FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ERZURUM GENÇLİK SPOR CLUB May 19, 2014 By B.C. Ryan
2012-13 and 2013-14 Junior Champions of Turkey
GSK U18 team remains undefeated for 2 straight season
GSK U14 team remains undefeated for 2 straight season
Over the past two half years the odds have been stacked up against any team in Erzurum by the TBHF. GSK and Narman were forced pay 90 percent of the travel costs of the Federation. The Turkish Ice Hockey Federation changed games, canceled games without appropriate notice. The GSK Junior team has had only one home game in the past two years. But team controlled by the Federation, played ever regular season game at home this year. This past weekend, GSK showed up for Semi Final Game against Istanbul. When GSK arrived at the rink, GSK were told the game was changed from 4 pm to 930 pm. The Federation changed the game at 8 am; but no one notified GSK until 2 hours before game time.
GSK won the Semifinal game 5-0 against Istanbul. The game ended at 1:30 am the next day. The team did not get to eat until 2:30 am and into bed until 3:00 am. This is the third time in the past two years that Federation changed games that created a disadvantage to the number 1 seed in the tournament - GSK.
GSK went on to beat Kojeli 5-1 in the Championship match. The game started slow for GSK. Kojeli score on a GSK turnover to take the lead. The first period ended, Kojeli had a 1-0 lead and the momentum. "GSK players were told between periods do not worry, be confident. You are the champions. It's natural to start slow with the schedule we were given. You will get better as the game goes on,"said Keith McAdams, Head Coach of GSK. " Coach McAdams gave each player a hug and "told them you are a champion." McAdams then send the team to the ice for the second period.
GSK started fast in the second period. Kojeli stuggles to skate with Erzurum. Kojeli took two penalties. McAdams called a timeout 2 minutes into the second period. ''He asked the team where does the power play start from?" He pointed to his coaching board, but did not diagram a play. GSK responded with two power play goals to take the lead. 2 -1. For the rest of the game Kojeli struggled.
McAdams said, "our team was not at our best. We were tired and not as focused as we would like to be. We fought through being tired and slowly regained our focus as the game went on."
Sefa Kavaz Named Number One Forward Turkey
The deciding factor in the game came in the third period when Kojeli had five on three power play advantage. Kojeli Coach, Tarik Gocmen called a timeout to prepare for power play. But the Kojeli team did not respond. Kojeli did not get a shot on goal, instead GSK had three 2 on 1's, and a break away. GSK forward Sefa Kavaz score the short handed goal.
GSK went on to score the next 5 goals to easily defeat Kojeli 5-1.
GSK 18U Notes:
- GSK scored on 50% of it Power plays in 2013-14 season
- GSK killed off 99% of it penalties
- GSK only allowed two goal against all year.
- GSK scored 14 short handed goals this season.
GSK 14U Notes:
- GSK will play for their 3rd straight national championship next month
- GSK is undefeated for 2 years and has only lost 1 game in three season.
*The Turkish Ice Hockey Federation declared U18 Forfeited a game for having one goalie. GSK is challenging the ruling of the TBHF saying 4 other teams played games with one goalie, but only GSK forfeited the game.
*GSK claims there is one set of rules for teams controlled by Federation and another for other clubs.
