Savojarna 38 WCoH - Everything Thread

[Cassadaigua]

Fillies Overcome Tough Start To Advance,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

There was one thing that had not happened to this team yet: falling behind. They had only given up one goal per game in all of their games thus far, but at no point was that goal they allowed the first goal of the game. Especially lately, the team has been known for their excellent first periods, so when they came out flat against St Saratoga, there was a lot of confusion in the stands from those who made the trip from Cassadaigua, as well as media personnel. St Saratoga dominated the early action, and at 7:54 of the first period, Allison Murphy was beat to her blocker side, and the Fillies were behind 1-0. That in itself is not a great cause for a concern, but the team having been outshot 8-1 at that point, something needed to change. The defense did tighten up for the rest of the period, but the offense struggled to generate chances, and the team went into the first intermission down a goal, and having been outshot 13-4.

Captain Kelsey Cronin was the player stopped for a quick interview as the team headed off to the locker room for intermission. The obvious question was why was the team so sluggish, and Cronin let everyone know, “Brianna (McKee) owns a restaurant in the Victoriaville area along with her family, and we just found out that there was a massive fire at the restaurant, still burning when we last knew, and they are probably going to lose about 80 years of family history there. Many of us eat there and consider it a favorite.” She shook her head and continued, “I know it could be worse, but that meant a lot to her. We’ll get through this, though, I think we will be better in the second period.” Cronin went back to the locker room while Dagan pundits like myself checked on newsfeeds from that area in northwest Cassadaigua and found out that McKee’s is a beloved restaurant in the area, with a 4.9 rating out of 5.0. Further looking of the reviews talk about it being the place where Brianna has memorabilia of hers hung up and displayed, including a couple youth hockey jerseys as well as the puck from her first career goal. Given the nature of the reported massive fire, it would be a miracle if those items were able to be salvaged. Not to mention there are other family heirlooms in jeopardy of being lost. The fire broke out at 6:30 am Victoriaville time, and is believed to be accidental. Everyone made it out safely, so at least there is something positive about it.

In the second period, the Fillies were better, but seemed to be relying on their defense a little more then they would like. St Saratoga was not getting as many shots on goal, but they were controlling puck possession. Minutes of the middle frame ticked away with the score still sitting on 1-0 to the opponents. Sometimes, it pays to be a little lucky. At 16:28 of the period, Mikayla Conrad routinely dumped a puck into the offensive zone that the St Saratoga goalie went to get behind the net. However, it took a strange bounce of the side boards and caromed right into the slot were Meaghan Albritton was positioned. With the goalie scrambling to get back into the crease area, Albritton had virtually a wide open net to direct the puck into, and did, to even the score. Not too long later, at 18:04, the goalie was still rattled, and on the next shot they faced, a rather routine wrist shot from Kelsey Cronin, the goalie allowed a big rebound, and it would be Brianna McKee tipping home the rebound to put the Fillies in front. That got the bench fired up, no pun intended, knowing that Brianna had so much else going through her mind. The goal itself was an easy tip from a poor rebound allowed that any professional should capitalize on, but for the team, it didn’t matter. With the two late goals in the period, Cassadaigua headed into the locker room now up 2-1, despite being outshot 22-11 for the game thus far.

The final frame saw Cassadaigua be much better, and the lead was quickly increased to 4-1 on goals by Cassie Browning at 2:01 and Kelsey Cronin at 8:49. Shots start to get more even, and all of the sudden the slow start became a distant memory. The team was up comfortably, and went on to the 4-2 win without much stress. The second St Saratoga goal came at 19:17, so there was no concern for a comeback. Cassadaigua was outshot for the game 28-24, but still picked up the big win.

The fire was put out at about 10:45am Victoriaville time, the restaurant was significantly damaged, but not quite as bad as was being feared. Many items were lost, but several items did get salvaged. Part of those items were Brianna’s memorabilia. In her first statement to the media about the fire, Brianna told sources that, “Our family has struggled to get where they are and put a lot into that restaurant. It will not be easy, but we will build everything back to be right where it was before. It will take time, but the good news is that everyone made it out okay and we can move on with rebuilding everything. I wish I could be there with them, and I will be eventually.”

[Siovanija and Teusland]

Kirsche’s Corner
With Oskar Kirsche and Ronald Mensing

“Goo-”

“Now before we get started here, I just have two words to say: Christian. Hasselberger. What a player. Look at that hit! Get things going, alright, alright, let’s go!”

“Hasselberger has been excellent tonight, Oskar. I’m Ronald Mensing and with me as always is Oskar Kirsche, the Goldhorns lead Lorenthia 5-1 at the first intermission. Did you expect to see such a fired-up Goldhorn team tonight, Oskar?”

