Last year’s 2014 USRBL All Star Game in which the Rink Bandy All Stars defeated Team USA 12-11 was considered by many to have been the highest level Rink Bandy match ever played in North America. This year’s 2015 USRBL All Star game on Thursday, July 2015 at Plymouth Arena can now certainly challenge that statement. All Star official Tim Roth was quoted as saying he thinks these two all-star exhibitions are without question the best Rink Bandy matches the United States have ever seen.

For the 2015 game the same format as last year was used; USA National team members who played in March at the World Championships in Khaborovsk, Russia took on a ten man roster of Rink Bandy All Stars from the USRBL. The All Stars were comprised of a solid line-up of former USA Bandy players plus NHL'er Jamie McBain (Spanky’s United) who played for the LA Kings last year, and Joe Rehkamp (Minnehaha Maulers) who played with St Cloud State last year. Rehkamp is considered by many to be the fastest player in the summer rink bandy league.

Led by professional Swedish bandy player and chief playmaker Daren Richardson, Team USA started strong on three quick goals by Mike Lickteig, Jacob Blucher and Mike Carman. The All-Stars finally woke up and countered with goals by Jamie McBain and Ben Grotting. Team USA answered, added three more before the half as Blucher, Carman and Andy Hogan scored to give Team USA a 6-2 lead halftime edge.

At half, a fiery speech by the teams spiritual leader BJ Bayers got the All-Stars fired up and refocused. With Spanky’s United goalie Charlie Lindgren really stepping up his game, the All Stars were able to shut down the Team USA’s offense and score seven unanswered goals, taking a shocking 9-6 lead. Dave Martinson led the way for the All Stars comeback with three goals, while McBain, Bayers, John Arundel, and Bobby Scott also found the back of the net.

Just when it looked like the All Stars were going to run away with the game, Team USA’s Jacob Blucher got one past Lindgren. Mike Carmen then scored on a long range rocket, and added a penalty shot tally to tie the score 9-9 with less than 5 minutes left. During the final minutes, both teams put on a dazzling display of skill and speed with Lindgren and Team USA keeper Zander Asleson making one spectacular save after another to keep their respective team in the game. As the clocked ticked down Dave Martinson and John Arundel found themselves on an odd-man rush, with Arundel feeding Martinson the ball who proceeded to blast in the gamer winner, giving the All-Stars a stunning 10-9 victory.

With five goals including the game winner Dave Martinson was named Co-MVP along with keeper Charlie Lindgren who shut down Team USA most of the second half. Mike Carmen was named the Best Player for Team USA.

Game Summary

All Stars Goals

Dave Martinson 5

Jamie McBain 2

Ben Grotting 1

BJ Bayers 1

Bobby Scott 1

Team USA Goals

Mike Carman 4

Jacob Blucher 3

Mikael Lickteig 1

Andy Hogan 1

MVP – Charlie Lindgren & Dave Martinson - All StarsBest Player Team USA - Mike Carman

BIG WEEK FOR CHARLIE LINDGREN

It was a big week for Spanky’s United goalkeeper Charlie Lindgren, who spent six days at the Minnesota Wild Development Camp. Lindgren then played the next day in the USRBL All-Star game, picking up some crystal for his co-MVP award. Lindgren will be a senior at St Cloud State this year, and is expected to be the starting goalie for the Huskies again this year. Lindgren indicated that playing bandy is not only fun, but also helps his hockey skills as playing without a stick forces a keeper to rely on body positioning, angles and balance, all necessary skills for a goaltender to stay at the top of his game. Congrats and good luck Charlie!