On an evening that would determine the fate of the Goldhorns at the World Cup of Hockey’s 35th edition, Siovanija and Teusland pulled out a miracle result to defeat Tobiasia 1-0, securing play-off qualification.
The Goldhorns headed into the match coming off two very important games, against Banija and Gzejjer. In the Banija match, Gunter Pfenning, Wolfram Spiegel, Razvigor Tsvetanov and Alex Schnyder each scored however it was not enough as the Goldhorns lost 5-4. This caused a difficult situation for the four teams at the top of Group 5 heading into the final two matches, amplified on the next matchday when Banija lost to Quebec, eliminating them, while Tobiasia won their match. The Goldhorns, meanwhile, headed to Gzejjer and Ruslan Ivanov posted an incredible game, stopping 38 shots for the shutout as Alex Schnyder put up two third period goals. Those results set up the final day clash with Tobiasia, with huge implications on the line.
“Look, we know it’s going to be a huge game, but we’re quite excited to go in front of the home crowd and give these fans what they deserve,” said coach Aaron Kuhn at the press conference at the Stelburg Eispalast. “It’s 60 minutes, winner take all, and we’re really pumped up for this game and want to out and get done what we need to do,” the captain Pfenning said. “I’m on a bit of a hot streak, and it’d be really nice to get another one tonight to put us through,” were the words of goalscorer Alex Schnyder. With 24,500 fans rocking in the stands, the match began.
From first puck drop, you could tell that the match would be a battle between two sides leaving everything on the ice. Tobiasia and the Goldhorns both made huge hits, with a high level of intensity on the ice. Tobiasia had some brilliant chances in the first period, with a shot hitting the post, but the best opportunity in the first period fell to Razvigor Tsvetanov. With the puck on his stick and an open goal in front of him, he raised the puck over the net and, upon return to the Goldhorns bench, broke his stick off the glass. The first period proved the prelude to a near-perfect hockey game: skill, speed and intensity. It was truly a match to be remembered.
The Goldhorns’ fans, also, were in full spirit throughout the night, singing loudly and proudly patriotic songs and also the latest favourite songs of the fans relating to the teams and players. The stadium literally bounced when they chanted “Jump if you love the Goldhorns,” and the Eispalast was the loudest it has ever been. The arena was ready to explode, if they could only get one moment to do so, one final glorious moment to achieve the impossible dream. Unranked heading into the tournament, a win for the Goldhorns would secure the first seed in the group and a play-off spot.
Finally, the great moment came. One that will live on in the hearts of hockey fans in this country for a long time. With just 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd period, Timo Horn picked up the puck behind his goal and waited as the Goldhorns changed. The second unit came onto the ice, and Edgar Seckbach received the pass. He slipped it between the defender’s legs and onto the stick of Razvigor Tsvetanov, who suddenly had nothing between him and the goaltender. The entire arena grew silent as he approached the goal, before he sent a low shot through the legs of the goaltender and into the net. The arena exploded, Tsvetanov jumped into the glass in celebration, and the momentum was with the Goldhorns.
The Goldhorns successfully killed out the remaining time until about 43 seconds remained on the clock, and Tobiasia’s goalie headed for the bench. Ruslan Ivanov made a huge glove save with 15 seconds on the clock, before the Goldhorns put it down the ice. Gero Radulov won the ensuing draw back to his defender, who held the puck as time ran out. As the horn sounded, the Goldhorns emptied the bench to celebrate as the party began not just in the Eispalast, but in sports bars and town squares across the country. The Goldhorns are heading to Free Republics for the play-offs.
In a locker room filled with champagne and confetti, some players were willing to answer questions. “It is an unbelievable feeling to make it this far, we’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished and we want to go over now and show that we want to make some noise in these playoffs,” said Ruslan Ivanov. Coach Aaron Kuhn added that “it’s going to be a whole different task for us, but these boys have shown the country that they are ready for everything.” Fans remained on the streets in National Square, Stelburg until 4:30am celebrating the victory. This truly is a cause for national celebration.
In the play-offs, the Goldhorns will take on Neu Engellon. The side are ranked 15th in the world, and came second in a group 6 that included world champions Vilita and Turori. It’s certainly going to be a tough matchup for the team, but as the Goldhorns have proven throughout the tournament so far anything can happen in one game. “They’ve clearly done a lot to get where they currently are, and it’s certainly not going to be easy. We’ve got a lot of respect for high-ranked teams, but we want to make a statement and say we want to join them one day. The players are raring to go, we’re ready” Aaron Kuhn said at a press conference at Stelburg International Airport before the team boarded their flight to the Free Republics.
With an 8-2 record in the group stage, the Goldhorns take on the 7-2-1 Neu Engellon at the Fanucci Escorts Arena in Toakameau, Falatulu, Free Republics. Seating 13,666 fans, the Goldhorns hope to pull off another upset in a do-or-die Round of 16 match. As they have been for the last 10 games, the entire nation will be awaiting the puck drop.