BRATISLAVA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia hockey team finished last in the four-nation ice-hockey tournament NaturEnergie Challenge after losing to Norway 1-4 on Friday.
Both teams lost their opening games of the tournament and it was the Norwegians that showed more determination and take home the bronze medals.
Norway started off better, scoring twice in the opening period. Slovakia's forward Marcel Hascak managed to cut the deficit into one in the second act but the Norwegians revived their lead in the third period thanks to Thomas Valkvae Olsen's powerplay goal and sealed their victory with an empty-netter late in the game, Joergen Karterud's second of the night.
Later that night, the home team of Switzerland triumphed also in its second match of the tournament.
After crushing Norway 5-0 on Thursday, the host country of the 2020 Ice Hockey World Championship demolished Russia's B-team 8-2 and won the tournament trophy.
Switzerland's defenceman Romain Loeffel staged a tremendous performance, scoring four goals in the lopsided final match.
