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| April 19, 2014 - Source: Ice Hockey Australia Game 1 Australia v Israel. The Australian Men’s senior team grabbed a much need point from the first game, but missed out on another point by 15 seconds, in the extra period. Australia outplayed a very talented Israel leading by one goal after the first, then two after the second period. Australia’s penalty kill was tested severely with 20 minutes defended before Israel got on the board with Australia down to 3 men, and Israel 6 with their goalie on the bench. Israel pressed with Australia still having one man in the box and tied the game. Extra time with four on three, then four on four went back and forth with both teams nearly closing it out, until a loose puck created an opportunity for Israel and they capitalised, scoring with 5.9 seconds to go in extra time. Goalkeeper Kimlin had a blinder of a game and was unlucky to have the game end this way. Game 2 Australia v Estonia. Australia started well against a powerhouse team from Estonia who jump out to 1 goal lead at the 5m 13secs. Australia rallied and Cameron Todd equalised the score at 11.15 mark. From this point on Estonia took it up a level scoring a power play goal and then a further 2 unanswered goals. To finish the first period 4-1. The second period saw the Australian fighting spirit come out, with a number of scoring opportunities. Estonia did get another goal with the score at the end of the second period being 5-1. The third period saw the Australian PK have to work hard again, and although Estonia had 21 shots on net Australia keep them scoreless in the third period. MVP of the match was Anthony Kimlim who saved 49 of 54 shots, although the result did not go our way this game demonstrated the Australia’s true fighting spirit with a number of the young players stepping up and playing extremely well. Game 3 Australia V Iceland. Australia came out strong against Iceland in this must win game. With Australia applying all the pressure. Half through the first period Iceland score against the flow to take a 1-0 lead, which they took into the first break. Australia dominated the second period, attacking time and time again. With Todd Graham and Greg Oddy both scoring in the period to take a 2-1 lead into the break. Again in the third period Australia controlled the puck applying all the pressure on Iceland, late in the third Iceland scored a wrap around goal to tie up the game. Overtime was end to end until the puck took a bad rebound giving Iceland a break away to win the game 3-2. MVP Mitch Humphries |
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Game 4 Australia V Belgium. Australia came out hard against Belgium in this must win game, taking control of the game early scoring at the 3:47 mark and then again 13.34. Australia further dominated the 2nd period both on the scoreboard and the ice. Scoring a further 4 more goals with Belgium getting one back late in the second period. The third period saw Australia successfully kill 8 mins of penalties. Mitch Humphries scored his first goal for the NST giving Australia a 7-1 victory. MVP: Lliam Webster Game 5 Australia V Serbia. The final game of the tournament was for a Bronze medal. The game was a continuous arm wrestle with end-to-end hockey, with the scores ties at the end of the first. The second period saw Australia dominate control of the puck, with 3 power plays and 12 shots the Australians, were unlucky not to take the lead on numerous occasions. With scores still tied at 0-0 at the beginning of the third, both teams cam out hard and fast. Again with end to end hockey being played numerous opportunities. Later in the third period with 2m45sec left in the game Serbia got the go ahead goal. The last 90 sec saw Australia pull the goalie and go on the offensive. Unfortunately Australia was not able to grab the late goal and lost 0-1. Finishing the tournament in 4th. MVP Joshua Harding. |
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