SOFIA - Today, April 22, the Belgian men's team started its World Championship campaign in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, where our men are participating in the IIHF Worlds Division 2, Group B. Today's opponent was Turkey.
After the conclusion of the first period, the scoreboard is still blank. Both teams are clearly probing each other with our boys surely being more prominent in the defensive zone of Team Turkey. With 12 shots on goal versus 4, the Belgians geared up the pressure. Team Belgium got the advantage of the majority during two powerplays, but could not successfully exploit them, however, our boys worked a successful penalty kill with Henry (#15/BEL) on the penalty bench for cross-checking.
In the second period, however, the Belgians take the lead. Just three minutes into the period, De Croock (#8/BEL) scores on assists from Henry (#15/BEL) and Boni (#5/BEL). Four minutes later, Steyaert (#22/BEL) puts the #2 on the scoreboard with the help of Gyesbreghs (#6/BEL) and Verelst (#17/BEL). When in the 33rd minute Bingol (#5/TUR) sits out a penalty for tripping, this time the Belgians do take full advantage of the power play with Gyesbreghs (#6/BEL) finishing nicely through Blockx (#14/BEL) and James (#7/BEL).
One minute into the third period, Team Belgium widens the gap. De Smet (#19/BEL) outsmarts Turkish goalie Bozaci (#1/TUR) for the fourth time. And then the Belgians turn out to be really on fire with goals from Boni (#5/BEL), Henry (#15/BEL), Verelst (#17/BEL) and Coolen (#3/BEL) while Turkey stays scoreless. A convincing first win for the Belgians, a great start to this World Championship campaign!
Final score: BEL vs. TUR: 8-0 (0-0; 3-0; 5-0)
MVP Team BEL: Bryan Henry (#15/forward)
Game Schedule
22/04 – 15:30 – BEL vs. TUR: 8-0
23/04 – 19:00 – BEL vs. BUL
25/04 – 15:30 – BEL vs. TPE
27/04 – 12:00 – NZL vs. BEL
28/04 – 19:00 – GEO vs. BEL