KAC Sneak by Stars
Coming off a huge win against Graz the night before, the Stars were hoping to bring that momentum into Sundays Game in Klagenfurt. Right off the opening faceoff the attack begain. Irhuesogie would force the KAC goalie to make a good save seconds into the game. A few minutes later it was Sebastian Huber who would rip a shot just wide of the net. Berezhnoy and Rodnov also had chances but could not bury the puck and is always the case in Hockey we would look back on these great chances and wonder...what if... In the Stars end Dominik Dieber was between the pipes and he too was ready to play. It was alsomt the very same Goal as the night before as Irhuesogie and Baltram would forecheck to create a turnover and eventually get the puck to Kusnetsov in the slot to give the stars a 1-0 lead. After making a series of great saves the KAC would get a lucky bounce. A Shot from the high slot would go off our defensemans skate then off of Dieber's stick and into the top corner. Irhuesogie would have a breakaway near the end of the first but his backhand shot was saved and the score would remain tied.
The second period flew by, both teams playing a high tempo game, it was a great period for the fans. The Stars would once again take the lead, this time on the Power Play. Flamand would one time shot up and over the sprawling tender. Irhuesogie and Kusnetsov getting the assists. But once again the lead would not last. KAC player flying down the left wing fired a shot from a bad angle that found a way past Dieber. Dieber was not too happy about this goal but this time he didn't let it phase him. He kept his focus and kept the Stars in the game. The Stars defensive core of Boskovic, Paczkowski, Blume, Hauer, Wolf and Jansons were very solid clearing pucks and the front of the net allowing Dieber to see the pucks. The penalty kill was also much better and would be tested again in the Third period.
2-2 going into the third and again great two way action. Both teams were moving the puck and skating with speed. Vadim Berezhnoy would retaliate with a slash and this did not go unnoticed by the officials. 54 seconds later Blume would be charged with a crosscheck. That meant 5 v 3 for 1:06 seconds, the PK would be tested again. Baltram, Zantmans, Jansons, Boskovic and Paczkowski rotated in and did a great job blocking shots and keeping the puck on the outside, at one point after a rebound the puck would bounce right to the KAC player with an open net but out of nowhere came Diebers glove to make the save of the day. A great kill and to be rewarded, once the penalties had expired we were given another one. A real questionable call but nonetheless we would have to kill again. almost 1 minute into the PK and with only 5 minutes left in the game the KAC would convert and take the lead for the first time on the evening. The Stars battled back, you couldl almost sense the tying goal coming. Great pressure in the Offensive zone driving the net and then our chance would come, or so we thought. Irhuesogie would be hauled down while taking the puck to the net, but instead of a Power Play, Irhuesogie would go to the box for holding the stick. The pressure and momentum we had built up over those shifts was now gone again and we would be tested once again on teh PK. The Stars would kill this one off as well and with 1 minute left in the game Dieber was pulled for the extra attacker. The final 40 seconds of the game was played in the KAC zone, Kusnetsov had two great chances but the KAC goalie was able to keep the little rubber disk out of their net.
There would be no heads hanging on this night. A great hockey game for both teams but unfortunately for the Stars no points to take home with them in the Vans.
KAC:LA Jr. Varsity 3:2 (1:1,2:2,1:0)
