Britain prevails over Australia again and becomes second finalist
Just as they did at the very beginning of the tournament, the British prevailed against Australia, as they were better especially in capitalizing on their chances. After this 11-3 victory, Great Britain advances into the Division I final against Team Hungary. Australia has to fight for the bronze medal against Austria. The game was very special for John Dolan of Team Britain, who scored 2 goals, added 1 assist and set a new IIHF career record of 133 points.
| Game no. 39 • bSF • Fri 24/6/2011 • 19:00 • Schedule and results | ||
|---|---|---|
Great Britain |
11:3 |  Australia |
| (2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 2:0) | ||
| Tanner - D. Clarkson, Waller, J. Clarkson, Viney - Hendy, Niamatali, Pearman, Hutchinson - Walsh, Finney, Hamer, Dolan. | Robledo (33. Muir) - Collins, Jones, Bourke, Dunstan - Fritchley, York, Casaceli, Nash - Cleland, McDowell, Gavin, Rozdarz - Osullivan, Brophy. | |
| Goals and assists: 6. Waller (Clarkson D., Viney), 11. Pearman (Hutchinson), 14. Dolan (Finney), 17. Clarkson J. (Clarkson D.), 21. Waller (Clarkson J.), 29. Pearman (Hendy), 31. Hammer (Dolan), 33. Niematali, 34. Pearman (Hutchinson), 37. Dolan (Finney, Walsh), 41. Hutchinson (Pearman) - 8. Casaceli (Fritchley), 15. Dunstan (Bourke), 35. Rozdarz (Dunstan). | ||
| Shots: 38:22
(10:7, 12:6, 12:5, 4:4).
Penalties: 3:4.
PP goals: 3:1.
SH goals: 0:0. Refferees: Kovacs (HUN), Erd (AUT). |
||
 Live coverage on onlajny.cz | ||
Game report
Friday’s second semi-final game in Division I began slowly and carefully. After British managed to get into significant lead the game became one-sided and Australians resigned.
The score changed in the 6th minute for the first time after Waller’s shot and Australian response came swiftly as Casaceli succeeded with his power-play shot. Australians seemed to keep the score leveled till the first intermission but British managed to take back their lead thanks to quick one-touch combination between Hutchinson and Pearman.
British raised their lead in the beginning of next period. Goalie Robledo deflected the puck so unluckily that it felled behind his back. On the other side of playground James Tanner took lived through a weak moment too as he didn’t stop the shot of Dean Dunstan. Shooting exhibition continued, just minutes passed and British were celebrating after the shot of Jack Clarkson. The same player prepared another power play goal for Kurt Waller in the 21st minute.
British team had three goal lead after two periods but it looked like this wasn’t enough for them. Between the minute 29th and 34th Pearman, Hammer and Niamatali scored another four ones and Australia did substitute their goalies. Only the success of Oliver Rozdarz could comfort them a bit.
In the last period Hutchinson and John Dolan scored last two goal of this game. In spite of on sided score British hero John Dolan didn’t detract this victory. “Definitely this has been a harder game than the one in robin round. Semifinals are always tight, you don’t know who will be scoring a goal. We have kept our system, worked as team and thank much to that we’ve won this game.”
On the other side Australian captain couldn’t be satisfied. “Such a high loss is always difficult for us. We weren’t able to keep holding our strategy we agreed on. We are expecting a tough game tomorrow, we especially have to improve taking our chances,” said Michael John Casaceli.
Author: Michal Slavík
Game reactions
Andrew Sillitoe (British coach): Our tactics against Hungary will be pretty same as in the whole week. We want Keep playing simple, keep working with the puck and keep playing good in-line hockey. Change of the surface won`t be any problem for us, we still will be competitive.
Michael Flaherty (Australian coach): Of course we are disappointed. We have possibilities to present a better result than we did. We didn’t concentrate enough on the game. Austria would be a difficult opponent.
