Struggling Stars Need to Tighten Down
With their first season in the U-20 Bundesmeisterschaft just underway, the Prep Stars have struggled with their discipline and focus, again letting another game slide through their fingertips on Sunday. The Stars hosted the RedBulls of Salzburg for the usual Sunday matinee game, but were inconsistent and undisciplined en route to a 4-2 loss. While there were some positives in the right direction (O’Leary cited the powerplay and the penalty kill as progressive), the inconsistency and lack of discipline remain at the forefront of the team’s target list.
With Johann Bauer Bauer slated to start but but unable to due to lower-body pain, Sandro Aeschlimann once again got the start in goal. The first period started off with both teams lacking control of the puck; ice conditions were not the best, but both teams were subject to the bounces, so that was indifferent. The Bulls opened the scoring as Jan Bernhardt was in the box for a Check from Behind call. Andre Flatscher beat Aeschlimann with a wrister from the top of the circle just 8:08 into the game to take a one-nothing lead. The Stars evened the score with 19 seconds left on the clock as Stefan Hrdina drove wide on the defender, put the puck to the net, and Fabian Tomanek was there to bang home a rebound. The period ended in a 1-1 tie.
The second period was all Red Bulls, as the Stars powerplay couldn’t match the output of the RedBull powerplay. Clemens Habsburg sandwiched two goals around Flatscher’s second of the game to build a 4-1 lead after two. While the Stars had opportunities, turnovers and poor play selection cost the team.
The third period saw the Stars gain a little momentum. With the powerplays evened out, the Stars defenseman Stefan Hrdina capped off a pretty passing play from Leisser and Kläy to pull the Stars within two, but that’s as close as they would come. Moritz Mayer was solid in the Red Bulls net, making some key saves at opportune times to preserve the lead. Next week the Stars will travel to Graz for a game with the 99ers.
Prep Stars 2 – Red Bulls 4 (1-1; 0-3; 1-0)
