WJC: WJC 2025 Division 2A

[licanin]

Any info on how did that game go?

7:0 Lithuania.

6:0 GBR against China.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Will this be on Youtube?

 

[licanin]

Will this be on Youtube?

Here

HSHL TV prijenos utakmica

Teile deine Videos mit Freunden, Verwandten oder der ganzen Welt

www.youtube.com

 

[SoundAndFury]

So, the start is today. The first day brings the clash of true relegation contenders—China versus Romania. China is playing without its MVP at all hockey levels, Stephen Chen, which probably gives Romanians the edge.

In other news, Lithuania is dismantling the Netherlands but the real intrigue at this point is can the Dutch keep Ignatavicius and Jukna without a point in which they are succeeding so far.

 

[Eye of Ra]

So, the start is today. The first day brings the clash of true relegation contenders—China versus Romania. China is playing without its MVP at all hockey levels, Stephen Chen, which probably gives Romanians the edge.

Might change if He and Wang suits up.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Might change if He and Wang suits up.

Certainly might. Although to be fair, goaltending is inherently just so much more important position that decent goalie is always going to make much more of a difference than even a very good skater. Just look at South Korea.

 

[licanin]

This camera angle makes me puke. Part of pukeness goes to those who decided to have tournament here instead of Sisak.

Regarding Croatian team. We are without B.Idžan, Matijević, Goršić, Banek, Jurić. These players are already good enough to be part of Men's team. Still think we are too good to get relegated, but wouldn't be surprised at all if we only beat China.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I don't hate the venue too much because let's face it, the D2A U20 WJC championship isn't that big of a deal and the same 3 can't just keep organizing it but that's really as low as you can go in terms of the arena requirements. Feels like a venue for your regional U12 football tournament.

 

[SoundAndFury]

SOG and the feel of the game somehow don't correlate to me in this one. Felt like Romania had a real edge in the first and China was lucky to escape with a tied result. In the 2nd, the Romanian goalie stopped one grade-A chance after another it's the Romanians who should be happy with the draw.

In any case, it's impressive when you consider this matchup 8 years ago ended 12-3 in favor of the Romanians.

 

[licanin]

Holy sh*t. China is leading.

 

[SoundAndFury]

So China wins the game that nobody deserved to win, frankly. But I guess that's just how it's going to be among the bottom four teams in the group.

I think Romania's terrible powerplay that went 0/5 was the key. Romania's attacks 5v5 seemed fairly potent so it is kinda amazing how they came up empty with the man advantage.

Holy sh*t. China is leading.

Not really shocking, they are the returning team whereas the Romanians just came up from the 2B. It's just sad state of affairs for the division that the bronze medal basically goes to the team that is the least terrible as opposed to doing anything remotely positive.

 

[licanin]

. It's just sad state of affairs for the division

Until the return of Russia and Belarus it will be like that. After all Croatia managed to promote to D1B solely due to (Bela)Russian factor.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Until the return of Russia and Belarus it will be like that. After all Croatia managed to promote to D1B solely due to (Bela)Russian factor.

Well, not only that. Croatia is simply missing all the players relevant to playing in this level, Romania has medaled in this division and even won it at the U18 level not that long ago, with Russia present, yet now have some of its worst generations. China is missing their only high-tier prospect.

So while the Russian factor is there, the bleeding out of talent in the countries present is also almost unprecedented.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Much more competitive game from Croatia than I thought it's going to be. Although GB is GB, enough said. If you know you know.

 

[ozo]

GB is out GBing themselves yet again so far. Another year of Martin Grubb behind the bench, no idea why I expected GB really challenging Lithuania this year.

 

[licanin]

18:5 SOG for us

 

[SoundAndFury]

Okay GB, I see how it is. As long as you play the same way against us too we are going to get along just fine.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Aaaand that's a game. What can I say, congrats to Croatia, fully deserved, the guys played their hearts out. Brilliant performance.

The hilarious thing is, I bet another bronze would be enough for Grubb to keep his job because how many coaches are on such a hot silverware (and bronzware) streak.

 

[PanniniClaus]

How good is the Niksa Slade?

 

[licanin]

Aaaand that's a game. What can I say, congrats to Croatia, fully deserved, the guys played their hearts out. Brilliant performance.

When considered how many key players are we missing this is close to the little miracle on ice.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Also, my question is, how the hell did we beat these guys 7-0 in a friendly then?

How good is the Niksa Slade?

Not amazing, no more than average for this level at this point (he is only 17). The Croats just outplayed GB in every facet of the game.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Matko Idzan acting like he's injured and then crying to the ref after little tap on the pants by the Brit What a doofus. But well, made me look up who that was so I guess I know his number now.

 

[licanin]

Also, my question is, how the hell did we beat these guys 7-0 in a friendly then?


Not amazing, no more than average for this level at this point. The Croats just outplayed GB in every facet of the game.

Deception by our coach

Matko Idzan acting like he's injured and then crying to the ref after little tap on the pants by the Brit What a doofus. But well, made me look up who that was so I guess I know his number now.

In his defence he did have an injury right before training camp started.

 

[Namejs]

I've actually noticed quite a few Lithuanian kids scattered around here and there in Switzerland and Finland with pretty good numbers in pretty decent junior leagues.

Am I tripping or is the Lithuanian programme actually at its peak?

 

[HungryFrank]

great game by Croatia, winning when missing nominaly top 5 players, some truly blue chip on that level, is something to be respected. Tournaments come and go, but when you have depth to soften the blow, then one should be happy about that.

It's just sad state of affairs for the division that the bronze medal basically goes to the team that is the least terrible as opposed to doing anything remotely positive.

How would you handle it?

Let's not forget, Croatia has just beaten a team that is allegedly one of the favourites. If they went on to win bronze, would you still say they were least terrible? How can one have just division allignment when every generation is completely different?

I don't see a solution other than embrace the chaos.