ISTANBUL - The national men's team played its first match at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in division 2B in Turkish Istanbul today, Monday 17 April. The opponent in this first game was New Zealand.
After a not very eventful first period, the Belgians manage to score a first goal halfway through the second. Team Belgium puts heavy pressure on the opponent's goal and in the 29th minute Boris Kolyasnikov taps the puck into the New Zealand nets via Rik Cuylen and Mauro Pyl.
It's only in the third period that our guys really get going. Five minutes into the period, Ben Coolen put the 2 on the scoreboard assisted by Iniaz Steyaert and Brent Bogaerts. A few minutes later, New Zealand responds with a goal against to close the gap. In vain, however, because Arne Van Espe sets up Ben Van den Bogaert nicely who finishes flawlessly. Barely a minute later, Sam Verelst again outwits the New Zealand goalie via a striking pass from Ben Coolen, which immediately determines the final score.
“This was a great start to our World Championship campaign,” says Coach Jeffrey van Iersel from Istanbul. “We dominated the game well, played disciplined. Everyone performed their duties as requested. In addition, we created many opportunities and gave away few opportunities to the opponent.”
Final score NZL vs. BEL: 1-4 (0-0; 0-1; 1-3) with goals from Boris Kolyasnikov, Ben Coolen, Ben Van den Bogaert & Sam Verelst
MVP Match Team Belgium: #4 Arne Van Espe
Game Schedule
MON 17/04 – 12:00
NZL vs. BEL: 1-4
TUE 18/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. UAE
THU 20/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. MEX
FRI 21/04 – 19:00
TUR vs. BEL
SUN 23/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. BUL