Ice Dogs snap losing streak with win over Brave

The Sydney Ice Dogs took on the Brave for the third time this season on Saturday night in Canberra. A combination of hard work from the players and terrific skill from Damien Ketlo saw the away team snap their losing streak, taking a 4-2 win over the Brave.
 

Sydney entered the game coming off a 3-5 loss to the Bears the previous night but despite this, the Ice Dogs fought hard and were able to get on the score board six minutes into the game. The goal was Strat Allen’s fifth of the season and assists went to Grant Toulmin and Stephen Johnston. With 7:42 remaining in the period, Dave Dunwoodie headed to the box for roughing. Canberra’s Stephen Blunden was able to capitalise on their power play opportunity, tying the game with 6:53 remaining. Another power play awarded to the Brave saw them take a 2-1 lead with just 3:52 remaining. The Ice Dogs were quick to respond when captain Scott Stephenson scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at two. The momentum didn’t stop there and less than a minute after Scott Stephenson’s goal Stephen Johnston took back the Ice Dogs lead when he netted one against the Brave’s Aleksi Toivonen. The goal was assisted by Todd Stephenson and Grant Toulmin. A little more than energetic goal celebration from Grant Toulmin saw him taking a trip the box for unsportsmanlike conduct after Johnston’s goal. The Ice Dogs were able to kill the penalty and finish out the first with a 3-2 lead over the Brave.

The second period saw a multitude of penalties but key saves by Damien Ketlo, including one on Stephen Blunden halfway through the period, maintained the Ice Dogs lead. With just 1:55 remaining in the period Canberra’s Jan Safar was assessed a minor for slashing. Grant Toulmin made the most of the opportunity, scoring with just 47 seconds remaining in the period. Toulmin’s 20^th goal of the season was assisted by Tomas Manco.

The Battle continued into the third period and again Sydney began creating strong scoring opportunities and shutting down the opposing play. The Ice Dogs were awarded a power play 50 seconds into the final period when Kai Miettinen was sent to the box for checking from behind. Despites some quality chances the team couldn’t find the back of the net. Grant Toulmin was next to visit the box, with just 5:31 remaining when he was assessed a minor for high sticking. The Ice Dogs successfully killed the penalty and were awarded a final power play with 37 seconds remaining, when Stephen Blunden was given two for tripping.

The Ice Dogs held their own against the third placed Brave. The win snapped the Ice Dogs losing streak and was crucial in the pursuit for a playoff spot.

Sydney 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 Dogs!