HOCKEY: It has been a remarkable night for the Hockey5s team in Nanjing, beating Canada in a penalty shoot out, to win the gold medal at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

"The boys gave me a few heart palpitations tonight that is for sure," coach David Guest said.

The Aussie’s had a positive start scoring the first goal and creating multiple chances throughout the opening period. Alec Rasmussen was first to score, smashing the ball from distance to beat the keeper’s right foot after three and a half minutes of play.

Goalkeeper Max Hughes proved to be the difference early in the second stanza, saving a penalty to keep the margin to one goal.

But it wasn’t long, before Canada equalised, scoring off a deflection with six minutes left in the middle period.

Max Hendry put the green and gold crowd on their feet, showing amazing determination to beat both defender and goal keeper to be in front again, 2-1.

It was Rasmussen once again, fielding a Nathanael Stewart rebound off the upright, the West Australian made it 3-1 with four minutes remaining.

The opposition weren’t done yet, scoring their second goal to leave the Australian’s nervous.

Momentum had continued with the Canadians late in the third period slotting home the equaliser to take the game to penalty shoot-out.

To their feet once again the Aussie support rose, cheering their hearts out knowing that it was only minutes away from gold.

Both teams were successful on their first attempt, Matthew Bird pointing to the crowd when he scored.

Rasmussen was next, staying calm to make it 2-1.

Despite Canada winning their last two games over penalties, they couldn’t make their way past Hughes on their second attempt.

"Coming into the penalty shoot out I was really nervous, I was in the corner not knowing what to do," Hughes said.

"Guesty said a few things to me before the shoot out which made me believe that I could save the goal.

Up stepped the vice-captain Corey Weyer, knowing that if he scored they would win the gold medal.

"I didn't think about it too much," Weyer said. "This is a once in a life time experience. It has been the best two and a half weeks and my expectations have exceeded me in every aspect."

The Queenslander did just that, slotting home the last goal to win the gold medal match for Australia.

Olympian and coach David Guest said at the conclusion of the match - "I am really happy for the boys that they have had this opportunity to win gold under such great circumstances."

Phillip Brent

olympics.com.au

@AUSOlympic Team