OTTAWA — Slovakia earned a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against Kazakhstan during the World Junior Hockey Championship on December 30, 2024, at TD Place. The match had fans on the edge of their seats as Slovakia looked set for the win, leading 4-2 late in the third period. But Kazakhstan mounted a stunning late-game comeback, scoring twice short-handed, which included goals from Davlat Nurkenov and Kirill Lyapunov, forcing the game to overtime.
Slovakia's star was undoubtedly Dalibor Dvorsky, who opened the scoring with two quick goals early on, giving his team the momentum they needed. Dvorsky, who plays for the St. Louis Blues, scored both goals within the first 14 minutes of the match. His first goal came at 8:07, capitalizing on a turnover behind the Kazakh net, and his second followed shortly after, both showcasing his skill and determination.
Juraj Pekarcik joined the scoring soon after, also from the Blues, making it 3-0. The first period saw Slovakia dominate with 16 shots against Kazakhstan's one, establishing themselves as the team to beat.
But after the initial onslaught, Kazakhstan rallied, and Artur Gross's second-period goal brought them back to life, making it 3-1. Slovakia did briefly extend their lead to 4-1 thanks to Pekarcik’s second goal, showing their offensive prowess. Yet, the tide turned dramatically late when Assanali Sarkenov, after cross-checking Slovak’s Frantisek Dej and receiving a five-minute major misconduct, gave Kazakhstan the spark they needed.
While down to just four players on the ice, Kazakhstan scored not once, but twice, with short-handed goals proving their grit in the face of adversity. Nurkenov's breakaway goal at 16:37 of the third period trimmed the deficit to one, and with just 29 seconds left on the clock, Lyapunov took advantage of another opportunity to tie the game at 4-4. This furious comeback left the Slovak team bewildered after almost assured victory.
Overtime would be the stage for Maxim Strbak to play hero. Strbak, who is with the Buffalo Sabres, capitalized on the chaos of the previous minutes. Just 2:55 minutes in, he secured the game-winning goal after receiving a flawless stretch pass from Pekarcik. Strbak admitted, "I saw a bouncing puck and an opportunity to join the rush and luckily it turned to be a breakaway," adding, "We shouldn't have gone to overtime. That's on us. At the end of the day, we're happy we secured the victory and a spot in the quarter-finals."
This victory placed Slovakia at 1-1-0-2, totaling five points, enough to secure third place in Group B. Their next challenge awaits them as they advance to the quarter-finals scheduled for January 2, where they will face stronger competition. On the other hand, Kazakhstan's struggles continue; they will play their final group stage game against Switzerland, needing to win to avoid relegation.
Despite the heartbreak stemming from their loss, Kazakhstan’s performance, particularly the late-game surge, was commendable. Players like Lyapunov and Nurkenov displayed raw talent and resilience against overwhelming odds.
The match not only showcased the excitement of junior hockey but also highlighted the tournament’s role as a major scouting opportunity for NHL prospects, with several players like Dvorsky, Strbak, and Pekarcik being closely watched by NHL teams. The drama of the game underscored why the World Juniors is such a beloved event, drawing fans from all corners and producing moments unforgettable.