ISTANBUL - The national men's team played its fifth and final match at the IIHF World Championship in division 2B in Istanbul, Turkey, today, Sunday April 23. The last opponent of the Belgians in this tournament was Bulgaria.
This last match was also dominated by the Belgians. From the very first face-off, the Belgians are in attacking mode. The Bulgarian goalie has to endure 27 shots during the first period. Aren Waumans only 1 in the Belgian goal. On the eleventh minute Alec James' shot hits the mark. Barely five minutes later, the Belgians score again: Dries Block via Iniaz Steyaert and Alec James.
In the first minute of the second period, the Bulgarians cleared zero from their scoreboard, but halfway through the period Sam Verelst replies with another goal via Arne Espen and Ben Coolen. Five minutes later, Ben Van den Bogaert widened the gap with a fourth goal.
Halfway through the third period, Dries Blockx scores his second goal of the match. Barely a minute later, Ben Coolen scored a sixth goal.
With four victories out of five, Belgium takes silver at this World Cup. Unfortunately, the narrow defeat against the Russian-tinged United Arab Emirates cost them the gold.
Final score BEL vs. BUL: 6-1 (2-0; 2-1;2-0) with goals from Alec James, Dries Blockx (2), Sam Verelst, Ben Van den Bogaert & Ben Coolen.
MVP Match Team Belgium: #3 Ben Coolen
Best Player Team Belgium: #6 Vadim Gyesbrechs
Game Results
MON 17/04 – 12:00
NZL vs. BEL: 1-4
TUE 18/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. UAE: 3-4
THU 20/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. MEX: 11-2
FRI 21/04 – 19:00
TUR vs. BEL: 2-9
SUN 23/04 – 15:30
BEL vs. BUL: 6-1