WC: Division 1B 2025., Tallin 26.04 - 2.05.

[ozo]

Win is a win. Smart to save the goals for the games where they will be needed more.

 

[Sanf]

Not much good to say about Lithuania besides Lubys. I felt China respected the opponent too much at the start. They are fine skaters, but not much hands or strength. China had chance which they should not have.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I think the game itself was fine. We just don't have the offensive talent to light these buttoned-up, structured teams up. Like last year, it was a 1-goal game against relegation-bound Netherlands. That's what our NT is, at this stage.

Shots-wise, 36-18 reflects our advantage fairly well and that's including all the penalties, some of which were rather questionable. Shots were 35-15 last year but it was China who took all the penalties back then. So all within the norm and expectations. 3 points is 3 points, just like ozo says.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Wow, after dominating 2 periods completely (shots 37-4 after 2) Koreans are playing dump and chase in the third... Protecting their lead. Laughable.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Aaaaand they concede a goal. 2-2. I'm speechless.

 

[Mrzli]

Korea - Croatia 5:2 in the end with an empty netter.

Having 2:2 4 minutes until the end does leave a bit of a bitter taste, but Korea completely dominated first two periods and this difference is deserved if we take that into account.

They simply outskated us and pressed us into our third. Defending was not bad, Rosandić continued his Sisak form and was terrific, but there was absolutely no energy and speed for transition. Katić and Vukadin would've contributed much in that department, too bad they're not here.

In third period we did start to play much braver, tied it, but Korea quickly turned it around.

One thing that I thought of is that this long semi-professional season of Sisak in Alps league had not just an impact regarding player experience, but unfortunately also left players a bit worn out, as most of them didn't play such a long season on that level before.

All in all, it could've been worse and I'm a bit more optimistic now regarding playing against Spain. It should be an open game.

 

[fico zg]

I am not disappointed if we factor in Korean overall strenght (last year they took down Slovenia), some of our players missing, and visible difference between 1st and to some extent 2nd line and the rest of the team. Not having Katic, B. Idzan and Čanić is too much for a team like us in a game like this. As Mrzli said we came out more offensive minded in the third period and created some good chances. That's encouraging going forward.

 

[Sanf]

Yeah Croatia was outplayed, but good fight. There was deffinitely gap between the first and other lines. Overall I dont think Rendulic had that great game either. The lack of depth on D was really showing. Alic had maybe few shifts, Took penalty and after that Croatia went with three pairings.

Spain lost Adrian Torralba on the game agsinst Estonia. Could Be thetournament for him. Thats a loss

 

[SoundAndFury]

Overall I dont think Rendulic had that great game either.

He had a point and hit a post. I don't think you can ask for more in a game where his team manages 10 shots overall and has no PP. Like HungryFrank said, it's not like a player can come in and score 2 PPG easily.

 

[Sanf]

He had a point and hit a post. I don't think you can ask for more in a game where his team manages 10 shots overall and has no PP. Like HungryFrank said, it's not like a player can come in and score 2 PPG easily.

Yes I may have oversimplified. I was not expecting hat trick or something. I think he could have kept more hurry to D zone. He could have been more active when Korea was preasuring. Was showing his frustration when Korea could play hin out on o zone. He does not have to play PK so bit more d effort would be nice.

 

[SoundAndFury]

0 goals allowed after 2 games, considering our goalie situation - a big positive.

 

[aquaregia]

I'm sure Spain would love to have Lithuania's kind of goalie issues, especially looking at that second goal they conceded!

 

[Sanf]

0 goals allowed after 2 games, considering our goalie situation - a big positive.

Lubys has been really solid. Not the biggest tests yet but not easy games either.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I'm sure Spain would love to have Lithuania's kind of goalie issues, especially looking at that second goal they conceded!

Yeah, 2nd and 4th goals were really rough indeed. Not sure what was the point of pulling him though, I'd think resting your starter is all you care about in a game like this. Especially when you are down 4-0 in it as well.

 

[Sanf]

I'm sure Spain would love to have Lithuania's kind of goalie issues, especially looking at that second goal they conceded!

