Match Report:: Extinguished!

According to Google translate, Otpisani in Serbian means "extinguished." Appropriately so, as Otpisani has for the second time extinguished a key second half deficit and a DPR streak--first it was the 4-match win streak, and this time it was the 6-competitive-match win streak--by drawing DPR 5-5.

Both teams took the field with lean to non-existent benches. This was standard for DPR, who managed to win both playoff contests with no bench whatsoever. It was unusual, however, for Otpisani, who show up at games like a college football team.

The game had no flow initially, as both teams had trouble finding space. Otpisani play a form of the neutral zone trap, which meant that it took a while for DPR to find the rhythm. Otpisani went up a goal on a lucky one man jail break through three prison guards. A second fluky goal made it 2-0. DPR stayed cool, and responded with 4 consecutive goals in the half.

A fifth goal made it 5-2, and DPR may have experienced a let down. Sloppy play allowed Otpisani to get breakaways, and they converted chances one-by-one to pull even. The story of the game, for both sides, but mainly DPR, was missed opportunity. DPR squandered many shooting chances by shooting into the keeper, inches wide of the post, or sometimes failing to even get a shot off. The most excruciating sequence came with 2 minute to go. Dave found himself about 12 feet out on the left side and clanked a shot off both posts. The rebound came straight to a DPR player on the right flank, who clanked it off the post and out for a kick.

Final score:

DPR 5 - 5 Otpisani

Team record: 0-0-1