Romania survives, Croatia in Division II

“We expect a really, really tough game” said yesterday Croatia's assistant coach Danijel Kolombo right after Romania earned its first point against Japan: and so it was, unfortunately for Croatia not with the results waited: it was a tense and physical game where Romania was able to assert a greater physical presence.

The “do-or-die” clash was decided in the first period, with Romania scoring twice: at 05:25 with Zsombor Molnar and at 11:31 when Daniel Tranca deliveres the puck in the net getting in the crease to take a pass from Csanad Fodor.

Croatia begins the second period very aggressively producing 3 clear chances in the first two minutes: Borna Rendulic twice tries to beat Patrik Polc, very reactive, and Ivan Puzic from the blue testes the reflex of Romanian goalie. The period is dominated by Croatia but unexpectedly Romania scores the third goal with a lethal counterattack driven by Tamas Reszegh and finished in the open cage by Csanad Fodor. Some seconds after Croatia has another chance with Vedlin, pulled down by Berdila and Gyorfy while netting: both players received two minutes leaving the team in double inferiority but Polc seems unbeatable: Corona Brasov goalie is amazing in stretching to deny the score to David Brine. Once again Romania is cynic taking advantage of counter-attack: in a copy of third goal, Zsombor Molnar quickly skates in Croatia defensive zone finding the perfect finishing of captain Roberto Gliga. The long-awaited and deserved goal for Croatia comes at 37:21 at the end of a beautiful tic-tac toe between Milicic, Sakic and Vedlin managing to open the Romanian box. Before the siren, Rendulic and Brine have chances to reduce the gap but hit a wall called Patrik Polc. At minute 42 Tranca can close the question but his shot is saved on the line by Nikola Senzel. The final sentence is written by Gergo Biro on power play, netting a rebound by Tomljenovic on a Alpar Sallo shot. Croatia lose heart, sufferes another goal scored by Zsolt Peter, change the goalie for the debut of Vito Nikolic and scores the second goal with David Brine at 51:29: his shot hits the bar and the back of Polc to get in the net. Before the final siren and the start of Romanian celebration, Nikolic has to pick up another puck in his cage, when Tamas Reszegh nets at 52:41 and David Brine scores again at 55:23, the last goal in Division I so far. Romania manage to survive in the division, an almost impossible mission until yesterday, Croatia is relegated in Division II after 5 years at Ib level,

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