ATLASVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA – On Tuesday the 9th November 2010 the final game in the Gauteng Premier Ice Hockey League was played. The victors would emerge as Champions for 2010. However on this night the winning streak of the Wildcats came to end, and what an end it was.
The Warriors won the game 7-0.
There was much hype about the game as Wildcats had been playing exceptionally well over the last couple of weeks leading up to this game. The game started off with Wildcats getting the first shot on goals but A. Bock stopped it to keep to the score at 0-0. Warriors had their fair share of chances as well but with G. Bock in their goals they seemed to be holding the Warriors off.
It was an end to end game but the Warriors eventually broke the dead lock through Captain, Andre Marais. Jaco Grobler who was controlling the puck in the corner sent a pass to the high slot that caught Marias skating in, he let a one timer go and beat G. Bock to open the score up with 12 minutes gone in the first period. Wildcats then had a great opportunity by Chris Engelbrecht but the sprawling A. Bock saved the shot to keep at 1-0. Warriors then took the break and sped up the ice with Marias leading it.
Warick Du Preez who was trailing, created the 2 on 1 opportunity and Marais, using his experience drew in the defender and then slipped the pass to the back door where du Preez was waiting; Du Preez got the deflection and the puck found its way over G. Bock’s shoulder to make it a 2-0 score line.
The second period started off much the same with Warriors playing an extremely good game and controlling the puck in the offensive zone very well through Cameron Birrel and David Pierce. Pierce got a breakaway and tried to cut in across the goals, as he did, the Wildcats defenseman, Ryan Marsh took a tripping call on him but Pierce still managed to get the shot away but G. Bock was up to the task this time made a great save to rob Pierce. However his persistence was to pay off as Wildcats killed the penalty. Pierce skated out from the corner and tried to deke G. Bock, however he once again made the save but Pierce wasn’t done; he kept digging at the pad where the puck was under and with the Wildcats defence not cleaning the slot, Pierce managed to get the puck in the net. 3-0 with ten minutes gone in the second.
Wildcats made a valiant fight back but A. Bock was look unbeatable on this night. Wildcats once again drew a penalty and Pierce and Birrel took advantage. A great two zone pass to Pierce opened him up. He faked, deked the Rothquel on defence for Wildcats and this left a 1 on 0 opportunity. Pierce pulled G. Bock to the right and put the put the puck top corner over the glove. This made the score 4-0 and this was how the period would end and the end of G. Bock’s night.
In came Wildcats young Goaltender, Steven Ryan, who is in the Under 18 National Squad. Ryan, who had previously only played one Premier league game didn’t look out of his league by any means, but the speed and skill of Birrel and Pierce was too much for him to deal with. Birrel scored a fantastic backhand top corner goal and Pierce added 2 more to his tally to make the game out of reach of the Wildcats at 7-0 and this is how the game was to end.
Stars of the game were:
Wildcats: Chris Englebrecht, F
Warriors: Jason Gonzalves, D
Congratulations to the Warriors for been crowned the 2010 Gauteng Premier League Ice Hockey Champions.
Training now begins for the South African National Squad who are preparing for World Championships Division III which will be held in the Mother City – Cape Town.
Till next time.
Contact Gary.Bock@prohockeynews.com
