The Philippines could not capitalize on a strong start and a gallant fight-back, absorbing an 8-13 defeat against Canada at the close of the 2020 Men’s World Floorball Championships pool phase, Monday at the Helsinki Ice Hall.
A win could have sent the country to its debut into the World Games men’s floorball tournament. Instead, the result sees the Philippines fall into the 13th-16th bracket. It will take on the fourth-place finisher from Group C – either Poland, the United States, or Thailand.
The Nationals had a dream start as they raced to an early 2-0 lead. Melvin Alm converted on a penalty shot, then Ryan Hallden directed an intercepted ball into the back of the net.
But the Canadians retaliated and captured the lead for the first time with three goals in seven minutes – the first two of which came in a similar fashion from that of the Filipinos. Cameron Buck then got the go-ahead goal off a defensive lapse by the Philippines.
With momentum on their side, the Canadians extended the lead to four at 7-3 at the onset of the second period with a Valterri Viitakoski conversion.
Nonetheless, the debuting Philippine side would fight back and turn in three goals. Two came from power plays with Fredrik Jeppsson on the finishing end to get back within one, 6-7.
Sensing some urgency, the Canadians took it up a notch, taking on a depleted Philippine lineup at bay. They restored their four-point leads at 10-6 and finally 11-7 to hold the latter at bay.
For good measure, Viitakoski sealed the win for good for the North Americans. He shot from way out past Kristoffer Jandelius for the biggest lead of the match at 12-; then another at 13-8 at an empty Philippine net to negate a conversion from Christian Schoultze.
The Philippines will try to bounce back on the next match scheduled on Tuesday at 2:30 PM (8:30 PM PHT) at the Helsinki Hall 2.
