|
Published on: 12/8/09 (Updated 12/9/09 11:30AM) The Baden Bruins broke the second place tie by beating the Heidelberg Knights Tuesday night 5 to 3 in Eppelheim. In a highly anticipated game, the Bruins knew they would have to play top level hockey to beat the very talented Knights. The Heidelberg Knights faced off against the Bruins early in the season during the HCL Ice Breaker tournament back in September. Not only did the Knights win against the Bruins, but won the tournament. From this point on, the Bruins knew that the Knights were a team to be reckoned with. The matchup played last night in Eppelheim was everything the Bruins remembered from the Ice Breaker tournament - high tempo and very physical. Both teams played tough, worked hard and played aggressive hockey. The Bruins were able to control much of the play in the first period by establishing an early lead of (0:3) going into the second period.
Key goals scored by Bruins came from speedster Nico Schaefer, assisted by Thomas Kapek at 5:18. Three minutes later, the Bruins once again netted a self goal by newcomer Andre Reiner as he found an unusual opportunity with a loose puck in front of Knights goalie, Falko Liebling. The Bruins rounded out the first period with a quick 1,2,3 goal scored by the Bruins Japanese Panther – Takahiro Kakumaru, assisted by both Dirk Weber and Nico Schaefer. The Knights, shocked by the early deficit, came back on the ice in the second period with fire in their eyes. The Knights fought hard in the corners with strong forechecking and producing numerous opportunities. Their efforts paid large as they were able to quickly get on the scoreboard with a strong goal from the dangerous Dominik Heil (1:3) His strong forecheck and quick release brought the Knights back into the game. With the smell of blood in the air, the Knights kept the pressure on and controlled much of the second period. Marcel Boken established his presence by finding himself in the open slot and rocketing a shot past netminder Marcus Weber. The pass to Boken came courtesy of Sascha Glaser and Big Michael Pape (2:3). The Bruins were recognizing a shift in momentum, but it was standout Nicolai Schaefer that brought the Bruins back into form with a key goal from Kevin Schatral to finish out the period and keep the Bruins with a two goal lead going into the third. (2:4) The third and final period saw much of the same action. The pace was still high as the Bruins and Knights fought for possession. The Bruins capitalized on an opportunity early in the period with a hat trick goal from the quick and shifty Nico Schaefer. Bruins confidence was now high as they now had a (2:5) lead early in the third. The Knights, however, would not take this goal lightly. It was Sascha Glaser, but one minute later to respond to that early goal. With a strong forecheck, Glaser was able to produce a nice steal from the Bruins defense and quickly torch the twine behind netminder Marcus Weber to bring the Knights once again to within 2 goals. (3:5). Both teams battled hard all through the third, but it was the Bruins’ tenacity that would prove to be the keys to victory in this game. Their control of the neutral zone proved to be the difference in this hard fought battle of two titans. Final score (3:5) Bruins. Come watch the Bruins take on the dangerous Heddesheim Flames this coming Wednesday, 16 December at 1900 in the Bears Den. Bear News |