20 hours since the last game so they basically had to try to rest Barbo. Barbo wasnt bad yesterday. Hernandez wasnt deffinitely ready today. Though love the traditional european Jersey number 20.

 

[Sanf]

Yeah, 2nd and 4th goals were really rough indeed. Not sure what was the point of pulling him though, I'd think resting your starter is all you care about in a game like this. Especially when you are down 4-0 in it as well.

I guess out of the respect for goalie. When things start that bad it can get really bad.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Lubys has been really solid. Not the biggest tests yet but not easy games either.

I would love for him to get a better offer on the back of this championship, even if it's just a better team in the Norwegian 2nd division. He may never fulfil his early promise but the little guy can clearly play.

 

[SoundAndFury]

The perfect recipe for disaster we talked about in the Estonia - Croatia game. Rosandic is a sieve and Rooba has 2 points in a single period already. Maybe Estonians will let off but they are playing in front of home fans before the rest day so maybe they won't.

 

[fico zg]

Our PP is clicking, good news before two games (Chi,Esp) where we can hope for point(s).
Marinković obviously carried his Sisak's form into NT, which is always a good thing.

 

[Mrzli]

As expected, Estonia with an easy win.

Again, I don't know if it's from the fact that many Croatian players played their first long semi-professional season this year, but we are far too slow and at times lifeless.

Technical prowess is still there, but it means nothing if you're barely skating.

Rendulić is also far from his level, playing very casually.

But, there is a chance against China. We'll see.

 

[fico zg]

Again, I don't know if it's from the fact that many Croatian players played their first long semi-professional season this year, but we are far too slow and at times lifeless.

This easily could be a factor. If you see Sisak's gamesheets in Alps you will notice sometimes they played with barely three lines due to injuries, suspensions and players leaving (B.Idzan, Mikkola).

 

[jonas2244]

What type of league is this NCDC Shifeng Cheng is playing?

The save percentages this year and already at last years tournament are similar to those Armalis had when he was this age (or maybe even better), so maybe he can turn pro in Europe some time.

 

[Summer Rose]

What type of league is this NCDC Shifeng Cheng is playing?

The save percentages this year and already at last years tournament are similar to those Armalis had when he was this age (or maybe even better), so maybe he can turn pro in Europe some time.

The NCDC is the National Collegiate Development Conference, which is a breakaway out of the USA Hockey umbrella. Their U18 and younger teams are all Tier I programs under USAH but the NCDC applied for Tier II junior status (on par with the NAHL) and were denied, so they broke away and formed their own league for the junior team back in 2017. They previously had Tier III status.

 

[Sanf]

What type of league is this NCDC Shifeng Cheng is playing?

The save percentages this year and already at last years tournament are similar to those Armalis had when he was this age (or maybe even better), so maybe he can turn pro in Europe some time.

Had seen him few times before but now first time live. Atletico (edit. athletic... goddam I hate to write with phone) , quick, good lateral movement , rebound control was fine. Makes himself even smaller than he is. Certainly fun goalie to watch. Hoping he can make pro

 

[SoundAndFury]

What type of league is this NCDC Shifeng Cheng is playing

From my experience following Lithuanian prospects and of other nations at similar level I suppose, where playing in NCDC is quite common, they are half a step below NAHL. Basically my logic is that someone who is doing really well in the NCDC would be a useful player for NAHL team as well. Found this guy for quick reference without wanting to take too long: Fuji Suzuki - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Regarding Chen himself, I was rather certain he will be a low-level European pro eventually when he had an NCAA commitment. Now I'm slightly less certain since he took what seems like a step back in his career but he should still be pro, just that playing in the Chinese league becomes more of an option for him the lower his profile gets.

Regarding his play, he is the best player on the Chinese team but their game is all built around him. It's the most defense minded, collapse around your goalie system you have ever seen so his Sv% is understandably inflated by it, I definitely don't consider him to be Armalis-level prospect. I'm also not as thrilled as Sanf by his rebound control which I consider to be poor-ish and you will see a million goalmouth scrambles in the usual China game just that nobody scores because Chinese skaters, as mentioned, are all over them.