Ice Dogs Top Mustangs in Melbourne

The Sydney Ice Dogs defeated the Melbourne Mustangs 5-1 on Sunday night. Grant Toulmin’s scoring streak continued, as the Canadian import scored another two goals on the night.

Stephen Johnston again opened up scoring, when he tipped the puck into the net on the backhand. His seventh goal of the season was assisted by Grant Toulmin and Todd Stephenson. After an impressive save from Damien Ketlo, the Ice Dogs headed to the penalty kill for the first time when a slashing minor was assessed to Stephen Johnston. With 7:40 remaining Ellesse Carini was sent to the box for hooking. The Ice Dogs played five on three hockey for 40 seconds and were able to successfully kill both penalties. With just under four minutes remaining Sydney was awarded their first power play opportunity in the period when Melbourne’s Troy Robertson was sent to the box for hooking. Despite some quality chances, which included a two on one rush with Grant Toulmin and James Marino, the team was unable to capitalise on the opportunity. A final high stick penalty was awarded to Todd Stephenson and the Ice Dogs in the first period with 12 seconds remaining.

Entering the second, Sydney successfully killed the penalty to maintain their one goal lead. Ellesse Carini extended the lead when Scott Stephenson’s breakout pass allowed the forward to score his fourth of the season. The goal was assisted by Scott Stephenson and Shannon McGregor. With 7:09 left on the clock Grant Toulmin was robbed on a breakaway opportunity but seconds after the Ice Dogs were given their second power play when Melbourne’s Jamie Bourke was assessed two minutes for slashing. Despite some quality chances, Sydney was unable to score on the man advantage. With just over three minutes remaining Scott Stephenson was given a penalty for tripping. The Mustangs Patrick O’Kane was able to capitalise on their power play and cut the Ice Dogs lead in half. With 1:19 left in the period the two teams played four on four hockey when Sydney’s Todd Stephenson was given two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct and Melbourne’s Jamie Bourke for roughing. Damien Ketlo stood tall, making a sprawling pad save to stop the game becoming tied. With the clock ticking down, Stephen Johnston scored his second of the night with a nice move to beat goalie Jamie Kruger. The goal was assisted by Rory Rawlyk.

Sydney hit the ice fired up for the final period. With 13:58 remaining in the game Grant Toulmin headed to the box for interference. After some quality chances including Rory Rawlyk’s slap shot from the point that hit the pipe, the Ice Dogs were rewarded a final power play with 6:32 remaining when Melbourne’s Jackson McCoy was called for hooking. The Ice Dogs were unable to capitalise but put up some quality chances. With time winding down the Mustangs opted to pull goaltender Jamie Kruger. Grant Toulmin scored on the empty net with 1:20 remaining to give the Dogs a three goal lead. With just 26 seconds remaining Grant Toulmin scored his second empty net goal of the night on an unassisted play, to secure the win.

The Ice Dogs are back home next weekend, to face the Bears in the battle of Sydney on Saturday night and the Adelaide Adrenaline the following night.
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