“You’re always going to get that added intensity in the playoffs, but I tell ya, they are something else tonight, boy. I thought they were gonna win the game, but this is a bit more than I expected.”

“Was this first period even better than the first against Elejamie in that massive win for the Goldhorns?”

“That’s a close one, ya know. I think, now all due respect to Lorenthia, but there’s a difference in being 4-0 up on the 2nd ranked team in the world and 5-1 up on the 34th ranked team in the world. It doesn’t really matter though, they are playing better than I think I’ve ever seen them play this tournament, and if they can keep going like this, watch out!”

“You mentioned Christian Hasselberger, and it was his big hit on Jonas Studwick on his very first shift that set the tone for how the Goldhorns played in that period: they were dominant in all areas of the game, physically and in overall play. How important was it for Hasselberger to establish that game early?”

“Everybody knows I love Christian Hasselberger, he’s one of the greats. And Ron, when you get into a playoff game like this, sometimes you’ve gotta look around the room or down the bench and find your leaders and watch what they do. Let me tell ya, I bet Aaron Kuhn loves him, and look at the reaction on the bench! Hasselberger, he’s a great hitter, and he rocks Studnikov-

“Studwick, Oskar.”

“He rocks Sutnikov here, and you can see them all jump up on the bench and react to it. It’s so big to set the tone early, a goal or a big hit, and you see what it did for them on the very next shift!”

“That’s right, Oskar, Gunter Pfenning and the top line went back out afterwards and immediately picked up a goal off the stick of Razvigor Tsvetanov, who has really had a great tournament so far. Any thoughts on that goal?”

“This line has been great, Ron, and Tsetov, what a shot he has I tell ya! So Pfenning goes in and gets it behind the net, what a hard worker he is I tell ya! Then watch, Gottschall pinches in to help him out, and Tsetikanov makes a really smart play here and goes up to cover for him. Pfenning gets it out to the point for Ivanenko-

“Ivankov, Oskar.”

“How often do I interrupt you? I’m telling the story! Ivanenko has it and he knows what’s coming, he gets it over for Tsvetkov and he just has all the room in the world! He walks it in, and bam! 1-0 for the blue and gold.”

“And the goals didn’t stop there either, Oskar. 4 minutes later it was Edwin Ranger with a beautiful wrist shot to put the Goldhorns up 2-0, then an incident that we can’t really ignore, Oskar: the boarding call. What did you think about the play?”

“Look, when you are getting outfought physically and outskated, you are always looking for a way to get something going. I don’t think he had any ill intent, Amundsen, but it wasn’t a smart play to make. You see Heider going into the corner and he just crushes him, you can’t do that and it’s a clear boarding call. Heider, he’s a good Teus boy, he’ll be OK!”

“And Oskar, Koloman Schwarzmann had to be held back by Timo Horn, it looked like he was ready to drop the gloves with Amundsen.”

“Well, that’s the reaction you’re gonna get for sure. If that’s the Ehrenliga, boy, he wouldn’t get away with that I tell ya! Schwarzmann’s gotta keep his head though, and I’m glad Horn was there, because of course, internationally with the fighting, that’s 5 and a game and we need him. It’s always good to see guys sticking up for their teammates though, Ron, and you can’t hold that against him. I wouldn’t have minded seeing that fight, but you can’t do that here and Horn did a smart thing!”

“So the Goldhorns went to a 5-minute advantage, and they took advantage with 2 goals, from Pfenning and one from Schwarzmann. The power play has really gotten into the swing of things this tournament, haven’t they Oskar?”

“They are dangerous, Ron. That goal from Schwarzmann was a pretty sight I tell ya! You’re always going to be a threat when you’ve got a shot like he has, that thing is a rocket, and if he gets set up, well, if you’re Lorenthia, you can’t let him get set up! But they do here, and he just blasts it - bam! Right into the net. Goalie didn’t have a chance. Overall, though, the power play has been excellent - going to be harder as you keep moving forward now though, because these teams are all going to be very, very disciplined.”

“Speaking of moving on, with other results in the books or in progress, it looks like the Goldhorns will take on Valanora if they should hold on against Lorent-”

“They’re up 5-1, Ron.”

“Yes, Oskar, and if they win, they’ll take on Valanora. The 6-time World Cup of Hockey champions beat Vilita and Turori 5-4 in overtime earlier, Oskar, and they are the 10th ranked side in the world. How do the Goldhorns match up with them?”

“Well, it’ll be a great game for sure, I think. They hadn’t really got the offense going in the group stage - but you tell me they’ve put up 5 in the game today, so they may have gotten around that corner, so if our defence and Wagner can put in a good performance, I think that’ll be the key. But it’s also about establishing our game early: they play a fast game as well, and I think that is going to be the key area: if we can outskate them, we can win.”

