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WC: Division 1A 2025., Sfantu Gheorghe 27.04 - 3.05.

Italy take care of business without too much fuss, courtesy of some truly dreadful defending by Romania, particularly in the first period; makes the fact that we couldn't put these numpties away inside 60 minutes sting a bit more.

As expected, 1 point against Poland will be the requirement. Poland can now only hope to send their neighbours up instead of GB with a regulation win.
 
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aquaregia said:
Japan cling on for a result that brings them not more than a bit of extra pride; the best they can hope for is to finish fourth.
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You're wrong on that. Japan finishes in third place should GB beat Poland in regulation.

Ukraine needs full three points from Poland as you said.

Edit: no, actually you're right. Idk what I was thinking lol. Poland can still finish in third. Maybe that got me mixed up.
 
GB better after one period, and whilst far from being in control lead thanks to Waller slotting in Dowd's rebound.

Poland wondering how they've been shut out though, they've had by my count 4 very presentable chances, two from after neat breakaways that he's fluffed his lines on, and Bowns has had to make two very tidy close-range saves from Maciaś and Gościński.
 
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Another goal for GB! Robert Dowd this time the one picking up the rebound to score after a good period of about five minutes were Poland were on top but not able to score. Being clinical has been a problem all tournament long for the Poles with just 8 goals through 16 1/2 periods of play.

The Polish commentary referring to Perlini and Bowns' club team as the 'Cardiff Debils' drew a snicker from me as well 🤭
 
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aquaregia said:
Poland can now only hope to send their neighbours up instead of GB with a regulation win.
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I think head to head is the first tiebreaker, and if so, Ukraine cannot finish ahead of GB anymore.

Ah, never mind. A regulation win will create a 3-way tie at 9 points so my assumption was wrong.
 
MeHateHe said:
I think head to head is the first tiebreaker, and if so, Ukraine cannot finish ahead of GB anymore.

Ah, never mind. A regulation win will create a 3-way tie at 9 points so my assumption was wrong.
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Yep, would have been 4-3-2 between Ukraine-Poland-GB respectively.

Not much chance of that happening now though, GB get their first 5-on-4 goal of the tourney. Waller who's been having excellent game skates through centre ice, his pass deflects off Zygmunt's skate kindly for Betteridge right infront of the net and he can't miss.

Not been the prettiest hockey by us mind, a lot of gritty defence where the object has just been get a stick or limb in the way of the puck on Poland's offence, but it's getting the job done.
 
In light of the last few GB performances and all Romanian results, isn't GB dropping a point against them even weirder though?

In the end, the 2 best teams before the tournament get promoted.
 
SoundAndFury said:
In light of the last few GB performances and all Romanian results, isn't GB dropping a point against them even weirder though?

In the end, the 2 best teams before the tournament get promoted.
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Absolutely, though you could put the final Romanian game a little bit down to having nothing left to play for. I think they've played on the whole better than how they were 2 years ago, just the level of opposition has risen faster than they can improve their roster.
 
GB was sluggish to start the tournament, their own players have said they struggled with lack of a camp prior to the tournament. First time they've had that issue in years.

As it stands, they'll have had a bad tournament yet still won all 5 games for a Gold Medal at 1A level. That's something new for this team, and a bit of growth. Now to stick at the top level for a bit longer!
 
(I know there's still 1 more period to go, but anyways)
Well, even though Ukraine didn't get promoted was definitely a good tourney for them. Many got excited (myself included) when it looked like they might get promoted this year, but they still played very well and showed they are a team to look out for at this level. Levshyn in a few years will be really good but at this point he's probably too young for this level of play.

Also, hell of a tourney for Zakharov. Enjoyed watching him in the UHL this year, and was Sokil's best player, but playing at this level against this competition was fun to watch. Always in the right spot and ready to score. Looking forward to next year, hoping for promotion yet again! I know they haven't announced where it'll be held, has anyone heard any rumours or rumblings though?
 
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andy500 said:
As it stands, they'll have had a bad tournament yet still won all 5 games for a Gold Medal at 1A level. That's something new for this team, and a bit of growth. Now to stick at the top level for a bit longer!
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Bad is a bit of a strong word here, considering the results against Italy and Poland are GB's widest margins of victory in competitive play since 1952 and 1948 respectively.

With the anomaly against Romania aside, GB were pretty clinical in front of net, and went 15/15 on the penalty kill. I think overall they're deserved tournament winners.

I do also hope that Ukraine can come back stronger next year, their team is young and skilful enough to give Slovenia and Hungary a run for their money presuming they come back down.
 
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Team GB needs to find some younger players soon as the older veterans like Dowd & company get older. Still no movement on getting more rinks, developing youth numbers, better coaching along the likes of the Danish plan. Still heartening to see us back in the top division even if it will be just for a season.
 
BMann said:
Team GB needs to find some younger players soon as the older veterans like Dowd & company get older. Still no movement on getting more rinks, developing youth numbers, better coaching along the likes of the Danish plan. Still heartening to see us back in the top division even if it will be just for a season.
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I do wonder if another couple of players will be naturalized. I think of Mitch Balmas for one.
 
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BMann said:
That's what I am thinking. It's not ideal of course but given what is coming through at the moment it may be necessary.
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Not my first choice either but you have to tread water while you try to develop younger players.

Not enough Liam Kirk's coming through.
 
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PanniniClaus said:
Not my first choice either but you have to tread water while you try to develop younger players.

Not enough Liam Kirk's coming through.
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And they won't be until we get more rinks with more dedicated ice time to just getting kids interested in the sport, making equipment available, better coaching. That we don't have decent enough ice facilities in some large urban areas & they don't have to be Storm sized at all is damning. IHUK, the clubs & owners really need to sort out a national long term plan along the lines of Denmark with the aim of getting better juniors consistently. The showing this year at u18 & u20 was well off what we need. It would help of course if we could get more revenues directed into the sport too.
 
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Poland's poor finishing and bad power play killed them in this tournament, but when you have 5 or 6 of your top offensive players out, I suppose it's expected.
Couple that in with a young defensive core and you get 4-1 and 3-0 results where in reality should be much closer.
 
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