Power plays help ball hockey team defeat Italy

Coming off an important win vs Hong Kong, Bermuda came to the Glacier rink focused and ready to put in another solid team effort vs Italy... a team we have never beaten in previous World Tournaments.

Team Italy was very skilled and decided to try and intimidate Bermuda with a physical style of play. Up to the challenge Bermuda didn't retaliate and kept working hard. Our hard work would pay off in the 2nd period when asst captain Monte Palsat calmly gained the blue line and made a clever pass to charging sniper Matt Benson. Benson found the back of the net with a great wrist shot and Bermuda thought they were off to the races. Unfortunately for Bermuda, team Italy had no intentions of surrendering and quickly tied the affair with a shorthanded goal of their own.

Bermuda regrouped and continued to avoid retaliating against the aggressive Italian side. Power play after power play though team Bermuda just couldn't buy a goal. Then late in the 2nd period the Bermuda 4th line of Madore, Trowsdale and Talbot would score an even strength goal to lead Bermuda ahead.

The third period was a heated affair with the Italians continuing their physical play. They had several quality scoring chances on their own power plays and at equal strength but Bermuda's veteran goalie Yan Leclerc continued to deny them an equalizer. At the midway point of the 3rd period Bermuda found themselves with a 5-3 powerplay after a couple of Italy penalties. Bermuda's captains showed important leadership with calling a time out and drawing up a play. Bermuda executed and Tom Worthington White put a great shot on net and Gazzard would bat in the rebound to give Bermuda a 2 goal cushion.

Bermuda Goalscorers:

Matt Benson

Glen Madore (Game winner!)

Dave Gazzard

Bermuda Player of the Game:

Yan Leclerc (Goalie)

Tuesday morning Bermuda must be ready to play Israel who tied with Italy on Sunday. Another must win for Bermuda!