Sad farewell for Lithuania

The dream of staying in Division Ia ends in the last day of tournament for Lithuania, losing the last game against Slovenia the Baltics are relegated after just a season at the upper level. Slovenia closes with two consecutive victories, the only in the tournament, a disappointed campaign: the Iva Jan team, despite the presence of superstar Anze Kopitar, never was in the race for the promotion.

The game hasn’t much thrill, Slovenia was clearly stronger on ice, winning without effort against a jaded opponent, unmotivated after closing the first period down by two goals, scored by Robert Sabolic and Jan Drozg in the first 15 minutes. In the second period Slovenia closes the question with two more goals: a great personal move by Kopitar and a shot from the distance by Podlipnik deflected by Tadej Cimzar. Lithuania is unable to score despite almost 4 minutes with a double superiority on the ice and is punished by Golicic finalizing a counterattack by Jan Drozg. Before the final siren, Ken Ograjensek notches the sixth goal with an easy deflection on Anze Kuralt pass. Music is the same also in the third period: Lithuania changes the goalie for the newcomer Laurynas Lubys suffering the seventh goalie at 49:05, scored by Jan Drozg. Again Lithuania wastes the opportunity of a double superiority and back on full strength, Slovenia scores the goal number eight with a shot from the distance by Aleksandar Magovac. The massacre ends at 59:01 when Jan Drozg completes his remarkable score with one more goal, a one-timer in front of the net.

After the brilliant performance against Korea, Lithuania lost totally the energy and the grit in a decisive game, leaving the Division I with some regrets. Same regrets Slovenia can bring home, after a first part of the tournament to forget

Daniel Lacroix: “Slovenia executed the game very well, we started well, but the big question was if could sustain such a game after the yesterday game and unfortunately the answer was no. I’m really proud of our games, for the commitment and the way they played all games, except this last. “

Ivo Jan: “The important for us was to avoid Lithuania taking the lead, the guys accomplished the task and we win”

MVP: Luka Gracnar - Tadas Kumeliauskas

Team Tournament best player

SLO: Anze Kopitar  LTU: Danius Zubrus 

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