World Cup of Hockey 21 - Everything Thread

[Cassadaigua]

They deserved their apples,
by Bryan Cloutier

I didn’t think that the apple tossing was going to continue during the World Cup of Hockey, and for 59 minutes and 44 seconds, it didn’t. Winchester would probably have been the most unlikely host city within Cassadaigua for it to have happened, but if you had apples on you, they deserved to be tossed to the ice. They weren’t thrown at the Rovegia players, but at the referees for one of the worst calls I have ever seen. As we had pulled the goalie for the extra attacker, Chelsea Paquette took a shot from the slot that was stopped by the goaltender, but a rebound bounced right back out, LW Adrienne Martel pounced on the rebound from the goalie’s right side, but as he had the goalpost covered, she dropped a pass back for Paquette to reload and fire again. Chelsea fired and beat the goalie who tried to scramble to cover the other post. In dramatic fashion, we had tied the game at one! Inexplicably, the official waved the goal off, claiming that Stephanie Lyons had interfered with the goaltender. While Stephanie was in the crease, she was there because she was pushed there by the Rovegia defensemen. Clearly, you can see the defender with a shove from behind (cross checking, anyone?), pushing Lyons into the goalie as Paquette released the shot. The referee chose not to see this, though I have no explanation for how he could have missed it. This is when apples flew onto the ice towards the referee, causing a lengthy delay. Several apples hit their target dead on.

Throughout the years, we have tried never to criticize referees, but after the way we lost in the deciding game of the International Basketball Championships finals, poor officiating is become more and more of an issue. If these things do even out, then we’re owed a crapload of calls.

[Ko-oren]

Powerplay

The first game in the WCoH turned out to be a loss. Gyatso-Kai was too strong by one goal: 2-3. Especially since the first game was a home game, the Greenblues wanted to leave a good impression. Now that is almost a success: it was only a loss by one goal, at least. The problem is that both goals came from a powerplay situation, and that the team has not scored a 'standard' situation goal yet. Meanwhile, all 3 goals conceded were non-powerplay, at least. The defensive aspect of the team is working, although they just concede a goal too many to get a point. It has to be said: the goals scored by the Greenblues were very good goals. The fouling situation is fantastic, with just Telain finding himself sent off for 2 minutes. All in all, the game was between two equal teams: 31 chances for Gyatso-Kai and 28 for Ko-oren, and five goals in total from these chances. The group had three games, and all teams were just separated by one goal from their opponents.

The game already was wide open after 90 seconds, when Skirata scored from an Ishii assist. Both were not the MVP for Gyatso-Kai: this was Ishida, who scored two goals in the third period, shooting the Bisons from 2-1 behind to a 3-2 victory. Ishii, however, made a much more stable impression. In between the three goals, Jaragun and Biluthen scored the Ko-orenite goals, and as said they were both from powerplay. These goals obviously count as normal goals, no matter how 'cheap' they might seem for some people. In the end, both teams had almost equal chances, so still the Ko-orenites can only be blamed for not scoring the equalizer. That might have been difficult, seeing as the Bisons controlled the game near the end, with 13 chances in just the third period.

Appendix - in which we show that Ko-oren is a country that does everything differently. Or hardly. Or 'difficultly'.

In the first part of the appendix: a map. Not like the map on the first page of this travel guide, but one that shows the different meanings for the word 'Ko-oren'. It can be a region which includes Ko-oren and its seven colonies, or the country Ko-oren which includes the largest island (called Ko-oren) together with the 12 islands off the coast, or the capital city of the country. To refer to specific areas in the greater region, there are some names too:
Map of Greater Ko-oren
Each color has both a border and a name.

These definitions are used often, and literally. Though the word 'archipelago' may be used as another word for the country of Ko-oren. For the rest, names of regions are not ambiguous: the names of the colonies, and the names of states within Ko-oren have just one meaning. Capitals of colonies and states are always different from the names of the entities they are in.

[Northern Sunrise Islands]

DE PLACA

WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY 21
Estope's defensive style troubles, but not neutralize totally the Sunrisian scorers, 1-0 is the final score

After four penalties by Estope, two of them being Slashing, the Sunrisians obtained a victory after a tricky shot by Israphel Mortiise after half of the third period went through. Estope, being a very defensive team, put all hell to stop the offense that the Marills put in the ice. Also thanks to the great perfomance of Joshua Worrel, the team of Estope has managed to mantain their goal untouched, but couldn't give any challenge to the net of goalie Louis Oulette. Eventually, after the fourth penalty that the Estopian team would commit, the sole one in the fourth period, Frederic Blanc would intercept the puck in the back after another desesperate clearance shot from the opponents defensive area. He moved with it to the front and passed it near the net only for Israphel Mortiise to push it inside the goal. Next match of NSI will be against Quakmybush, who also won this week and won it as tight as NSI.

TIME	PERIOD		TEAM	PLAYER
12:20	FIRST		EST	T. PAGANICO (Penalty - SLASHING)
2:37	SECOND		EST	B. LOYNES (Penalty - TRIPPING)
6:11	SECOND		EST	L. DUTT	(Penalty - SLASHING)
12:00	THIRD		EST	A. ROOKWOOD (Penalty - INTERFERENCE)
13:15	THIRD		NSI	I. MORTIISE (Goal) - Assist: F. BLANC

OTHER NEWS
> SHL to start season after the World Cup of Hockey
> Avalanche's debut delayed due to bugs found at production in Dainer
> Forgotten Lands: United League Roster Draft live at deplaca.com.nsi!
> Sunrisian international Trent Millard gives his views about the Qualifiers that will take place soon

[The Sova Empire]

Perfect record

Dramatic finish puts TSE in a tie for first

While Sicoutimont beat the Sovan baseball team in the WBC, the World Cup of Hockey team was doing better. The match was between 2 unranked teams, TSE hosting Maximus Bush. Most of The Sova Empire was not knowledgeable on Ice Hockey, so the big cheering element of the crowd was the Northern people, who fielded most of the Sovan team. The home team needed to deliver a victory to place hockey into relevancy. The Sovan squad did not dissapoint.

Short Summary: TSE scored 2 in the first, Bush came back with 3 more before TSE tied it up in the 2nd, and a dramatic, 10-seconds to go goal to seal a Sova victory.

Longer Summary:

TSE 5:22 1st Period: With a minute left in a TSE power-play, Juha Emil hits a one-timer between the goalie's legs for a goal. 1-0
TSE 13:02 1st Period: Ola Anton steals the puck and races away with it. The goalie didn't stand a chance. Swerve, Swerve, slice, shoot, score. 2-0

MB 0:43 2nd Period: The first line for Bush comes back in, and their defenseman fires one that bounced out of Kristoffer's glove and across the goal-line. 2-1
MB 1:59 2nd Period: The Bush first-line right-wing swung around the trapezoid and lofted a beautiful shot into the back of the net. 2-2
MB 2:29 2nd Period: A fight broke out, and the referee's decided to make it a 5-on-3 in advantage of Bush. Their 2nd-line center wasted no time in putting a backhand past Kristoffer. 2-3
TSE 17:10 2nd Period: With help from a "Wreck-It-Ralph" hit (which the crowd went "OOOOOOHHHH" and then started the "WRECK-IT-RALPH" chant), TSE's first line get's the puck and fires 5 times and the 6th time was the charm. 3-3

TSE 19:50 3rd Period: The TV crew called it best:

"With 1 minute to go, Maximus Bush is going to go with the Empty Net to get the 6th offensive man."
"I don;t particularly like this call just because it is so easy for TSE to break out and get a relatively easy goal."
"Maximus isn't making it easy at all. He FIRES and Kristoffer blocks it. ANOTHER SHOT just misses wide. The next shot is collected by Kristoffer. He lobs it over EVERYONE's head! IT'S ROLLING!!! NOBODY'S CATCHING UP TO IT!!! IT'S GOING TO GO IN!! SCOOOOOOOOOOORRREEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLl!!!!!!"
"That was beautiful! A goalie scored the game-winning goal!"

4-3 TSE wins.

1st star: Sigvard Kristoffer (3 goals allowed, Game-winning goal)
2nd star: "Wreck It" Ralph Veikko (big hit that lead to the 3rd Sovan goal)
3rd star: Unnamed Maximus Bush Right-Wing (made a dazzling play for Bush's 2nd goal)

[Atelia]

The Atelian Ulaans Recording Book

Results have now come in from our first match in the world cup of hockey 21 and unfortunately it appears that the Ulaans lost even worse then we predicted they would of. Granted we are a new team and going up against the skilled minnows of mapletish which just won fourth place in the last world cup of hockey world cup 20 meant that victory wasn't very high an expectation but we promised we would stay strong however we did not necessarily expect to have lost and be the biggest failure of all the teams that participated loosing to the minnows five points without even scoring one of our own is simply a crushing blow against the Ulaans and as a defensive team im simply amazed that they were able to score so many points against us. But we do have to get out of this gutter because without spirit we might as well just give up right now besides looking at everyone else in our group we should do much better in the next games with other group members infact our team is heading right now to slembana for our second match and i do very well believe that we could win this match so wave your flagards today in for the spirit of the Ulaans. Also we have an interview from team captain of the Ulaans Valdertokenschitz Vraksticklitzstannimodvidski who has something to say about the upcoming game."

" Well last nights game was a mess just... i do not know what happened it was just a disaster we just crumbled to their more experienced team but today is new day and i believe that my team has a new face one very well of revenge and i and my team are now gunning for that victory and nothing will put us down. I would like to say that you should not either so give good luck to me and my team for i want to know that my own people still have faith in the Ulaans. and that was Valdertokenschitz Vraksticklitzstannimodvidski hope you heed his advice.

[Quakmybush]

The Daily Quak

Quakmybush is Back On The Ice

After a long absence from the international hockey scene Quakmybush has returned to the World Cup of Hockey. The tournament, which Quakmybush has one twice (I and III) is the premier competition for hockey. The team took on another unranked nation in Stretta, and they were ready.

