World Cup of Hockey 24 [Everything Thread]

[The United Regions]

Hi, I am Mark Hazim Sports caster for liberty News Network and today I will be giving you a short recap of the Hockey game. Left wing Dennis Semin had a good game scoring 2 goals and 2 assists, meanwhile Center Olsen Burg, had an outstanding game with 4 goals scored and 2 assisted, Right wing James Rockintosh also had a good game with 2 assists, and of course the defense as usual did outstanding with goalie Nathan Washington holding a 6-0 shutout. There is nothing like seeing the teamwork at a Liberty game....

[Gyatso-kai]

From Stumblr user This-is-my-team
0920 hours user time (UTC+8)

What. Was. THAT?!?!

How did we manage to lose by three goals?!?!

Sure, Zhao was out of the game. Apparently he caught some stomach bug going out to a bar in Eaton and trying some local dish and will be out for the next game day too. Figures; we struggle getting into the groove against both unranked Borschlandia and ranked Quakmybush --- both teams we should have beaten easily by at least four goals --- and then, our starting netminder goes down thanks to some bad pub grub.

Damn Bao Lin is useless!

How do you let a breakaway skater get behind you?! Huh, Lin! WTS?!?!

Way to open the game for them! Why didn't you just stay in the crease, huh? You have no WC experience, yet Skirata chooses you over Hong who at least has a few games last edition under his belt AND AN AHL CONTRACT!!!

Of course, you just had to repeat your mistake again! So much so that Ko had to come up to you, slap you in the head an have a word with you! I only wish we could have heard those profanities.

Bad enough we were down 2-nil in the first period, you had to go and give them a 3-nil lead halfway through the second! Skirata should have gone out on the ice and killed you then and there! I mean, sure you faced twenty-three shots in your thirty-eight minutes of play time. Sure, the defence was struggling to get used to a new goalie, especially one so fresh and who doesn't know a lick of Mando'a. So when I say, "Gar dikut'la utreekov ures naasad ijaat!" you probably think I am giving you a compliment, don't you?

Why did Skirata pick you?!?!

Thank the Avatar you were pulled after that third failure! Thank the Spirits Ishii was able to get the ONLY GOAL OF THE GAME for us shortly there after to try and rouse us up from despair!!!

At least Hong kept the game at 3-1 until he was pulled with a minute left! He played just as much as you, and faced thirty shots! That is almost as much as an opponent makes during a full game! Those Wolves devoured us, spit us out, and embarrassed us on the multiverse stage!

I hope Skirata gave the team an ear-full on the plane flight back to Sundari! I hope Bao doesn't start against Semarland; I really hope Skirata just sends him home and we find another keeper in time! There were ten goalies who came to the training camps, certainly there had to better ones than Bao!

I'm probably being too hard on him, but seriously! What do you expect when the fourth-ranked team in the world loses that badly to a team who last Cup couldn't manage to score fifteen goals in nine games!!! Here they scored four!!!!!

Seriously Skirata... Dump Bao out the plane over the Gulf of Daima and call-up anyone else!!!

[Super-Llamaland]

Ko-orenites thrash Ice Tigers 3-0, put playoffs in peril

While this WCoH is still in its early stages, a 3-0 loss to Ko-Oren certainly didn't convince anyone the Ice Tigers would stick around for more than the ten-matchday group stage.

Shejuchikh Biluthen, Eshti Teradi, and Qiang Huang of the opposing sides all scored on our goalie, whose name we still don't know. They were all very dominating goals in the second half of the period, as for some reason we played exceptionally well in the first half, or at least kept up, whereupon everything would go flying apart and die in the second.

The coach, whose name we don't know either, petitioned to the Fairness in Calvinball Association, however, that does not exist.

[Hicana]

Cassadaigua 6-5 Hicana
Hicana 8–4 The Mechanical Monasteries

Hicana keeps up in third place, scores 20 goals in first three games

After their domineering victory over Zeneabo, Hicana went into their match against premier team Cassadaigua, who seems to be known as the Fillies colloquially now, ready to prove to the world they were one of the elite. However, as a team whose only accomplishment was being eliminated by Estope in the first round of WCoH as a new nation to hockey, this would be hard.

Still, after the Fillies ran up three goals on Ryan Reagan in the first period and a 4-0 lead by 25:00, taking advantage of shoddy play and an early injury to star defender Brad Leubermann, our Flyers fought back and proved they could hang with their strong opponents. Josh Carlson and Harry Stanton assisted each other to make it 4-2 when the third period began. The hot-tempered Reagan was thrown into the penalty box after he tried to punch an opponent for spraying ice in his face, forcing the Flyers to bring out backup goalie Bill Bailey, who kind of sucked.

Sure enough, chaos broke loose with 14:39 to play and Bailey out for most of it. The Flyers were not about to go anywhere, and the energetic Carlson volunteered to drop back as a sort of third defender to protect the goal with the impotent Bailey minding the net. Carlos Sanchez pulled out his best, but with Luebermann out and Bailey needy, things were hard. In the end, he went with Drevin, Wu, and Zhang on defense with Carlson and Barnett up top.

Things began with a bang, Wu intercepting a shot and slamming it cross-court to Barnett, who skated past the defense and popped one into the corner of the goal. But a stray shot found its way by Bailey, and the Fillies were still up by two, 5-3, with now only twelve minutes left on the clock.

Josh Carlson continued to act as sparkplug, skating back into the Flyers' half of the rink, taking the puck, and skating up the right side to pass to a slightly confused Bennett Barnett, whose shot banged off the side of the goal, back into Carlson's hands, and from there into the goal. 5-4. Carlson then took the pass from Barnett, spun, skated, and fired back into the goal for a hat trick, and, more importantly, a 5-5 tie.

However, it was not to be. The opponents found a way by the defense and Bailey stood no chance, a goal with 7:49 remaining the final difference in a 6-5 loss.

Despite this loss, Hicana went into the Mechanical Monasteries game energized and ready to go. However, that was not to be enough with Josh Carlson out pre-game. Without their batteries, the Flyers looked sluggish and lazy in the first period, forcing Ryan Reagan, who seemed to be the only one awake, to play amazingly hard and save shot after shot. Still, even Reagan couldn't stop every bullet, and the team trudged into the second period down two-nothing.

The team was looking their worst all tournament, with a sluggish offense doing nothing and a sluggish defense making Reagan do all the work. A loss here would put the Flyers in a corner as they faced off against actual ranked teams next, needing wins badly. Reagan continued to play the best he could, but two more shots worked their way by him and the Flyers were down 4-0 going into the final period.

Things were about to be epic.

A minute in, Harry Stanton grabbed a pass and flicked one from mid-rink off the goal, where Chris Sava pounced on it and tapped it in. 4-1.

Two minutes later, Sava, the Llamanean expatriate, got himself another, skating up the right side and slapping one by the Mechanical goalie. 4-2.

And at 7:56, after a brief respite, Sava polished off his trifecta, taking a pass from Bennett Barnett and slamming it off the goalie and in to make it 4-3. Things were beginning to go downhill for the feisty opponents, and they fought back. But the Flyers easily repelled them, and the opponents began to tire.

After a dangerously long pause, at 13:45, Harry Stanton took a pass from his brother Eric and put one through the goalie's legs to tie the game. After that, it was all Flyers. The 36-year-old Sava put in goals at 14:20 and 15:06, making the score 6-4, and a brief counterattack and repelled by a dangerous combination of Sava, Harry Stanton, and Bennett Barnett. Sava began to turn the energetic Josh Carlson into Wally Pipp with his scoring touch, and Barnett and Stanton each got another to end things at 8-4.

[Darmen]

From: Alfredo Albaladejo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Relations; Piran Lund, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration; Georges Thomas, Minister of Sport
To: The Gregoryisgodistan Government; Horse Beater LAL9120, Head Coach of the Gregoryisgodistan National Ice Hockey Team
Subject: World Cup of Hockey XXIV match between Darmen and Gregoryisgodistan in Darmen

We regret to inform you, that due to the despicable actions of your Police, as well as certain members of your National Ice Hockey Team, that we will be blocking the entrance of certain persons from your National Ice Hockey Team into our nation. In addition, no Gregoryisgodistani fans will be allowed entrance into our nation.

The following players and coaches will be allowed past Immigration, all others will be deported immeadiately:

Elementary School Teacher KS9193
Chef P9139
Weatherman 92UDH9111
Loyal Friend of Lord Almighty Gregory Harry Rupertson
Actor 81248D8J

[Borschlandia]

A point and a scare
by Sherm Reinhardt
Captain, Borschland XXIV World Cup of Hockey team

It was one of those games where you lose track. Not of the score.
We were always behind in this game, always on the outside looking in. We had to grind, just work hard, work around penalties. Quakmybush has won two World Cups of Hockey, and they know how to play. You just skate your shift, do what you can to put the puck on net, then sit down for a couple of minutes and catch your breath.

So it was 4-3 with less than a minute left, and we pulled Moordfors. He gave up two power plays goals that weren't his fault, he had a brilliant game, let me tell you.

