Red Devils victory snatched away controversially
June 18, 2012 - The Red Devils lost on Saturday in controversial fashion after Dunedin took game 1 in overtime by a score of 4-3. Sunday's game in Dunedin was also filled with just as much controversy as the previous nights encounter.
Ice Stadium, Dunedin
After giving up the first goal, the Red Devils fought back to level the score on the powerplay. Not long after, Chris Eaden was interfered with on a breakaway however it was deemed to be legal and the call didn't go Canterbury's way so play continued.
Putting that behind them, the team controlled the game for long stretches and got a second goal from Valery Konev and a point shot goal from Maxim Fokin. With a 3-2 lead and 17 seconds to play, the Thunder pressed hard. A point shot hit their own player, injuring him as he fell into the crease. Laying prone and not moving, he prevented goalie Justin Findlay from playing in his crease. Play continued to the protestation of Canterbury but the Dunedin Thunder scored a goal. After discussion, the referees allowed the goal to stand.
Dunedin tied the game and a rattled Red Devils gave up a breakaway in overtime that gave Dunedin a victory that moments earlier should have gone the other way in Canterbury's opinion. The team has moved on and will focus solely on securing a regulation win on Sunday.
Ice Stadium, Dunedin
Sunday's game in Dunedin was filled with just as much controversy as the previous nights encounter. Not wanting to repeat the result however, when the game went to overtime the Red Devils ended it quickly and won 6-5.
A strong start saw Canterbury take a 2-0 lead. The offence took control of the game in long stretches and exposed Thunder goalie Rick Parry numerous times.
Having a 3-1 lead in the 2nd and on the powerplay, one of the more baffling incidents in NZ hockey took place. Objecting to officiating, the Thunder coach threw objects onto the ice while play was still taking place. Its timing coincided with a breakaway in Dunedins favour. With this unsportsmanlike display distracting the Canterbury goalie, a goal was scored and allowed to stand. Regrouping however, Canterbury was able to score shortly after to lead 4-2 after two periods.
Large scale defensive breakdowns allowed Dunedin to score 3 in the 3rd to take a 5-4 lead. Canterbury equalized a short time later and a James Kirkwood blast ended the game in overtime before the Thunder could even register a shot on net. Missed opportunities and defensive lapses cost the team the regulation win however a weekend split is encouraging moving forward to the next match up against the West Auckland Admirals.
