Belarus Beats Slovakia for First Time in Seven Years

For the first time in four tries, Belarus has beaten the Slovak national team at the World Championships following an incredible third period performance to win 4-2.

Belarus struggled in the early stages of the game, allowing seven shots in the first eight minutes alone. Of their four shots in the first half of the opening period, they only managed to take four shots, many that didn't really challenge the Slovakian defense. With Julius Hudacek putting up some of the best numbers in the tournament, Belarus was going to have to get creative if they were going to score one after getting shutout two days ago against Canada.

Slovakia won their previous three matchups against Belarus, and they were the first to strike first in this contest. Just 47 seconds into the first period, Andrej Sekera took a pass from Martin Reway at the point, turning his shot into a goal on a 5-on-3 power play, with Belarus allowing their ninth goal against while down a man in just four games.

Penalties proved to be the name of the game, really slowing the pace of the game down. Hudacek began the game by sending the puck over the glass just nine minutes in, beginning the never-ending floodgate of penalties throughout the contest. Through half the game, both teams had eight minutes in penalties, resulting in very little stretches of 5-on-5 action.

While Belarus had some moments, they weren't much of a threat offensively. Instead, Slovakia managed to score an even strength goal, an a nifty one at that. With 3:40 left in the second, Juraj Mikus fired a hard shot on net, only to have Tomas Jurco score his second goal of the tournament with a beautiful tip just in front of the net. Both goals by Jurco came in a very similar fashion, something the Detroit Red Wings had to be impressed with after he scored just four goals in 44 games for the NHL club this past season.

Slovakia would actually score the next goal, but technically, it was on their own net. Kirill Gotovets had a weird angle to shoot from, going along the far boards with an average shot on net. However, Juraj Mikus tipped the puck past his own goalie, giving Belarus a goal to keep the game close. Mikus and Hudacek got into an argument afterwards, with Hudacek slashing his own defenseman in anger after a heated conversation.

The Slovaks had a tough break with about four minutes done in the third. With ice still fresh from the intermission, Michal Sersen had an awkward fall that saw him do the splits violently into the boards. Sersen would stay down in obvious distress for a few minutes, requiring the assistance of a stretcher to take him off the ice.

All the momentum was in the hands of Belarus, and after just two shots by Slovakia in the first 11 minutes of the third, it quickly fell apart for the pre-game favourites. Belarus would tie the game up at two-apiece at the 48^th minute of the game, with Artur Gavrus walking in and firing a quick wrist shot under Hudacek's glove and in.

The first 40 minutes may have been rather dull, but the third period couldn't have been any crazier. After trailing 2-0, Belarus scored three unanswered goals to take over the lead and put them in running distance of their first win of the tournament. Andrei Stepanov gave his country the lead after sending a stoppable shot past Hudacek's blocker, exciting a loud crowd filled with faithful Belarussian fans with six minutes to go in the game.

The disaster continued for Slovakia. With two minutes left, and Slovakia trying to find any way to just get back in the game, Canadian-born forward Charles Linglet scored on a nice shot in front of the net, beating Hudacek again to make it 4-2 Belarus and complete the miraculous comeback effort.

Belarus will try to improve their rankings with a chance at a second victory against Germany on Friday. Slovakia, who had a tough loss against Germany on Tuesday, will look to rebound after a two day rest against Canada on Saturday, but that should not be an easy task for the country.

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