Kai Ganesmund came in as the extra skater. Dude's a beast, no one can skate faster, and he shoots like a laser. We had it in their zone, and Ganesmund took the puck into traffic, got knocked down, the puck squirted out to one of the Sudmaas boys along the dasher. He faked a pass in front, then swept the puck back and flipped it behind net.

We'd practiced that, the fake, and I knew to be behind goal when the puck came. I stabbed at it, brought it in close, and tried a wraparound, but a defenseman slashed me, no call, and I lost the puck for a sec. But it must have hit something, because it skittered onto my blade again, and I backhanded it over the goalie's shoulder.

Just a grind, you know.

And we got our point, 4-4 at the other guys' rink. That is what you have to do if you want to play on in the World Cup of Hockey. But then I really lost track.

When we were in the locker room, we got word. Rachael, my wife, was in the hospital. Our baby, not due yet for three months, was trying to make a premature appearance. It was the worst feeling in the world to be thousands of miles away from my family. That Bear Air plane couldn't fly fast enough.

[Vaugania]

"Vitaliya! Go!" Ruslan yelled to his younger sister. "Before it's too late!"

Vitaliya ran like the wind and let no obstacle slow her mad dash. Her hair blew through the air in a tangled mess behind her. She maneuvered through the narrow aisles and corridors as she had done many time before, but never with such fervor. These were the highest stakes under which she had ever made this journey. Up ahead she saw the familiar figure of Daniels Breinin. Tall and stout with his long, gangly, yet muscular arms. He would very useful in helping to complete Vitaliya's task.

The slender young woman tugged on Daniels's vest and pleaded with him, "Come help me, please! I need you!"

"Running low already?" came his terse reply, "Let's move."

Vitaliya continued on with her new companion in her quest. A stray object in her path grabbed onto her foot. She fell and made the mistake of attempting to break her fall with her hands. A twinge of pain shot up through her left wrist. Daniels went back to help her up, but she refused before he could put hands on her, "I can get up. Keep moving."

She nested her hand and kept on running. The large double doors stood before her. On the other side lied the target of her very important mission. "Vitaliya, hurry up!" came Daniels's command as he held open the right-hand door for her. Her feet scurried across the floor as she progressed towards her companion. Before disappearing through the doorframe she took one last look at her brother, Ruslan. The horde advanced upon him. A tall plastic bin was the only thing between him and them. The window for success was closing and the hostility in the air was becoming thicker and thicker. One could sense it as soon as they came into the area. Vitaliya looked upon her older brother with pity and slipped away with Daniels before the dire situation spiraled out of control.

The two searched shelves upon shelves, discarding boxes that did not satisfy their needs. After a few moments of hasty digging, they found what they were looking for and produced three long rectangular cardboard boxes. Daniels scooped up two of them in his big arms and exited the room to assist Ruslan. Vitaliya collected the other one and tried her best to carry it with one arm and not hurt her wrist any more than it already was. It was a struggle as she half-dragged, half-carried it. At the halfway point, Daniels met up with her and took the box, having already dropped off his load with Ruslan.

The three of them came face-to-face with the rabid crowds and stood the boxes up on their ends. Ruslan drew a box cutter from his pocket and thrusted it deep into the cardboard and sliced it open. He tore off the end of each box and threw the scraps to the ground. He overturned the boxes one-by-one and spilled their contents into the bin. With the boxes emptied, the anger and hostility within the gathered masses turned to happiness and excitement.

Vitaliya straightened her name tag as she stepped away from the crowd with her co-workers. Nearly every Team Vaugania Signature Series hockey stick was scooped up from the bin in almost an instant. The Streits and Smirnovs were most popular. Followed by the Tennfjords and Gilmours. The Berans also sold pretty well. Just another day at Dubnikov Sporting Goods in Datsya. It was just a bit busier with the WCoH going on is all.

[Torisakia]

Tommy's Blog

If I hear about your background, your skills, or the skills from your background, if I hear about any of it once more I shall give you to the fiercest creature in Holland. So again the Ice Birds win today, by two goals again. When is this madness going to end? We gave up five goals again, three of which came in one period alone. I don't-I don't believe it I really don't! The defense just doesn't exist. Sure, we're 3-0 and top of our Group, but just look at it from this perspective. We have many veterans on the team, most of them in our first line. They've had, counting from WCoH 21, three tournaments to learn the defensive formation. If you were unaware, our defense is based upon the strong-side overload. It's one of the most common defensive systems used in ice hockey, and somehow our guys (and gals) are not understanding. Let me give you an example.

So the game against HopNation started out as an offensive show by the Ice Birds. Daren scored off a bank and Jessica got one off a deflect. HopNation scored just at the end on a quick flick by Leos Kramr. HopNation only got six shots at our net, which can be more praised towards Issac. Second period, however, was a total nightmare. Just as the period started, Cassidy got caught for an illegal check to the head and got the box for two minutes, then right after Junkins got a major for spearing, which left us with a 5-on-3 for two minutes then a 5-on-4 for three more. During the 5-on-3, there was nothing the defense could do. Lewis could barely stay in a zone and Kristen kept on getting beat. Within minutes, HopNation scored twice to take one of their only two leads of the game. After Cassidy got back on the ice, things started to pick up. Cassidy hit a nice saucer pass to Lewis who shot it in directly to tie the game back. But the celebration would be short lived when Mathias Olov Normansson from HopNation did a dirty poke-check from Kristen down in their own territory and caught Issac off-guard and sniped it in to take the lead once more. At this point, I am angry. I'm stomping up and down in the stands, yelling and crying, there was the noise of veins bursting and someone shouting, "Calm down fool!". Dontknowaboutthat. The period was just about over until Junkins finally did something productive and scored on a nice slapshot to give the Ice Birds a 4-4 tie.

The third period, just a tiny bit better. The period started with another powerplay, but this time it was us who were laughing. One of their players got caught butt-ending and got the box for five minutes. With the advantage, Douglas Maldonado was able to get himself a goal with the HopNation goalie out-of-position to give us a 5-4 lead early on. Everything got better from that point forward, as HopNation pulled their goalie with six minutes remaining, which allowed the Ice Birds to get in two more goals to put the game out of reach. HopNation would score again at the very end of the game to pad the stats, giving Torisakia the 7-5 win, which puts them at 3-0-0 and keep their first place ranking in Group 12. I was relieved at the end, but absolutely furious.

Well, sorry for the serious post. Usually I'd have a story to tell, but the way we played just sickened me to the end that I had to write about it. But I'll try to be happier, besides, at least we're winning. I think we just need to get accustomed to how these teams play, since we've never played any of them before in other tournaments. So next up is Crystal Empire, who beat Flammable American States 4-1 today and sit at 2-1-0 and second place in Group 12. This is probably the earliest important game for the Icebirds, as a loss means that they'd possibly fall to second place and losing their status as an undefeated. I would say something along the lines of "Maybe they're bluffing...", but since the overall tone of this post was to be serious, I won't. Just for you all. Here's to hoping our defense improves, and we remain an undefeated and NUMBER ONE!

Comments:
1. SinnedTragedy: I don't like serious Murvin. He scares me.
2. hockeymask17: I see what you're getting at Murvin. Our defense needs heavy work.
3. ThatGuyWhoCrys: Why were we in so much penalty trouble?
4. Cisco: I think this might be one of the only times where Murvin doesn't refer to Jason as "pretty-boy Junkins"
5. saximo25: @Cisco That's a good nickname for him.
6. BagOfPlamz: I've never seen Murvin so upset. Except maybe the time when Cassidy beat him with a rolled-up comic.
7. HeavenxSoul: @BagOfPlamz I think he wasn't upset about that as much as he was with being pelted with oranges.
8. wally: Be a shame if we lost to a nation ranked 63rd. I'll have my paperbag ready just in-case.
9. TheBadLemon: @wally I have a whole bag of them in-case we absolutely embarrass ourselves.
See all comments(44,736)...

[Caek of the Wolfen]

Wolfen beat region-mates 5-2; Caek with hat trick

The Iron Wolves were at it again, this time in Zeneabo, who is also in the Imperium. The Wolfen outscored them 5-2, and the defense really seemed to have a good hold in this game. The Iron Wolves are coming off a win in Wolfen Centre against the Mechanical Monasteries, whom the Wolves narrowly beat 3-2. Now, the Wolfen goalie Spartak Norris had 23 saves in tonight's game. The defense really helped trim down the number of shots.

In the first period, teams were evenly contested, for five minutes. After five minutes, the Wolfen started their scoring. A long centering pass from Gnaeus Cassidy to Caek led to the breakaway score. 1-0 Iron Wolves. After a couple more minutes, a Zeneabo winger picked up a boarding minor while smashing into Nacho O'Conaill on the boards. The Iron Wolves quickly capitalized on a power play opportunity, with Celsus Irvin sniping it in bottom right corner from the blue line. 2-0 Iron Wolves. The horn sounded and both teams entered into their respective locker rooms.

