ZNOJMO – Denmark was relegated to Division I Group A after its loss to Switzerland in the final game of the relegation round. The match was marred by a larger brawl between the two teams at the end of the game. Switzerland – Denmark 2-1 (1-0, 1-0, 0-1) With a 2-1 victory over the Danes, Switzerland sent Denmark to the bottom of the relegation round standings and thus down to the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division I Group A. Xeno Busser scored the game-winning goal on the second period and Melvin Nyffeler made 22 of 23 saves in the game. The Danes did not take the loss very well, as over 200 penalty minutes and several game misconducts and two match penalties were handed out after the game following a mass brawl between the two teams. Czech Republic – Latvia 7-4 (2-1, 4-1, 1-2) The Czechs took out their frustrations on what has been a rough tournament for the hosts, defeating Latvia 7-4 in their second game of the relegation round. Jakub Vrana and Dominik Simon had two goals each, and Matej Zadrazil, Martin Prochazka, and Vojtech Tomecek rounded out the scoring for the Czech Republic. Despite losing the game, Latvia will remain in the top division next year due to Denmark’s loss to Switzerland in the later game.

ADAM STEISS