“It’ll be the first time the Goldhorns have met their neighbours in international hockey, and the winner will advance to the Semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey. The Goldhorns will, again, if they hold onto their lead in the last 40 minutes, already match their best-ever result at a World Cup, but they’d certainly like to go further.”

“Definitely, Oskar, I think we’ll be really up for this one, and I’m looking forward to it.”

“Not too forward though, Oskar, because we’ve still got 2 periods to play here. Siovanija & Teusland leads Lorenthia 5-1 off goals from Tsvetanov, Ranger, Schwarzmann and Pfenning at the first intermission, thank you for watching Kirsche’s Corner on Hockey Night in Siovanija & Teusland.”

Siovanija and Teusland 8-2 Lorenthia
Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoedrhavn, Savojarna

Goals:Tsvetanov (x2), Ranger, Pfenning, Schwarzmann, Schlager (x2), Spiegel
Shots: 48
Power Play: 2/3 (66%)
Penalty Kill: 4/5 (80%)

Period                  1   2   3
Siovanija & Teusland    5   1   2
Lorenthia               1   1   0

[Ko-oren]

Ko-oren readies itself for a Government Year

Within the next 365 days, Ko-oren will have gone through the following events:
- Census result announcement
- Parliamentary elections
- Statement of Goals

For the Dragonfly Archipelago, this won't be anything new, even if it is very rare for three of these events to fall in the same year. For those from outside our cosy corner in Atlantian Oceania, this is the significance behind the events:

Census results
A census is held every 5 years. These results are very important for determining government policies, as a lot of ministries hold off on creating new policies in the year before a census. Population statistics are vital for education, infrastructure, and other programmes; population determines the number of Census Areas per subdivision. Ko-oren has 12 subdivisions, which have 48 census areas combined, but in case one subdivision grows far faster than another, they might be entitled to another census area - which they would take away from a shrinking subdivision. There can only be 12 subdivisions and 48 census areas, after all. The number of census areas in a subdivision determines the number of parliamentary seats assigned to that subdivision, so for small, shrinking subdivisions this might mean that their electoral significance goes down by as much as 50%. Furthermore, language education goals are set by the number of speakers per language - so doing well, or doing very poorly in the census is an indicator of how the language is doing - potentially swinging curriculums across the Archipelago towards language education more than other fields.

Parliamentary elections
The parliament's 144 seats are divided into three groups: one group of 48 seats which is up for a national vote every six years, one group of 48 seats which is up for a national vote every six years (but three years after the first group, so 1/3rd of the parliament changes every three years). The remaining third is given away geographically, to the 48 census areas - each voting for one seat. Next year, we are due to vote for one of the first two groups. The entire country votes, and 48 seats are assigned according to what happens in that election. If 10% votes for the Liberal party, for instance, they will get 4 (or 5) seats - on top of the ones they've already secured in the other six-year-interval, as well as the seats they've been given by the census areas. Anyhow, given the state of parliament right now (which is pretty divided), we might just see a course emerge for Ko-oren's parliament. Even if the parliament is relatively powerless compared to our meritocratic government (the ministries draft the laws, for instance), the power to pass these laws lies with the parliament and we might just see some spectacular things there. Currently, 54% of the parliament leans more towards a democracy than a meritocracy, and if that number increases even further, we might not be very far away from a dramatic shift. Ko-oren has been a meritocracy for very, very long, and that won't change even with the parliament, but it could be a sign of changing alliances and preferences. Furthermore, 52% of the parliament is favourable towards international treaties, which could see Ko-oren take more initiative on the global stage. All other voting blocks are in the 30-to-45-percent range, so something spectacular must happen to take one of them over 50.

Statement of Goals
The Meritocratic government announces its 4-year goals. Depending on the census results and division of parliamentary seats, they might include more of a global focus, or a more inclusive and accommodating government - not through policy, but through listening to a vote. No matter what, failure to make the previous 4-year goals means that there is more pressure on the Ministries - and the Ministers in particular - to make the next 4 years count.

[Savojarna]

This is your Quarterfinal cutoff!

Quarterfinal 1: Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoedrhavn
Siovanija and Teusland 7–2 Valanora

Quarterfinal 2: Stadion Ivan Petrovich, Pawlograd
Neu Engollon 1–0 Ko-oren

Quarterfinal 3: Stadion General Harden, Thorsborg
Mercedini 5–5 Banija (6–5 OT)

Quarterfinal 4: Stadion Karl Marx, Hovikkära
Cassadaigua 2–3 Abanhfleft

Semifinal matchups

SF1: Siovanija & Teusland vs. Abanhfleft (Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoedrhavn)
SF2: Neu Engollon vs. Mercedini (Stadion Ivan Petrovich, Pawlograd)

[Neu Engollon]

Opinion Page

English Edition * 23 Nov 2019

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First Column

Last Week's Column

Reader Response

As always, I continue to swim the waters of controversy. There was a very real possibility that this column wouldn’t be run due to a lot of interference from down the road. Being in the heart of Vilgenna, as this publication is, and my main career job as a senior professor at the city university, there is no shortage of government officials knocking on our doors. Whether you want to answer that door or not, you have no choice but to do so.

