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Game 2: Saturday July 23 Canada 1 - Germany 4
(half time: Canada 0 - Germany 2 )
Penalty corners Canada 1 - Germany 2


Min 9 Germany FG
Min 25 Germany FG
Min 46 Germany PS
Min 48 Canada FG (Philip Wright)
Min 67 Germany FG



This was an excellent display of hockey and Canada played a huge part in an entertaining and hard game. This was probably the best performance yet by this current team with significant roles being played by the younger players. The performance was all the better considering that Paul Wettlaufer was a late pre game withdrawal due to an injury sustained in Thursday's game. Mike Lee was also injured mid way through the second half and was unable to take any further part.

The first three to four minutes was end to end as both teams settled into fast attacking hockey. Germany came close in the fifth minute, but the defence was good and Canada quickly created their own chance just two minutes later when a diving Philip Wright just failed to make contact with a hard cross from Rob Short. Germany then scored in the 9th minute from a powerful free hit from just outside the circle that was deflected close in and left Mike Mahood with no chance.

Germany were awarded a penalty corner in the 12th minute and an excellent stick save by Anthony Wright kept the ball out but a second corner was awarded as the ball went into the air. The second corner was well saved by Mike Mahood. Canada came back strongly and won a penalty corner in the 18th minute following a penetrating run by Mike Lee. The hard low shot was well saved by the advancing German keeper. Two minutes later Canada had another good opportunity following a free hit from just outside the circle.

Rather against the run of play Germany scored a second field goal again from a close in deflection. The five minutes before half time was all Canada, firstly Rob Short appeared to be pulled down while shooting, no call. Then Rob Short again nearly made diving contact with a powerful cross from brother Pete. Finally Mike Lee and Phil Wright made an excellent run and came close.

The second half started well for Canada with a 38th minute two on one chance with Pete Short setting up Connor Grimes who fired a low hard shot that the advancing keeper managed to save. Two minutes later another excellent chance for Canada as good work by Connor, Rob and Ken Pereira went just unrewarded.

Then Canada took a body blow as a very questionable penalty stroke was awarded against them following a good save by Mike Mahood and a German player going down as the ball was cleared away.

Two minutes later Canada were right back in it as a great breakaway run by Connor Grimes pulled the german defence wide, he passed inside to Rob Short who cut into the left hand circle and as the keeper came out fired a low reverse sweep shot across the goal for a diving Philip Wright to make sure it went in.

Twenty minutes to go and plenty of time to get back to level. Both teams created good chances with Connor Grimes again going very close from a Rob Short cross in the 64th minute. Canada continued to press but Germany scored the final goal in the 67th minute to secure the victory. Canada had given an excellent account of themselves and must now nurse some injuries back to full fitness prior to the two game series against Poland starting on July 26th. Well played Canada.

Matthew Peck and Paul Wettlaufer did not play.

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