What a game this was, showcasing why we love international hockey. Slovakia and Kazakhstan went head-to-head in their final Group B matchup at the World Juniors, and it was a wild ride from start to finish. The Slovaks won a 5-4 overtime unexpected thriller to nail down the third seed in Group B, yet the tournament rookies made some new fans with their spirited fight.
Dalibor Dvorský (STL) got things started for Slovakia just eight minutes into the game. He took a crisp pass in the slot, attacked the open space, and finished with a smooth backhander to put Slovakia up 1-0. It didn’t take long for Dvorský to strike again. Thirteen minutes in, he netted his fourth goal in four games, thanks to a perfect setup from the other ST Louis Blues prospect Juraj Pekarčík. Pekarčík wasn’t done making noise—he added another, putting Slovakia firmly in control at 3-0, dominating the shot count 16-1. That goal, though, was all Dvorský. He pulled a dazzling move along the boards, danced around defenders, and fed Pekarčík a perfect pass for the finish.
Things took a controversial turn in the third period when Sarkenov was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for a cross-check to the face of František Dej. That looked like it would be the end for Kazakhstan, but they turned adversity into opportunity in dramatic fashion. Despite being down a man, Kazakhstan scored two short-handed goals in the final five minutes of regulation. Davlat Nurkenov’s goal at 16:37 brought them within one, and with just 29 seconds left, Kirill Lyapunov tied it, stunning Slovakia and sending the game into overtime.
In the extra frame, Slovakia finally settled the madness. Maxim Strbak (BUF) ended it just under three minutes in, scoring the game-winner to secure a 5-4 victory. He proved why Buffalo fans are excited; he’s the kind of player every team loves to have—tough, fearless, and relentless. If there’s a shot to block or a play to make, Strbak’s throwing himself into it without hesitation.
He’s playing for the #1 ranked Michigan State in the NCAA right now, and you can see why. His competitive level is off the charts, and he has that natural leadership quality that stands out in big moments. It’s not his first time shining on the international stage either—he was a key piece for Slovakia’s 4th-place finish at the 2023 U18s.
The tally allowed Slovakia to breathe a sigh of relief after finishing the preliminary round 2-2 with five points and a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals. Kazakhstan’s moral victory after losing by a combined 22-3 to Sweden and Czechia in their first two games was a win in itself. Despite the loss, they earned their first-ever World Juniors point and moved ahead of Switzerland in Group B. Their determination sets up a high-stakes showdown against the Swiss on Tuesday, with a quarterfinal spot on the line and the loser bounced to Thursday’s relegation game.
ITR 35: Round One – Inside The Rink
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