Monday, April 13, 2009

Belarus Promoted

Press Release

MINSK – Belarus won the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championship Division I Group A on home ice in Minsk and will join the elite nations next year together with Latvia, which won the other group.

Belarus, which was relegated last year, was the favourite in Minsk but the strength became questionable after the first game, when they needed a shoot-out to defeat Hungary, the team which was newly promoted from Division II. Hungary was close to a sensation when Janos Hari scored the supposed game-winner at 59:02 but Belarus blueliner Evgeni Nogachev equalized with six vs. three skaters on ice at 59:55.

The two points were gained and the struggling was over after that. Belarus was successful against Poland (4-1), Ukraine (5-0), Lithuania (3-0) and Kazakhstan (6-1) to win the tournament in a confident manner.

Also for Hungary, this breathtaking tournament opener was the beginning of a good, surprisingly good tournament which ended with the bronze medals for the newly promoted team. They continued with victories against Lithuania (4-3), Kazakhstan (6-1) and Ukraine (5-0). Only a 9-0 loss against Poland prevented the Magyars from winning silver while the Poles beat all opponents but Belarus.

Kazakhstan with two and Lithuania with one victory missed the medal places while Ukraine has to go down to Division II next year. The Ukrainians lost all games with a four or five-goal margin.

The Belarusian triumph was characterized by a strong defence, which only allowed six goals, and a well-balanced team. The scoring title went to the more offensive Poles which have three players among the best four scorers. Bartlomej Neupauer was the best with five goals and six assists.

Individual Awards:
Best Goalkeeper: Mantas Armalis (Lithuania)
Best Defenceman: Evgeni Nogachev (Belarus)
Best Forward: Janos Hari (Hungary)


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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