The puck dropped for the second period, and at this point, the home crowd was starting to get out of whack. They especially did not want a repeat of last matchday's game against the Eagles. After tripping was called on Ale Giffard, the power play opportunity led to a goal by Zeneabo. Not facing many shots, Norris was not able to stop all the shots that came at him. 2-1, Iron Wolves still up. A little later in the game, a big hit on one of the Zeneabean players caused a fight, between Jodocus Olsson and a Zeneabean defenseman. Jodocus knocked out the d-man, and both were sent to their respective penalty boxes. However, the Zeneabean offense seemed to get a bit lucky after this. A shot from the point bounced off LW Felix Finnegan's skate and right underneath Norris. The somewhat controversial play was reviewed, and counted by the referees. This tied the game at 2-2. Not much else but good defensive play came for both sides came in the rest of the period.

Puck drop in the third period, where Caek ties up the center and Derry Ubrina came in to pick it up. A nice cross crease pass to Caek on a 2 on 1 situation led to the Iron Wolves taking charge once more, batting the puck between the goalies legs. 3-2, Wolfen leading. After a game misconduct by a Zeneabean defenseman, he was ejected, but one of his team members, obviously angry about the call, tried lashing out against the refs. They sat him in the box for a five minute major, and Zeneabo was forced to defend a five on three power play by the Wolfen. Pyotr Mac Naoimhín capitalized on this chance with a nice fake out, and slid the puck right by the goaltender. 4-2, Iron Wolves starting to run away with this game. Late in the third period, a misguided pass by a defenseman by the blue line was intercepted by Caek, who had two goals that night, going for the trick. The Zeneabean goalie went for a poke, but Caek flipped the puck over his head and into the goal. A decent amount of Wolfen fans tossed some hats onto the ice, but some angry Zeneabo fans took some of the hats and burned them later on. In the final moments of the game, Spartak Norris made his 23rd save and held it to end the game. The final score, 5-2, with the Wolfen coming away victorious.

After the game, Coach Sigmund Größel announced the captains for the rest of the Cup. He announced Caek as captain, saying, "We feel that he has the ability to lead our team and argue penalties against our team, as well as he being the Wolf, which more than qualifies him to lead." Later, Pyotr Mac Naoimhín and Payton Seymour were announced as alternate captains.

Next week, the Iron Wolves will face off against Cassidigua at Wolfen Centre's Football Arena for some outdoor hockey excitement. Don't forget to order your tickets online at http://www.wolfendirect.com or buy them for 55 C$ at the gate. Go Iron Wolves!

[Nova Anglicana]

Lions Continue Jekyll and Hyde Act, Shut Out New South Aqmuland

Martin Granger, Staff Reporter

Did you ever imagine that the Lions would have allowed seven goals in three games, but that Andrés Kelly would have two shutouts? That's the situation, as the Lions' defense continues to swing wildly between the two extremes, seemingly not playing against Torisakia in a 7-5 loss, and controlling the puck in two shutouts that have been won handily (12-0 aggregate). Yesterday was one of the good games, as the Lions rolled past New South Aqmuland 5-0, in a game that was not as dominant as the Flammable American States game, but plenty good.

Matt Grier had himself a game with a career-high four points (1 G, 3 A). His first assist came at 6:54 of the first period, when he fired a bullet pass through the defense to Kermit Lea, who flipped it in on the goalie's open side. Jay Schwartz was called for a penalty at 9:36, but just 43 seconds in, Grier intercepted a pass from an NSA defender, and sprinted down the ice towards the opposing net. A pretty give-and-go between Grier and René Robinson saw Grier stroke a smooth shot into the net on the goalie's stick side for a 2-0 Lions lead. The Lions got their own chance on the power play near the end of the period, and Lea sent a pass around the boards to Grier, who quick-passed it to a charging Robinson, who slammed it into the back of the net to give the Lions a 3-0 lead.

The final two periods were rather slower and quieter, as the New South Aqmulanders slowly began to push the Lions more and contest more passes and possessions. They notched 19 of their 26 shots in these two periods, but Kelly was able to stop all of them fairly easily, and the defensemen did a good job of protecting him. Grier set Josh Russell up for a massive slap shot at 14:13 of the second period that slammed into the back of the net, nearly hitting the Aqmulander goalie in the mask as it rocketed by. In the 3rd, Doug LaRose, trying to block the goalie's view more than anything else, deflected an Ellis White shot past the goalie to cap the scoring and the Lions cruised to a 5-0 win, outshooting the Aqmulanders 39-26.

As opposed to the Torisakia game, where the Lions committed several penalties and allowed multiple power-play goals, the Lions looked sharp, committing only two penalties and notching the shutout. All in all, it was a very well-played game by the Lions against an overmatched opponent. The Lions' forecheck was aggressive, and they laid some solid hits on the New South Aqmulanders.

Head Coach Cecil Palmer was pleased after the game. "I've been truly impressed with our goal-scoring so far. Against the two unranked teams, I think we've been able to find goal-scoring opportunities while staying within the natural rhythm of our offense. We didn't do a good job of that against Torisakia; I think we were caught up playing at their speed, and so we gave them some openings in our defense when we tried to score. HopNation's a disciplined team, so it'll be key for us to stay within our playcalls and our offense to break down their defense."

The game against the Mashers is certainly key, as wins against the two unranked squads and a loss against Torisakia were almost assured, but the games against the mid-ranked teams were more nebulous. HopNation is 1-1-1 so far, with a scoreless draw against Crystal Empire, a 1-0 win over Flammable American States, and a 7-5 loss to Torisakia equal to the Lions' own. The Lions certainly will be favored against the Mashers and Crystal Empire, but must come up with a good effort nonetheless or they may find themselves looking up at inferior teams.

[Neu Engollon]

"Bien-Welk! Good Evening. Magda Wertauer here on the NETV Sports 7 Update. The Neu Engollon National Hockey Team, the Ibex, have been making us all proud, right on the heels of the 3rd place win of the Goats at the Rugby League World Cup in New Sideburn. At the moment, the Ibex stand at the top of their group with three wins under their belt.

The first match of the group was against the Allamunnic States, taking from them 4 points and serving up nil in return, they started the series off right. No unranked upstarts, the Allamunnic States could have presented a greater hurdle, but instead seemed to be unable to launch into the occasion with the vigor needed to give the Ibex pause.
Then they faced Ko-oren, a big rival to Neu Engollon in several other sports, most notably both major codes of rugby. The Ibex dispatched them with a 3 goal barrage that also went unanswered, despite attempts by Novotný and Doldand to correct the situation.
The most recent being a rather one sided match against Estenia, a relative unknown in the hockey realm. They racked up seven unanswered goals and sent Estenia packing and wondering why they took to the ice so ill prepared to face down the Alpen power.
A pattern is forming here. One that I think we all can see...but, I also think may delude both us and the Ibex to the upcoming opponents, Kinzar and Super Llamaland, both of whom, more than any other competitors in the group, are likely to hand the Ibex their first upset. More than anything, this would be the time for the Ibex to buckle down and prepare for a grinding, bloody clash of sticks, shoulders, limbs and skates.
Word from the team is that they are prepared for the worst these two teams can throw at them, and ready to throw it back ten fold. Is it all bluster or can we really put our faith in the fact that the Ibex don't have their heads up in the clouds with all these recent wins and can knock sticks with the best in the most gritty of face offs?

Elsewhere, we look at how other Astyrian teams are faring and we see that Nouvel Ecosse and Terre Des Gaules have dropped to the bottom of their respective groups, while only Aquitayne hangs in there, clinging to the middle spot of their group and hopefully ready to climb back to the top. Neu Engollon might be the last hope for Astyria, but that's a lot of pressure to put on a teams shoulders, especially when they have 65 million Neu Engollians also riding there. Good luck Ibex, we will be in your corner. Next match can be viewed right here on Sports 7 on delay. Next, we go to the Helvetic Premier League scores..."

[Jeckland]

GOOD START IN WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY

Last World Cup of Hockey was abysmal. Abysmal.

However, there was hope coming into this one. After all, we did get to the Round of 16 in the Junior edition. Then again, that happened last time.

But let's cut to the chase. It started off badly enough, with a 4-1 loss to Aquiltayne putting us in a bad position. But like a phoenix from the ashes we rose, and claimed victory over Muriburiland by a scoreline of 8-0. Semms high? We'll get to that part later. But anyway, the Spuds went into game three full of confidence, and it paid off, with a 5-2 win over SJT making their miserable campaign worse.

One thing we have noticed about this World Cup of Hockey is that there are a lot of very high scoring matches. No logical reason can be given for this, and some Jeckish people are claiming match-fixing, and urging The Royal Barangay to investigate these unusual results.


OOC: All criticisms are IC. Blah. Blah.

[Ko-oren]

Dragonflice win crucial game as Neu Engollon win again

Neu Engollon is looking scarier by the day. They still have yet to drop a point, and meanwhile they scored 14 and haven't even conceded one goal either. The Greenblues were supposed to be the best, but at this rate, a second place behind the Ibex is not a very bad score. We still have a lot to go, though. Super-Llamaland, that other team that could pose a threat, lost 3-0 to the Dragonflice. The anonymous group of players were pretty strong in the first period and most of the second, but something imploded after that, leading to easy goals by Biluthen, Teradi and Huang. They were not exactly easy to set up, but easy to finish: once the opposing defense was ripped apart, our player in question could finish the job.

