International Ice Hockey Federation

Estonia stays up

Estonia stays up

3-0 win sends Romania down

Published 23.04.2016 20:38 GMT+2 | Author Henrik Manninen
Estonia stays up
Andrei Makrov celebrates after netting Estonia's second goal. Photo: Igor Soban
Three middle frame goals during their final day relegation decider sealed Estonia's place in Division IB

Estonia eked out their first win at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group B when they needed it the most.

Roman Andrejev, Andrei Makrov and Vadim Vasjonkin were on the scoresheet as Estonia sweeped Romania 3-0.

Estonia's Villem-Henrik Koitmaa recorded his first shutout of the tournament with 20 saves, while a defensive minded Romania recorded their first game in the tournament without a goal.

Five straight defeats sees newly promoted Romania move straight back down to Division IIA.

After having hit the post twice during the first frame, Estonia stepped up their efforts in the second period and soon get their reward for their diligence and settle nerves.

Romania's defenceman Alpar Sallo hit a careless pass behind his own net which was snapped up by Vassili Titarenko along the right boards who found Andrejev thundering down unmarked in the slot who cooly slotted home Estonia's opener between the pads of Romania netminder Otto Onodi at 31:51.

Estonia's second came at 38:13 thanks to a Makrov slapshot from the left point that just found its way over the line at Onodi's first post.

Estonia's final nail in the coffin came on a penalty shot with one second to go of the middle frame. Vasjonkin converted to stretch their lead to 3-0 in a display which overall pleased Estonia head coach Jussi Tupamaki.

"In the first period you see that these games are really tough and everyone expects us to win as we play for relegation. These were difficult circumstances to play under but we proved that we belong at this level," he said as Estonia can now look ahead to play at their third consecutive year at Division 1A level.

For Romania, who were this year's newcomers in this division, will now try to start again in Division IIA.

"It wasn't a good tournament for us," said Romania blueliner Szabolcs Papp. "We had our chance today in our most important game and we tried to play smart but it was not enough."

"We don't have all of our players here, but almost every year it is the same for us. This year preparation was short, maybe three days, and then it is tough to play at this level."

 

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