BELGRADE - The men's U20 national team played the fifth and final match of its World Championship campaign in Division 2 Group B in the Serbian capital Belgrade today, January 20th. Today’s opponent was Romania.
Unfortunately, the Belgians failed to win the final match of the World Championship against top favorite Romania. With 31 shots on goal against 17, the opponent was stronger offensively.
The first Romanian goal fell in the fourth minute of the first period. In the second period, the Romanians were awarded a penalty shot that Antal (#11/ROU) was able to cash in on, leaving the Belgians looking up to a 2-0 gap at the end of the second period. When Gentry (#9/BEL) was sent to the penalty box early in the third period, the Romanians took full advantage of the power play, widening the gap even more. In the last minute of the game, goalie Palinckx (#20/BEL) was outsmarted a fourth time.
The Belgians finish in fifth place and consequently return home without medals. The win against Chinese Taipei keeps Belgium in the same DIV2B series.
Final score ROU vs BEL: 4-0 (1-0; 1-0; 2-0)
MVP Team BEL: Robbe Delport
RESULTS
14.01.2024 – 12:30 – BEL vs. TPE: 3-1
15.01.2024 – 19:30 – BEL vs. SRB: 0-4
17.01.2024 – 12:30 – BEL vs. AUS: 1-4
18.01.2024 – 16:00 – ISL vs. BEL: 4-3
20.01.2024 – 12:30 – ROU vs. BEL: 4:0