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OLYMPIA HEIST-o/d-BERG CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY WINNING THE BELGIAN CUP
- RBIHF
On Saturday, January 9th, 2010 Olympia Heist-o/d-Berg won the Belgian Cup Final in the Elite Division in overtime in front of a sold-out City Ice Arena in Deurne, Antwerp. For the second time in a row, the 'Frozen Final' took place in the Antwerp Ice Rink 'Ruggeveld', a successfull partnership between the Royal Belgian Ice Hockey Federation and the City of Antwerp.
Tim Vos, the Belgian record holder of World Championship participation (20 IIHF WCs), who recently turned 40, had the honor to throw the ceremonial face-off together with RBIHF President Pascal Nuchelmans. 'Urmel', the 2010 IIHF World Championship Mascot from host Germany gave both gentlemen a hand. The game that followed was a genuine thriller between finalists Olympia Heist-o/d-Berg and Leuven Chiefs which at the end was decided with a sudden death in overtime.
Leuven Chiefs started the game at a killing pace and proves to be the better team at the beginning of the first period. Nearly 3 mintues into the game Team Belgian player Bryan Kolodziejczyk opens the score for Chiefs on assist of Branislav Remen. When the Olympia defence fumbles the puck, Dries Steijnen takes advantage of the messy play and doubles the score at 8'34. Halfway the period Dino Ferrari brings Olympia back into the game. Olympia keeps the pressure on and Captain Sami Lipsonen scores the equalizer. Then Ferrari scores his second goal and after 20 minutes of quality hockey Olympia returns to the dressing room with a 2-3 lead.
The second period both teams play a balanced game. Chief's Captain Joris Peusens puts a 3-3 on the score board halfway the period and both teams leave the ice with an equal score, testing the fans' nerves.
The third period both teams once again give their audience some great hockey. However, Chiefs' goalie Bjorn Steijlen and Olympia goalie Joel Enlund keep their backdoor shut and after 60 minutes of regular play, the game goes into overtime.
The Chiefs miss a number of goal opportunities in the 4th and then Italo-Canadian Francesco Demasi intercepts the puck and the inevitable happens. He presents the victory to Olympia after a solo play ending the game at 63'40. A more beautiful gift for the club's 50th anniversary is unthinkable.
Period Scores: 2-3,1-0,0-0 en 0-1 (OT)
Goals:
IHC Chiefs Leuven: Bryan Kolodziejczyk 1, Dries Steijnen 1 & Joris Peusens 1
Olympia Heist: Dino Ferrari 2, Sami Lipsonen 1 & Francesco De Masi 1.
MVPs:
Chiefs: Goalie Bjorn Steijlen
Olympia Goalie Joel Enlund
Referees: Chris Deweerdt & Benny Haxelmans
Linesmen: Frederic Monnaie & Jeroen De Schrijver
Penalties:
IHC Chiefs Leuven: 12 min.
Olympia Heist: 14 min.
Audience: 1.155 (sold-out)
Link:
http://www.rbihf.be
Story submitted by: Christian Pierre.
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