A peaceful Battle of the Baltic

After two consecutive good campaigns, Lithuania want to raise the bar, trying to participate as protagonist at the race for the promotion, while Estonia, after escaping two consecutive relegations, has to survive one season more at Division Ib as main goal with a young roster. The first goalie having to work is Villem-Henrik Koitmaa, blocking a shot by Aliukonis, a save followed by many others, while colleague Pavliukov can watch the game as spectator until minute 15 when save on Gornostajev, a minute before the opening goal, scored with a classy finishing by Pijus Rulevicius.

Estonia starts the second period with a different attitude, even if Lithuanian goal remains clear and without real dangers, while Lithuania double the score converting the first real chance: in a “Energija Elektrenai” combination, Povilas Verenis serves Aivars Bendzius for the decisive deflection. At 35 Koitmaa saves three times in few seconds to keep his team alive, now under a huge pression by Lithuania: the third goal is a logical consequence: Cizas scores in the open net after a difficult clearance by Estonian defence. Also in the last quarter the plot is the same, with Koitmaa forces to an extrawork. At minute 47 Estonian coach tries to use at maximum a power play pulling the goalie to everyone's surprise, without results, allowing Lithuanian goalie Artur Pavliukov opens the tournament with a shoot-out

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