PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC — Israel had a successful performance at their fifth-annual Prague training camp last week. The blue-and-white went 1-1-1 with a win over Poland, a draw against EBLC2017 host Finland on Monday, and a loss to Germany, while Tel Aviv LC went 3-3 against mostly American and Canadian clubs to finish a respectful 7th place at the Aleš Hřebeský Memorial, presumably earning a promotion to Pot A for 2018. Below are the game recaps from all nine of the team’s friendlies and cup matches.
Israel led 7-4 in the first half, but was held scoreless for the final 43 minutes of the game as Germany topped the blueff-and-white, 11-7 on Saturday night at LCC Radotín.
Matthew Flapan led the Israelis with three goals; Eric Fischer (one goal, one assist), Jacob Silberlicht, Drew Lazar, and Jonathan Rathauser added singles. Danny Bialosy and Corey Shires each chipped in an assist, while Andrew Copeland (60:00, 20 saves, 11 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
Additional caps – Ori Bar David, Alon Bechor, Harel Ben Harush, Chris Friedman, Andrew Kruter, Daniel Obreja, Zachary Pall, Ben Trachtenberg
Corey Shires had a breakout performance for Israel on Sunday, scoring six goals and three assists to lead Israel past Poland, 23-4 at LCC Radotín.
The blue-and-white dominated from the opening whistle and led 15-0 at the half.
Drew Lazar (three goals, one assist), Ori Bar David (two goals), Ryan Hunter (two goals, four assists), Matthew Flapan (two goals, one assist) and Ben Trachtenberg (two goals) had big nights for Israel.
Eric Fischer (one goal, three assists), Jacob Silberlicht (one goal, three assists), Zachary Pall (one goal, two assists), Daniel Bialosky (one goal, one assist) and Andrew Kruter (one goal) added singles for the Israelis. Andrew Copeland (60:00, 4 saves, 4 GA) was credited the win in goal.
Additional caps – Alon Bechor, Harel Ben Harush, Daniel Obreja, Chris Friedman, Jonathan Rathauser
Israel and Finland both scored goals in the last minute of a 6-6 draw at LCC Radotín on Monday.
It was the third consecutive year that the two teams have played to a regulation draw at the joint-training event in Czech Republic. Finland gutted out overtime wins over the Israelis in 2015 and 2016, however, the extra time was stripped from the E-BOX rules in 2017.
Bergman (three goals, one assist) led Israel, while Jacob Silberlicht, Ryan Hunter and Ben Trachtenberg added singles. Zachary Pall (three assists) and Corey Shires (two assists) also chipped in on offense, while Ori Bar David and Matt Flapan each had an assist.
Andrew Copeland (60:00, 34 saves, 6 GA) had a big day in goal to anchor the Israel defense.
Additional caps – Alon Bechor, Harel Ben Harush, Daniel Bialosky, Eric Fischer, Chris Friedman, Andrew Kruter, Drew Lazar, Daniel Obreja, Jonathan Rathauser
Tel Aviv LC opened the Aleš Hřebeský Memorial with a 5-4 win over Bundeswehr LC on Wednesday afternoon. The Germans led 4-2 in the second half, but Tel Aviv scored the final three goals to secure the win and punch their ticket into the 16-team playoff.
Zachary Pall led the Israelis with three goals, while Bryan Hopper and Jake Mickelson added singles. Corey Shires (three assists), Eric Fischer (two assists) and Kyle Bergman (one assist) also chipped in on offense. Andrew Copeland (30:00, 12 saves, 4 GA) earned the win in goal.
Tel Aviv opened their Thursday schedule with a 6-3 setback to the Boston Megamen in pool play. Mickelson and Hopper each had one goal and one assist, while Andrew Kruter (one goal) and Drew Lazar (one assist) also chipped in on offense. Copeland (30:00, 15 saves, 6 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
Andrew Copeland (30:00, 16 saves, 2 GA) earned Balla For Men MVP honors, holding the Nova Scotia Privateers scoreless for nearly 25 minutes as Tel Aviv earned a 5-2 win in a first-round playoff game.
Corey Shires (one goal, one assist) and Jake Mickelson (one goal, one assist) led the Israelis offensively, while Kyle Bergman, Matt Flapan and Bryan Hopper each chipped in a single. Ryan Hunter had an assist.
The Germans led 4-2 in the second half, but Tel Aviv scored the final three goals to secure the win and punch their ticket into the 16-team playoff.
Zachary Pall led the Israelis with three goals, while Bryan Hopper and Jake Mickelson added singles. Corey Shires (three assists), Eric Fischer (two assists) and Kyle Bergman (one assist) also chipped in on offense.
Andrew Copeland (30:00, 12 saves, 4 GA) earned the win in goal.
Tel Aviv was eliminated from Championship contention in the quarterfinals in a 7-4 loss to the Ladner Pioneers on Friday.
The Israelis were in the match until the final three minutes, when the Canadian club turned a 4-4 deadlock into a 7-4 win.
Mickelson led Tel Aviv with two goals, while Lazar and Hopper added singles. Bergman (two assists), Pall (one assist) and Shires (one assist) also chipped in. Copeland (30:00, 12 saves, 7 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
Later, Israel was edged by the defending champion Alberta Warriors, 5-4. Greg Bourret scored the game-winner with 25 seconds left to give the Canadian club the win.
Mickelson (two goals), Hopper (one goal, two assists), Bergman (one goal), Lazar (one assist) and Hunter (one assist) cracked the scoresheet for the Israelis. Copeland (30:00, 16 saves, 6 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
Tel Aviv wrapped up the tournament in style, earning a 10-4 win over Czech club Jizni Mesto. The Israelis jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never trailed, cruising to the win.
Shires (three goals, three assists), Hopper (two goals, two assists), Mickelson (two goals, one assist), Pall (one goal, two assists), Bergman (one goal, one assist), Lazar (one goal) and Hunter (one assist) played well offensively; Copeland (26:10, 8 saves, 3 GA) and Matej Zelinka (3:50, 2 saves, 1 GA) split time in goal with Copeland earning the win.
Tel Aviv Caps (x6): Kyle Bergman, Daniel Bialosky, Andrew Copeland, Eric Fischer, Matthew Flapan, Chris Friedman, Bryan Hopper, Ryan Hunter, František Klíma, Andrew Kruter, Steve Laforet, Drew Lazar, Seth Mahler, Jake Mickelson, Zachary Pall, Jonathan Rathauser, Corey Shires, Jacob Silberlicht, Matej Zelinka