Ice Dogs Fall to Bears in the Final Battle For Sydney

A couple of quick goals late in the third period propelled the Sydney Bears to a 5-3 win over the Sydney Ice Dogs in the final derby match up on Friday night.
 

The Ice Dogs opened up scoring in front of the huge crowd at Macquarie Ice Rink when captain Scott Stephenson netted one against the Bears Anthony Kimlin. Scott Stephenson’s 4^th goal of the season was assisted by Tomas Manco and Grant Toulmin. A slashing penalty assessed to Jackson Brewer with 8:16 remaining gave the Dogs their first power play opportunity. Despite some good chances the home team were unable to capitalise. With just over two minutes remaining the Ice Dogs headed to the penalty kill after a multitude of penalties were assessed to both teams. The Bears Nicholas Rivait and Jeremy Brücker both received two minutes for roughing while Ice Dogs Andrew White and Shannon McGregor also received two for roughing and Todd Stephenson two for slashing. The Ice Dogs were able to close out the first with a 1-0 lead over the Bears.

With just under five minutes played in the second another power play opportunity was awarded to the Ice Dogs. Daniel Pataky made the most of the opportunity, giving the home team a two goal advantage with 9:30 left on the clock. His second goal of the season was assisted by Grant Toulmin and Stephen Johnston. The Ice Dogs headed to the penalty kill for the second time on the night when James Marino was assessed a minor for tripping. A couple of brilliant saves by Damien Ketlo ensured that the away team didn’t capitalise on the opportunity and a big hit on Bears Lachlan Fahmy, delivered by Nicholas Weiland made clear the rivalry between the two Sydney teams.

With just a minute and a half remaining in the second, Stephen Johnston was sent to the box for tripping. The Bears Jackson Brewer was able to score on the Dog’s penalty kill and a little over 30 seconds later Brewer scored again to tie the game at two. The Ice Dogs fired back when Andrew White scored with seconds remaining in the period. The goal was assisted by Shannon McGregor.

After finishing out the second period with a 3-2 lead over the Bears, the Ice Dogs hit the ice fired up for the final 20 minutes. The Bears Brian Funes was sent to the box with 14:56 remaining. Despite some solid chances on the power play the Ice Dogs couldn’t find the back of the net. Tomas Landa tied the game for the away team with 12:36 left on the clock and the Bears took a 4-3 lead with six and a half minutes remaining.

Billy Cliff was sent to the box seconds after the power play ended and less that a minute later Tomas Manco was assessed a cross checking penalty, giving the Bears a five on three advantage. The Bears capitalised on their two-man advantage, defeating the Ice Dogs by a score of 5-3.
 

The Ice Dogs travel to Canberra tonight to take on the Brave for the third time this season. The team next plays at home against the Mustangs on the 12^th of August.

You can grab tickets to the home game here: www.icedogsshop.com.au

Lets Go Ice Dogs!