It’s been two weeks since my first column in the series, and social media has rocketed on without me. The myth of what I might be saying has become stronger than what I am actually trying to convey. I have been called a hack writer, a propagandist, and a rabble rouser. I have also been used as a figurehead and a rallying cry for the war mongers. They have never been further off.

It’s a solid tenet in journalism and one of the first lessons that I teach in introductory classes that the journalist should never become part of the story. It taints the story with bias. However, this is in the Opinion section for a reason. I can’t approach this as a journalist because there is a very strong message that needs to be shared and politician, civilian, soldier and spy alike need to hear it in the Bundesrepublik. It is biased to the degree that I am biased in favor of our great republic.

We left off talking about Walther Laubmann aka Liebsgott. On the face of it, Walther was a minor official from the Austrakian Athletics Ministry chaperoning Alpine skiers into the heart of the dark country - The Confederacy of Neu Engollon. That’s the official line from the government, and as days go on, less citizens believe that party line. Many believe that he is, in fact, an intelligence officer of the BND. All the leaked details tend to support such in the international press, setting aside the obvious bias of the Neu Engollian press.

The evidence is hard to refute. The lengths that Pine Park went to entrap Walther, above all other Austraks of ‘minor importance’ they could have set up so elaborately, is telling. They went to great strides to bring him onto an important facility of the Neu Engollian Defense Militia (The Ciavno Alpen Regimental Training Center ~ Ed.) and then catch him red handed in a secure off-limits area. The countless months, then years of isolation and interrogation that we can only speculate about; The running gun battle outside Pine Park headquarters in the heart of Geneva that risked the capture and death of Austrak deep cover officers and special operatives, resulting in both for most of them, just to get one of their own back; the massive freak out a year later at a Geneva Federal Courthouse when they nearly lost Walther to a prisoner breakout right before his scheduled, long awaited pre-trial. [This has not yet been confirmed ~Ed.]

None of these incidents point to the actions of, or reactions to, a mere minor government official. But, does any of that matter? Spy or babysitter of teen skiers, none of the accusations would make it right to treat Walther Liebsgott in this manner. Vilified, isolated, psychologically and possibly physically tortured. All hypothesized, but one can think that is not too far off. Walther may or may not be a hero, but he certainly has not warranted any such horrible treatment.

We couldn’t expect that he would be put up in a posh apartment in downtown Geneva, but neither should he be tucked away from any chance to defend himself. No trial as of yet, and a long list of trumped up charges. Accusations without a lot of proof. We only have bits and pieces seen by the public eye and leaked by Neu Engollian officials speaking anonymously to verify his life behind the purple, crimson and gold curtain. Leaked, spotty footage and images of a very gaunt, traumatized seeming Walther have indeed shocked us to our core. How he got to that point is not hard to imagine.

It’s enough that it should galvanize us...but not to war. Getting outraged and indignant to the point where we might throw more lives on the pyre, on top of the dozens lost over the years, the thousands that we lost a century ago is madness. Pointless bloodshed won’t win Walther’s freedom and it won’t assuage our consciences.

Outrage at our government for being ineffectual, at the Confederacy’s government for its wanton cruelty and mockery of our rights as a fellow nation, and for other governments of Teremara for refusing to step in to mediate. Our fellow Teremarans just turn a blind eye in order to keep getting their beer, cheese, and fancy electronics from the Confederacy. This is where our focus should be is shaming the rest of the region. Not loading our rifles, not arming our jet fighters, not racing our tanks to the border.

More Austrak blood shed will not right the wrongs, but it would be naive to think that the built up indignant rage is just over one man being held without trial. Pent up bitterness at the treatment of our small republic at the hands of Neu Engollon and all other nations that toe their line in shunning us, that does seem to be a worthy reason to want to fight back.

The battle needs to be fought on the cyber waves, the social forums, and the debating stage. Austrakia needs to make sure we are invited to the table, so proving that we are not the saber wielding barbarians that Neu Engollon paints us out to be. We need to earn the respect that we demand.

Next week, more on Walther and a possible plan to move forward and clear up the dark clouds.

~ Hans Pichler

Hans is a frequent contributor to the Österreich and other publications, printed and online, as well as an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Vilgenna. He has won numerous awards for his literary work, including his latest book, 'The Struggle of Walther'.