Two more games in the first half of the group stage, and we have probably faced all the difficult opponents. Two more games that should net us 6 points, or else Neu Engollon might have taken a very decisive lead already.

[HopNation]

Well we’ve suffered our first loss of this tournament, but at least it was to a so called better team. I’d have to say that their goal tending does not match their offensive power. The Ice Birds have scored a total of 19 times in their three games, that is 6.333 goals per game – amazing and the best of the group. But they have allowed 13 goals against (4.333 average), not so good and is second to last in the group for goals against. Unfortunate for our Mashers we couldn’t stop this high power offense as they notched 7 of their 19 against us. Our 5 goals (nearly half of Torisakia’s allowed) was just not enough to get us to rally over them. This puts us down a spot on the table as both Crystal Empire and Nova Anglicana won today.
Our next match is against the next highest scoring team in our group in the nation of Nova Anglicana. They are sitting with a 5.666 goals/game average and they have a much better goals/against average with a 2.333 (same as ours). So we’ll need an excellent defensive stand if we want to get a win from this one.

---

Group 12 Teams

1. Torisakia (7) 3-0-0
2. Crystal Empire (62) 2-1-0
3. Nova Anglicana (30) 2-0-1
4. HopNation (53) 1-1-1
5. New South Aqmuland (UR) 0-0-3
6. Flammable American States (UR) 0-0-3

Match Day 3 Results
Nova Anglicana 	5–0 New South Aqmuland
HopNation 	5–7 Torisakia
Crystal Empire 	4–1 Flammable American States

Mashers Matches
25 May (Su) – MD1  vs Crystal Empire
26 May (M)  - MD2  @  Flammable American States
27 May (T)  - MD3  vs Torisakia
28 May (W)  - MD4  @  Nova Anglicana
29 May (Th) - MD5  vs New South Aqmuland
30 May (F)  - MD6  @  Crystal Empire
31 May (Sa) - MD7  vs Flammable American States
1 June (Su) - MD8  @  Torisakia
2 June (M)  - MD9  vs Nova Anglicana
3 June (T)  - MD10 @  New South Aqmuland
Win | Draw | Loss

[Sangti]

Matchday 4

---

Group 1
Estenia 0–4 Allamunnic States
Ko-oren 2–0 Kinzar
Neu Engollon 5–3 Super-Llamaland

  Group 1                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Neu Engollon                     4    4   0   0    19    3  +16    12
2 Ko-oren                          4    3   0   1    12    5   +7     9
3 Allamunnic States                4    1   2   1     6    6    0     5
4 Super-Llamaland                  4    1   1   2    10   14   −4     4
5 Kinzar                           4    1   1   2     8    7   +1     4
6 Estenia                          4    0   0   4     2   22  −20     0

Group 2
Mochria 3–3 Terre des Gaules
Vilita & Turori 7–2 Polar Islandstates
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 4–2 Yttribia

  Group 2                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Vilita & Turori                  4    3   1   0    29    9  +20    10
2 Royal Kingdom of Quebec          4    3   1   0    19   10   +9    10
3 Yttribia                         4    2   0   2    11   13   −2     6
4 Polar Islandstates               4    2   0   2    14   17   −3     6
5 Terre des Gaules                 4    0   1   3    13   20   −7     1
6 Mochria                          4    0   1   3     5   22  −17     1

Group 3
Kolmya 7–1 Nouvel Ecosse
Sicoutimont 5–1 Norrehavn
The Royal Barangay 3–2 Vettrera

  Group 3                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Sicoutimont                      4    3   0   1    15    8   +7     9
2 The Royal Barangay               4    3   0   1    16    7   +9     9
3 Norrehavn                        4    3   0   1    13    9   +4     9
4 Kolmya                           4    2   0   2    13   14   −1     6
5 Vettrera                         4    0   1   3     6   11   −5     1
6 Nouvel Ecosse                    4    0   1   3     2   16  −14     1

Group 4
The Mechanical Monasteries 4–1 Zeneabo
Cassadaigua 3–1 Caek of the Wolfen
Hicana 1–4 Nassau-Hessen

  Group 4                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Nassau-Hessen                    4    3   1   0    20    6  +14    10
2 Cassadaigua                      4    3   0   1    16   11   +5     9
3 Caek of the Wolfen               4    2   1   1    12   10   +2     7
4 Hicana                           4    2   0   2    21   17   +4     6
5 The Mechanical Monasteries       4    1   0   3    12   18   −6     3
6 Zeneabo                          4    0   0   4     7   26  −19     0

Group 5
Darvale 4–2 Stimpsk
Northern Sunrise Islands 3–1 German American States
Cosumar 5–5 Thatius

  Group 5                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Northern Sunrise Islands         4    3   0   1    20    9  +11     9
2 Cosumar                          4    2   1   1    18   14   +4     7
3 Thatius                          4    2   1   1    17   14   +3     7
4 German American States           4    2   0   2    13   11   +2     6
5 Darvale                          4    1   0   3     7   17  −10     3
6 Stimpsk                          4    1   0   3     7   17  −10     3

Group 6
Pritchardia 7–3 Mizuyuki
Equestrian States 3–3 Patistan
The Fair Republic 8–3 Transalpine Republic

  Group 6                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Equestrian States                4    3   1   0    18    5  +13    10
2 The Fair Republic                4    3   0   1    24   13  +11     9
3 Patistan                         4    2   1   1    10   11   −1     7
4 Transalpine Republic             4    2   0   2    10   12   −2     6
5 Pritchardia                      4    1   0   3    12   18   −6     3
6 Mizuyuki                         4    0   0   4     8   23  −15     0

Group 7
Borschlandia 5–0 Korva
Gyatso-kai 5–5 Semarland
Quakmybush 2–3 Arkiasis

  Group 7                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Arkiasis                         4    3   1   0    14    7   +7    10
2 Gyatso-kai                       4    2   1   1    14   14    0     7
3 Borschlandia                     4    2   1   1    14   10   +4     7
4 Quakmybush                       4    1   1   2    15   13   +2     4
5 Semarland                        4    0   2   2    10   14   −4     2
6 Korva                            4    0   2   2     9   18   −9     2

Group 8
Muriburiland 1–2 SJT
Estope 6–2 Jeckland
Vaugania 5–2 Aquitayne

  Group 8                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Vaugania                         4    3   1   0    24   11  +13    10
2 Estope                           4    3   1   0    19    9  +10    10
3 Aquitayne                        4    2   0   2     9   11   −2     6
4 Jeckland                         4    2   0   2    19   12   +7     6
5 SJT                              4    1   0   3     7   22  −15     3
6 Muriburiland                     4    0   0   4     4   17  −13     0

Group 9
Zenic 4–2 Jecatria
Havl 8–2 The United Regions
Saintland 2–5 New North Aqmuland

  Group 9                        Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Havl                             4    4   0   0    22   10  +12    12
2 New North Aqmuland               4    3   0   1    19   12   +7     9
3 Saintland                        4    2   0   2    12   12    0     6
4 Zenic                            4    2   0   2    10   11   −1     6
5 The United Regions               4    1   0   3    12   14   −2     3
6 Jecatria                         4    0   0   4     4   20  −16     0

Group 10
Electrum 5–1 Ri'en
Valanora 5–2 San Jose Guayabal
Falcus 2–2 New Wolfopolis

  Group 10                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Valanora                         4    3   1   0    19   12   +7    10
2 New Wolfopolis                   4    2   2   0    13    9   +4     8
3 Falcus                           4    2   1   1    15   10   +5     7
4 San Jose Guayabal                4    1   1   2    12   13   −1     4
5 Electrum                         4    1   0   3    12   18   −6     3
6 Ri'en                            4    0   1   3     6   15   −9     1

Group 11
Esparmuran 4–0 The Kytler Peninsulae
Gregoryisgodistan 2–0 Britonisea
Darmen 6–0 Anditia

  Group 11                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Gregoryisgodistan                4    3   1   0     8    4   +4    10
2 Darmen                           4    3   0   1    20    3  +17     9
3 Esparmuran                       4    2   1   1    13   12   +1     7
4 Anditia                          4    2   0   2     9   11   −2     6
5 The Kytler Peninsulae            4    1   0   3     4   14  −10     3
6 Britonisea                       4    0   0   4     3   13  −10     0

Group 12
New South Aqmuland 4–2 Flammable American States
Torisakia 4–2 Crystal Empire
Nova Anglicana 5–2 HopNation

  Group 12                       Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Torisakia                        4    4   0   0    23   15   +8    12
2 Nova Anglicana                   4    3   0   1    22    9  +13     9
3 Crystal Empire                   4    2   1   1    10    7   +3     7
4 HopNation                        4    1   1   2     8   12   −4     4
5 New South Aqmuland               4    1   0   3     9   16   −7     3
6 Flammable American States        4    0   0   4     3   16  −13     0

[Gregoryisgodistan]

To: Darmen Government
From: Lord Almighty Gregory
CC: Gregoryisgodistan Hockey Team

Recently, I received notice that the Darmen government only plans on allowing three of our hockey players plus two assistant coaches into the country for the hockey game when we play each other. This is completely unacceptable and is obviously intended to give your team a huge advantage. It is completely unsportsmanlike and I have lodged an appeal with the World Cup of Hockey Federation. I am demanding that you either allow the entire team in or move the game to a neutral site of your choosing. What you are doing is cheating and we will not tolerate it in Gregoryisgodistan.

