By Farah Alsagoff

Republic Polytechnic Sports Complex Competition Hall, Friday, October 30, 2009 – Temasek Polytechnic's (TP) late goal halted Institute of Technical Education's (ITE) winning streak and salvaged a 3-3 draw in the men’s Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Floorball Championship.

The first period saw ITE having more possession and shots at goal. #24 Enrico Eliph made the first strong impression for ITE when he spun around for a drag that was off target and Murugan Nair also missed a shot from a Shariff Abdul Rahman (#31) assist.

ITE were finally rewarded at 3.53 when a move starting with Muhd Syazni (#25) ended with Enrico scoring a wrist shot past TP's goalie Hilman Hariadi (#1) who was confused by the zig-zag passes.

TP hit back in the 7th minute with a spectacular equalising goal when #13 Lin Hejun passed across the court to an unmarked Nasirruddin whose shot hit both side posts with two "pings" before striking the back of the net.

Tied 1-1, the second period began with a heart-thumping moment when ITE's Ibnu Musalli's shot missed the goal and bounced off the rink at the back. TP goalie Hilman missed the ball in his attempt to grab it and that caused the ball to stumble into the penalty box in front of the goal. Fortunately for him, team mate Alson Lee (#77) was there to cover his back and pulled the ball out just in time.

TP's Muhd Faris then had a déjà vu moment when he intercepted yet another ITE goalie throw. His immediate shot was blocked, and his rebound saved.

In the 23rd minute, TP's Huang Junpei was sent off for slashing in his penalty box, and ITE were awarded the penalty promptly. Enrico stepped up to the challenge and as the competition hall fell silent, RP supporters watched in horror as TP goalie Hilman saved the ball with his forearm.

A walking example of not giving up, Enrico wrapped the ball into TP's goal with the tip of his stick barely 15 seconds later, to give ITE a 2-1 lead.

Towards the end of the second period, ITE's Shariff attempted a drag shot from left centre, only to see it strike the right side post and deflect out.

Third period saw TP's Faris intercept yet another ITE goalie throw out but his volley went high and out.

TP's tactic of clearing the ball through the centre were giving themselves a lot of problems in the game, giving their ITE opponents a lot of unexpected opportunities to shoot.

ITE stretched their lead to 3-1 when #28 passed to TP's blind side, giving Enrico a simple tap into the goal at 39.44.

In an unexpected twist, TP's Jimmy Ang (#14) passed across the court to an unmarked Lee Rayner (#17) three minutes later, to reduce the deficit for TP to 2-3.

And with barely three minutes left in the game, Faris gave TP supporters a reason to cheer by scoring their equaliser at 42.55.

In a last-ditch attempt, with 0.02 left on the clock, ITE's #28 shot hit the right sidepost, but alas, luck was not on their side as it deflected out.