes the first period. A quick penetration by Terna stopped by Rosandic and a deflection on Makrov by same goalie proved again Croatia needs time to find the right placement on ice. Sibirtsev wastes a good opportunity on 4 vs 4 and same does Puzic on the other side shooting on Koitmaa. Estonia survives to three consecutive penalties showing great character and a concentrate Koitmaa in the net. The fourth, however, is fatal: at 30:07 Nathan Perkovich deflects a pass from Jacmenjak after an unrelenting offensive. The second goal seems satiate the home team, thus Estonia takes courage and poke Rosandic with Andrejev, Vasjonkin and Petrov. Once again the poor finalization is the main limit for Estonia: after several opportunities missed by Baltic, Croatia scores twice in two minutes with its Canadian patrol: at 36:49 again with Perkovich well positioned to take the puck in front of Koitmaa and beat him and at 38:23 with mike Glumac on power play. Two goals giving a comfortable advantage for home team but Estonia is die hard and reduces exactly at the last second shorthanded with Aleksei Sibirtsev, deft to take advantage from a mistake of defence. After a chance for Milicic at first minute of third period, Estonia tries to put pressure on Croatian defence exposed to counterattacks: at minute 49 Glumac misses a capital chance and Silovic next sees his double attempt from the blue rebounded by Koitmaa. Croatia occupies the Estonian defensive zone in a prolonged puck possession not finding the goal to close the match and has to suffer in the following power play when Rosandic is decisive saving twice sorting out a complicate momentum. At 56 Blagus has the right puck to close the question but shots on Koitmaa. At 59:00 Estonia pulls the goalie but it’s punished after 10 seconds when Mike Glumac scores empty net sealing a victory that means escaping from relegation. For Estonia another defeat after a game well played, a good signal for decisive game against Romania

MVP: Ivan Puzic - Aleksandr Ossipov

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