The boys from Quakmybush took an extremely early lead when Doug Powers came down the left wing, through a pass into traffic, where it found the stick of Storm Novacek, he made no mistake, getting the puck through the goaltender of Stretta, making the score 1-0 Quakmybush. The goal was met with loud cheers from the home crowd, something they had been waiting for, for a long time. They would not have to wait nearly as long for the teams next goal. Just minutes later, on the power play a wonderful tick tack toe play put the good guys up by two. The puck was worked around the perimeter, finally into the top of the slot where two more passes were completed when finally Bobby Bjorkman put the puck into the yawning cage. 2-0 was the score heading into the first intermission.

The second period of the game was one that makes coaches all over the country want to pull their hair out. Stretta carried the play for the first 12 minutes of the period, then got a spark as Montello got into a bit of a donnybrook with Ulf Cote, both players were sent to the box for 5 minutes. The aftermath of the bout saw Stretta score two quick goals to tie the game at deuces. That was the score going into the second intermission.

Thankfully Head Coach Fuller got through to the boys who came out flying in the third. They buzzed around the Stretta net for minutes on end when finally the pressure paid off. David Lawrence went to the net hard and cashed in on a rebound to make the score 3-2 Quakmybush. The home team continued to carry the play, allowing Stretta only 5 shots in the period. Late in the 3rd Quakmybush added an insurance marker with Bobby Bjorkman's second of the game.

Next up for Quakmybush will be a game on the road. The game will be against 21st ranked Northern Sunrise Islands who eeked out a one to nothing win over Estope. This should be a very good test for the team from Quakmybush.

Goal Summary
1-0 Quakmybush 1st 1:09 Novacek (1), (Powers (1), Slane (1))
2-0 Quakmybush 1st 3:43 Bjorkman (1), (Novacek (1), Marquering (1))
3-2 Quakmybush 3rd 4:59 Lawrence (1), (Fuchs, (1))
4-2 Quakmybush 3rd 16:32 Bjorkman (2), (Novacek (2), Powers (1))

Goaltending
Akerman 1-0-0 GAA 3 34 Saves on 37 shots .919 SV %

[Gyatso-kai]

Bianjing, Changdong Island, Northern Water Tribes, Gyatso-kai
1610 hours local time (UTC+7), 2 June 2013.2

Yes, it was the end of the second jìnián, but the weather in the Northern Water Tribes was just now starting to resemble spring. Snow was still heavy on the ground, and those who dared travel into town did so by either four-wheel drive or dog team.

The sounds of a team of dogs barking loudly seemed to break the silence of the town as though it were a razro sharp blade...

On the only road leading out of town to the west, one could see a flurry of movement on the haze-filled horizon. A team of dogs soon became visible, their mouths agape as they gasped for air; bred for generations to be perfect for this kind of extrenuous work, they were only happy when pulling a massive weight behind them. Six dogs in all were ahead of the sled, whose pilot was a rather large man, drapped in traditional garb. The sled came to a stop right in front of a wooden building, one whose weather-worn sign read in aurebesh "The Edge". A smile creeped across the man's face as he stepped from his sled, and whistled a quick chirp to his dogs, all of whom laid down and rested easy. He turned to the building, adjusted his coat, and stepped inside.

The aroma of a wood-burning fire was the first scent to fill his frost-nipped nostrils, followed by the almost-overpowering smells of liquor, stew, and other men. He hung his heavy coat by the door, a series of hooks each occupied save a few open slots, and placed a weapon on the floor. It looked like a rifle, the make unknown, and anyone in the room could see this man was still rather armed.

"So, Hurkuk," the barkeep shouted from his end, a stack of glasses needing to be dried and stored, "what brings you to Bianjing?"

The man, evidently named Hurkuk, sat at an empty stool near the keep. His face was worn from weather and war, scars running deep; his hands callouse and hard, from years spent in heavy use.

"Isn't there a game today, Kuzon?" Hurkuk stated. His hand was open on the bar, and the barkeep was much abliged to place a glass of warm golden liquid within its grasp.

"That there is... I hear the Ice Bisons are facing Torisakia."

"Who?"

"Oh come now," one of the other patrons snipped from afar, "They are another one of those 'gender-equal' teams... With broads playing next to the men."

"And?"

"It just isn't right," the same patron spoke. "How can we expect our boys to play right against fragile women?"

"In those countries, the only difference between a man and a woman is one has tits and a jibai. They are the same height, the same strength..."

"Oh?" stated the barkeep, leaning onto the counter. "And you know from first hand experience, Hurkuk?"

Hurkuk drained the glass before him, before sliding it back towards Kuzon. "As a matter of fact, I do."

"How so?"

"I have travelled."

"To where?"

"Places, and been to some countries our team have faced. Hell, took a trip to Cassadaigua back in my youth. Half the she-beasts I saw there I swore were men, had they not had impressive baoru that left a man drooling..."

The bar erupted into laughter, not knowing whether or not to take Hurkuk seriously. He smiled before looking up to an antiquated television set.

"Besides... Have you seen this Cassidy McKenzie?" Supposedly, her tits are bigger than both of your hands!"

The men again laughed, and Hurkuk drained his second glass.

"Haran, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the boys tried to hit on her after the game. You know those mando-boys; give them a strong woman their equal anyday over those Ba Sing Sei socialites. Sure they clean up good."

Another round of laughter erupted, and soon, this small pub on the edge of civilisation became a hotbed of activity for Ice Bison fans abound.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

22:30 Quebecois Standard Time, Chartered Flight to Saintland


On Seat 34C, Logan Guthrie, The Rezzi of Quebec, was looking out on the window. There weren't much to look apart from tiny bits of light spread across the plains of Abitibi, but he still managed to enjoy looking at them.
At the age of 33, he was the oldest in the team. And he wasn't sure how long will he be able to continue playing in the international level. While Coach Gilfoyle certainly believes that he is of top calibre and could play in Ice Knights for 2 more cycles, he was uncertain whether his body will be able to stand that long. Playing in QHL as an enforcer defending Maxwell-Belmont Deschamps and Kendall Torres isn't easy. He regularly fought third and fourth-liners, often trying their best to stop his linemates from scoring.
Well, that has been like that for him entire his 13-years of career, but in particular, last 2 seasons.
For last season, he registered 49 fight majors and 279 penalty minutes, a QHL record for a first-line Forward. He led QHL in fighting majors and penalty minutes, while still scoring respectable 43 goals and 89 points in 80 games.
While his extremely physical play frustrated enemies and allowed his team to score, his body wore out quickly throughout the season. By the playoffs, he had to sit out for Game 2 and 4 of each series, in order to rest his body and play his best in the other games. That's something that he never did just 3 seasons ago, but he felt that it was necessary. He couldn't always do what he can do: fight and injure other players while still scoring almost a point per game.

Right now, he was very exhausted, after 5 registered fights in a match and 7 injuries inflicted upon opposing players. These things were necessary and he enjoyed doing them while also helping his linemates in the ice, but these things took lots of energy and he is definitely no superman. His appetite, while being taken care of with great in-flight meal, he felt like he needed to give his body some rest and time to recharge with energy to play, fight and hopefully puts a puck into the Sanctii net tomorrow night.

30 minutes later, he quickly fell asleep.

[Equestrian States]

Not the Best Way to Start

CANTERLOT - Okay, I'll admit it, the game was flat-out bad.

For a team that (inaccurately) is ranked 10th in the world, it was just a bit embarrassing to have to stage a third period comeback to even get a draw. Sure the team is inexperienced at this level and hasn't had much time to practice together, but playing at home as a team with the most motivation to reach the playoffs of the tournament, expectations were bound to be a bit higher for the Equestrian States. The home crowd was medium-sized, with Shofercians filling in the remaining seats at Canterlot Ice Arena. Despite the best efforts of the loyal Equestrian supporters, the atmosphere was nowhere near even that of a lower-league hoofball match, and the visitors managed to fly in a surprisingly loud bunch that made the game feel more like one at a neutral site.

On the ice, things weren't much better. Despite an early power play goal by pegasus captain Slapshot, the Equestrians struggled to play as physically as they needed to. Thus, the visitors were able to dominate the game up until the third period, when the Equestrians started to look a bit more composed and relaxed on the ice. Without making so many stupid mistakes, the Equestrians quickly turned around to strike back at their opponents, Crimson Sky cutting the deficit from 3-1 to 3-2 a mere 34 seconds after Afi Maksimov blasted a shot by goaltender William Young. Then, with less than six minutes to go in the game, Wrister did as her name suggests, flicking the puck deftly by Victor Stolichnuy to knot the score at three apiece.

Unfortunately, the Equestrian States couldn't capitalize on a last-minute penalty, letting loose a torrential barrage of shots in the final two minutes of play. With the draw, the Equestrians will next face Vilita & Turori here in Canterlot before going on the road to face (officially) second-seeded Mantwenic. Expectations among the fans have dropped slightly, but given the Equestrians' tendency to be a little stubborn in supporting their teams, there should still be a reasonably-sized crowd to witness the game against Vilita & Turori.