[Mercedini]

Tourney Time: World Cup of Hockey
Mercedini vs. Banija: Match In-Review
@ Stadion General Harden - Thorsborg, Savojarna

Bogey Banija Finally Picked

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FINAL

WCOH | QF

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MERCEDINI 6
BANIJA 5

(1-2) (3-1) (1-2) | (1-0)

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Thorsborg, Savojarna

The bogey team of Mercedini's sporting past and present has finally been overcome in Savojarna as Mercedini book a spot in their second successive semi-final following a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory over Banija in the World Cup of Hockey Quarter-finals. There was nothing to separate the two sides after three periods of regulation hockey, meaning these two friendly rivals went to a deciding period, where Banija couldn't cause an upset against the World #3 as the Kingfishers netted the eventual winner eight minutes from time in front of a capacity crowd. In a tournament where Mercedini has held the momentum throughout their matches, this was the closest call they have had, just squeaking past a Banija side who gave a good account of themselves, with the team unifying a nation following another deep run in the tournament.

The matches keep on coming, and Mercedini will be back in action for their crucial semi-final match is what could possibly be the blockbuster match of the tournament. After beating their general bogey team, the Kingfishers now move on to face their hockey bogey team in Neu Engollon, a repeat of last edition's championship fixture. Dini will be looking to enact revenge on the Ibex who beat them by three matches to two in the final in Equestria, lifting Mercedini up to third in the world rankings and breaking the former record of 4th for the nation's best ever finish at the tournament. Whoever wins will move on to their second successive final and have another chance of claiming the sport's top prize, when they face off against either Abanhfleft or Siovanija & Teusland, who play in the night's other semi-final. It will be a big night for all nations involved, the entire tournament has been building up to this.

Onto the match and it was jam packed all the way through, the travelling Mercedinian and Banijan fans were making a ruckus inside the Stadion General Harden in Thorsborg, waves of orange and navy blue littered the upper stands as drums and horns were all smuggled into the arena to make for quite a rousing atmosphere for the players as they stepped onto the ice. Everything was at stake for both teams, they had to make everything count over the next three periods to take their nation to the next level. Mercedini had already been their before, although neither had gone all the way. It wasn't long before the fans in orange were making all the noise as Banija took a stunning lead with barely a minute on the clock as Kabiru Colley pounced upon a wayward pass from Oliver Ansellini and skated through the retreating defensive back line and slammed the puck into the top corner of the net for a rapid start and a rapid opener. Dini were visibly still reeling from that terrible start to the match, but patiently got themselves into the game with their signature pass and move play-style which draws out the opposition before striking with a long through-pass to thread a player through. Ansellini, trying to make a mends, was put through with one of those passes but could only ping the puck of the top of the crossbar as the puck sailed safely into the possession of the Banijan defence. the warning signs weren't heeded, and Dini soon found themselves on terms mid-way through the first period as recent swap Ayal Ismaat continued his great run of form with a low drilled shot which squirmed under the leg pad of Halimnye in the Banijan goal. They all count, even if that last goal was a bit suspect. However, Banija had the last laugh and went ahead with two minutes left on the first period clock with Olembe, their star man, poking home a saved shot from Carshavington in a tight scuffle which ultimately saw the goal given on a review. No time for Dini to get another equaliser, with Banija entering the tunnel for the first interval with a surprise 2-1, and they looked good value for that lead.

The teams were back out for the second period with Mercedini needing to get a grip on the game, and with Banija looking well versed at this point, that was easier said than done. In a change from the first period, the entire first line were on the ice for the second period to try and gain an advantage in the match. The front line, that was rested during the first period, seemed up for the occasion as they dictated the pace and direction of play with the skills the had learnt from the previous five or so tournaments the have been part of, and it was looking good at the early stages, even if the breakthrough hadn't come yet. Eventually, the pressure told and Dini turned the match on it's head with two quick goals barely five minutes into the second period. Max Morton's poor slapshot was gobbled up by Acoflosa's Zach Arthur who guided the puck past the glove of the Banijan goaltender and into the net for a scrappy equaliser. But, Morton didn't to be denied twice as provider turned goalscorer with a strong slap shot was blindsided by a weaving run by Ismaat as the puck deflected into the net of the helmet. Halimnye couldn't react in time as Dini found their first lead of the game, now leading 3-2 with ten minutes to go in the second. Banija weren't the side of go away easy, with a plethora of shots headed Carshavington's way from all over the rink, the Dinian defence was cracking under the pressure, but a lax pass in the middle of a mid-rink melee gifted Morton the chance to skate through unopposed towards the goal. The Albertain Mutants attacker was sliding the puck left and right with his stick before giving the goalkeeper a quick shuffle as he neatly tucked the puck away for a 4-2 lead in the second, it seemed as if Dini were running away with the match, three unanswered goals in the second period putting them in the driving seat in the match.

