Australia defeated 2-1 by Croatia in final game at IIHF World Championships

The Mighty Roos have collected bronze at the IIHF Division 2A World Championships in Serbia overnight, after a heartbreaking 2:1 defeat at the hands of Croatia.

It was heartbreak again for Australia, who only needed a regulation or overtime win to advance to Division 1B for the first time since 2012.

Croatia, who dropped their opening game against Serbia after being relegated from Division 1B last year, found themselves in what was essentially the gold medal game against Australia. 

Croatia had to win and hope Serbia lost later in the day for them to return to 1B. 

Australia were stunned just 31 seconds in to the game when a neutral zone turnover by the Roos found it’s way to former NHL product Shaone Morrisonn, who ripped a wrist shot past Kimlin to make it 1:0 Croatia on the first shift of the game.

Despite the early shock, Australia then had a golden opportunity to tie the game on a 5-on-3, after three consecutive penalties to Croatia. Rezek, Baclig and Todd all had chances to level the game but were thwarted at each turn by Vilim Rosandic in the Croatian net.

Australia had regained it's composure and the remainder of the period was an arm wrestle, ending 1:0 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 12-11 in favour of Croatia.

Croatia came out swinging in the second. 

Despite an early penalty, Croatia piled the shots on Kimlin and wore down the Roos defence for the first five minutes of the period, and were unlucky not to score on a power play after Chris Wong was sent to the box.

Australia could not get control of the puck until about 7 minutes into the period and looked to hit Croatia on the counter attack.

It nearly paid off when Tommy Powell was hauled down on a breakaway by the Croatian defence and awarded a penalty shot 8 minutes in. However, Powell was denied by Rosandic on the ensuing shot and it remained 1:0.

The Roos were up against it and just when it looked like the momentum was all Croatia's way, it was Joey Rezek to the rescue.

An odd-man rush from Australia led to a wide angle shot from Cam Todd. Rozandic kicked the rebound right out to Rezek ,who stuffed it home from the low slot and tied the game 1:1 with 12:20 gone in the second.

(Photo: Miki Holmes)

The pendulum had swung back to Australia for the remainder of the period, but Croatia would answer just before the intermission. Kimlin was left without a glove after a tangle with Morrisonn, and during the aftermath Croatia scored into an empty net through Dominik Kanaet. Australia disputed this as goaltender interference, but the referee held firm and Austraia found themselves 2:1 down going into the final change.

Australia, sensing promotion slipping away, threw everything at the last period of play. An early power play on a penalty to Marko Tadic for charging went unrewarded, despite several quality chances.

Darge, Rezek and Armstrong all had golden chances to tie the game throughout the period, but Rozandic stood firm in net for Croatia as time was running out in the third.

It looked as though the clock would see the Australian side out of the competition until a late head explosion from Croatia resulted in a 5-on-3 for Australia, after penalties to both Canic and Morrisonn.

It was almost deja vu for Australia, as they had found themselves in a similar predicament in the previous game against China to come out on top. However, it was not to be this time.

The Croatian penalty kill opted to play aggressively for the final two minutes of the game and it paid divdends. They withstood the Australian onslaught and came away with a 2:1 win, sending Australia out of promotion contention and themselves into possible promotion, albeit temporarily.

Serbia would defeat Spain 4:3 in a shootout later in the day, to send them through to Division 1B and send Australia to the bronze medal position.

Rezek led all Australian players in scoring for the tournament, finishing with 4 goals and one assist from 5 games. Vadim Virjassov finished second (2G, 2A) and Wehebe Darge (2G, 1A) third.

Kimlin finished with a 3-1-1 record from 5 games, posting a 1.98 GAA and a save percentage of 94.38%.

Rob Haselhurst was named MVP of the tournament for Australia.

Congratulations to Brad Vigon and team on another great IIHF World Championships and we look forward to seeing all the Roos' players in action this weekend in the AIHL.