SOFIA – Today, 28 March, Team Belgium played its second match at the U18 World Championship DIV2B in Sofia. The opponent they encountered was host country Bulgaria.
The home side claimed the lead in the game early in the first period. The Belgians pay cash for a first-time penalty due to a tripping by Stefan Aben. The Bulgarians take full advantage of the power play and thus open the score in the fourth minute of the match. Our boys, however, put pressure throughout the period, creating several chances. Still, the finishing is delayed.
Also in the second period, the Belgians keep up the pressure, looking for the equalizer. Team Belgium remains dangerous, but the Bulgarian goalie Kaloyan Stoyanov keeps the Bulgarian net clean. Team Belgium has two power plays but cannot monetize them.
In the third period, the home team can fully put its stamp on the game. The Bulgarians score in the second minute of the last period. Four minutes later, the Belgians are outnumbered again due to a penalty. The Bulgarians take advantage of this opportunity and score a third goal. Ten minutes later the puck hits the Belgian net for the fourth time.
“After this second defeat, everyone is obviously disappointed,” says coach Marc Fransen from Sofia. “Our first objective is to stay in this series and an option for a medal. That will of course be very difficult after two defeats, but we must not lose sight of our first assignment. With some luck we ended up in DIV2B because two countries were allowed for promotion. It's a big difference in level. We notice that we just fall short. The boys are working hard, but we are not on par at this level. Nevertheless, we're going to try to stay in the group. So, the next three games will be very important. Especially the last one against Australia. The relegation duel could be between us and the latter. We remain focused,” said the coach.
Final score BUL-BEL: 4-0 (1-0; 0-0; 3-0)
MVP Team Belgium: #13 Lander Paulissen (F)
Competition Schedule
MON 27/03/2023
15h30: BEL vs. TPE: 3-4
TUE 28/03/2023
19h00: BUL vs. BEL: 4-0
THU 30/03/2023
15h30: CHN vs. BEL
SAT 01/04/2023
12:00: BEL vs. NED
SUN 02/04/2023
12:00: AUS vs. BEL