Games don't get much closer than this.

Slovakia narrowly earned a day off tomorrow after defeating Slovenia, 8-7, in the final game of the preliminary round. With the loss, Slovenia will now have to play in the Qualification Game tomorrow against Japan.

Slovenia held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period after Jure Vnuk scored twice. Vnuk finished the game with a hat trick. Slovenia made it a 3-1 lead 36 seconds into the second period. But then Slovakia came to life, getting four goals in a four-minute span. The flurry of goals gave Slovakia a 5-4 lead at the end of the second period.

The teams matched each other goal-for-goal during the second half of the game with each team getting three goals. When the dust settled, it was Slovakia which held the one-goal advantage when the clock reached 48 minutes.

Three players, Peter Duris, Roman Stimunek and Branislav Varga had two goals each in the win for Slovakia.

Japan brings an undefeated record and a 33-10 scoring advantage over its opponents into tomorrow’s qualification game against Slovenia.

Please visit the photo gallery for photos from the game.