JV Complete Academy Sweep
JV Complete Academy Sweep
20. Feb 2012
It was one of those days that all Academy Teams were in action. The U15 started off with a 2-0 win in Linz. That was followed up by a big win by Varsity over KAC. Prep was on the Road playing Salzburg and managed to come out of there also with a big Win. So I guess the pressure was on. Linz was in Town to take on the Junior Varsity and everyone expected a high intensity game. 5 seconds in Gaffal already had a shot on net, and the first couple of minutes were a little scrambly. A big hit along the boards got the bench going and the boys woke up and were suddenly in the groove. That hit came from Alexander Bartenbach. A Player who the Doctors believed would not be ready to return to the ice until next season, had an incredible recovery. After his last check up he was given the green light, and that light was green all night as he was GO, GO, GO!!!
The Black Wings would take the lead but with just under 5 minutes to play in the first, Florian Baltram would put one where Oma hides the cookies…Top Shelf! With only seconds left in the period it was Gaffal with a glorious chance but Richard Albrecht would deny him at the buzzer and both teams would head to the dressing rooms tied after 1.
The Boys were flying and passing the Puck hard and on the tape, it was great to watch. We must have outchanced them 3 to 1 and finally it was Baltram again who would give the Stars the lead. But with 3 minutes left Linz would capitalize on a turnover in our own zone while killing a penalty. Felix Urstoeger would get the Puck all alone in front of the net and Albrecht had no chance. 2-2 after 2 and an outstanding Game to this point.
It was one of those games you dread as a coach. After missing out on so many of our chances these are usually the games that come back to haunt you. The next goal was probably going to decide this game. Tha Stars came out with an impressive start and continued the pressure. On the other end Richard Albrecht made sure no black rubber was getting past him. Then it finally happened, after Kuznetsov won a battle and got the puck to Baltram, he made a great backhand pass across the crease where Rodnov was waiting and banged home the go ahead goal. This line was flying and I had a good feeling about them so I left them out on the ice and it paid off. 30 seconds later Kuznetsov fed Baltram for a one timer and the goal. It was the hat trick, his third goal of the night and the ice was covered with hats. After the clean up there was still lots of hockey to be played. It was a very physical third period, both teams with great open ice hits and great discipline.
The clincher was fairly late in the third period. The Stars were 2 men short for over a minute and did an outstanding job of blocking shots and clearing pucks, and as the final seconds ticked away the ice was flooded by Stars players rushing their Goalie. It was the last home game of the U17 Bundesliga season and a great way to finish up.
LA2:BWL 4:2 (1:1,1:1,2:0)
