Game 28 ICE v Ice Dogs

JP takes a watching brief

Game report written by Gus Harkett, Medibank Melbourne Ice member and volunteer

A loud and raucous capacity crowd at Melbourne’s docklands stadium saw the Sydney Ice Dogs battle the Melbourne Ice on Saturday night. With both teams already assured of playing in this year’s finals series there was nothing but pride on the line in this game. In what may be a worrying sign for the Ice, first choice goalie Stu Denman was out through injury meaning that Andrew Crowther had to step up for Melbourne. Crowther was given a torrid start with the Ice Dogs jumping out of the blocks to put pressure on early, luckily for the home team Crowther came up with a couple of big saves. Melbourne then began to get their way back into the game and with 11:25 on the clock the Ice opened the scoring, Jacques Perreault and then Kevin Darcy passed to Matt Armstrong who made the score 1-0. The lead did not last long however with Todd Stephenson and Matthew Monaghan combining well to get Scott Stephenson through one on one with the goalie and make the score one all. It quickly became apparent that this was going to be an even game and just over a minute later Armstrong helped the Ice regain the lead with the assists going to Jason Baclig and Tommy Powell. The game continued back and forth until the Ice Dogs scored a power play goal thanks to Billy Cliff who got the assists from Brook Robson and Brian Funes. With 2:38 to go Sydney made the score 2-3 in their favour thanks to a goal to Robson with another point going to Funes.

Sydney came out firing yet again at the start of the second but again it was Melbourne who scored first with 11:46 on the clock when Baclig scoring on a power play, Obi Aduba and Joey Hughes sharing the assists and making the score 3 all. The game was becoming not only even but a bit scrappy, a number of penalties from both sides giving multiple power play opportunities, Melbourne scored from another power play with 7:08 left on the clock Joey Hughes putting a rebounded shot from Aduba into the net and making the score 4-3 in favour of the Ice. Sydney were not going to be out played in this game and late in the period the scores were tied again when Cliff and Scott Stephenson combined to give Shannon McGregor the goal. 4 all at the end of the second period meant it was game on for the third.

Melbourne seemed to come out a little stronger at the start of the third and appeared to be taking control, with 12:11 left in the game Baclig scored for Melbourne to make the score 5-4, the assists going to Greg Sturrock and Vinnie Hughes . Yet again however the Dogs refused to go away and with just over a minute left in regulation time Scott Stephenson passed to Matthew Monaghan who duly scored to tie up the score at 5 all and a shootout appeared on the cards.  Despite the frantic efforts of Melbourne who pushed hard for the next minute no more goals were scored and indeed it was a shootout that was going to decide the winner.

The lottery that is a shootout was started by Scott Stephenson for the Ice Dogs but his shot clattered of the pipes and Melbourne was gifted an opportunity to win. Matt Armstrong was given the task to score for Melbourne but his shot went wide. Brook Robson stepped up for the visitors and despite a somewhat unusual and awkward approach in which he seemed to nearly lose the puck managed to squeeze it past Crowther and put the pressure back on Melbourne. Jason Baclig was next to shoot for the Ice but his shot was easily dealt with by Jimmy Herbert in the Dogs goal. Matthew Monaghan had a chance to win the game for Sydney but his shot was well saved by Crowther. It was then Joey Hughes who had the chance to keep the shootout alive for the home team but he too saw his shot go high and wide and give the win to Sydney Ice Dogs.

The Medibank Melbourne Ice have finished the 2011 regular season with 18 wins and just 2 regular time loses for an amazing 65 points in 28 games, surpassing the previous highest points total from 2008 set by the Sydney Bears.  Boasting the best GOALS FOR (GF) and the second best GOALS AGAINST (GA), all looks positive for next weekends finals series.  GO ICE GO!!!

Game 28 v Sydney Ice Dogs

SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1

Melbourne Ice at 11:25 – Matt Armstrong from Kevin Darcy and Jacques Perreault

Sydney Ice Dogs at 10:18 – Scott Stephenson from Todd Stephenson and Matthew Monaghan

Melbourne Ice at 9:15 – Matt Armstrong from Jason Baclig and Tommy Powell

Sydney Ice Dogs at 4:32 (PP) – Billy Cliff from Brook Robson and Brian Funes

Sydney Ice Dogs at 2:38 – Brook Robson from Brian Funes
PERIOD 2

Melbourne Ice at 11:46 (PP) – Jason Baclig from Obi Aduba and Joseph Hughes

Melbourne Ice at 7:08 (PP) – Joseph Hughes from Obi Aduba

Sydney Ice Dogs at 1:03 (PP) – Shannon McGregor from Billy Cliff and Scott Stephenson
PERIOD 3

Melbourne Ice at 12:11 – Jason Baclig from Greg Sturrock and Vinnie Hughes

Sydney Ice Dogs at 1:26 – Matthew Monaghan from Scott Stephenson

PENALTY SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Melbourne Ice at 7:15 – Austin McKensie for Interference (2 Min.)

Melbourne Ice at 6:30 – Jason Baclig for Hooking (2 Min.)

Sydney Ice Dogs at 1:51 – Brett Thomas for Slashing (2 Min.)

PERIOD 2

Sydney Ice Dogs at 12:32 – Brook Robson for Tripping (2 Min.)

Sydney Ice Dogs at 7:20 – David Dunwoodie for Misconduct (10 Min.)

Sydney Ice Dogs at 7:20 – Tomas Manco for Hooking (2 Min.)

Melbourne Ice at 3:38 – Tommy Powell for Tripping (2 Min.)