With 4 more weeks to go before the start of the IIHF World Championships in Iceland, the team of Gil Paelinck and Sami Lipsonen kicked off their final preparation with a first practice game in Antwerp vs the Division one team of Sportoase Phantoms.
With 98% of the team selected, the focus is now on game play and tactics.
At least 4 more game will follow this first practice game, to assist our national team with their preparation PHANTOMS, HYC and COLDPLAY provide midweek ice time to bring our U20 selection to their home rink and play against the division one team. This setup enables the selected players to still participate in regular competition games during the weekend with their clubs teams and be present for the National team practice games during the week. With still several players missing, the national selection gave already a solid impression during the first game. As some of our Belgian players are currently still playing abroad not everyone could make it to the games yet. This will change in the coming weeks and games as more players return home for the holidays and gear-up for the tournament.
Our national team won the first practice game in Antwerp with 1-3 with a hat trick of Warre Vanmontfort, next game is scheduled for December 29 in Mechelen. An ideal opportunity to checkout the team for yourself.