Group Stage - Game 1        1  2  3  -  F
 Equestrian States       1  0  2  -  3
 Shofercia               0  2  1  -  3

Scoring Summary
1st Period
07:29 - EQS - Slapshot (B. Alexander, Summers) Power Play

2nd Period
03:31 - SHO - Frolik Aleksandrov (Pashkov)
17:45 - SHO - Pashka Bren (Sergeev)

3rd Period
04:50 - SHO - Afi Maksimov (Pashkov, Andreev) Power Play
05:24 - EQS - Crimson Sky (B. Alexander, Overture)
14:19 - EQS - Wrister (Iceflow)

Penalty Summary
1st Period
06:15 - SHO - Artem Ushatik: 2 Minutes for Slashing
13:27 - SHO - Rob Smit: 2 Minutes for Roughing
16:14 - EQS - Terrorsky: 2 Minutes for Tripping

2nd Period
12:41 - SHO - Artem Ushatik: 2 Minutes for Roughing
18:19 - EQS - Alexander Kemp: 2 Minutes for Tripping

3rd Period
03:46 - EQS - Bloodfire: 2 Minutes for Kneeing
17:58 - SHO - Rob Smit: 2 Minutes for Cross-Checking

[Equestrian States]

Match Day 2 Results

Group 1
Polkopia 1–0 Byfugland
Free Swiss States 2–3 Sel Appa
Thatius 6–2 Levivania

  Group 1                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Thatius                           2    1   1   0     8    4   +4     4
2  Polkopia                          2    1   1   0     3    2   +1     4
3  Byfugland                         2    1   0   1     3    3    0     3
4  Sel Appa                          2    1   0   1     5    5    0     3
5  Levivania                         2    1   0   1     5    8   −3     3
6  Free Swiss States                 2    0   0   2     4    6   −2     0

Group 2
Gyatso-kai 4–4 Torisakia
TailsPrower 0–1 Neu Engollon
Ko-oren 2–5 Sicoutimont

  Group 2                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Sicoutimont                       2    2   0   0     9    5   +4     6
2  Torisakia                         2    1   1   0    10    9   +1     4
3  Gyatso-kai                        2    1   1   0     7    6   +1     4
4  Neu Engollon                      2    1   0   1     6    6    0     3
5  TailsPrower                       2    0   0   2     3    5   −2     0
6  Ko-oren                           2    0   0   2     4    8   −4     0

Group 3
Plutoni 5–4 Stretta
Northern Sunrise Islands 5–3 Quakmybush
The Fair Republic 0–0 Estope

  Group 3                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Plutoni                           2    2   0   0    12    6   +6     6
2  Northern Sunrise Islands          2    2   0   0     6    3   +3     6
3  Quakmybush                        2    1   0   1     7    8   −1     3
4  Estope                            2    0   1   1     0    1   −1     1
5  The Fair Republic                 2    0   1   1     2    7   −5     1
6  Stretta                           2    0   0   2     7    9   −2     0

Group 4
Vaugania 6–4 Maximus Bush
Falconwhereveryouare 3–2 The Sova Empire
Soviet Canuckistan 9–3 Shadowbourne

  Group 4                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Soviet Canuckistan                2    2   0   0    13    5   +8     6
2  Falconwhereveryouare              2    2   0   0     4    2   +2     6
3  Vaugania                          2    1   0   1     8    8    0     3
4  The Sova Empire                   2    1   0   1     6    6    0     3
5  Maximus Bush                      2    0   0   2     7   10   −3     0
6  Shadowbourne                      2    0   0   2     3   10   −7     0

Group 5
Kriegiersien 0–1 Galnius
Rovegia 1–3 Qazox
Polar Islandstates 1–2 Cassadaigua

  Group 5                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Qazox                             2    2   0   0     7    2   +5     6
2  Rovegia                           2    1   0   1     2    3   −1     3
3  Cassadaigua                       2    1   0   1     2    2    0     3
4  Polar Islandstates                2    1   0   1     2    2    0     3
5  Galnius                           2    1   0   1     2    4   −2     3
6  Kriegiersien                      2    0   0   2     0    2   −2     0

Group 6
Slembana 0–0 Atelia
Mangolana 2–4 Mapletish
Sovetskya 3–7 Mohawk Clans

  Group 6                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Mapletish                         2    2   0   0     9    2   +7     6
2  Mohawk Clans                      2    1   1   0     7    3   +4     4
3  Slembana                          2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
4  Mangolana                         2    0   1   1     2    4   −2     1
5  Atelia                            2    0   1   1     0    5   −5     1
6  Sovetskya                         2    0   0   2     4    9   −5     0

Group 7
Lymantatia 4–2 Sjovenia
Saintland 1–6 The Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Havl 2–2 Valanora

  Group 7                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  The Royal Kingdom of Quebec       2    2   0   0    13    5   +8     6
2  Havl                              2    1   1   0    10    6   +4     4
3  Valanora                          2    1   1   0     5    3   +2     4
4  Lymantatia                        2    1   0   1     8   10   −2     3
5  Sjovenia                          2    0   0   2     6   11   −5     0
6  Saintland                         2    0   0   2     2    9   −7     0

Group 8
Sangti 1–0 Alexandr Land
Michael VII 0–0 Soviet-German Dortmund
Carasatoga 2–1 Darmen

  Group 8                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Carasatoga                        2    2   0   0     3    1   +2     6
2  Soviet-German Dortmund            2    1   1   0     2    1   +1     4
3  Darmen                            2    1   0   1     4    3   +1     3
4  Sangti                            2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
5  Michael VII                       2    0   1   1     1    3   −2     1
6  Alexandr Land                     2    0   0   2     1    3   −2     0

Group 9
Aquitayne 2–6 Kelssek
Thrilledge 0–0 Lzherusskia
Tursasia 1–0 Narsora

  Group 9                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Kelssek                           2    2   0   0    10    2   +8     6
2  Aquitayne                         2    1   0   1     7   10   −3     3
3  Tursasia                          2    1   0   1     5    5    0     3
4  Narsora                           2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
5  Thrilledge                        2    0   1   1     0    1   −1     1
6  Lzherusskia                       2    0   1   1     0    4   −4     1

Group 10
Shofercia 2–2 Wolfhunters
Schmiegelland 3–5 Mantwenic
Equestrian States 3–1 Vilita & Turori

  Group 10                            Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Mantwenic                         2    2   0   0     7    4   +3     6
2  Equestrian States                 2    1   1   0     6    4   +2     4
3  Shofercia                         2    0   2   0     5    5    0     2
4  Schmiegelland                     2    0   1   1     7    9   −2     1
5  Vilita & Turori                   2    0   1   1     5    7   −2     1
6  Wolfhunters                       2    0   1   1     3    4   −1     1

[Plutoni]

We at the Journal of Useless Research are pleased to branch into moral philosophy for today, and bring you a debate between pretentious intellectual sorts Malcolm Peabody and Frances Hollandsworth. Today's topic is a far-reaching point of discussion, with broad implications for the world of youth hockey. Presenting: the Mercy Rule!

Peabody: As is well-known, games between unevenly matched teams can reach lopsided proportions. To allow demoralizing blowouts to run on too long benefits no one; the exhausted losers, the unchallenged winners, and the disgruntled referees. Therefore, it is worthwhile to institute some kind of mercy rule to automatically end games after a certain lead has been reached.

Hollandsworth: I disagree. Mercy rule defeats are patronizing and just as unhelpful to the losers as playing out the duration of the game would be. So let's see; if you're proposing this, the burden is on you to decide what the margin of victory should be.

Peabody: Obviously it would be a function of age level and ability. Youth leagues are about having fun as well as developing skills, and neither purpose is served in a blowout.

Hollandsworth: It's a waste of time and resources. Rinks and equipment are expensive, kids who come out should get their full game in.

Peabody: And when games run long into overtime, shootouts, those aren't also a waste of resources? They already push back the schedule, this would allow refs to get back on track.

Hollandsworth: There are other ways of giving people challenges, if a team's winning by that much they should be playing in another division.

Peabody: And if there aren't enough teams nearby?

Hollandsworth: This is Plutoni, what are you talking about, we like our populations dense.

Peabody: Oh you're part of a dense population all right. No, but this is just as applicable wherever you are. People should have autonomy, in terms of ending a pointless game--

Hollandsworth: You're not talking about autonomy on the part of the refs, and certainly not on the players who are just kids, you're talking about a hard-and-fast rule--

Peabody: Or it could only kick in after a certain time, to make sure the lead is insurmountable--

Hollandsworth: Which defeats the point of having this as a time-saving measure.

Peabody: Look, for the losers, it can become a more reasonable goal, to stay in contention, and the winners if they don't like it have an extra challenge to not rack up too many.

Hollandsworth: Oh and how is that supposed to prepare them for the real world? "Do moderately well and we'll just hand everything to you on a silicon platter?"

Peabody: No, it's "don't waste time on useless causes, pack up and move on."

Hollandsworth: At which level should this stop taking effect?

Peabody: I mean, when the risk of injury is this high--have you seen some of the Olympic games?

Hollandsworth: Oh you've got to be kidding me, there are tiebreakers and everything.

Peabody: Tiebreakers can be reworked.

Hollandsworth: No, you're just absurd.

First period: Dimuse 7:18, Jones 9:40, Leath 19:05
Second period: Calvor 2:20, Calvor 9:07, Pritchin 12:27
Third period: Silverman 2:18, Drumm 4:14, Lavel 11:06

[TailsPrower]

Mobian Times Reports:

Day 1 Summary:

After a tough start to the tournament, Tokiko Fukuzawa the head coach of the Mobian International team is quite optimistic about the future of his team. When asked about the sloppy defense from game 1 here is what Fukuzawa had to say: "We didn't stick to our defensive game plan. We let in too many goals in the game, and it was tough for us to come back." Fukuzawa was bombarded with an onslaught of questions pertaining to how he hopes to improve the Mobian international team and he pulled out his classic response with saying "We need to focus on our game, playing a physical, defensive type of hockey."

Day 2 Summary:

Despite having a second straight 1 goal differential loss, Tokiko Fukuzawa still had a smile on his face after tonights 0-1 loss to Neu Engollon. During the post-game presser, this is what Fukuzawa had to say "Despite getting shut out, our [defensive] game improved, and I saw our physical game improve. I'm very proud of all players sticking to our key focus, and especially our goaltender, Kenichi Yoshizawa, playing a very solid game tonight. Without a doubt, he is our number one star tonight. You should expect more solid performances from him as the tournament progresses."

[Torisakia]

Tommy's Blog

Hello! As you know, I didn't get to go to the game today, sad, yes. However, I got my television fixed so I could watch the game. Horray! Actually, um, it wasn't very good. Actually, um, it was horrible. I had an honestly bad time watching this game, because of all the shit that was happening around me. Buuttt, The scoring summary is posted below like always. Now it's time for another sports fan story! Lets get into how my time watching the game was, could be fun. Right?

I woke up at about 9 AM, it was sunny outside. Normal day, it was. Until I got into the bathroom, when I was brushing my teeth like I do every morning, I noticed my toothbrush was wobbily. Hehe, bendy, bendy, bendy. I bent it front and I bent it back. I repeated this for about 3 minutes, and then, SNAP!, my toothbrush broke in half. And this is rent-to-own. FUUUU-. Anyways, I went outside to get my newspaper like I do every morning. But when I returned to the door, it was locked. I tried to unlock it with the key I keep under the porch matt, it's no good, it won't work. Fiddle-riddle-riddle-diddle-fiddle-riddle-riddle-diddle, for three hours I'm at it! And then I thought, "I know, I'll go in through the window,". It was then I noticed I went in the wrong window and was inside my someone else's apartment. Suddenly, a man with a knife turned up 'round my way. He was screaming and chasing me throughout the apartment. Quick! I gotta get outta here!

