Japan made it two wins from two and moved onto six points as they beat Croatia 4-2 in their second game at the World Championship Division 1 Group B at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
After Sunday’s 6-1 victory over Netherlands, period scores 2-0, 1-0 and 1-2 was enough to keep them top of the group.
Japan took the lead through Kazunari Koizumi’s shot from just inside the blueline (8:40) and Sho Sato’s tip on the powerplay made it 2-0 at 16:40.
Go Tanaka turned the puck home on the doorstep with the man advantage (26:41) for the only goal of the second period.
Croatia had a lifeline at 45:36 when Andy Sertich netted on the powerplay, but Japan regained their three-goal advantage as Yushiroh Hirano’s shot trickled under Vilim Rosandic (46:57).
Sertich fired in his second for Croatia at 58:39 from the slot on a five-on-three powerplay, but Japan had done enough for the win.
Croatia are now without a victory in their opening two matches following yesterday’s 4-2 defeat by GB.
Today’s second game sees Lithuania take on Netherlands (4pm) before GB host Estonia (7:30pm).
Photo credit: Ian Offers.