Floorball continues to capture new ground in North America when the first ever official Floorball match was played between Canada and USA during the Canada Cup Floorball Championship. The Canada Cup is North America’s largest floorball tournament with 31 teams in attendance. There were about 150 spectators watching Canada defeat USA with 12-2. Canada also won the second match against USA with 10-0.
Juha Mikkola´s match report from game 1:
“Canada made full use of home court advantage as they came out strong, however several early scoring chances were stopped by the stellar goaltending of Loren Smith. However, Canada would break through first when Greg Rozits scored an unassisted goal at 6:44 as a result of bad USA turnover deep in their own zone. Vince Faso tied the game when he scored an unassisted break-away goal roofing a shot past Canada goalie Oliver Hitz at 11:40.
Canada poured it on at the end of the first period. First at 17:18 Canada regained the lead when the Canadian born and bred connection of Vince Spinelli and Randy Sa’d teamed up with Sa’d finishing on a pretty passing play. Canada then scored another goal just 17 seconds later with Blair Zimmerman putting away an unassisted marker.
The beginning of the second period featured tight play at both ends of the rink. However, at the 8 minute Team Canada broke through USA’s defensive shell. First Eric Ulli-Vanesse scored from Erik Kaill, then just 23 seconds later Eric Ulli-Vanesse returned the favor with Erik Kaill scoring the goal. To cap three goals in 31 seconds, Lauri Hannelius scored a highlight reel goal to put Canada ahead 6-1. Canada scored the 5-1 and 6-1 goals while shorthanded.
At this point, Team USA opted to change goaltenders, replacing Loren Smith with Andy Bride, even though Loran Smith’s goaltending was not to blame for Canada’s big lead. Shortly after the change, Team USA responded with a goal at 8:52 by Peter Bagdasarianz assisted by Kimmo Hiukka.
Canada scored to make the score 7-2 at 12:24 to cap another pretty passing play. This time it was some more Canadian born and bred talent connecting as Spencer Abbott scored from Kevin Bui’s assist. To close the period, Canada’s Eero Piilokivi rifled a perfect shot pass to Eric Ulli-Vanesse who defleced the shot between his legs into an open net. 8-2 Canada after two periods.
In the third period with the winner of the game decided both teams gave opportunities for new faces to make their first appearances for their respective national teams. However, Canada continued to be the team pressing, with goals by Lauri Hannelius from Erik Kaill and Vince Spinelli from Eric Ulli-Vanesse putting the game out of reach 10-2.
To add insult to injury, two more Canada goals were scored before the final whistle. Jean-Oliver Voros assisted by Vince Spinelli followed by Paul Stasiewich from Lauri Hannelius. The final score: Team Canada 12, Team USA 2.”
Juha Mikkola´s match report from game 2:
“Eric Ulli-Vanesse scored four goals while Paul Stasiewich and John Toublaris added two goals for Canada. Lauri Hannelius and Ryan Hicks scored one goal each. Derek Swanton made 11 saves for a shutout in his first appearance for Team Canada.
One of the only highlights for USA was Andy Bride’s sensational penalty shot save on Erik Kaill in the last minute of the game. Canada finished with a 38-11 shots advantage.”
Read more from the Canada Cup website
