The boys took to the field in Karlsruhe over the weekend for the first match of the season. After a hard-fought game, the boys of ABV Stuttgart came out victorious, winning 9 to 8.
After a cancellation by Erlangen in September, 07 October was the first match day for the men of ABV Stuttgart. The day was perfect for a match and faceoff took place at 14:00 at the home of the Karlsruhe Storm.
ABV Stuttgart was the first to score with a great pass from A. Frey to P. Staffeld, who had an excellent shot as he came across the top. Karlsruhe was quick to answer and led 2 to 1 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter started with a quick goal by L. Schäfer. After five more minutes of play P. Staffeld scored his second to put ABV back in the lead. It was shortly held as Karlsruhe answered back and we ended the half tied 3 to 3.
In the second half, Karlsruhe was first to score but ABV answered right back with a pair of goals and was in the lead. Karlsruhe and ABV would each score again in the quarter, with the last coming from a diving goal by J. Korherr, and with a score of 6 to 5, ABV would hold the lead at the end of the third quarter.
With the last fifteen minutes of regulation underway, Karlsruhe entered the quarter hot and was able to score three unanswered goals. This left ABV in a bad position as they sat 2 goals down with less than two minutes left to play in the game. The ABV men would not be denied however and a stunning set of goals by M. Zobel and P. Staffeld, both assisted by A. Meriasch, would keep the boys alive and end regulation play tied 8 to 8.
In overtime, Karlsruhe were first to gain possession and go on the offense. The Karlsruhe players were able to move the ball quickly and get a shot, but P. Werfs made another huge save and clear, marking what had already been a day of great saves from the goalie pair of P. Werfs and B. Leudesdorff. In the 65th minute of overtime play, M. Zobel would again come to the rescue and score on a high to low shot that would secure the win and end the game. After a hard-fought match, ABV Stuttgart was victorious with a score of 9 to 8.
ABV Stuttgart men will next face the Freiburg Pumas on 22 October in Freiburg, faceoff is at 1300.