SOFIA - Today, January 26, the national women's team U18 started its World Championship campaign in DIV2B in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. First opponent of this tournament was Iceland.
In the first period, it was clear that both teams were trying see what their opponent could do, but Team Belgium quickly managed to take a lead by making full use of a power play. Ans Van Hoof scores the first (historic) goal for U18 in the sixth minute on an assist from Anke Steeno.
Iceland catches up in the second period. The northerners score in the second minute. Barely four minutes later they score again, so our girls needed to close the gap. And that works out nicely because barely seven seconds later Anke Steeno puts the equalizer on the scoreboard, assisted by Louise Paulissen.
In the third period, the score remains at 2-2. The Belgians clearly create more chances than their opponents, but they fail to finish. Just like with U20, the first match of this Worlds for the Belgian girls also ends in a draw.
However, in the Overtime they pocket the win! Anke Steeno can recover the puck in the attacking zone and puts the Icelandic defender out of balance to score the winning goal!
Our girls sing along loudly when the Brabançonne resounds in the Bulgarian ice stadium. A great start to this historic World Championship campaign for U18 Women! How beautiful ice hockey can be!
“It was a very exciting game between two evenly matched teams. Mentally, this is a very important victory for the team," said coach Tim Vos from Sofia.
Final score: ISL-BEL: 2-3 (0-1; 2-1; 0-0; 0-1 OT) with goals from Ans Van Hoof & Anke Steeno (2)
MVP Team Belgium: Jirne Wagemans #8
Game Schedule Team Belgium U18W
26.01.2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – ISL vs. BEL: 2-3 OT
27.01.2023 – 4:30 PM (3:30 PM) – BEL vs. EST
29.01.2023 – 4:30 PM (3:30 PM) – KAZ vs. BEL
31.01. 2023 – 4:30 PM (3:30 PM) – BEL vs. NZL
01.02.2023 – 16:30 (15:30) – BUL vs. BEL
LIVE STREAMING: RBIHFtv