Estonia buy a ticket for 2018

If Croatia thought to strengthen its position in the standing earning the 2nd victory in the tournament against a still pointless Estonia sending the Baltics to play for the life in the last game against Netherlands, did not count on pride of rivals, resolute to go all in to avoid to play all chances in the last game.. With still a victory so far Croatia again confirms its role of “Division Ib” team, with no risks of relegation neither dreams of promotion. Croats will now close the campaign facing Lithuania. In a pleasant game Estonia opens the score with Andrei Makrov finalizing a persistent move seeing Croatian goalie Tomljenovic saving three times before being beaten by veteran Makrov. Croatia feels the punch and need time to re-organize, suffering the loss of David Brine, forced to leave the ice after a tough boarding by Vadim Vasjonkin.

David Brine on the ice after the tough boarding by Vasjonkin

The second period is more “Croatian-style” with a quick goal scored by Mislav Blagus after a rebound by Koitmaa on Igor Jacmenjak shot and a super work for Estonian goalie, reactive on Perkovich and Silovic during the first powerplay. Estonia lethally slacken the pressure with a counter-attack sketching out by Makrov and finishing by Rooba dribbling the goalie and doubling the score two minutes after with Aleksei Sibirtsev solving a confusing mess in front of Croatian cage. Croatia needs to react immediately and captain Borna Rendulic leads the comeback firstly forcing Koitmaa to a difficult save allowing Dominik Kanaet tapping in in the open cage and then notching his third in the tournament netting a Mislav Blagus pass. When Croatia seems to control the game, as a wet blanket Estonia scores again with Andrei Makrov, founds by an intelligent pass from the defensive zone by Rooba and guiltily forgotten by the Croats defenders. The game is now nervous, Estonia knows the importance of the victory and, after Brine, also Blagus suffered a boarding by Marko Kettunen. Croatia try a final assault pulling the goal but the Estonian castle resists earning capital thee points and a big chance to stay in Division Ib for third consecutive year

Estonian fans commemorate the crucial victory

MVP: Nathan Perkovich – Andrei Makrov

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