A determined Australia has narrowly lost to Croatia, who came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in Belgrade overnight at the IIHF World Championships.
Bayley and Casey Kubara both scored for Australia, while Aleksi Toivonen had another stellar performance in net for the Roos in just his second senior game, stopping 42 of 45 shots. Casey was named Man of the Match for Australia.
After going down to Serbia 4-2 in their first game, Australia was hoping to get their first ever victory over Croatia who were coming off of an 11-2 thrashing of Iceland the night before.
Both teams traded chances early in the first on the power-play, with Bayley Kubara penalised for tripping only to be cancelled out after Martin Simunkovic was called for interference 90 seconds later.
It was Australia that would strike first 11 minutes into the first period at even strength.
The Westside Connection line fired again, as Kieren Webster dished a pass off to Jordy Kyros just inside the blue line. Kyros then sent a centering pass to Kubara skating hard to the net, who buried it past Vilim Rosandic in the Croatian net for his first men’s senior team goal.
The first period finished 1-0 Australia, despite being outshot 10-6.
Australia then caught Croatia again early in the second to extend their lead to 2-0, this time thanks to another member of the Kubara clan.
Casey Kubara walked into the offensive zone from his own blueline down the right-hand side on a 2-on-1, beating Roasandic high on the glove side for Australia’s second.
However, the lead was short-lived as Croatia answered the bell just 30 seconds later, thanks to a tip-in from Filip Kasparek to make the score 2-1. They would then tie the game 6 minutes later on the power play after Melbourne Ice captain Mac Caruana was given the gate for slashing. Luka Jarcov batted home a rebound in close past Toivonen and tie the game heading into the second intermission.
Croatia’s comeback was almost complete nearly two minutes into the final period, as Ante Bebek beat Toivonen putting them ahead 3-2 with only the clock to beat. Croatia continued to pour shots on Toivonen who made save after save, outshooting Australia 18-3 in the final period to take the victory and move to two straight wins.
Australia will play Israel at 830pm AEST on Wednesday night while Croatia will face the undefeated UAE.