Team New Zealand Game One

Posted on 19/06/2011 by From the WC2011 website

New Zealand vs Croatia - Game 1 (June 19 @ 7pm)

Game report

Fast paced beginning from both sides was only a peace before the Croatian storm that came after three minutes. Tomislav Grozaj opened the scoring with a long range effort that somehow slipped behind Coleman. One minute later, Igor Jacmenjak´s one-timer after a nice combination increased Croatia´s advantage.

Not long after, Tomislav Cunko finished a quick breakaway in between keeper´s pads and with 3-0 on a scoreboard, the game was heading in one direction. Mario Novak then scored a quick rebound after 17 minutes and increased the lead to 4-0 after two quarters.

Croatia was the dominant team on the rink and although New Zealand skated well and could match their opponents in pace and physical play, they struggled to create any serious openings and scoring chances. "I´m disappointed," said Zachary Beardman of Team New Zealand. "I think we mostly lacked patience. Croatia was the better team."

Mario Sertic then converted another power play with a slapshot and Tomislav Grozaj finished a nice combination with a one timer under the crossbar to make it 6-0. New Zealand then got on the scoreboard thanks to Daniel Garrow, but the last goal belonged to Croatia and Mario Novak´s individual effort finished with a great deke. "We started well, but struggled a bit in the second quarter," Novak said. "Later, we rallied again and controlled the game."

Author: Lukas Peroutka

Game reactions

Patrick Lee (Team New Zealand coach): It is simple, our opponent scored much more goals than we did. If we want to succeed in the upcoming games, we have to score.