However, Banija one again had the last laugh in the period as they bought a goal back with the second ticking away. Olembe once again popped up behind the defensive line to open the defence up and square the puck to Jawara for their first goal of the period and their third in the match. Just when you thought they were out of it, they come back with another. A single goal deficit was well within reach as the teams went into the tunnel for the end of the second period. 4-3 it stood, with Dini one period away from another semi-final.

All the drama and spectacle of this quarter-final was about to come to a head in Thorsborg, with both teams battling hard and igniting their flame of passion at the right time for their respective sides. The travelling fans had their picks, and even the locals were getting in on the mix, raising the noise level whenever a team advanced up the ice and a goal looked imminent. The noise level was raised to eleven as the teams came back out for what looked to be the final time, a winner had to be found. Dini with the lead, Banija needed to find something inside of them in the next twenty minutes to keep their hopes alive after what had been an awesome tournament for them. Mercedini elected to field the fresh legs of the third line for the first time in the match, hoping that their high energy levels would keep the opposition at bay, when they needed it the most. Banija's opening shots came to nothing but gave them hope that they could nick a goal or two as they skated towards a hostile Mercedinian-backed corner of the stadium. Olembe was pulling the strings up front, and sent the orange and green fans in ecstasy as they had completed an unlikely comeback from a goal down to bring it back to 4-4 on the night with a fantastic Olembe move, certifying his spot as one of the rising stars in the hockey world. His performances had got his side out of jail numerous times at this tournament, and his simple slap-shot found a way between the leg pad and the stick of Carshavington to bring them back from the brink once again. The atmosphere was rowdy for the next ten minutes or so, and the match really came to a head with two further goals being shared to round out a ten-goal haul in regulation time.

First, Dini re-established their lead with a breakaway goal which saw Ismaat square the puck to Morton who made no mistake from a couple of yards out. Then, to round out the madness, a rare miscommunication from the Pollock brothers allowed that man again, Theo Olembe to skate on through and dink the puck effortlessly over an advancing Carshavington for his third and Banija's fifth, prompting drums and horns to be hard even more loudly on both sides. The arena klaxon for the end of the game could barely be heard as everyone knew overtime was about to ensue. There was nothing to separate these sides as a 5-5 scoreline after three periods meant a further twenty minutes and potentially a shootout was left to decide who would become the third semi-finalists advancing from tonight.

Big questions being asked of the defence now, with both teams shipping a rather embarrassing five goals a piece to rampant attacking trios all over the ice, it was time to try and plug up those holes. Remember, no golden goal in overtime so it is whoever outscores the other team in this single period, if there was still a tie at the end of that, then it would go to a shootout where nearly anything could happen. It was a nervy start for both sides as they knew what was at stake, one slip-up or errant pass could give the other side a free ticket to the final four, after all of their had work neither team wanted it to slip now. The audience had calmed somewhat from the frantic celebrations from the previous period, with concentration from the players and the coaches at an all-time high. With three minutes to go and with the score still at 5-5, the chance presented itself. Max Morton gathered the puck in the final third with a player still to beat, he slid the puck to his left and took an opportunistic shot. The connection was good, the flight was good, and it sailed effortlessly into the net with the Banijan goaltender's glove centimetres away from getting the contact it needed to parry it away. The green light above the net lit up, prompting rampant celebrations from the team in navy blue. Morton had pulled through when it mattered, the scoreboard said it all, 6-5 to Mercedini.

Banija couldn't conjure up any more chances of note as their flame was snuffed out by controlling Mercedinian passing play. The klaxon sounded out for one final time and Mercedini had done it, they have come through one of the most testing hockey matches seen to date. A date with the current defending champions awaits them. Join us tomorrow as the Mercedinian Kingfishers face off against the Engollonian Ibex for a spot in the World Cup of Hockey Final

[Siovanija and Teusland]

Kirsche’s Corner
With Oskar Kirsche and Ronald Mensing

“Good even-”

“Now first of all, before we get started here, I just have to say, Timo Schlager, what a beauty I tell ya! We all knew the speed this guy has, and he’s putting on a clinic tonight I tell ya!”

“Schlager has been excellent, Oskar. Well, I’m Ronald Mensing and this is Oskar Kirsche on Kirsche’s Corner, the Goldhorns find themselves in a 2-2 tie with Valanora at the end of the first period. It’s been a great game so far, hasn’t it Oskar?”

“I tell ya, this is one of the best hockey games we’ve seen in a while. Valanora, they’ve got a lot of speed I tell ya, but we’re skating with them well and keeping up. We started to establish a bit more of a physical presence there late too which is gonna be important, but this one is special so far I tell ya!”