Furthermore, in the event the game is played in Darmen, our entire team will enter the country whether you like it or not. Our enemy crushers will crush any customs agents or police officers who try to deport them. Furthermore, if any enemy crushers are killed or arrested, we will launch a full-scale military invasion of your country and drop solar-powered bombs with the strength of atom bombs. Your entire country will be destroyed and all your citizens will be dead. Please do not make me take this step.

I urge you to do the right thing here. Either let our entire team into the country for your game or move the game to a neutral country of your choosing that will allow our entire team to enter. If you fail to take either of these options, I will ask that the World Cup of Hockey Federation force you to forfeit the game. We cannot allow our team to be restricted from entry due to the actions of your government. It is obviously designed to give you a huge competitive edge in what is a very close group. We will not stand for this. You must give in and meet one of these demands. Please inform me of your decision as soon as possible. I anxiously await your response.

Sincerely,

Lord Almighty Gregory

[HopNation]

Two loses in a row, that’s not good. Although I’m not complaining when it’s against teams that are better than we are on paper (we did stay with them for a bit). I think we played well, but need some work on our defensive game and penalty kill as Nova Anglicana went three for three on the power play. I think the Mashers coach is looking into adjusting the penalty kill lines but not sure when he will opt to actually change them. So far we are doing very poorly in that aspect of our game. The other thing that looks to be coming is a goalie change. We simply can’t give up 5+ goals and expect to win. Even though out of the six teams in our group we are third best in GAA we are still sitting at a 3 in that column, ouch. We have a so called easier opponent in our next game but we can’t take them lightly at all. I mean we barely squeaked past the last place team with a 1-0 win and now we face a team that just beat them 4-2 and are surly riding high after that victory. We’ll be on the watch for any personnel changes, but knowing our Mashers I don’t think much will actually happen. Here’s to hoping for a rebound knocked through the wickets after our two game slide.

---

Group 12 Teams

1. Torisakia (7) 4-0-0
2. Nova Anglicana (30) 3-0-1
3. Crystal Empire (62) 2-1-1
4. HopNation (53) 1-1-2
5. New South Aqmuland (UR) 1-0-3
6. Flammable American States (UR) 0-0-4

Match Day 4 Results
New South Aqmuland 4–2 Flammable American States
Torisakia	   4–2 Crystal Empire
Nova Anglicana	   5–2 HopNation
winner highlighted

Mashers Matches
25 May (Su) – MD1  vs Crystal Empire
26 May (M)  - MD2  @  Flammable American States
27 May (T)  - MD3  vs Torisakia
28 May (W)  - MD4  @  Nova Anglicana
29 May (Th) - MD5  vs New South Aqmuland
30 May (F)  - MD6  @  Crystal Empire
31 May (Sa) - MD7  vs Flammable American States
1 June (Su) - MD8  @  Torisakia
2 June (M)  - MD9  vs Nova Anglicana
3 June (T)  - MD10 @  New South Aqmuland
Win | Draw | Loss

[Darmen]

From: Georges Thomas, Minister of Sport; Javier Baltimore, President of the Darmeni Ice Hockey Federation; Marc Lemaire, Head Coach of the Darmeni National Ice Hockey Team
To: Lord Almighty Gregory; Horse Beater LAL9120, Head Coach of the Gregoryisgodistan National Ice Hockey Team
Subject: World Cup of Hockey XXIV match between Darmen and Gregoryisgodistan in Darmen

Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Relations and our Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration have refused to make any concessions. However, I, as Minister of Sport, am willing to do so.

After consulting with Mr. Baltimore and Mr. Lemaire, we have come up with several options which will allow for a level playing field when our two teams meet again on the ice. I further regret to inform you, that moving the game to a neutral site would cause a nightmare logistically, and is therefore not being explored as an option. We also thought about playing the game on a sloped rink, but figured that that wouldn't work too well.

1. Should your assistant coaches not suit up to play, the Darmeni National Ice Hockey Team has agreed to play with only three players. As a Goalkeeper is not among the players allowed into our nation, the normal 6x4 feet goals will be removed and replaced by the goals used in pond hockey (see Attachment A). In addition, no other Darmeni players would attend the game, and Mr. Lemaire, the Head Coach of the National Team, will not attend. With the game being played at 3v3 for its entirety, penalties would be enforced with penalty shots, taken from the blue line closest to the goal. The penalty boxes will not be used.

2. Should your assistant coaches choose to suit up and play, the Darmeni National Ice Hockey Team has agreed to play with only five players, two of those players being our Assistant Coach, Mr. Ramsey, and our Trainer, Mr. Vibianus. The 6x4 feet goals would remain in place, but would be covered by a... a... I don't know what you call this thing, so I'll let you see the Attachment instead (see Attachment B). As in Option One, no Darmeni players, other than the ones taking part in the match, and Mr. Lemaire, would attend the game. Penalties will be enforced as usual.

3. Should neither Option One or Option Two appeal to you, it is possible for you to forward a list of persons from your nation who wish to play in the match between our two nations, to the Darmeni Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. They in turn will be able to conduct as thorough a background check as possible on such persons, and will allow those persons with an acceptable background to enter Darmen and compete with the Gregoryisgodistani National Ice Hockey Team. This option I believe would probably provide for the fairest game, as your team would be allowed to compete with a full compliment of players.

I hope one of these options is acceptable to you. If you have any other ideas for options that would allow for a fair and level playing field, or you accept one of the above options with some alterations, I welcome your input.

Sincerely,

The Right Honorable Georges Thomas, Minister of Sport

---

From: John Terry, Minister of Defense; Alfredo Albaladejo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Relations; Piran Lund, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
To: Lord Almighty Gregory
Subject: Threats against the Kingdom of Darmen

We have received your letter regarding the upcoming World Cup of Hockey match involving our two nations, and our decision to bar entrance of a select group of your players into our nation. Frankly, we are appalled that any nation would respond in such a manner.

First off, let us start by saying that our decision had nothing to do with giving our National Ice Hockey Team a "huge advantage". Frankly, we don't care how our Ice Hockey team does against your nation or any other nation for that matter in this World Cup of Hockey. Our decision was made based off of the following facts that occurred during the meeting of the Darmeni and Gregoryisgodistani National Ice Hockey teams in Gregoryisgodistan:

1. The unacceptable lack of respect in the signing of our National Anthem. To be fair though, this unacceptable behavior will be looked past, and we can assure you that the organizers of our National Ice Hockey Team and those in charge of organizing the match between our two nations will play your national anthem, unaltered and in its entirety.
2. The unacceptable killing and subsequent intimidation of World Cup of Hockey Federation officials. It is for this reason that your "Enemy Crushers" were barred from entering Darmen. We call that cheating and will not tolerate it in Darmen.
3. The unacceptable police brutality against those Darmeni fans present at the game. Granted, those Darmeni fans were in contravention of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Relations travel rules. Regardless, we find the brutality against them by your Police to be highly unacceptable, and this is the reason that your Prison Guards and Police Officers were barred from entering Darmen.
4. Your nations awful record on Human and Animal Rights. We won't go into detail, but this is the reason your Horse Beaters, Pervert Chasers, and Slave Beaters were barred from entering Darmen.

You have stated that you will attempt to have your entire team enter Darmen, in spite of our decision to bar them from entering. You further stated that your "Enemy Crushers" would "crush" our Customs Officials and Police Officers if they attempt to deport those persons who have been barred from entering our nation. Our nations Intelligence Agency, the IG-2, are required to shadow all persons over the age of eighteen. This means that the five Gregoryisgodistani nationals we are allowing into Darmen will be followed closely by these IG-2 agents. In addition, further IG-2 agents will be present at the airport and have orders to kill any Gregoryisgodistani nationals who refuse to cooperate with our officials. We implore you to keep those persons barred from entering our nation at home, and if you do attempt to send them, to cooperate with our officials. We don't want any bloodshed, and we know you don't want any either, at least in this case.

Should we be forced to kill your nationals who refuse to cooperate with our officials, you have threatened a "full scale invasion" and the use of "solar-powered bombs with the strength of atom bombs." Our intelligence tells us that you have threatened this before, and that you have yet to achieve any results close to those you claim you can achieve. So we're not worried. It should be a nice test of our defenses regardless.

