GAME 4 OLL VS HCP

GAME 4 MATCH REPORT 

OLL 2-1 HCP

UNBEATEN STREAK CONTINUES THANKS TO ELECTRIC THIRD PERIOD

Olimpija are one of only three teams whose results look like WWWW. If not for a sparkling third period, this would not have been the case. The first two periods were a real throwback to early last season, with powerplay after powerplay going down the drain and very little going on offensively. Mercifully, just like last season's team, they flipped a switch in the 3rd period and got the win.

Stars of the game

* Lukaš Horak - I don't just follow the team's Instagram vote or MVP choice post-game, but he did have 72% of the former and won the latter. The best goalie in the league, no contest. Post-game belly flops on the ice just the cherry on top of yet another dazzling display. The only reason he didn't have the shutout was due to a dodgy overturned call on a clear high stick.

** Blaž Tomaževič (1G) - Finally got his name on the scoresheet as a reward for all his hard work. The 2nd line and 2nd pairing are the only units not to have seen any changes due to illness or injury so far this season, so it should be no surprise that they are gelling well together. Tomaževič has been a revelation as the 2nd line centre. His powerful physical play helps glue together the more finesse-based Mahkovec and Kapel, but he showed his own finesse with a delicious deflection goal.

*** Aljoša Crnović - I feel he is so underrated, even by his own coaching staff. His skating is such an asset and he combines being a penalty killer with being a real offensive threat and playmaker. I know I like his play more than most will, but I am content to be biased here.

Honorable mentions: Bičevskis and Hebar, see below...

Lineup

The team's PR announced post-game that Mašič and Ćosić were both out ill, whilst the severity of Kerbashian's knee injury is still to be determined. Hebar came in on the top pairing and did an admirable job. He combined with Bičevskis, who resumed his role from last year as top line centre and poked in Hebar's rebound goal. This ended up being the game winner. Simšič was the 3C, centring Mehle and a returning Zajc.

Game flow

P1

8:31 - PENALTY ON HCP - 2 minutes for interference (slapped down Hebar's stick). Couple of SOGs but nothing dangerous.

3:55 - PENALTY ON OLL - 2 minutes for slashing on Tomaževič after a Horak save.

P2

18:16 PENALTY ON HCP - trip. 2 SOGs, nearly concede to the player coming out of the box.

11:29 PENALTY ON HCP - 4 minute double minor for roughing and some 'afters'. Simšič had pushed the guy beforehand, but within the rules, and the diminutive Italian did it back illegally. One SOG, looking quite discombobulated. Obviously, HCP are getting a lot of penalty killing practice here, but we should really be doing better with all these powerplays. One shot on a 4 minute double minor is just painful.

7:05 Smash Attack - Sodja can't convert on a 4th line triple forward play. The lights go off, which is representative of the play at the moment. Clearly, HCP are defending well, but we are not creating anything thus far. HCP are getting a lot of quality shots onto Horak, though. Like last season, Horak is having to bail out the team for their lack of offense.

P3 

18:31 GOAL - PAVLIN'S SHOT GETS DEFLECTED IN BY TOMAŽEVIČ

1-0

Mahkovec secondary assist.

16:24 GOAL - HEBAR'S SHOT REBOUNDS AND BIČEVSKIS BACKHANDS IT IN 

2-0

Sabolič secondary assist.

Look what happens when you 'put the puck on net' instead of endless and listless passing!!!

The crowd's vocal cords have certainly been given a workout with some long goalscorer names tonight!

5:48 GOAL - HCP - BUT CALLED OFF FOR HIGH STICK. VIDEO REVIEW OVERTURNS THIS VERDICT AND IT'S A GOOD GOAL.

2-1

Certainly looked like a high stick to me; the Italians shouldn't have been allowed to swarm the referees like they did... The Mission Impossible theme tune was a great touch on the video review.

3:34 PENALTY ON HCP - Sodja draws his 4th penalty in two games, interference after a player upended him off the puck.

ENDS 2-1 - lots of hugs for Ege and Atwal, former HCP players.

0/4 PP 

1/1 PK

Final thoughts

Being 4-0 on the season feels like a dream. However, the sight of Kerbashian in the VIP box reminded us of the potential nightmare scenario that we lose him for the season. The turgid first two periods were a reminder of what life without an elite first line centre looks like. I don't want to take anything away from Bičevskis, who played well, but he is more of a defensive centre than an offensive creator like Kerbashian. We will have to keep praying it is not a season-ending injury for him when more scans get done.

We did so well without him, Mašič and Ćosić. Lovely to see some good squad depth. Let's hope the top guys come back and get well soon!