Combined Effort
A combined Varsity and Jr. Varsity squad had a busy day on Sunday. First off the team moved up to the U 20 level to face Feldkirch in the afternoon. Then at 7:00 pm of the same day this combined team played the New Zealand U 18 National. The New Zealand team is here in St. Polten to train in preparation for their world championships. It was a tough 4-1 loss in the afternoon to Feldkirch but the coaching staff was hopeful that the Stars would bounce back with a strong effort in the New Zealand game.
After the warm-up the teams lined up on their respective blue lines and the Stars witnesses the New Zealand hockey version of the famous Haka from the All Black rugby tradition. WOW!! (Video Clip Available on OHA Europe Facebook page) With both teams now fired up, the Stars were looking for a good start to the contest. With the Stars carrying the play in the early going, it was Eduard Kuznetzov who was the first to find the net on a feed from Vlad Rodnov. Aljaz Chvatal on a great individual effort put the Stars up 2-0. Luka Zndarsic followed with the Stars third goal of the opening period on a pass from linemate Todd Poynter. Elliah Knecht had a solid start in the nets for the Stars and it was not until 15:06 of the first frame that the New Zealand team got one past the Stars netminder to get on the board before an entertaining first period came to a close.
The second period saw the New Zealand team challenge the Stars and worked hard to narrow the gap. However, two quick goals by the Stars halfway through the second period broke the game open. First it was Johannes Leitner on a blast from the point. Assisting on the play were Reinis Skorovs and Ganzalo Ruiz. Then just 29 seconds later Znidarsic found the net on a great pass from Chvatal. Hugo Jansons gave the Stars their third goal of the period on a nice one time blast from the right side when Rodnov slide the pass across a crowded net front. The Stars were up 6-1 after two periods.
The two teams trades goals in the second with the Stars adding their seventh tally late in the third to round things out in a spirited and entertaining contest. Final Stars 7; New Zealand 2.