Also, logistics. As your nation is located in Esportiva, your supply lines will be quite long if you do attempt anything close to a full scale invasion. As a member of the Darmeni Commonwealth, and a nation located in Esportiva, our ally Earo has already given us permission to use their nation as a forward base for our operations, giving us a perfect position to wreak havoc on your supply lines.

Good luck if you do attempt anything.

[Gregoryisgodistan]

To: Georges Thomas
From: Lord Almighty Gregory
CC: Horse Beater LAL9120 and World Cup of Hockey Federation President

Dear Mr. Thomas,

All solutions you propose are unacceptable. We will not turn the biggest game of the group stage into a circus by having three players from each team play for the entire game. Having our assistant coaches take part is unacceptable as well, as Elementary School Teacher KS9193 is 47 and Chef P9139 is 53. Furthermore, you have opted to ban almost all of our best players, while you would presumably be able to choose which three you want to play. Finally, one of our biggest advantages is our strong defense and goaltending, and you have opted to ban all of those players from entering your country.

If you will not allow our entire team to enter Darmen, the only acceptable solution I can see is to move the game to a neutral country that will allow our team in. Any country you choose would be acceptable, providing they guarantee they will let our entire team enter their country. However, I would request that you notify us of your choice no later than 48 hours before the start of the game so that we can make appropriate travel arrangements.

Again, the only two acceptable options in this case are to let our ENTIRE team in to your country or move the game to a neutral country who will let our entire team in. I am cc'ing the World Cup of Hockey Federation President, with whom I have lodged an appeal, so that he may be made aware of this. (OOC: I don't expect any intervention from Quebec in this, though if he wants to make an IC response from the President, he's welcome to.) Your actions in prohibiting most of our team, including all of our star players, from entering your country for a crucial game, are completely unacceptable and a violation of the spirit of the game. I urge the President of the World Cup of Hockey Federation to take action here, ideally forcing Darmen to move the game if they will not allow our entire team in. Additionally, if Darmen refuses to cooperate, I would encourage the President to force them to forfeit the game against us and possibly even ban them from hosting any games for the remainder of the tournament. In the event our players are arrested or killed while trying to enter the country for the game, which I can assure you they will all attempt to do if the game is not relocated or forfeited, I would recommend Darmen be kicked out of the tournament and banned from future tournaments for a long time - at least three or four of them. (OOC: Again, the demand for action from the President is IC only.)

Please inform me ASAP as to whether you plan on relocating the game or whether you are willing to allow our entire team into your country. There is no acceptable solution other than these two I have proposed. Please reply at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Lord Almighty Gregory

[Anditia]

OOC - vacations without internet, while enjoyable, do not help my team in the WCoH. IC explanation follows...

Down Right Disappointing!
Hannah D'Aubin -- Anditon Free Press

Following four days of unrest in Anditia that resulted in a press workers strike, the press seems to have reorganized itself and now is better equipped to examine the world's issues and Anditia's sporting event progress. This entire ordeal, spurred from an attempt by the Grablox Corporation's attempt at seizure of the Anditon Herald, has provided more governmental oversight in the press market while still allowing for freedom of the press through normal soapboxing methods. Initially, the Anditon Press Association (APA) had spurned the idea of an outright takeover by the Grablox Corp stating that it would "destroy the integrety of the press" due to the Grablox Corp's Standard and Practice Protocol for Industry Standards inclusion of such language as "GrCorp's employees shall only adhere to the common practice of refusal of ill-will towards the mother corporation, its constitutes, products or subsidiaries." The APA deemed that this language would infringe upon their ability to accurately report on the news - especially with the GrCorp's purchase of Squidgey-Aid sports drink (Official Sports Drink of the Anditon Wolverines Hockey Team) and the Corporation's outright statement against the Anditon Wolves Gridiron team - sponsored by Squidgey's competitor - Lark brands, maker of Rath-Elix Sports Drink. Throughout this time, there was a general refusal to report on any news rather than choose a side in the fight. Luckily for the APA, the Anditon Government swiftly blocked the take over by Grablox stating "With a purchase of the APA by Grablox, a monopoly would be created - the news is an important feature of what makes us who we are, and selective reporting would not be true to the Anditon culture. We will block any such takeover - providing more regulation of the purchasing power of Grablox Corp. In this way, we will create the Anditon Free Press, an organization aiming at allowing for all press to be presented with equal measures, not skewed by the whims of a single entity (unless that entity is the government). Additionally, we will appoint Janna Valdis as chair of the Anditon Free Press. Ms. Valdis has been charged with creating a consortium of the leads of each of the major news corporations within Anditia to ensure that such a hostile takeover is not attempted in the future."

Over the past four days, the Anditon Wolverines have seen their highs and their lows. With two wins and two losses, they sit solidly in the middle of Group 11.

Nation    | 1 | 2 | 3 | F
Anditia   | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6
Britonisea| 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
Anditon Scores:
1: D'Aura (1) from Lovan (1)
   Van Ryk PP (1) from Nelson (1) and Vardos (1)
   Boef PP (1) Unassisted
2: Thomas (1) from D'Aura (1)
3: Nelson (1) from Van Ryk (1) and D'Aura (2)
   D'Aura (2) EN from Boef (1)

An early 6-2 win over Britonisea started the Wolverines out on the right foot. Samm D'Aura was able to net an early goal to bring the Wolverines up 1-0 in the opening minute of play, taking an odd bounce off the back wall stanchion straight to his stick. Early penalties on Britonisea allowed for two power play goals in the first period, bringing the score to 3-0 at the end of 20 minutes. Britonisea was able to score on an odd man rush early in the 2nd period, but their comeback was short lived as the Wolverines quickly responded, after 2 periods, the score was 4-1. Despite a power play goal by Britonisea, they were unable to match the speed of the Anditon wingers, who were able to score yet again. In an attempt to provide a bit of spark under their team, the Britonisea coaches pulled their goalie with 3 minutes remaining, only allowing an empty net goal by D'Aura (his second score of the game).

Following this win, the Wolverines faced the upstart team from The Kytler Peninsulae.

Nation    | 1 | 2 | 3 | F
Anditia   | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3
Kytler Pen| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2
Anditon Scores:
1: Pane (1) from Boef (2)
2: Wallock (1) from Van Ryk (2) and Nelson (1)
3: Havut (1) from D'Aura (3) and Vardos (2)

The Kytlerians were able to gain the early lead against the Wolverines following an early lucky bounce off of the pipe by Igor Gackbang, leading to a Farrell goal. A beautiful pass from defenseman Nick Asquith provided just enough separation for Peter Dyer to pound one home, bringing the early score to 2-0 in favor of the Kytlerians. Following a rousing intermission tongue-lashing by head coach Mario Grappo, the Wolverines were able to right their ship scoring on a deflection of a Jimmy Boef slapper by Kyle Pane.
"I was in the right place at the right time" Pane said following the game. "Sometimes, its the little things that start to dimantle a team. My goal seemed to be that little thing"
That it was, as the Kytlerian team seemed to be unable to string much together offensively following the Pane goal. Sam Nelson was able to show his speed and crafty ability as he undressed the Kytler Penninsulae's defense allowing the second score of the game on a tic-tack pass to Van Ryk and Wallock for the goal. The final score of the game came during the final minutes of the third period. Samm D'Aura was able to float a beauty of a pass through the Kytler defenses to a waiting Mikku Havut who notched his first of the tournament for the game winner - final score 3-2 Anditia.

Unfortunately, everything wasn't all puppy dogs and unicorns for the Wolverines as they have been on an offensive skid over the past two games. A grueling defenisve battle between the Andition Wolverines and the

Nation       | 1 | 2 | 3 | F
Anditia      | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Gregoryisgod.| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1
Anditon Scores:
None

Gregoryisgodistan Ice Slaves previewed what could be a budding rivalry between the two Esportive countries. The game was well fought with Anditia doing all they could to score, but a spectacular - stand-on head performance from the Ice Slaves' tender Enemy Crusher Franky "Fatso" McFattel blocking the absolute peppering of shots on net. Like most competitions involving the Ice Slaves, this was not without incident as Enemy Crusher Fattelson Crusherbarger attempted to kill one of the linesmen following an offsides call. Crusherbarger was able to evade capture as he slipped out of the arena - through a combination of pure brute strength and self-greasing with pig-fat. Despite the brutality of the Ice Slaves, only Tim Stone was injured during the game, forcing Gart Vortmann to take his place as 3rd line center. Stone is still sidelined with an apparent "upper body injury."
"The loss to the Ice Slaves was more of an emotional undressing than anything else. It broke our offensive mojo - why we faltered against Darmen." Coach Grappo commented during a recent press conference. "We'll get back on our feet and be able to come back. We knew going in that these two would be tough games, and they were. We just need to buckle down and fight back."

Following a heartbreaking loss to the Ice Slaves, the Wolverines faced a quick and deadly Darmen team. The Darmenian team has outscored their opponents a surprising 17-3 in their games of this tournament, and the battle with Anditia was not different with a Wolverine loss of 6-0.

