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| Australia 4 def. Spain 1 April 20, 2013 - Source: Ice Hockey Australia Australia defeated Spain 4-1 in their final game of the 2013 Division 2 Group A World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia. Australia was once again led by a brilliant display of goaltending from Anthony Kimlin who should come under serious consideration for best goaltender of the championships or at least for his team. Wehebe Darge got the Aussies going with a tap in rebound of a shot from Billy Cliff just over 2-minutes into the game. The Spaniards caused some early problems for Australia as they were a fast quick moving team. Cliff increased the lead to 2-0 after rifling a shot top corner after being setup by Darren Corstens with just over 1-minute left in the first period. Australia came out in the second and matched the Spaniard’s aggression and purpose. Just over the 10-minute mark a streaking Todd Graham rifled a shot from the side wall just over the blueline past the Spanish keeper increasing the lead to 3-0. Although both teams continued to press, the score remained 3-0 after 2-periods of play. In the third, Australia controlled both ends of the ice with Kimlin turning away everything thrown his way. The Aussies scored again as Todd Graham finished off a hard working sequence with his line mates Michael Schlamp and Darren Corstens to take the lead to 4-0. A 5-on-3 power play shortly after resulted in Spain scoring a shorthanded goal to make it 4-1 and the final score for the game. Best player of the game for Australia was Tomas Manco. Best players as voted by the Directorate were: • Best Goalkeeper – Bjorn Steijlen - BEL • Best Defenceman – Andy Sertich - CRO • Best Forward – Joel Prpic – CRO Team Australia MVP – Anthony Kimlin Points Leader for Australia – Darren Corstens – 7pts (3-goals & 4-assists) |
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Australia 3 def. Belgium 1 April 20, 2013 - Source: Ice Hockey Australia Images: [Top] Darren Corstens, Team Australia Top Point Scorer, [Below] Tommy Powell Australia has defeated Belgium 3-1 after being considered a huge underdog for the game. The Aussies dug deep and did their country proud with the win that assures their place in Division II Group A for the 2014 World Championships. Once again Goaltender Anthony Kimlin was outstanding in net as he faced 42 Belgium shots. His stellar performance instilled confidence throughout the whole team. Todd Stephenson opened the scoring at the 18 minute mark as he finished off on nice work by his line mates Cameron Todd and brother, Scott Stephenson. This was a huge confidence builder going into the locker room up 1-0 after one period of play. In the second, Belgium came out with more purpose and determination and would eventually tie the game just 4 minutes into the middle frame. Both teams had plenty of scoring opportunities during the period, but both team’s goaltenders stopped all the rubber directed there way sending the teams to the dressing room locked at 1-1. The third period had Belgium and Australia battle hard to take control of the game. The Aussies took the lead 5 minutes into the final period as Adelaide Adrenaline’s Darren Corstens found the net on a setup by Cameron Todd. Five minutes later Corstens scored his second of the game giving the Australian crowd who had made the trip to Croatia something to really cheer about. Kimlin shut the door for the rest of the way in a 17-7 shot period in which both the Morgan brothers, who have played in Adelaide, showed there speed and skills with the puck. Full credit goes to the Australian defence who kept both brothers off the scoresheet in a historic win. Australia will end their 2013 World Championship campaign in tomorrow’s first game of the day against Spain who is now relegated to Division II Group B for 2014. Croatia will play Belgium for Gold tonite and this afternoon Iceland and Serbia will play for Bronze. |
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