Bermuda returned to the Jack Byrne Arena in St. John's Newfoundland to compete for the Gold Medal in the B Pool. This would be the teams 7th game in a week and their foes in the match would be the speedy and gritty Italians.
Team Bermuda was looking to go undefeated in 7 games.
There were a number of Bermudians in attendance at the rink to cheer the guys on and many more back home in Bermuda watching from the Outback Sports Bar - a generous supporter of the team and Bermuda Ball Hockey League.
When the game began it was the Italians who took charge early and Bermuda were quickly on their heels. Fortunately Bermuda's strong team defense and goaltending from Yan Leclerc helped weather the Italian storm. The Bermudians began to turn things up late in the first period but after one, neither team had scored.
Bermuda would strike early in the second period. Defenseman Chris Coleman, playing virtually on one leg having suffered a hamstring pull days earlier, received a drop pass from David Gazzard and he blasted a slapshot past the Italian keeper. Coleman knew there was still lots of game to play and to his credit, decided not to do the 'Lambeau Leap' into the Bermuda bench this time.
Late in the second period Bermuda ran into penalty trouble. Bermuda's Adam Chevis received a boarding call and Cory Caouette later received a penalty for slashing. The Italians took full advantage of the power plays getting goals from Vito Tomasicchio and Adriano Fiacconi to lead 2 – 1 at the end of the second period.
In the third period Bermuda benefited from three power plays of their own but could not get one past the Italian team. With less than 5 minutes to play in the game the Bermuda team increased their pressure and something just had to give. Bermuda sniper Chris Merritt answered the prayers for the Bermudians as he deflected a shot into the net to tie the match at 2. Linemates Adam Chevis and Monte Palsat were both credited with assists.
The two teams would exchange chances for the remainder of the third period until the buzzer sounded on regulation time. Tied at 2 after regulation both teams regrouped and met again at center to play a sudden death 10 minute period to try and decide the Gold Medal winner. Again, both teams fought hard and exchanged excellent scoring chances but neither could end the match. This meant that the game would have to be decided by Penalty Shots. Both teams selected 5 shooters and one by one they advanced in alone on their opposing goaltenders. Bermuda's Cory Caouette would be the hero, Caouette raced in on goal and made a series of moves before tapping the ball into the back of his net. He would be the only Bermuda forward to score. Fortunately a one goal advantage was all Bermuda goaltender and later B Pool MVP Yan Leclerc would need as he stopped all 5 Italian strikers - an incredible individual effort on Leclerc's part.
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