Nation    | 1 | 2 | 3 | F
Anditia   | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Darmen    | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1
Anditon Scores:
None

The puck wasn't bouncing the right way for the Wolverines with two early power-play goals on an unfortunate high-sticking (that drew blood) by defenseman stalwart, assistant captain Brent Funar. With this early lead, the Darmen team was able to play their game, their way, a wide open game with plenty of shooting on Anders Mikkan early in the contest. This early shelling by the Darmenian offense (22 shots in the first 15 mintes) forced Mikkan to be replaced by Corwin Buvol following the 3rd goal (at 15:22 in the first). Buvol was understandably unprepared for the offensive onslaught, allowing a goal only 3 minutes after replacing Mikkan. Down 4-0 going into the first intermission was not what Grappo was looking for. He attempted to shake things up in the second by shuffling the lines but was unable to gain any momentum. Near the middle of the second period, there was an attempt to rile-up the bench by Kyle Pane who took an instigator penalty allowing the Darmen team an additional power-play goal. At that point, the game was considered a loss, and Grappo simply had his team play so no injuries would occur. In the end, the Darmen team out shot the Wolverines 37-17, out-scoring them 6-0.
"This was an eye-opener for sure, but after such an emotional let-down of the game against the Ice Slaves and the way we gave up the early PP goals, we [the coaches] were almost expecting a crash. The best thing we can do is have a short memory and come back strong against Esparmuran." Coach Grappo was curt in his responses to the media. The team from Esparmuran has done well in the tournament, posting a 2-1-1 record despite having faced both Darmen and Gregoryisgodistan. It may be a tough battle for the Wolverines, but it should still result in an Anditon win.

[Arkiasis]

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Arkiasis Defeats Defending World Cup Champions, Takes Top Spot in Group
Arkiasis defeats defending World Cup Champions Gyatso-kai 4-1 and Quakmybush 3-2
By Haley Johnston | EATON, VESPERIA | Posted: 28 MAY 2014 6:04 PM AST

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Arkiasis celebrates after their victory against defending world cup champions Gyatso-kai.

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Group 7                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
1 Arkiasis                         4    3   1   0    14    7   +7    10
2 Gyatso-kai                       4    2   1   1    14   14    0     7
3 Borschlandia                     4    2   1   1    14   10   +4     7
4 Quakmybush                       4    1   1   2    15   13   +2     4
5 Semarland                        4    0   2   2    10   14   −4     2
6 Korva                            4    0   2   2     9   18   −9     2

- (The Examiner) Following a gold medal victory in the Esquarium Winter Games, the Arkiasis national hockey team took that momentum to the multi-verse where they defeated defending world cup champions Gyatso-kai whose ranked 4th and Quakmybush whose ranked 31st.

Gyatso-kai's starting goaltender, Zhao Hotaka was out of the game due to food poisoning following a night-out in Eaton. Instead, Bao Lin, a University player instead took over the starting position.

Bradley Garner opened up scoring halfway through the first period on a breakaway goal. Later in the first, William Francis took a 2-0 lead following a fumbled save by Bao Lin. Halfway through the 2nd period Garner scored another goal to take a 3-0 lead. Following the third goal Bao Lin was pulled from after 20 saves on 23 shots. Hong Makhu of the Gaipan Dragonflies hockey club in the Avatarian Hockey League replaced Bao Lin in net. Ishii Hakoda scored shortly after for the only goal Gyatso-kai would score in the game. Charles Hare scored the final empty net goal in the last minute of the third to seal the 4-1 victory over the defending world cup champions as Arkiasis left the ice with their heads held up high and with momentum on their end of the ice.

"This game helped set the momentum for us for the rest of the tournament." said head coach Victor Montgomery, "We let the multi-verse know that we are not to be glossed over, and that we're an actual threat. We proved our worth in the Esquarium Winter Games as the top hockey nation in Esquarium and we will prove our worth here as one of the top hockey nations in the multi-verse."

Zack Quirk stopped 37 of 38 shots while Bao Lin stopped 20 of 23 and Hong Makhu stopped all 30 shots, in the highly offensive contest.

The following day Arkiasis faced Quakmybush whom are ranked 31st in the world, 6 spots higher than Arkiasis.

Arkiasis opened up scoring quickly as Joel Prust scored 5 minutes into the first to take a 1-0 lead. Later in the first Brent Resnick scored on the powerplay to take a 2-0 lead heading into the 2nd. However, in the 2nd period Quakmybush responded with a powerplay goal to bring it to a 1 goal time. And later in the last minute of the 2nd Quakmybush tied the game heading into the third. The game remained tied for much of the third period until Lucas Lynch scored on a cross crease pass from Logan Ross for the game winning goal and the 3-2 victory.

"These two games were the most important for us, and we showed up and played well." said captain Brent Resnick, "But we need to continue playing well and use this momentum for the rest of the tournament. We need to work hard to stay in the top spot of our group."

Zack Quirk stopped 26 of 28 shots while the opposing goalie stopped 35 of 38 shots. Zack Quirk will take the day off tomorrow as Dennis Boyd will take the starting position against unranked Borschlandia.

[Kolmya]

After Matchday 4, Kolmya standing 2-2 with their record
KSN- Channel 1 Hockey

Hello, this is Jon Tsak, and welcome to KSN Hockey this fine evening. Over the course of the past 3 days, Kolmya has achieved two embarrassing defeats. First a 4-2 defeat, then a 7-1 loss. But hope has rekindled in the heart and soul's of the people of Kolmya to make it to the next stage of this tournament, or even beyond. The reason hope has rekindled is because of this morning's Away Win against Nouvel Ecosse. Lets go back in time to the start of the game, which is the time we will start our video recap...

"And Anatoly Chekok is at the faceoff circle as the game is about start. Some changes in goal tonight, as goalie Maxim Koechnik is not starting out tonight in goal, as they want to give him rest. So instead, Milorad Charkov in between the pipes this windy morning in Nouvel Ecosse. And the puck drops, with Chekok winning it, passes to Typukov. Typukov turns it over, oh, and number 4 takes it. Passes to number 5. Number 5 shoots. Scores!!! right past the glove of Charkov. 10 seconds in, and Nouvel Ecosse scores!!!"

"Viktor Lapin dumps it up behind the Goalie, recieves off it his dump, skates it up to the left faceoff circle shoots, SCORES!!!"

(Will add more later)

[Borschlandia]

Borschlandia Third and Fourth Lines Dominate Korva, 5-0
Will Sherm travel to play Arkiasis on MD5?
Special to Te Taglik Staff --Staff Borsch’s circulation leader!--
Sherm Reinhardt’s wife, Rachael, writes about the XXIV World Cup of Hockey game versus Korva on MD 4.

I told Sherm he needed to play, that he would be devastated if the national team lost because he was with me. Not to mention what the papers would say. Een echte druktefoluj! as we say in Borschland. What a to-do.

But in the end, Sherm insisted on staying with me and our troublesome, not-yet-born baby. He insists on few things in our marriage, but this was one of them.

For my part, I insisted that we listen to the game from my hospital room. The doctors told us we should avoid any excitement for the baby’s sake, but the whole ward had it on anyway. You could hear radios all over the floor, and everyone cheered when we scored a goal. Thank the Saints, the Starfire and the good God of all worlds that our team and the great gentleman netminder Mr. Moordfors played such a gem of a game. Moordors tallied his second shutout of the World Cup, a great source of joy to all the people of Matexipar, who were disappointed (to put it mildly) that more of their players were not selected for the national side.

As to Korva, perhaps we should have shown more hospitality to the team that traveled so far to see us. We were overjoyed to receive a beautiful gift of traditional Korvan baby things from the Korvan Hockey Federation. They are a people of cold winters as well, and our baby will have very warm wraps with deer all over them. Beautiful. As for me, I am stable for now. Bed rest for the balance of the pregnancy, and prayers that he or she will stay put for the next nine weeks at least.

And Sherm? He couldn’t have been happier. His very good friend Uwe Sipken, who was moved to the second line in Sherm’s absence, scored his very first trinity in international competition. The roses that showered down after that! I wish I had been at Te Rujnk to see it. They were the first three goals of the game, and we were leading 3-0 at the end of the second period.

For the fourth and fifth goals, we were happy to hear Wiebe Kappe, such a skilled player, and a great gentleman, scoop up a loose puck and direct it by their goalkeeper Bercovitch, who must have gotten tired indeed with us holding the puck so long in his territory . And Conrad Bartuls, he of the crooked nose, made Matexipar happy with what the radio men called a “two on one break” partnering with the esteemed Mr. Kappe.

The ward was very merry. There was brandy all around, and I even had a thimbleful, with the doctors’ blessing, though I much prefer Lisandran cider. Everyone wanted to visit, but in the end, the doctors allowed only the very best star of the Korvan team, Pat Wolfe, to chat with us for a few minutes the day before the game. He and Sherm went on and on in English, and I can hardly say what they talked about, but Sherm will be happy to visit Korva some day.

