Varsity Stars Earn Split on the Road

Varsity Stars Earn Split on the Road
12. Feb. 2012

The LA 1 Varsity came away with 2 of a possible 4 points on the road this weekend losing a tough one in Villach on Saturday and rebounding with a win on Sunday in Graz.

The Saturday contest in Villach was close but a weak second period cost the Stars the game. After Luka Znidarsic opened the scoring from Aljaz Chvatal and Marton Ladanyi in the second minute the Stars played a spirited period missing ample opportunities to increase the lead and consequently late in the period it would be an uncovered VSV player in front of starting goalie Gernot Wegerer taking a pass from behind the net to even the score at one.

The second frame started off well for the road Stars and the game stayed even until the thirteenth minute when Villach took the lead when a player was left uncovered in front. Fate struck a blow when a bad angle shot caught by Wegerer was deemed to have crossed the line while in his catcher by the official, to give the home side a two goal advantage. Some bad clearing in the defensive zone lead to a point shot that rebounded to a VSV forward in front to give his team a 4 - 1 lead. Just when lings looked like they would get worse with the Stars taking a penalty in the last minute Sam Antonitsch made a great offensive play, stripping a Villach player of the puck on the penalty kill and walking in to score his first of two goals on the night. A point shot would beat the VSV goalie in the last second of the frame but unfortunately the buzzer beat the puck into the net and the period would end with Villach up by a couple.

When Antonitsch scored again early in the third again on a great individual effort on a one man forecheck, the Stars got the lift they needed and pressured Villach looking for the eaqualizer. A somewhat weak call for slashing in the fortyninth minute lead to a VSV powerplay that they converted to once again go up by two. With just three minutes to go the Stars got back to within one when Florian Wallner jamed the puck into the Villach net from Ladanyi and Antonitsch on a scramble in front and the race was on. Both teams were looking for the next goal and with Villach in the box for slashing, the Stars tried to pull Wegerer for the sixth attacker but just could not gain control of the play long enough to get set and gave up a goal with just 23 seconds left on the clock on a neutal zone misscue. The game ended 6 - 4 for the home team but the Stars put up a great battle coming up just short in the end.

Final Score VSV 6,  LA Varsity Stars 1 (1 - 1, 3 - 1, 2 - 2)

Sundays Game in Graz was much the same as the villach game but with a more concentrated effort and a much more favorable outcome. Stars showed some great character early on after killing off a full two minute 3 on 5 Graz powerplay which really set the tone for the game. Graz did opened the scoring at the seven minute mark and took the lead into the first break while being out played for the most part by a very solid, hard working Stars team.

In the second the Varsity squad was rewarded for their hard work when Ricco Ratajczyk scored on a nice pass from Sam Antonitsch continuing his good play from the previos day. When Sascha Karachun scored on a broken play the Stars were on a roll with a much better defensive effort and some stellar play by goalie Raphie Ungar who was not only stopping everything but also contributing to the offense with some great long passes to his forwards, the stage was set for a great third frame.

The much sought after two goal advantage came half way through the third when Philipp Pöschmann served up a great two on one pass to Florian Wallner who made no mistake driving to the net and beating the Ninty Niners Goalie. The stars were now playing very well and could have added to the lead but instead it was Graz who got the goal on a nice shot from in tight. Now with just under a minute to go the Stars were penalized once more and faced an empty net 6 on 4 powerplay. The Stars would not give in on this day and kept Graz out of their zone long enough to clam the victory.  An unfortunate melee broke out after the contest with both teams involved. Even though the game meant very little in the standings this was an emotional win for the Stars.

Final Score: Graz 99ers 2, LA Varsity Stars 3, (1 - 0, 0 - 2, 1 - 1)