The Hungarian national team picked up their first win at the Division 1/A World Championships in Kazakhstan with 4-1 win over Lithuania. The with new forward combinations the team played a creative and attacking style.
Hungary had a number of changes in their lineup. Head coach Gergely Majoross kept the first line forward line together Bartalis was moved to center the second line with Krisztián Nagy and Sofron. The third line was Gergő Nagy with Vas and Magosi with Sarauer centering Benk and Bodó. The defensive pairings remained the same with Szirányi back in the lineup as the seventh defenceman. The coaching staff stuck with Vay in net and Bálizs serving as the backup goalie. Hungary was active in the Hungarian early on but it was Lithuania who had the first power play of the game. Even though Lithuania was able to rotate the puck well, but Hungary killed the penalty. Soon after the power play was killed Hungary had a great rush as Stipsicz brought the puck into the attacking end, put it out wide to Krisztián Nagy who made a cross ice touch pass to Bartalis who fired it home for the 1-0 lead. Hungary quickly picked up a second penalty, but during the Lithuania power play Hungary did not allow Lithuania to set up and also had three shots on net as they killed the two minutes. Later in the period Bálint Magosi was taken out by a solid hit, but nothing was called. István Bartalis struck again has he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated through the Lithuanian team and smoothly slipped the puck past the goalie to make it 2-0. Late in the period Hungary was picked up their third penalty of the game, this time Lithuania scored when Kumeliauskas put home a loose puck.
Early in the second period Hungary had two quick chances as a Sofron shot just missed the net with Sarauer also having a chance. On their first power play the game Hungary scored their third goal of the game as Vas put a shot not net, Erdély put the rebound in. As the period went on Hungary looked like the stronger team with every line creating chances. The Lithuanian team was not able to get out of their own end of the ice for minutes at a time. Late in the period Bartalis forced a turnover deep in the Lithuanian zone, put the puck on net from the corner that was redirected by Sofron to make it 4-1. Late in the period Hungary had their second power play of the game, however Lithuania was able to kill the two minutes.
Hungary kept on playing well early in the third period. However Lithuania started to push more in an effort to get back into the game. Early on Galló hit the post however the next line also was dangerous as well in the offensive end. Hungary kept on battling hard, defended well in the defensive end and was creating chances in the offensive end. With 3.02 left in the game Lithuania called timeout. With less than two minutes left Hári picked up five minutes for spearing, Lithuania pulled their goalie to play 6 on 4. In the end Hungary held on to the win.
Erdély, Hári, Galló
Nagy K., Bartalis, Sofron
Nagy G., Vas Magosi
Benk, Sarauer, Bodó
Terbócs
Stipsicz, Szabó
Pozsgai, Macaulay
Varga, Wehrs
Vay (Bálizs)