“Valanora actually got an early 2-0 lead over the Goldhorns in this one, Oskar, which surely put some fear in the hearts of the millions watching back home. What did you make of the opening 10 minutes or so that left the Goldhorns in a hole?”

“Well, I think they weren’t sure what type of game they were going to play tonight, Ron. There was a lot made of these teams being exceptionally quick and skilled, and I think that we were trying to play too much to their style rather than ours. The goals, though, what can you say? That Jacob Sandberg has a real good wrist shot I tell ya. Wagner wasn’t going to stop that one. I thought the second goal they got, though, I think Gottschall’s a bit out of position on that one and allows Gustakov-”

“That’s Hussein Gustavsson, Oskar.”

“Gustasen, yeah, anyway, he gets by Gottschall and once you get in that position it’s harder to miss than to not score! So Valanora goes up 2-0, and if you’re the Goldhorns, you have to go back to the basics and back to your identity.”

“And that’s what they would try to do. It was actually the first time the Goldhorns have faced real adversity this tournament, Oskar, the first time they’ve trailed in a game all World Cup. What was it going to take to save the first period against a team like Valanora?”

“Well, like I said, get back to basics and back to your identity. We can skate with them for sure, but we’re not going to beat them playing their game. We’re at our best when there’s a lot of energy and emotion in the game, we feed off that passion. I liked Kuhn sending Ranger and Hasselberger out there after the 2nd goal, you know those guys can make a big hit or something to get the bench going. And that’s what Ranger did, he runs over Dahlberg there and that gets ‘em going I tell ya!”

“That hit did seem to give some inspiration, Oskar, but it was also Timo Schlager having his best game of the tournament so far. We talked briefly about him earlier, but just, his first goal, what do you make of that?”

“Not many people can skate like that I tell ya! He picks up the puck, blows by Astrom, then he sees some open ice and he just flies I tell ya! So before ya know it he’s in on a breakaway, and he’s not going to miss that, he’s Timo Schlager. All you kids out there, that’s the way to play the game! Picks the corner, 2-1, let’s go!”

“All the momentum seemed to be with the blue and gold after that, Oskar, and Schlager picked up his second goal of the game a few minutes later.”

“That was a really excellent play by Heider, I thought, to get him the puck there. Heider, you don’t see him down on the boards often, but he’s in there tonight, and he gets this one out and sends a crisp pass over to Schlager. That wrist shot, boy, that is something! Only Ranger I think is better. So, now you’ve gone out and overcome that bad start and you’re back to 2-2.”

“So 2-2, we’re level at the end of the second period. What is going to win this game for Siovanija & Teusland?”

“Keep playing our game. The big question on this team going in was if they had that winning mentality; they showed a real killer instinct in all the other games so far but as you said, they’d never been down in a game here. Do they have the capability to pick themselves back up from that? And they rose to the occasion tonight I tell ya! So just keep skating hard, keep hitting them hard because that was really starting to wear ‘em down at the end of the first you could see, and make them play our game. Honestly, Ron, I think if we can do that I don’t think we’ll have any problems here.”

“Is there a concern that it’s really only been the 2nd line getting involved in the scoring? Surely you’d like to see that top unit of Schnyder-Pfenning-Tsvetanov involved, especially Alex Schnyder who has been a little quiet on the scoring front this tournament?”

“Look, he’s got a role to play on that top line there and he’s doing well in it, battling hard to win the pucks for Gunter and Tsvetikanov. They’ve been checked well by that first line for Valanora tonight though, I tell ya, that Sodersov-”

“Leo Soderstrom, Oskar”

“Soderstrov is doing good against Gunter for sure, but they’ll figure it out I tell ya! You can’t keep them quiet for 60 minutes, they’ll find a way. Tsvetikanov, he hit the post earlier there too, they’re gonna have to battle but they’ll find a way through. And if it’s the second line that wins us this one, we’ll take that as well.”

“How good does David Wagner have to be tonight if the Goldhorns are going to win?”

“The rest of the way? He’s looked good so far I thought, neither of those goals he really had a chance on but he’s been confident otherwise, that penalty kill was a good display from him. Look, if we play our way, they’re not going to have as many shots as they’d like so he just has to keep focused and keep his head in the game. If we don’t, we’re not going to win anyway so it doesn’t matter, but I guess you never know, and he is the type of goalie that can win you a game.”

“Which version of the Goldhorns are we going to see in the second period?”

“They’ll be fired up I tell ya, you saw how they got going there at the end of the first and I’m feeling good about them, there’s a real belief there I tell ya and I think they can get it done. Let’s go!”

“Siovanija & Teusland sit tied 2-2 in a great contest with Valanora at the end of the first period, both Goldhorn goals coming from Timo Schlager. Live from the Sjoederhavns Stadsstadion in Savojarna, thank you for watching Kirsche’s Corner on Hockey Night.”

