Luxembourg Suffers 4-5 Defeat to Chinese Taipei at Ice Hockey World Championships

The Luxembourg team yesterday lost to Chinese Taipei in its second match of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Division III World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Luxembourg entered its second game full of confidence after their win the previous night against Turkey, a team they had struggled to beat in the past. Well aware of Chinese Taipei's dependency on their top line, the Luxembourg team did not shy away from using their size advantage to tackle their rivals' speed. This tactic appeared to work in the first period of the game, although it ended with a 0-0 draw and 11-13 in shots to Taipei.

The second period began much the same as the first, until Luxembourg’s Mirko Mosr scored at 30:01 minutes, finally breaking the deadlock and giving Luxembourg a 1-0 lead. Then, at 34:52 tournament top-scorer Weng To scored his fifth goal in less than two games to give Chinese Taipei a 2-1 lead. This period ended, however, with a 3-2 lead for Luxembourg, with goals from Sacha Backes and Colm Cannon (following an earlier missed penalty shot).

Luxembourg entered the third period with an advantage, but it was a six-minute three-goal blitz from Chinese Taipei that decided the game. Despite a couple of extra goals for the Lions, Chinese Taipei held on for the 4-5 victory and all three points.

Wednesday is a rest day at the tournament as every team will prepare to go back to battle on Thursday 25 April. Next up for Luxembourg is a game against South Africa tomorrow at 12:00 CEST.