On Wednesday, September 23, it was the turn of the third round of the boys ’national championship (u-15). Our dragons won reliably in the first two rounds, but this time a rather difficult competitor was waiting for them - their peers from Zalog arrived in Tivoli.

The match started, as befits a good city derby. Immediately in the opening minutes, the teams missed good opportunities, but the result remained unchanged. This was followed by a period of fast and even play, which mostly took place in the middle third, so there were no real opportunities. Our exclusion in the 5th minute of the game gave the guests more initiative. We withstood the pressure, but the guests kept the initiative in full force. This lasted until the 10th minute when the guests took advantage of one of their attacks and took a 1-0 lead. After that hit, the game got a little more torn, which turned out to be good for ours. In such a game, there was an exclusion on the part of the guests, but after a few seconds of playing with a player more, Bruno Kuret from a distance triggered an accurate shot and the result was equalized (the passer was Ian Petronijevic Lepsa).

Then, by the end of the third, a faster and even game followed again. At the end of this part of the game, the guests had a few more chances again, as for the second time in the third they got a chance to play with a player more. But even this time, they did not take this opportunity. Just in the last seconds, when the teams were already full, our boys also had a nice opportunity in the counterattack. The result remained unchanged 1: 1, reflecting the actual situation on the ice after the first third.

Even in the second third, the game was very even. Towards the middle of the third, however, ours began to press. The attack lasted nearly two minutes, and then it did Bruno Kuret filed to Bora Raccoon on the right side. This triggered a shot and Olympia took the lead with 2: 1. But our leadership did not last long. The guests took advantage of our lack of concentration after this goal. They immediately attacked and immediately the puck also found its way into the net. But the hit was canceled due to a high stick. However, this did not stop the guests. They immediately attacked again and in the crowd in front of our door they were more skilful and more determined, so a goal followed. The result was again tied 2: 2. The equalizing goal brought some confusion to our ranks and in the next few minutes the guests could take the lead quickly. And our goalkeeper Gal Hebar was always in place and the outcome remained unchanged. After a few minutes of pressure and confusion, the game then calmed down. At the end of the third, our boys started to take the initiative again. It already seemed that this initiative would be even greater when he had to sit on the bench for a penalized visiting player. but here again a minor error occurred. In the middle of our attacks, the guests counterattacked and scored less with the player and took the lead with 3: 2. That was also the result of the second third.

But then our dragons finally rallied in the final third. The opening moments of the third belonged to the guests, as they entered the third with more players on the ice due to our exclusion at the end of the second third. But ours quickly got rid of the initial pressure. A goal for the equalizer followed in the middle of the 2nd minute. They passed Bruno Kuret in Bor Raccoon, but he hit Even Žibert. An open, even and fast game followed. Here, however, our hockey players were more successful. In the 50th minute Bruno Kuret intercepted the tile in the middle and a quick counterattack followed. The plate came up Tai Kontrec, which in turn passed to Iana Petronijevic Lepse, who scored to lead our 4: 3. And then our leadership did not let go of this leadership. The guests struggled, of course, and at certain moments they pressed hard on our door. But in the 58th minute the guests had to commit a foul. The judges raised their hand, but ours did not allow a break. After a few passes, the tile came to Even Žibert, who scored with 6 players in the field and the lead increased to 5: 3. The match was practically decided. The guests then tried in the game without a goalkeeper, but our goal was not allowed. Ian Petronijevic Lepsa however, in the last seconds of the game he punished this move and with a goal in the empty net put the final score 6: 3.

In the remaining matches, HDD Bled beat Celje 8: 2, and HKMK Bled was 4: 2 better than KAC. Our boys continue the championship on Sunday with a home game against Celje.

 

Written by: Vladimir Ban

 

You can see some photos from the match at this link.

You can see the statistics from the match at this link.

You can watch a video of the entire match at this link.

Otherwise, you can follow the whole event in the boys category at this link.