Jan Kopecky tears down the Giants
With an hattrick of Czech forward, Fischtown Penguins triumph in front of their fans. Also Belfast advances to semifinals as the higher ranked 2nd placed team from the 2nd round
Fischtown
Penguins Bremerhaven and Belfast Giants battle for the spot in semifinal in a
great atmosphere in Eishalle Bremerhaven, with fans of both team chanting and
cheering all the time. Belfast has Kevin Saurette scratched due to injury,
while “iron” Mike Stewart choose Jonas Langman in the net. First shot by
Fischtown and first friction between players. After two minutes, the first real
chance, with Jeffrey Mason, well assisted, but his shot is deflected by
Langmann and then with a long-range shot by Robby Sandrock with Langmann
reactive. Giants aggressive start intimidates the German team that tries Murphy
reflexes with Marc Kohl and then has a good chance with captain Marian Dejdar
but Giants goalie deflectes. Murphy is great (and lucky) during first power
play when rebounds with the grip of the
stick a one-timer by Martinelli. But the good star of Murphy can’t do anything
at 06:57 when Jan Kopecky finds the right path in the traffic in front of
Giants cage for 1-0 Bremerhaven. Belfast immediately reacts and Keefe misses
the last deflection in front of Langmann, very reactive seconds after, deflecting
with the shoulder a shot by Kevin Phillips and with the pad a missile by
Sandrock. Giants gains also a power play – out Verelst for slashing – and immediately
ties game with Mike Kompon. Fischtown has a good chance at 15 with Brock Hooton
: his shot is rebounded with the chest by Murphy, on the other side Keefe shots
on Langmann a good assist by Lloyd. The last chance of the period is for
Penguins captain Dejdar but Murphy deflected with the shoulder his powerful
shot.
A penalty
for Sandrock and Hafenrichter opens second period: on 4vs4 Giants score a
controversial goal with Mike Kompon solved a big mess in front of Langmann.
Penguins react furiously but Giants use the experience of key players not to
get carried away and Murphy is a wall when slam the door on Jan Kopecky sure hit. Giants put the head out of their
defense with Colin Shields and Craig Peacock. At 36 a key moment: Giants have 2
players – Kevin Philips and Adam Keefe – punished and play 5vs3 for almost 2
minutes but defense and Murphy are perfect against the rage of Penguins allowing
British team to survive against all odds. But the joke is on the prowl for
Giants: Cody Brokwell lost the puck during a Giant attack, rousing the Penguins
fast counter-attack, finalizing by Ryan Martinelli, on Tim Hooton assist.
A one-timer
by Kompon whispering at Langmann and a good defense by Murphy on Ralf Rinke
post warn about a last period fought to the death, with a real show by the fans
of both teams on the stands. Penguins survive a complicate power play and, when
earn two minutes with a man more, bites at 57: Brock Hooton finds the right
angle to beat Murphy by blowing the arena.
Coach Thornton pull the goalie, Kompon has a great chance to tie but his
shot flies over Langmann cage and with one second Kopecky closes the clash
scoring on empty net, sending the Penguins to semifinals. It was a great game,
both teams played openly and some episodes decided the final score
MVP: Jan
Kopecky – Mike Kopon

Penguins waiting to celebrate dancing on the ice with the fans

Giants fans can be proud of their team