MEMORIES FROM THE 2011 IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN MELBOURNE

April 10, 2021 marks the ten-year anniversary of the Australian National Senior Team’s gold-medal victory in the IIHF Division II-A World Championships. Australia were the hosts of the tournament in Melbourne between April 4-10, 2011. The team featured players such as Joseph Hughes, Lliam Webster, Greg Oddy, Mark Rummikainen, and a 17-year-old Nathan Walker, who would later be drafted into the NHL.

Australia’s competition included New Zealand, Serbia, Belgium, Mexico, and North Korea. North Korea withdrew from the tournament, citing financial reasons, meaning the group of six was reduced to five.

Australia started off the tournament against Mexico with a bang, entertaining the home crowd with an 11-1 victory, propelling them to the top of the group. Joseph Hughes was named best player for Australia, scoring four goals and two assists. Lliam Webster and Nathan Walker each had three-point efforts which included two goals apiece. Goaltender Matthew Ezzy allowed only a single goal on 23 shots.

Belgium was next up for Australia and presented a greater challenge than Mexico. Australia had a controlling 4-1 lead early in the third period thanks to goals from Lliam Webster, Nathan Walker, Greg Oddy, and Joseph Hughes. With 12 minutes left, Belgium had made things tight with two quick goals. A late empty-net goal by David Upton, a solid 30-save contribution from Matthew Ezzy, and an outstanding defensive performance from the player of the match, Mark Rummikainen, gave Australia the 5-3 victory. The victory also meant that Australia was in sole possession of first place as the only undefeated team left in the tournament.

After being granted a 5-0 default victory over North Korea, next up for Australia was New Zealand. The teams were deadlocked after the first period in front of a sellout crowd. The second period saw Nathan Walker score his fourth goal of the tournament, and Joseph Hughes score his sixth to give Australia a two-goal cushion heading into the third. Matthew Ezzy shut things down the rest of the way, earning a 22-save shutout and player of the game honours.

On April 10, in the final game of the tournament, Australia faced Serbia. Australia had 12 points for the tournament and Serbia had 9, so a victory against Australia by a margin of 3+ goals would give Serbia the gold medal. This was truly a gold medal match and had the feel of a tournament final; the partisan sell-out crowd fitting the occasion.

At 7:48 in the first, Serbia silenced the crowd with a powerplay goal. However, the nervous crowd was brought to life just nine seconds later when Greg Oddy equalized for Australia. Dave Upton gave Australia a 2-1 lead heading into the second period. The player of the game for Australia, Joseph Hughes, added to the lead with his tournament-leading seventh goal, but Serbia drew within one at the beginning of the third with a shorthanded marker.

Serbia was peppering Matthew Ezzy in the Australian goal with shots, seeking an equalizer. They would end up outshooting Australia 44-21. Ezzy stood tall, and Lliam Webster scored late to give Australia a 4-2 lead, and that was how it would finish. Australia were Division II-A champions!