And the question you have all been worried about, will Sherm travel for the next game, MD5 versus Arkiasis, a very big game, so say all the papers? You will always know my answer. Sherm should play. This is a matter of the nation, of our reputation and our standing in two worlds, not just the one we are currently phased into. We have a great team with wonderful players, and Sherm is part of it. What’s more, we are making a good show of this competition, making 7 points in 4 games so far! Sherm should take part. Whether he will or not is his decision, but be it up to the saints and the stars, Allesgeet ergut. All will be well.

Borschland Scoring Table after MD4

Player		G	A	P
Baarda		2	3	5
Sipken		3	0	3
Ganesmund	1	2	3
Anselm	        1	2	3
Meern		1	2	3
Reinhardt	1	2	3
Sudmaas, Jo	1	2	3
Sudmaas, Je	1	1	2
Sybrandy	0	2	2
Pfelward	0	2	2
Bartuls		1	0	1
Diefenhoven	1	0	1
Kappe		1	0	1
Landseer	0	1	1
Nordhall	0	1	1
Tot		14	22	36

[Gyatso-kai]

From Stumblr user This-is-my-team
0942 hours user time (UTC+8)

Well... We almost had it there. But in the end, we still did not win.

Now don't start whining about how we managed to score 5 goals, or how Ishii got a pair of goals in the third to bring his career high to 98 goals in multiverse play, or how we are still in second in our group, or how we didn't technically "lose".

The fact still remains that we are second in our group.

We are the defending World Champions!

We should be blanking these unranked teams, especially at home! No, we bring 19,953 (The official reported attendance as listed at the Main Page of the Sundari Times Forum) fans to what is considered the most proud arena in all of Gyatso-kai, and manage to draw! We bring them home --- to where Coach Skirata has carved his name into Avatarian Hockey Legend, to where Hakoda Ishii played his first game of pro hockey and where he will play his last, to where the Kuruk Cup has been hoisted a record eleven times in the last twenty jì --- and we cannot managed to outscore them!

It is DISGUSTING.

At least Bao Lin didn't start in the net.

The game started well, with Pakku Ito opening with a nice breakaway goal in the first minute of play. It was a great steal; Marcus Bloqaard got the puck in the Semarland zone from a long icing attempt by the Ice Bisons, and attempted to pass it off to Jan Sven Heidreid as he crossed into the neutral zone. But there was Pakku, just waiting for the pass. He managed to steal it right before Heidreid crossed the blue line. With the only player being Bloqaard in the Semarland zone --- and him being on the opposite side of the ice --- Ito made a fast shuffle to get his shot to bear on Marko Nielsen. The first shot was blocked, but being made at such a close range meant the rebound went off of Nielsen's pad and came right back to Ito, who with just a flick of the wrist sent the puck over a sprawling netminder to make it 1-nil.

The joy of being up by a goal wouldn't live long, as it would be Bloqaard and Anders Nielsen who would equalise the goal at 04:32 on a PowerPlay thanks to a tripping call on Hiteki Kia. The Ice Bisons' traditional diamond form to keep the net locked down when down a man wasn't enough to stop the flurry of shots from the offensive pair. Poor Hong Mahku... He just wasn't quick enough to stop a puck and that friggin' Tay'haai on the second line seemed to have screened our starter and the puck went right over his shoulder when he was repositioning himself. 1-1 and the game started looking interesting.

Getting into the second would prove to be a back-and-forth between the teams. Tay'haai would redeem himself for the screen at 02:35, while Karal Steressen of the Semarland's second line would get a great breakaway at 05:02 during a line change for the Ice Bisons; one which Coach Skirata would later say was his own mistake for calling it before the puck had been completely contained. Skirata's son, Kal Skirata, would get a go-ahead go in the ninth minute on the power play from the slashing call against Karl Mikkelsen. Semarland would tie the game thanks to a one-timer from Lunzu Nmaru at 14:30 getting it up to 3-all. The Semarland team would get their first lead of the game at 18:20 thanks to Dbuzu Okore-Janssen's sweet wrister and would then go into the third leaing 4-3.

We came back into the game determined, and would manage to score two goals back-to-back to take our lead at 5-4; first that confusing cluster at the net that resulted in an Ishida poke-through to tie, and then Ishii would manage to get one on the power play for his 98th goal of his multi-verse career. Tried our hardest to stay up... We really did. You could see the determination in the teams eyes.

But there was one more goal left...

The replay showed that damn Steressen kicking the goal in behind Hong's skate. The linesman called it a goal. They reviewed it from the World Cup heaquarters and said it was a goal. But anyone with a pair of eyes could see that the puck didn't bounce and he clearly kicked it pass the goal line....

The last five minutes of play were just a desperate attempt by both teams to get ahead...

And no one did...

For the rest of the Group, it was a good day. Coming off of embarrassing us 4-1, Arkiasis barely skated through with a 3-2 victory over Quakmybush thanks to a last-period cross-crease goal. Borschlandia blanked Korva a very-impressive 5-nil; thanks to a hat-trick in the first two periods from Uwe Sipken which resulted in a shower of roses from the ceiling of Te Rujnk.

Can we just hope that our next match in Korva will prove to be a the kick in the back to get us going into the second half of the tournament?

[Torisakia]

Tommy's Blog

I don't know what ducks, Lloyd, any ducks. What a better game by the defense, I mean seriously. We've given up 13 goals against prior to this game, more than we should've. It was all thanks to our broken defense the first three games. Today it was like it was a whole new defense playing. We managed to actually hold zones, I don't-I don't believe it, I really don't! They really tightened down against Crystal Empire, without letting the offense get too groggy. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Cassidy and Jessica are defensive gurus. Between them both, they deflected 16 shots and had 23 takeaways. It's almost as if someone went up behind them before the game, waved their hands and said "Abracadabra-doo, the defense here is you!". In other words, the defense was made of...magic!

First period, shouldn't be tough right? Right. Started out as any other game, back and forth misses and takeaways. It wasn't until 10:23 when the Ice Birds finally scored off a slapshot by Lewis to give us a starting lead. In the first period alone, Crystal Empire had 9 shots on goal, all missed. Issac really proved himself this game, like he was a whole new person. The second period started quickly, Daylon Orali scored on a breakaway off a faceoff to give Torisakia a 2-0 lead. It was too much long after that Kristen and Cassidy got going. Right off a deflection from a Crystal Empire player, Kristen got a quick snipe in that would hit off the Crystal Empire's goalie's mask and right to Cassidy, who hit it in to make it a 3-0 game. I couldn't believe the defense, I just couldn't. It would seem that they've opened their can of plums, I think you know what I mean. Just before the second period was over, Crystal Empire would manage to get in a quick one to save the shutout and get on the board with the score 3-1 going into the third period. During the intermission, I went to the bathroom and wound up stuck on the can, WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! I try and I try to get myself out of the toilet, fiddle-riddle-diddle-fiddle-riddle-diddle-fiddle-riddle for ten minutes I'm at it! Finally, I get myself out. And everything was lovely once again, wonderful. And then I went back to my seat.

The third period was just stat padding for the most part. Junkins got another goal to put us up 4-1 at 13:53 to permanently seal the win. Crystal Empire would get one more goal at 19:56 to pad their score, and the game ended with an Ice Birds' win 4-2. Which makes them 4-0-0 in the tournament and retaining their first place spot in Group 12. We managed to stay out of penalty trouble this game, only getting a few minors. We also managed the bench more, and allowing the dusters a little more ice time than they used to get. So this game was better than the first three we played, a lot of improvement was made. Of course, the offense needs just a little more polishing. Our offensive formation just needs a quick check and we're in business. It'll make the games a lot more enjoyable and make my blog posts more entertaining since I've been serious the past few days. So next up, in the last game of the first robin, is newbie Flammable American States, who fell to New South Aqmuland 4-2 and sits in last place in Group 12 at 0-0-4. A polar opposite to Torisakia, so they shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, they might be bluffing. Maybe they were saving their best talent for the last game, against us! They're lying! Gah, when I post here tomorrow, John's going to eat windmills! I swear, I swear he will!

Comments:
1. Cisco: Good to see Murvin not being so serious again.
2. Explosivo13: Is this the best record we've ever had in the World Cup of Hockey? Correct me if I'm wrong.
3. hockeymask17: @Explosivo13 I think you're correct on that. Usually we're undefeated but we have one or two draws.
4. blueox22: Does Murvin think every team bluffs?
5. IceBirds4Ever: @blueox22 Pretty much. It's classic Murvin. What we all love! =D
...
112. wally: So about the defense, I think it may have been the new approach that threw us off.
113. TinyRocks: @wally I thought that too. And because we're facing teams we've never played before.
114. penuts: @TinyRocks Maybe it's because Murvin's back. This happened last time he covered the tournament.
...
276. Advalar: I agree the offense needs some check, but why slow things down when we're 23 goals for?
277. hockeymask17: @Advalar Just to make sure everyone's on the same page. A fast paced offense can throw the new guys off.
278. blueox22: @hockeymask17 To be honest, I hate faced paced offenses. It always comes to bite us in the rear in desperate times.
279. BagOfPlamz: @blueox22 True, it makes our defense slower and thus throws our awareness off.
See all comments(56,799)...