Siovanija and Teusland 7-2 Valanora
Sjoederhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoederhavn, Savojarna

Goals: Schlager (x3), Pfenning, Tsvetanov, Ranger, Ivankov
Shots: 36
Power Play: 1/1 (100%)
Penalty Kill: 3/3 (100%)

Period                  1   2   3
Siovanija & Teusland    2   4   1
Valanora                2   0   0

[Savojarna]

This is your Semifinal cutoff!

Semifinal 1: Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoedrhavn
Siovanija and Teusland 1–1 Abanhfleft (1–2 OT)

Semifinal 2: Stadion Ivan Petrovich, Pawlograd
Neu Engollon 1–0 Mercedini

3PPO: Siovanija & Teusland vs. Mercedini (Stadion Karl Marx, Hovikkära)
Final: Neu Engollon vs. Abanhfleft (Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoedrhavn)

[Neu Engollon]

Response to the Opinion Page

English Edition * 25 Nov 2019

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First Column

Second Column

First Sampled Reader’s Response

Last Week’s Column

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More Responses to Hans Pichler’s Opinion Pieces on Austrak-Neu Engollian relations

Pichler continues to subject us to his redundant, sanctimonious writing, stirring us to...peace? He’d sure like us to think so. Maybe he just needs to shut the hell up. We don’t need to be beat over the head anymore that we’re the bastard child of Madurin, maybe even Teremara, only outclassing the likes of San Rosito, the Yellow Star Republic and Qasifya. Many have recently woken to the fact that we are done with being treated like Madurin’s bitch.

Yes, I could just stop reading his drivel, but it’s too late for that. It has spread like a virus to the other media outlets in the Bundesrepublik, his quotes infect us through our social media and our air waves. The damage is done and you know what has resulted. I will never forgive this once prestigious publication for holding the match to the flame.

~ KurtJ44 via our website

Hans is the man and he started us talkin’. If you’re not out on the streets you’re just supporting the Neu Engollians and the cowards in power who bow to them. All those who are talking smack are fuckin’ scared. A movement has begun to take back our republic and our place. You’re with it...or you’re in the way.

~ Mirodawg77 via our website

It has all gone to shit in the name of Walther and a few inches of border. What’s next? Shut down the banks? Should we march with pitchforks and torches over the bridges across the Thal Fluss? I guess we'll just start right here in Vilgenna. Fuck you, Hans Pichler.

~ JudiR via our website

I don’t want to take sole blame for the events of the last few days, but I guess I had my part. People have marched on the Chancellery and Foreign Affairs Ministry. Molotov cocktails have hit the Justice Ministry and the GNP Party HQ has been burned to the ground. The riot police are out in overwhelming force, along with units of the military and BNI special units. Blood has been shed, just as feared.

All that anger and bitterness, that pent up rage at years of eating it at the hands of Neu Engollon and all their lackeys sucking on their money tit. It has bubbled out in an ugly mass emotional cloud. I’m no Mikel Geier. He’s the one leading young students through the streets. I’m no politician, cowering in the Chancellery. I’m just a professor that gave a voice to what the whole country was feeling.
If you still feel you need to blame me, then go ahead. I can't stop you. Hell, it would be good to see that anger focused instead of lashing out in all directions and more innocent people getting hurt. People are dead now from stampedes, from police bullets, and from counter-mob violence.

The most idiotic thing is that its all focused inwards, instead of out towards those who manipulate us. Austraks are fighting Austraks...and sometimes random tourists and foreign businessmen, but pretty much ourselves. Reaction and counter-reaction and overreaction are the process now here in the capital.
I meant to do a different kind of column, but this is likely to be my last chance. Or at least my last genuine statement. Hours after this publication goes online and ends up in print, myself and several editors at Österreich are to report to BNI HQ for questioning. Your guess is as good as mine as to what that means.

Take plenty of screen shots as rumor has it the web will be shut down. We likely won't get the print version out in time, as they have told us the trucks cannot leave the motor pool bay. I can't say anymore about that. We have alternate delivery plans, but I won't get into that here for obvious reasons.

I thank you for your support, and to those who question me and my motives and challenge my narrative, I thank you even more. You are right to question me.

Question Everything.

~ Hans Pichler
Vilgenna

Hans Pichler is a frequent contributor to the Österreich and other publications, printed and online, as well as an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Vilgenna. He has won numerous awards for his literary work, including his latest book, The Struggle of Walther.

[Savojarna]

This is your FINAL cutoff!

Final: Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, Sjoedrhavn
Neu Engollon 4–2 Abanhfleft

3PPO: Stadion Karl Marx, Hovikkära
Siovanija and Teusland 2–3 Mercedini

Congratulations to WCoH 38 Champions NEU ENGOLLON!