This will be Slovenia's second appearance at an Olympic ice hockey tournament after the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, where they made it to the quarter-finals.

The lynx took a lead on a power play through Rok Tičar scoring two goals in the 22th and 23nd minute. Belarus equalised in the 52nd after two goals by Adrei Stepanov.

It was Tičar and the NHL Los Angeles Kings star Anže Kopitar who scored for Slovenia's victory in the shootout at 2:1 against a goal by Stepanov.

Slovenia will play the Olympic ice hockey tournament in Pyeongchang in Group B against Russia, the US and Slovakia.