After that, I finally got inside my apartment. A few hours later, the game came on. It was a good first period for the most part. Cassidy scored twice and her breasts looked better than ever. *click* Noice. After the first period, I heard a knock at my door. It was my mom! She'd come to see if my apartment was clean like she does every week! Oh no, this is horrible! I opened the door, and there stood my mom, eyes staring, tailback stiff, looking around my apartment. She said "Tidy your room". So I told her, "NO!". Then she said, "Eat shit." I took her and threw her out the window. Then the game came back on. The second period was good, it was. Jessica scored, breasts looking really good. Defense was kinda, off-balance. But yeah, it'll do, yeah, okay.

Not long after the second period ended, I heard an alarm. It was my smoke alarm! My apartment was on fire! There was an awful yelling and crying, there was the noise of people dying. Suddenly, a man came bursting through my door and shouted, "Quick! Get out! Get outta here!". So I got up and did The Michael Rosen Rave. After that, the thrid period was on. It was horrible, all it was was slapshot after slapshot after check after peanlty. It was pure, grade-AA bullshit. Mathias scored near the end of the game to bring us back to a tie. The game ended 4-4, at least it wasn't a loss, yeah I said, yeah okay. And then we start the moaning: That wasn't faaairr! That was a blown-call! He's sticking his leg out in the open! GET OFF ME! That's really dangerous you know!

Welll, that certainly was an exciting story. But it's all true, my life is a mess. I finally got hands on
Cassidy's FB, she even talked about my blog! Horray! But please don't spam her, she's just a girl. I'd hate for her to think that my blog is sending idiots and perverts to her FB page. Buuutt, she has privacy settings so it shouldn't be a problem. HA! You can't catch me, I'm Murvin Alexander. Anyways, here's the scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1:
Gyatso-kai-Sato Sorua-DM 15:29
Torisakia-Cassidy McKenzie-LDM 11:58
Torisakia-Cassidy McKenzie-LDM 4:33
END OF 1ST Torisakia: 2 Gyatso-kai: 1


PERIOD 2:
Torisakia-Jessica Holbrook-C 18:45
Gyatso-kai-Kal Skirata-OFF 10:17
Gyatso-kai-Iwai Itsuki-DM 2:04
END OF 2ND Torisakia: 3 Gyatso-kai: 3


PERIOD 3:
Gyatso-kai-Ishida Arnook-OFF 19:39
Torisakia-Mathias Kristiansen-RDM 1:17
END OF 3RD Torisakia: 4 Gyatso-kai: 4

It was a pretty good game, yeah, olay. Defense was fantastic! Ac-actually, better than last game. Buutt, we didn't lose. That's the good thing, last night's win didn't get into our heads! Horray!. Maybe this tie doesn't mess us up, because we play TailsPower next, another newbie . They don't pose too much of a threat, since they lost 1-0 to Neu Engollon today and now sit at 0-0-2 and next to last in Group Two. But they could be lying, maybe they are good and we just don't know it yet! Gah, when I post here tomorrow they're gonna keel over and die, I swear, swear they will!

Comments:
1. KatanaSoul: Shurrup' and keep peddlin'
2. hockeymask17: Should we be worried that our defense may lack a bit during this tournament?
3. Ripped2D: @hockeymask17, Probably not, our defense just needs some adjusting
4. RipAFart: How does a TV melt from cheese?
5. hand: Hand
6. KatanaSoul: @hand, Shurrup' and keep peddlin'
7. penuts: QUIT WITH THE SPAMMING!
8. ThumbFingur: I can't stand the fucking noise!
9. Murvin: hand has been banned for 1 hours[Infractions: 1]
10. @Murvin, Shurrup' and keep peddlin'
11. Murvin: KatanaSoul has been banned for 2 hours[Infractions: 2]
12. wally: So that means everyone on the 1st line has at least one goal, correct?
13. Fuse2813: @wally, yeah I think so
14. TinyRocks: GOALS
Cassidy: 3
Mathias: 1
Jessica: 2
Kristen: 1
Alexei: 1
Robbie: 1
Patrick: 1
15. wally: @TinyRocks, thanks!
16. HandOnUrBalls: Feel the rythym of your piss.
17. Fuse2813: @HandOnUrBalls, Keel over and die
18. PinkyFingur: SHUT UP, STINKS!
See other comments(100,249)

[Polkopia]

---

Polkopian National News brought to you by Mr. Yuri Borkechev

Original Translation

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Polkopian Hockey Team Wins Against 9th Placed Byfugland. Hopes Held High For National Team

The second day of the World Cup of Hockey has concluded, leaving the Polkopian Hockey Team with high hopes, having defeated the Byfugland National Hockey Team 1-0. The Polkopian team is currently ranked second in their group, trailing only behind Thatius, whom the Polkopian team had played a day before, ending in a 2-2 draw. The Polkopian team had entered the game, determined to win, and left the rink with their heads held high, as they have set forth to accomplish exactly what they wanted to do.

"I must say, when we entered the rink, we were all pretty nervous. We didn't want to let our country down. We felt a lot of pressure out there." Said Polkopian defender, Ivan Nuev, who leads the team as the defender with the most goals, scoring a total of two goals this season. When asked what was expected of Polkopia's next game against Levivania, an unranked team, Mr.Nuev simply shrugged it off. "We cannot assure that we will win or lose. We were expected to lose this game, but we pulled out a win. Only time will tell who the real winner will be."

Nikita Dayotov skates toward Viktor Kultz

The first period was rather uneventful, as the score remained tied throughout the period. It was in the second period, where Viktor Kultz was able to direct a pass offered by Ott Yarlov, who was responsible for the second goal against Thatius, into the back of the net with a swift motion of the stick. Kultz hadn't scored in the Polkopian League, where he plays for the Peeto Bears. Although responsible for a dozen assists, Kultz had finished the season in a disappointing state, with zero goals scored. Although this was the case, he didn't let those records show in this game, as the goal scored here was vital to the team's, as well as his own confidence in Kultz. Byfugland was unable to come back in the third period, resulting in a Polkopian win in a 1-0 score.



Tomorrow, Polkopia faces off against Levivania, an unranked team, and will surely play their hardest against the team, as anything is possible. The coach, Yuri Kamakasov, was delighted with the results shown here today, and expects better from the team tomorrow.

[Aquitayne]

---

Aquitayne Defense Crumbles Against Kessleck

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Defender Johan Hegg beating a Kelsseckian Forward into the boards.

---

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---

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ARENA CENTER, Kelsseck, ANN - Aquitayne takes its first loss of the World Cup of Hockey 21 in a huge loss to Kelsseck.

The game started out well enough for what people in Aquitayne expected from their relatively new national team in this tournament. The offense was strong, on the attack, and the defense was relatively solid but sturdy in the place it left itself. The first period went off without a relative hitch, a couple of hits here and there, and onlookers could see Aquitayne was playing an unusually physical game for their type of style. It seemed that Head Coach Holden Molotsky's only available option to try to attempt to shut down the Kelsseckian forwards was to beat them against the boards again, again, and again. Unfortunately, it didn't work - at all.

Kelsseck's forwards were way too fast for the Aquitaynian defenders, skating past them again and again and again without any kind of effort by the Aquitaynian defense to even try to stop them. Andre Badalamenti had a hell of a game, but no one can really blame him for giving up six goals tonight. He had absolutely no support, no kind of defense working for him, and he certainly didn't have any breaks. The biggest break he had was about 2 minutes after Aquitayne scored each of it's goals, but even the surge of adrenaline didn't last, or couldn't serve well enough to begin to tip a counterweight in this match.

Kelsseck went on to score two goals in the first period, one in the second, and four - yes, four - in the third. Throughout the game, it became increasingly apparent that Aquitayne was on the losing end of this stick, and that there was no real option for them to climb out of the grave they had dug themselves. It was unfortunate. Many spectators in Aquitayne were betting on an upset by the new and young Aquitaynian national team, and some estimates have losses by Aquitaynian gamblers at around some $500,000 Aeros because of the loss. Those who bet for Kelsseck, and further went on to place their money on the amount of goals made, are walking away very happy men and women tonight.

---

---

That does not
negate our ability to
play the sport of
Hockey and be a
strong competitor
in this tournament.
Losses are
expected, we
just
have to learn
and
move on from
them.

In a press conference after the match, Head Coach Holden Molotsky was quoted as stating, "The Kessleckian offense was undoubtedly superior to ours and the abilities of our defense tonight. However, that does not negate our ability to play the sport of hockey and be a strong competitor in this tournament. It may be our first international showing, but you can't expect a new team like ourselves to make a perfect record here. Losses are expected, we just have to learn and move on from them". Coach Molotsky is certainly right in one regard: The Kelsseckian hockey players were, very much so, vastly superior to our own.

It was doubly upsetting for those Aquitaynians that went out to show their support for the Home team and their unexpected good showing at the previous game. Regardless of the home advantage, being in an upbeat mood from the victory the day before, Aquitayne still succumbed to the better quality of ice hockey. The frustration in Warrior's Arena could be seen when, after the fifth goal of the match, many Aquitaynians could be seen leaving their seats and walking out of the stadium. One fan was quoted as saying, "This is bloody ludicrous. That's not ice hockey the boys are playing out there - its garbage." Aquitaynian sporting fans are notoriously biased towards their teams when they do well, and equally as hateful when they disappoint. Unfortunately for the national team, this is one of those times.

Regardless, Aquitayne is expected to be a new and rising contender in this tournament, with an expected victory against the 44th ranked team from Narsora tomorrow at Arena Center. Analysts predict it will be a close match, but are counting on Aquitayne's will to make a showing of itself in this tournament and its abilities in Strikers as well as its more physical style of play. Ultimately it waits to be seen how the next match will pan out, but an estimated 10 million Aquitaynians are expected to tune in for the event.

