Dunedin Ice Hockey Association

Ice Blacks vs Greece: Game report and photos

The New Zealand Ice Blacks faced up against the surprise of the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships Division the Greek team. Most punters were picking the Ice Blacks to clean up the Greece team as they have every other team this tournament, but the Greeks had other ideas! The two teams have had very different playing styles so far, the Ice Blacks having a fast physical game, whereas the Greeks have been playing a very solid defensive game.

The game was scoreless during the first 11 minutes with the Greeks intercepting a series of passes between the Ice Blacks. Papadopoulos eventually assisted Kalyvas of the Greek team in sinking the puck into the Ice Blacks net before following up with a goal of his own a minute later. Goals to New Zealanders Oak and Speirs brought the Ice Blacks level 2 – 2 with Greeks by the end of the second period.

The Greek goaltender Ploutsis had been in outstanding form all night long, blocking shot after shot from the Ice Blacks, this form continued into the third period and allowed the Greek team to concentrate on the job of scoring goals which they duly did when Papadopoulos scored again seven minutes in. By this stage the crowd was getting amped up. The Greeks continued to intercept Ice Blacks passes, but 17 minutes into the period Soffer leveled the score 3 – 3 for the Ice Blacks. The tempo of the game stepped up a notch, but the no goals were scored so the game entered into overtime. The Ice Blacks attempts to pepper Ploutsis with pucks but failed. It wasn’t until young Eaden of the Ice Blacks managed to deke Ploutsis on a breakaway that the Ice Blacks were able to finally win the game 3 – 4.

Ploutsis was duly award MVP for the Greek team which was no surprise to anyone watching the game. Ball won the MVP for the Ice Blacks.

The following photos are courtesy of Peter Idoine.
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