China Beats Lithuania 8-2, Returns to Pool B

With an 8-2 victory over Lithuania Wednesday night, China snatched the first place of Group C to ensure a top three finish at the World Ice Hockey Pool C Championships here in Beijing and qualified for the next Pool B championships.

The Chinese, who had a draw with Lithuania in the tournament last year, took the lead at 6:24 through a goal by Luo Lei amidst a scramble in front of the Lithuanian gate. Guan Xiaobo broke in and beat the Lithuanian goaltender with a brilliant fake at 12:45 before Svedavicius Arturas found the net for Lithuania 15 seconds later to make it 2-1. Afterwards, Pan Zhiqiang and Pan Yuqiang scored two consecutive power-play goals as China led at the end of the first period 4-1.

In the second, China and Lithuania conceded one goal apiece and the deficit remained as three.

China, which has been playing in Pool C since its relegation from Pool B in 1994, sealed the victory through another three goals, including the second of Guan, in the third period. "I am real excited with the result and Chinese players' outstanding performance," Wang Jingan, head coach of China, told reporters after the game.

"It's a Chinese day. They played better game." The Lithuanian head coach Senin Viktor said.

In the day's action, Hungary outrode six short-handed situations in the first two periods, including more than 7 minutes with two-player disadvantage, for a 9-2 victory over South Korea and topped Group A with four points from two victories. Croatia came from a three-goal deficit to draw with Romania 4-4, clinching the first place of Group B with three points. Romania was forced to the second on goals differentials.

Hungary and Croatia also cruised into top three and booked a berth in the next Pool B championships. South Korea, Romania and Lithuania are set to vie for the fourth to sixth places and the fourth placer will earn the final Pool B berth.

Thursday is the rest day of the tournament and matches will resume Friday when the nine teams attend play-offs, also in the round robin format, to decide final places.

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