Group 9
Aquitayne 2–6 Kelssek
Thrilledge 0–0 Lzherusskia
Tursasia 1–0 Narsora

  Group 9                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Kelssek                           2    2   0   0    10    2   +8     6
2  Aquitayne                         2    1   0   1     7   10   −3     3
3  Tursasia                          2    1   0   1     5    5    0     3
4  Narsora                           2    1   0   1     1    1    0     3
5  Thrilledge                        2    0   1   1     0    1   −1     1
6  Lzherusskia                       2    0   1   1     0    4   −4     1

SCHEDULE

Group Stage:

Saturday, June 1 @ Tursasia (UR) - WIN (Tursasia 4 - 5 Aquitayne)
Sunday, June 2 @ Home v.s Kelssek (6) - LOSS (Kelssek 6 - 2 Aquitayne)
Monday, June 3 @ Narsora (44)
Tuesday, June 4 @Home v.s Thrilledge (17)
Wednesday, June 5 @ Lzherusskia (UR)
Thursday, June 6 - BYE
Friday, June 7 @ Home v.s Tursasia (UR)
Saturday, June 8 @ Kelssek (6)
Sunday, June 9 @ Home v.s Narsora (44)
Monday, June 10 @ Thrilledge (17)
Tuesday, June 11 @ Home v.s Lzherusskia (UR)

Scoring Summary

1ST PERIOD
Kelssek #19 with assist from Kelssek #28 - 16:54 (AGAINST Aquitayne)
Julio Achinson (9) with assist from Samuel Waiters (1) - 11:25 (FOR Aquitayne)
Kelssek #20 with assist from Kelssek #15 - 4:34 (AGAINST Aquitayne)

TALLY: Kelssek 2 - 1 Aquitayne


2ND PERIOD
Jan Oseiki (15) with assist from Aksel Ness (24) - 17:21 (FOR Aquitayne)
Kelssek #15 with assist from Kelssek #19 - 12:45 (AGAINST Aquitayne)
Kelssek #20 with assist from Kelssek #27 - 6:22 (AGAINST Aquitayne)

TALLY: Kelssek 4 - 2 Aquitayne


3RD PERIOD
Kelssek #19 with assist from Kelssek #12 - 18:44 (AGAINST Aqutiayne)
Kelssek #16 with assist from Kelssek #20 - 15:32 (AGAINST Aqutiayne)

END TALLY: Kelssek 6 - 2 Aquitayne

---

© ED 42 Aquitaynian National News All rights reserved.
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[Gyatso-kai]

Torsakia Comes to Gyatso-kai! 4-All DRAW!!!

ONLINE EDITION

2 JUNE 2013.2

TOURNAMENT - WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY

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With the first home game of the Twenty-First World Cup of Hockey in the books here in the Sundari Times Forum, the Ice Bisons managed to take on the highly-offensively minded Ice Birds of Torisakia and come out with a 4-all draw in front of a sell-out crowd.

It was a hard fought game for the boys of Gyatso-kai, who only held the lead in this game for twenty-seven minutes out of the entire game. With an opponent whose only thought seemed to be to score goals, the Ice Bison defence was worn thin, with many of the more veteran defencemen struggling in the third period from a sheer lack of stamina.

"It is definitely something we are going to have to work on for future games," spoke Head Coach Kad Skirata in a post-game interview. "The fact that the [Ice Birds] were able to wear down our defensive corps in just one period, and then seemingly finish them off in the third... That is unacceptable."

While Kad'buir's criticism was harsh, it may not bear full weight: Even though the defensive corps looked exhausted going into the third period, only one Torisakian goal was scored, and it was on a powerplay. However, the Ice Birds held the lead in this game less than our own boys --- 15 minutes --- yet were able to shut down the Ice Bisons' power play units, leading to 1-for-6 success rate. At the same time

"It was a hard game," spoke Kad SKirata, "We went out there set on winning, and barely came out alive. The Ice Birds are certainly a team that is enjoyable to play. A real challenge."

Coming into the first period, the Ice Bisons were certainly a crowd favourite; playing before a sell-out crowd of 19,950 shouting screaming fans. The excitement of playing at the home arena, combined with a high-stick call against Kristen White, would lead to Sato Sorua's fifth career goal. The Ice Birds would respond with a goal by Cassidy McKenzie; a flurry of shots by the Ice Birds would lead to one loose puck, a puck Zhao Hotaka could just not recover. McKenzie was at the ready, and a simple wrist shot would send the puck over a sprawled-out Zhao. The next goal, which would see the Ice Birds take the lead, came at 16:27, when a quick poke-check would see Jessica Holbrook get ahold of the puck from Kal Skirata, and a series of passes would lead to McKenzie sending the puck into the net one more time.

"She was a very impressive player," spoke Skirata at his post-game interview, "Not like the she-beasts we are used to playing against."

In the second period, the Ice Birds would hold onto the lead, securing a 2-goal lead with just over a minute spent in the period. Some quick passing by Holbrook would see Zhao go down left, but the puck up right. After allowing three goals, most coaches would have pulled their goaltender: However, Skirata has a tendency in the first few games to allow his players to make a few more errors while they are adjusting to the flow of the tournament. A few dozen ponies made it out to Sundari in hopes of seeing Shao "Sleethoof" Moon play his first game for the Ice Bisons. Their hopes would be denied, with Zhao staying in the entire game.

Gyatso-kai would answer back with two goals in the second half of the period; one coming from Skirata and the other Iwai Itsuki's first career international goal.

"I saw Tay'haai nab the puck from [Cassidy McKenzie] and he pushed it up to [Hakoda Ishii]. A quick spin around the net --- you know, repositioning for better D --- and the puck came flying from the Ishii's stick. I saw the Ice Bird minder deflect the puck, and I just dropped my stick down. I felt it connect, and just bam! Goal."

Iwai Itsuki, Defencemen, Gyatso-kai National Ice Hockey Team

With the lead for the second time in the game, the Ice Bisons would struggle through the last three minutes of play, handing over possession of the puck seven times in three minutes. Thankfully for the Ice Bisons, the horn would blast calling an end to the second period.

With the third period underway, the Ice Bisons would be quick to make a 2-1 lead over the Ice Birds, with Arnook Ishida's goal in the first twenty seconds of the period. The third period would be defined by a series of back and forths, with each team making more than 18 shots on goal. However, despite the best efforts of an exhausted Zhao and a very worn out defensive corps, in the last two minutes of play, Mathius Kristiansen would make the game-tying goal, and the Ice Bisons would be left with playing the rest of the game on pure defence, just trying to contain the damage done...

Perhaps there will be better luck in Sicoutimont...

---

Goal Summary

First Period
GKI Sato [Skirata] (4:31) [PP]
TSK McKenzie [Borodin] (09:02)
TSK McKenzie [White, Holbrook] (16:27)

Second Period
TSK Holbrook [Wade] (01:15)
GKI Skirata [Ito, Ishii] (09:43)
GKI Iwai [Ishii, Tay'haai] (17:56)

Third Period
GKI Ishida [Ishii] (00:21)
TSK Kristiansen [Unassisted] (18:43)[PP]

Penalty Summary

First Period
01:12 --- GKI --- High-Sticking, 2-min --- A. Ishida drawn by J. Holbrook
04:01 --- TSK --- Slashing, 2-min --- K. White drawn by W. Tay'haai
14:01 --- GKI --- Elbowing, 2-min --- Ko P. drawn by R. Witter
18:29 --- TSK --- Tripping, 2-min --- J. Holbrook drawn by W. Vau


Second Period
00:55 --- GKI --- Too Many Men on the Ice, 2-min --- Ito P. chosen to serve
02:45 --- GKI --- Roughing, 2-min --- H. Ishii drawn by A. Borodin
02:45 --- TSK --- Roughing, 2-min --- A. Borodin drawn by H. Ishii
04:24 --- TSK --- Hooking, 2-min --- M. Kristiansen drawn by A. Ishida
10:23 --- GKI --- Elbowing, 2-min --- K. Skirata drawn by C. McKenzie
14:22 --- GKI --- Elbowing, 2-min --- H. Ishii drawn by C. McKenzie

Third Period
02:15 --- GKI --- Roughing, 2-min --- C. McKenzie drawn by H. Ishii
08:24 --- TSK --- Tripping, 2-min --- A. Borodin drawn by K. Skirata
09:25 --- TSK --- Hooking, 2-min --- D. Wade drawn by K. Skirata
17:02 --- GKI --- Elbowing, 2-min --- Ito P. drawn by C. McKenzie

Goaltending

Team	Name		SA	GA	Saves	SV%	TOI
GKI	Zhao H.		46	04	42	0.913	59:32
TSK 	K. Hautifi	41	04	37	0.902	59.41

Shots on Goal Summary

TEAM	1st	2nd	3rd	OT	FINAL
GKI	12	11	18	XX	41
TSK	10	17	19	XX	46

Injury Summary

**No Injuries Reported**

Three Stars

First Star: Cassidy McKenzie (2G, 0A)
Second Star: Kal Skirata/ (1G, 1A)
Third Star: Hakoda Ishii (0G, 3A,)

---

Post Match comments

The need for better defence is what will bring the Ice Bisons back. Sure, we faced a team solely focused on offence, but they still allowed four goals, only one of which on the powerplay.

Shu Huangguo, Goaltending Coach, Men's National Ice Hockey Team

A narrow victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Can Yue-Lo --- Avatarian Sports Commentator, on ASPN's Can YUE-LO?!

#icebisons heartbreaking! Losing at the Forum! How could you?! o(╥﹏╥)o #wcoh21

Aima Yelim --- Avatarian AV Idol on RepTwitter

---

[i]SCHEDULE

Matchday 01, 01 June at ₉₂Ko-oren --- WIN 2-3
Matchday 02, 02 June vs ₂₅Torisakia --- DRAW 4-4
Matchday 03, 03 June at ₂₀Sicoutimont
Matchday 04, 04 June vs _NRTailsPrower
Matchday 05, 05 June at _NRNeu Engollon
*** 06 June --- TOURNAMENT BYE DAY ***
Matchday 06, 07 June vs ₉₂Ko-oren
Matchday 07, 08 June at ₂₅Torisakia
Matchday 08, 09 June vs ₂₀Sicoutimont
Matchday 09, 10 June at _NRTailsPrower
Matchday 10, 11 June vs _NRNeu Engollon

---

Group Two - Matchday 01

Neu Engollon continues to surprise the group, coming up with a lone goal to defeat unranked TailsPrower at home. Ko-oren continued their unfortunate streak at home, losing 5-2 to Sicoutimont, who thanks to their win, is now atop the Group Two tables with 6 points.

