First Quarter
Germany vs Israel was hoped to be a very close game and it certainly lived up to those expectations. Little over a minute into the game Germany’s Jamie Plunkett and Israel’s Andrew Price were sent to the box for roughing. Less than 30 seconds later Germany’s Thilo Siegel and Israel’s Bryan Hopper were also sent to the box for roughing. Just after the two-minute mark Jacob Silberlict joins the others in the sin bin with a slashing penalty. Five penalties just about 2 minutes into the game and the message was sent, it was going to be a battle.
Israel was the first to get a point on the board when the German defense was slow on transition allowing Alec Aloni to hit Chad Culp on a breakaway. A few penalties later, Germany put a point on the board from Jamie Plunkett assisted by Wolfgang Grießl and Philip Broz. The first quarter ended in a tie at 1-1.
Second Quarter
The second quarter started with 1:37 remaining in Plunkett’s slashing penalty but Israel was unable to take advantage of the power play.
After coming out of the box, Germany’s Plunket sank an unassisted goal for their first lead in the game, score 2-1. Grießl would get one more for Germany before the half with an assist from Marc Brandenburger taking the lead by 2 goals, 3-1. Zachary Pall had been hustling hard all quarter which paid off with the final goal of the half bringing Israel within 1 point and the half ends 3-2 Germany in the lead.
Third Quarter
It would take less than a minute for Daniel Deckelbaum to be sent to the box for high sticking for the start of the German power play. Germany was unable to convert on the advantage but quickly had the tables turned when an illegal substitution gave Israel the next power play.
There were 7 exciting fouls this quarter which included cross-checking, Interference, Roughing, Slashing, and the two mentioned above.
Surprisingly, the first goal came with even numbers, Israel’s Jacob Silberlicht was able get a quick break, assisted by Matthew Flapan, and bury a doorstep shot to tie the game 3-3. Within 20 seconds, Plunkett answered back to pull Germany ahead and less than 30 seconds after that, Grießl increased the German lead 5-3.
Israel had a surge of their own when Adam Crystal and Deckelbaum would rally and tie the game 5-5 with 5 minutes left in the quarter. Not to be outdone, Germany’s Grießl scored his hat trick with the help of Philip Broz, ending the quarter with the lead, score 6-5.
Fourth Quarter
Coming from a highly physical aggressive quarter the fourth only saw one penalty, cross-checking from Siegal, his second of the night.
Silberlict would take advantage of the power play and tie the game with no assist, score 6-6. Plunkett followed up and scored his fourth of the night to bring Germany to the lead, 7-6. The remaining 10 minutes the game of were awesome as each team scored and countered, 7-7, 8-7 Israel, 8-8, 9-8 Germany.
Grießl scored his 5th goal of the night to bring the German lead 10-8 sealing the lead for the remainder of the game. Pall would sink one more for an edge-of-the-seat finish but the game ended 10-9, Germany with the win.
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Photo Credit: Jeff Melnik / LaxAllStars.com