Group 2
Gyatso-kai 4–4 Torisakia
TailsPrower 0–1 Neu Engollon
Ko-oren 2–5 Sicoutimont

  Group 2                             Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1  Sicoutimont                       2    2   0   0     9    5   +4     6
2  Torisakia                         2    1   1   0    10    9   +1     4
3  Gyatso-kai                        2    1   1   0     7    6   +1     4
4  Neu Engollon                      2    1   0   1     6    6    0     3
5  TailsPrower                       2    0   0   2     3    5   −2     0
6  Ko-oren                           2    0   0   2     4    8   −4     0

;

---

The Goalscorers for Gyatso-kai

Player		Goals	Games Scores Made In
Hakoda ISHII	02	I
Kal SKIRATA	01	I

---

The Next Match

Preview: Matchday 03 at ₂₀Sicoutimont

Going away from their home ice, the Ice Bisons look to better their group standings with the toppling of the current group leader. Sure, it may be hard, but the Ice Bisons showed tonight that they can score high goal numbers against highly-offensive teams; and with Sicoutimont being a neutral team, perhaps the Bisons can silence the growing beast.

---

Copyright 2013.2 Avatarian Sports Programming Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.aspn.com.gk/articles/ahl/20786642
© 2013 Avatarian Sportts Programming Network

[Soviet Canuckistan]

Strong Start to WCOH 21 for Soviet Canuckistan

MOSCAWA- The Canuckistani National Mens Hockey team thrashed Shadowbourne 9-3 and overcame Vaugania by a score of 4-2 in the first two days of the 21st edition of the World Cup of Hockey to put them into first place in Group 4. For the game against Shadowbourne, in the 2nd day of round robin play, the Canuckistanis started strong with Polomaniuk scoring a hat trick in the first 5 minutes of play. The Shadowbournean team could only put up one point at the end of the period, at 43 seconds remaining, to end the first 20 minutes of play with a score of 3-1. The Shadowbournean momentum continued despite the Canuckistani pressure with a second goal for them at 2:02. However, a Canuckistani response with goals by Dubruch, LaTrappe, and Peunov managed to lengthen the gap to 6-2 to end the second period. In the third period, the Canuckistani offensive pressure continued with Plamondon-Piquette scoring at 1:32 and 10:41 with two beautiful shots from the point to put their team up 8-2. The finishing touch to the game was a beautiful breakaway goal by Polomaniuk at 17:12 to win the game 9-3. During the third period, the Shadowbourneans only put up one goal at 15:12 in their desperate attempt to stay afloat.

In our usual tradition, here's our group predictions for WCOH 21:

The Sova Empire (UR)
Maximus Bush (UR)

Two unranked teams that shouldn't be much of a problem for the experienced Canuckistani squad. They should be easy wins provided the Canuckistani team plays well.

Shadowbourne (122)

A ranked team that shouldn't put up too much contention for a playoff spot. The MD2 victory of 9-3 over them pretty much shows that they won't be a huge problem for the Canuckistani team.

Vaugania (37)

Not a bad team, they'll make for good games with the Canuckistani team as evidenced by a close 4-2 win on MD1. They'll probably be a contender for a playoff spot with their good offensive play.

Falconwhereveryouare (11)

Our main rivals for the tournament, these will be key games for the Canuckistani team. They're a definite contender for a playoff spot and could probably go quite far in the later tournament stages.

That's our coverage for these two matchdays. Tomorrow, we'll be featuring an interview with Head Coach Vanier Oloski and our typical full coverage of each game. You can catch the games by radio on SportSC 1340, on TV on the SportSC Network, and online at SCSN.com.

Schedule:

MD1: vs. Vaugania 4-2 WIN
MD2: vs. Shadowbourne 9-3 WIN
MD3: @ The Sova Empire
MD4: vs. Maximus Bush
MD5: @ Falconwhereveryouare
MD6: @ Vaugania
MD7:@ Shadowbourne
MD8: vs. The Sova Empire
MD9: @ Maximus Bush
MD10: vs. Falconwhereveryouare

[Stretta]

Team	Period 1	Period 2	Period 3	OT
Plutoni	2	2	1	-
Stretta	1	1	2	-

"The second defeat will hurt."

"How could it not? Can you imagine what Silverman is saying in that locker room? I wonder if one of the skates has spouted wings, yet..."

The other presenter laughed. "So let's recap that game. Personally, I don't think it was all bad. Plutoni are the 2nd seed team afterall, and we have only lost our two starting games by a single goal."

"And you think that losing is good? Silverman doesn't."

"Let it go, Uri. It was two years ago."

Just as Strettan sports fans were getting used to worldwide success, thanks to the exploits of the Strettan football team in the BoI and World Bowl, the Strettan hockey team go and rip the rug from under the feet.

Two games in, and with two games lost, Stretta find themselves bottom of the pile. So who's not pulling their weight? Or is it just a case of a tough group? You certainly cannot blame Mantello, who has been playing hard and trying to get the team going. Mason has just been out-classed by two superior offenses. The Strettan defense could show a little more movement in front of their own net to block shots and take the strain off their goalie, but what it really comes down to is the quality of the Strettan players.

Training camps bring in foreign players at a young age to train them for the SHL, while Strettan children who dream of hockey are left to fall by the wayside. Isn't it time we promoted hockey in our youth? Perhaps with some more funding, Strettan hockey can hold the same level of prowess as Strettan football.

[Ko-oren]

0-0-2

Ko-oren	0	1	1	2
Sicoutimont	2	1	2	5

The second game of the WCoH was hardly better than the first one. A 92nd place on the world ranking hardly entitles the Greenblues to anything, but at least we are not completely new at the game. Sicoutimont, however, is ranked 20th and have some more experience with this. And they showed just how much difference it makes if a team knows how to play this game. The Greenblues lost 2-5 and with zero points and -4 GD, they are last of the group. Sicoutimont opened the score after 4 minutes, when Desjardins was 1-on-1. That was not all for the first period: Rolloton doubled the score and the margin after 12 minutes. Some commotion on the ice followed, with ejections for Beliveau and Teradi, and they may be lucky there were no further consequences. With five players each, the remaining two minutes of the first period were played out without hassle. The second period was not as one-sided as the first, with goals for both teams. St. Laurier first scored Sicoutimont's third goal, but it did not take two minutes for Jaragun to respond and score the first Ko-orenite goal. For some reason, the commotion at the end of the first period lingered on in the players' minds, and this time just Oullet was ejected. The linesmen kept their eyes on Barbarothen, too, but he was not reported. All of this had the clock stopped for a while, and after the game was continued, the Greenblues did not profit from powerplay (as they did against Gyatso-Kai). The third period was the Royales' period again, with two goals for them. Dandenault scored the first goal of this period, and in powerplay he scored another. Two goals in less than four minutes for Sicoutimont, and with the score now 1-5 the Greenblues had no hope of recovery. They had only 10 minutes to go at this point, but at least they made it their duty to restore some dignity. Doldand made it close to the Royales' goal, and the puck fell before his stick to his surprise. The goaltender (Goubert) initially kept the puck out, but laid it in front of Doldand again, who did not make a mistake the second time.

Now with two losses, the team is already 6 points behind Sicoutimont, 4 points behind Torisakia and Gyatso-Kai, and three points behind Neu Engollon. TailsPrower is on zero points too. Furthermore, the defensive tactic does not really help the team: eight goals conceded makes Ko-oren the second worst defensive team of the group. Somehow, Torisakia conceded 9 (yet they are still second). The next game is against Neu Engollon, and with a two goal margin win, Ko-oren should overtake them. Afterwards is Torisakia, and the last game of the first half of the group stage is against the other zero-points team: TailsPrower. But first, Neu Engollon. They got their first points today, with a 1-0 win agianst TailsPrower. It's hard to say anything about the Greenblues' quality, as they only played against much stronger, and yet unbeaten teams, but maybe they have a chance at other teams that are struggling in the lowest half of the table.

Appendix - in which we show that Ko-oren is a country that does everything differently. Or hardly. Or 'difficultly'.

This article is about names: the spelling, stress and their importance. Like in many other countries, Ko-orenites have two names: a last and a first. People that one does not know are often referred to with their last name, though no one will bat an eyelid if you use someone's first name. Baptism, though Catholicism is the largest religion in the country, is not a common thing. Therefore not many people have Christian names even though they are religious. Patronyms and matronyms are not used either, though some parents name their children after grandparents.

Foreign names are not often used either, though if a parent should decide to give their kid a name from another language, the usual 'donor languages' are English, Japanese and Sindarin, but Portuguese, Chinese and many more languages are encountered as well. Names inspired by foreign mythology are not rare, though, but they usually do not refer to the original meaning. People could easily be named 'Idrasil' or something, though the original meaning of Yggdrasil as tree is nowhere to be found.

Names are pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: this could be easy in a first name like 'Altai' or something, but it is harder in the last name 'Juliasterinthen', a name of one of the most talented football players of Ko-oren. If you ever wonder if a name is a first or last name: last names typically end in: -(th)en, -(g)un, -in, -(l/r)u (st/n)ar, -ir, -(th/kh)an, but there are many more suffixes. First names are free in their ending, so more often they will not end in these suffixes. Both first and last names can get pretty long: Hargudhaustar is a first name, Jejulikhranisthen is a last name. Often last names are based on geographical features, such as cardinal directions, mountains, rivers and cities.

A note on the pronunciation of the words: 'a' can be either /a/ or /ɑ/ (long or short a). 'e' can be /e/ or /ɛ/. 'i' can be /i/ or /ɪ/, 'o' can be /o/ or /ɔ/, and 'u' can be /u/ or /ə/ (aka the schwa). Lastly the 'y' is /y/ or /ʏ/, a sound not found in English. All vowels are pronounced as in Spanish or German, so often a lot clearer than in English. Ko-orenites are used to people not being able to immediately pronounce their names though, so abbreviations are not out of the question either.

[Mapletish]

The Icy Bench
"Sitting on the cold bench outside of the rink"

Second match down with Mangolana downed 4-2.

In an all Rushmori clash, the Minnows won a hard fought game against Mangolana, with a score of 4-2 as the Minnows had to work doubly hard to come from behind to seal the scoreline towards their favour. Mangolana built on their home ground advantage as they slotted in two quick goals in the first period to keep the Minnows at bay. However, the Minnows hit back in the second and third period with two goals each for a sweet revenge.

'It was a hard fought match and I admire the determination of the team,'' commented head coach Faron Wilson in a post match conference. "They didn't give up on themselves and they became a tough nut to crack in the second and third periods, as the Mangolanaians seem to go a bit slower than the first period."

Wilson's encouraging comments might ring some sense out of his players once more into concentrating more in the game rather than waiting for things to happen. The attacking third has been pretty productive in front with lots of chances in front of goal but they just failed to convert their chances properly.

"The boys really wanted to get things moving for the entire match and their determination paid off.," commented Roly Nat, "It was a game that we can all learn. A pretty enjoyable match nonetheless."

Labelled as favourites to win the match easily without much of hitch, playing away to a big crowd of Mangolana ultras. The tense atmosphere at the ice rink, combined with the whistles from the fans put the game to a quick start. Mangolana played on the crowd's momentum as they slotted in two quick goals against the Minnows through a flurry of shots as the Mangolanaians simply dominated the gameplay for the entire of the first period. The Minnows however threatened to tear the host's defences apart with a string of neat passes but they just cant send the pluck into the net.

In the second period, the host held the lead for a mere 3 minutes, before the Minnows went on an attacking spree as they chunk up a string of shots and a series of passes to play around. This eventually led to two goals from the second period as the host were practically everywhere trying to intercept the passes as it soon became more like a game played in practice session.

Carrying onto the third period, the obviously exhausted host started to minimize attacking runs as they go for a more conservative approach of shooting from range, and the problem came the Mangolana doesn't have any good shooters and their shots keep flying out of range and the procession play went back to the Minnows every time they shoot and the Minnows could be very thankful of that. So the Minnows did what they are capable of, coming from behind and that's it, two more goals for the Minnows and the victory was secured.

[Sicoutimont]

Royales Cruise to 2-0-0 Start at WCoH

Can you believe that this is our first article about hockey in a while? I mean, it's our national sport, but the last time we mentioned the word 'hockey' was last week, and we haven't even gotten around to talking about the matches played! Well, that's changing now. Les Royales started this tournament at home in Lac-Geneve, taking on the new team to the hockey scene, TailsPrower. Sicoutimont started the game laxed, laid back in their own zone, going down to the visitors 1-0 after the first period. But Les Royales' scorers would strike back early in the second, Lucien Beliveau tieing the game on a beautiful pass from Julio Archambault. Gaspard Richard would receive a breakaway pass 3 minutes into the period, but the puck would be put over the net. JP Dandenault would get in on the scoring next, with a drop pass from Jean-Luc Desjardins to the right winger, who would bury a one-timed wrist shot beautifully placed in the top left corner over the sprawling goalie. At the other end Louis Lefay was not having his best start of the tournament, giving up a soft wrist shot from the left circle to make the game tied again 2-2. Jean-Luc Desjardins and Lefay could be seen conversing after the goal, the Val-Maurice Foreurs teammates have been friends for a long time, and JLD wanted to make sure Lefay was good for the rest of the game. Lucien Beliveau would see to it that Les Royales left the period ahead, getting his second goal of the tournament on the power play with 2 minutes to go in the period. The final period would see TailsPrower score again early, tieing the score at 3-3. Maurice Rolloton would not be silenced by the visiting defense, however, getting an assist on Seamus Sinclair's blast from the point. At 4-3 with a minute and 23 seconds left, the visitors pulled the goalie, but they wouldn't beat Lefay at this point in the game, as Sicoutimont held on to win the home opener 4-3. The next game was in Ko-oren, with Etienne Goubert in the lineup. Other lineup changes had Rick Rover starting his first ever international game, replacing Archibald Laurentine on the third pairing. Rover, although on the second penalty kill unit, had not seen ice time in the first game. He did dress for the game, however. It is obvious Michel Nillonier had to talk to the boys before this game, as the offense really came alive. Jean-Luc Desjardins came in 1 on 1 just 4 minutes into the game, and using the defender as a screen, he rifled a wrist shot just over the goalie's blocker hand. 1-0. Just 8 minutes later, while Sicoutimont were pressing the cycle game in the offensive zone, Maurice Rolloton's deflection tipped the puck five hole, and Sicoutimont were up 2-0. However, leading scorer Lucien Beliveau and Ko-orenite player Teradi were involved in a shoving match after the goal, that ended in a fight, with both players getting shown the door. Beliveau could later be seen in street clothes in the press box. At the end of the period, more shoving ensued, but nothing broke out. Alexandre St. Laurier scored a goal on a great shift for the third line, who battled for the puck for almost a minute in the defensive zone before getting the chance that would lead to a goal. Xavier Oullet made a point of skating by the home team's bench after the goal, enraging the hometown fans. Ko-oren would get on the board soon after, with Jaragun scoring 2 minutes after St. Laurier's goal. Oullet attempted to cross-check the scorer after the whistle here, and he would be the second Sicoutian to get shown the door. Down a man, the power play killed it off, and the second period ended with a 3-1 score. JP Dandenault would make that 4 with a quick goal just 5 minutes into the period, and a few minutes later, he would bury a power play attempt. 5-1. Doldand would put the puck behind Goubert with just under 10 minutes to go, and the score would end 5-2 in favour of the visitors. The win improves Sicoutimont to 2-0-0, first in Group 2, with 6 points. Gyatso-kai and Torisakia tied today, moving those teams to 4 points each. Neu Engellon defeated TailsPrower as well, leaving Ko-oren and TailsPrower in the basement. The next action for Les Royales is against Gyatso-kai at Arena Nationale-Lac Geneve, where the top two seeds in the group will play-off for 1st place. Tune in here for a full report about that game!

[Galnius]

Galnius Mystic Take First Win
Galnius Times

After a depressing defeat to the Number One seed Qazox, the Mystic have taken quite a win. When asking the Captain, Alex Ommegio, how he felt about the previous game, he simply replied, "We did rather well against the number one seed as an unranked team. We could have very well been blown out. If it was not for my Nico Zaryn and his assist, that goal would have never been scored." This game showed a whole new side to this team. After a scoreless first period, both teams were already parading fouls. Reese Minolo had wrecked the 1st Right Wing knocking him unconscious in a good old fisticuff showdown, the barrage begun. Our own John Jones was hit in the teeth by a high stick, knocking him to the ground. After we asked how he felt about it, he simply said "I Cam't find ma teef". We at the Galnius Times were unsure if he was joking or not. At the second half, a break came through a beautiful assist from Omeggio for the first and only goal of the game scored by Adrian Lafiette. The third quarter was brutal. Adrian was injured for the rest of the game by the 3rd choice Center, who then was knocked through the glass by Klyde Quarlis. Overall, when asking Assistant/Defensive Coach Omar Delivioch about the game, he stated "That's how you do it! Knock 'em to the ground! If they get back up, knock 'em through the glass!"

Period 1----Period 2------Period 3---------Total -----------PERIOD
0------1-------0------------1----------GALNIUS GOALS
0------0-------0------------0-----------KRIEGIERSIEN GOALS

[Qazox]

Qazoxian Turnip
Your News, Our Way!

Three third period goals? No three brainfarts.

QZX 003  3
ROV 010  1

You would think stopping the first 26 shots you faced would count for something, right? But as to Rovegian goalkeeper Rostakov's dismay, you can't trade past saves for future ones, as Qazox somehow came back to win 3-1. 2 goals from Ivan Mzachinov that bounced off of imperfections in the ice gave the Ice Wolves a lead and surprisingly an empty-net goal from Mark Gelan closed it out. Up next Qazox will get beaten like the proverbial redheaded stepchild by Polar IslandStates at home.

SCORING SUMMARY:
ROV: Kasmuller (7:56 1st)- Made Jekin look like a paraplegic trying to eat with his feet.
QZX: Mzachinov: (3:32 3rd)- Puck bounced off of what looked like an ice chip shaped like the Sydney Opera House.
QZX: Mzachinov: (7:52 3rd)- Puck ricocheted off the far post, hit Rostakov's left skate and trickled into the net.
QZX: Gelan (19:38 3rd EN)- Gelan tried to clear the puck, it bounced off of a referee's skate and slid into the open net.

[Neu Engollon]

"Bien Welk, Neu Engollon! I'm Magda Wertauer here with your NETV Sports 7 Update."

"And I'm Karl Demais."

"The Ibex have finally been able to bring us a win, something they weren't able to do last matchday in their home arena at Albertville against Torisakia. Granted, that was against a well ranked team.
Today in Mobius, It was a tough fight against the plucky national team of TailPrower, but they were able to get one of their attacks into the net and that was all that was needed at the buzzer. It was a very tough match up for the defense and they held their own against the Tailprower crew, whose attacks on our goal were led most by #99, Toshio Arato and #8, Sanako Okui. It was Keiko Okita that struck quite a blow to Brizio Farducci, knocking the wind out of him and possibly cracking some ribs...Um, wait...ok? Bruised?...Accorzu, we just got word that the X-Rays were done and the ribs are just bruised, 'Breeze' might still be sitting out a game, though.
The crowd was tough, with many of the 350,000 seats at the Mobian International Arena filled..."

"That's...that's over a third of a million people! How do you even make a stadium that big and structurally sound?!"

"I don't know, Karl, but they did it. Could you imagine the contra-"

Sammy clicked off the TV with the satellite feed of NETV Sports 7. He had Breeze on the table behind him, with ice packs taped to his side.
"Yeah, Sammy, turn that merd off. Whadda they know, huh?"

"Well, Breeze, actually...you will be sitting out next match against the Ko-oren GreenBlues, for sure, beyond that..."

"Aw come on, Doc, are ya kiddin' me?"

"Dammit, Breeze, I'm a trainer, not a miracle worker!!"

[Saintland]

Prince Josephus and Thomas Clovius injured against Valanora as Sanctii fall 3 to 1

(SP) In a rematch of the Gold Medal final from the VIII Winter Olympics, the Kingdom of Saintland lost to Valanora 3 goals to 1 at Gallen's Hove in the city of Stormguard. That was not unexpected and the Sanctii actually kept the game close most of the way. However, disaster struck today as both Prince Josephus and Thomas Clovius were injured, calling into question the team's ability to contend in Group 7, which has been dubbed the Group of Champions by international media. "Today, we hoped to avenge our gold medal defeat against Valanora. We were well on our way to doing that, despite the injury to Thomas [Clovius]. The game was tied at 1 goal apiece after the 2nd period and I walked toward the bench. I don't remember what happened after that, but doctors told me I slipped on the ice and my head hit the ice hard. I've decided to accept the advice of the doctors that it isn't safe for me to continue in this World Cup of Hockey and I will instead prepare to win a gold medal in field hockey at the Olympics. With Thomas injured as well, this World Cup of Hockey appears to be a lost cause already, so we might as well focus on the Olympics and come back to make a run next time." - Prince Josephus

The Sanctii struck first in this game. Thomas Clovius won the opening faceoff and passed to Matthaeus Artorius. The Artorius slapshot rocketed past Suiadan Lasséseth for an early goal. The Kingdom of Saintland led 1 to nothing in the first minute. This would remain the case in the first period, as Lasséseth and Prince Josephus saved every shot that came their way in the remainder of the period.

However, disaster would strike late in the first period when Thomas Clovius received a pass from Lucas Trebatius. Clovius skated forward and passed to Ioannes Bruccius for a one-timer. As Bruccius was shooting his one-timer, Clovius skated right into the side of the Vanor goal, knocking it loose and hitting his leg hard on the goal. Bruccius's shot may or may not have gone in had the goal not been knocked free, but Clovius hit his leg hard and limped to the sidelines, where he tripped over the bench and hurt his other leg. Following the game, the Royal Two postgame show announced that Clovius was out for the rest of the WCoH and was questionable for the opener of the Olympic field hockey tournament. Besides that, details of his injury were not reported.

After the injury to Clovius, Abraham Otacilius and Lucas Herminius alternated as the first-line center. In the 2nd period, the Sanctii started to pile up penalty minutes, while Valanora's players were doing their best to avoid getting penalized. After a high-sticking penalty against Lucas Trebatius with 11 minutes to go, Iosue Gavius was called for hitting Imenien Lithloth into the boards less than a minute later. Suddenly, Valanora had a 5-on-3 advantage. On the power play, Erynolë Lanethas passed to Amonion Galaethrin for a one-timer. It went past Prince Josephus and suddenly it was all tied at 1 goal apiece just past the midway point. It would remain tied after 2 periods of play.

The final period began as Ioannes Laetonius came in for the Sanctii as their new goalie. Laetonius quickly conceded on a Baralaedur Bireme wrist shot. Valanora now led 2 goals to 1. The Sanctii came back furiously as shot after shot by the Sanctii wingers were saved by Suiadan Lasséseth. As time ran down in the 3rd period, the Sanctii began to panic. With their captain and best player both incapacitated, they had no direction and did not know what to do. Late in the game, Abraham Otacilius deflected a Polenmorion Celeeththir pass into the stands for a faceoff. At this point, Laetonius decided to pull himself out and bring in an extra attacker. Suddenly, Herminius and Otacilius were in the game at the same time. They won the faceoff and Otacilius passed to Artorius, who passed to Herminius. The Herminius shot was saved by Lasséseth and Lasséseth passed it to Imenien Lithloth and the Vanorian captain hit it into the empty net for the game-clinching goal.

Although this was a good performance for the Sanctii, the injuries to Thomas Clovius and Prince Josephus will jeopardize their chances of advancing from the World Cup of Hockey. Next, they will host the Royal Kingdom of Quebec at Royal Square Garden. Tomorrow will be the first ever home game for the National Hockey Team and it will be broadcast live on Royal Two, as the World Cup of Hockey continues to be overshadowed by the World Baseball Classic. With the injuries to Clovius and Prince Josephus, the World Cup of Hockey already appears to be over for the Sanctii, after just one game.

---

Laetonius allows 6 goals, Sanctii crushed by Royal Kingdom of Quebec

(SP) On a day when both teams seemed more interested in fighting one another than winning the game, the Royal Kingdom of Quebec picked up a 6 goals to 1 victory over the Kingdom of Saintland. The Quebec side is known for fighting and a Sanctii team that knew they weren't going to win anyway were determined to at least take out their frustrations on their opponents. This led to a very violent game that saw numerous fights. "We didn't stand a chance today and everybody knew it. With the injuries to both Thomas [Clovius] and myself, we knew we didn't stand much of a chance. Quebec came into this game determined to beat us up physically and mentally. With our team already hurt and reeling, they knew we weren't going to be prepared for our opposition. Right now, I think it was ill-advised to enter this competition when we've been preparing to play field hockey in the Olympics for the last few months. We're rusty and now we're hurt. This appears to be well on its way to a WBC 25-style disaster. I just hope we can find a way to beat Sjovenia tomorrow. After what has happened lately, I think we need to forget about the playoffs and just focus on winning 5 games to avoid a losing record. We can accomplish that, if we beat both Sjovenia and Lymantatia twice and pull off just 1 upset. I'll be on the sideline 'coaching' the team for the rest of our World Cup. I just hope we are healthy when the Olympics start, probably in Liventia a few weeks from now if the rumors are to be believed. I have to admit that the losses in the gold medal game at the Winter Olympics and the 2 losses at the World Championship in Field Hockey that put us in 3rd place are greatly bothering me. Even before my injury, I don't think I was as focused on the World Cup of Hockey as I should have been because the only thing I think about anymore is winning an Olympic gold medal." - Prince Josephus

Maxwell Belmont-Deschamps won the opening faceoff and passed the puck to Francois Decarie. Decarie shot it and put it past Laetonius. Quebec had taken a quick 1 goal to nothing lead. It wasn't much longer before the first fight broke out, as Logan Guthrie checked onto the ice a few minutes later and a frustrated Marcus Trebatius picked a fight with the 6-foot, 7-inch Quebec winger. Trebatius actually landed more punches, but Guthrie landed a blow that sent Trebatius to the ice. Trebatius got back up and tried to continue the fight, but officials held him back. Both men went to the penalty box.

During the penalty, Cadance Edwards saved a shot from Abraham Otacilius. Edwards passed to Sang Goo Lee. Lee skated forward, passing to Anthony Mantha. Mantha's shot deflected off of the leg of Ioannes Laetonius. Mantha got to the rebound first and hit it into the net. Quebec now led 2 goals to none. A few more Sanctii shots would be saved.

When Gutrie and Trebatius returned to the ice, they resumed their brawl at the first excuse. This time around, Trebatius was very aggressive, forgetting to even attempt block Gutrie's punches. Gutrie knocked Trebatius down and the referee noticed that he was unconscious. Both of them were once again given 5 minute penalties, although Marcus Trebatius would not return to the game at all. After the game, the SP discovered that he suffered only minor injuries and will be ready to play tomorrow.

Late in the 1st period, Gutrie once again returned to the ice, with the score still 2 to nothing in favor of Quebec. At the first excuse, Lucas Trebatius looked to start a fight with Guthrie to avenge the injury to his brother. Both players decked one another with heavy blows, but neither of them went down. Eventually, the referees decided to break up the fight so the game could continue. The period came to an end, with the score still 2 to nothing in favor of Quebec.

In the 2nd period, Quebec scored an early goal as Colm Strojovic scored, off an assist by Maxwell Belmont-Deschamps to give Quebec a 3 goal advantage. The rest of the 2nd period didn't see any scoring, but it did see more fighting. Joo Won Chun ended up in a fight with Petrus Pupius. The Sanctii defenseman knocked out Quebec's defenseman right as the refs were coming over to break up a fight that had been even until that point. Later, Guthrie picked a fight with Abraham Otacilius after Otacilius checked Vladimir Tsoi into the boards especially hard to take possession of the puck. Guthrie decked Otacilius with a haymaker, knocking the Sanctii center out cold for a minute. He would not return to the game, leaving the Sanctii with only 1 center for the rest of the game. Otacilius will also be ready to return tomorrow.

Guthrie would return to the ice toward the end of the 2nd period and he picked another fight with Lucas Trebatius. The fight was a stalemate until Ioannes Bruccius skated over and earned a game misconduct by punching Guthrie from behind, knocking him out of the game. The benches emptied as both teams brawled. The brawl lasted for around half an hour. Repeatedly, the officials tried to break it up, but they could not. The Sanctii were frustrated that they were losing and they were sick of having players taken out by their opponents. By the time the brawl was over, the Sanctii had just 7 players left that had not been ejected or injured. Quebec still had 15 players available. That stopped the fighting for the rest of the game, as officials made it clear that they would eject any player that attempted to start another fight, but not the other participant in the fight.

In the 3rd period, the Sanctii would get an early goal. Lucas Herminius would score it off an assist from Paulus Murrius. That cut the deficit to just 2 goals. Quebec now led 3 to 1. However, Quebec immediately answered as Kendall Torres scored a goal to put them up 4 goals to 1. The Sanctii began to visibly tire, as they would concede 2 more goals and lose by a final score of 6 goals to 1.

The Royal Kingdom of Quebec now leads Group 7 with 2 wins and no defeats. Havl and Valanora tied, so they are tied for 2nd. Lymantatia defeated Sjovenia, so they are 4th. The Sanctii are tied with Sjovenia for last. Next, the Kingdom of Saintland will visit Sjovenia. This is a chance for the Kingdom of Saintland to pick up a much-needed victory in the World Cup of Hockey. Although the Sanctii are banged up, they should still be favored against Sjovenia and Lymantatia. A loss to either of those teams would be considered a very bad loss. Already, the focus in the Kingdom of Saintland seems to turning away from the World Cup of Hockey and toward the upcoming World Cup of Soccer and the upcoming Summer Olympics. The Saintland National Ice and Field Hockey Team will hope to avoid any additional injuries in the World Cup, with the Olympics mere weeks away.