Ice Dogs fall to Mustangs in Close Game

The Sydney Ice Dogs took on the Melbourne Mustangs for the third time this season on Saturday night at Macquarie Ice Rink. Despite strong play and hard work, the Ice Dogs ultimately fell to the fourth placed team, 2-1.

Despite a physical and fast paced first period, the game remained scoreless for the first 15 minutes. Kane Spence had a quality opportunity nine and a half minutes into the first and Damien Ketlo made key saves, but it wasn’t until 2:31 remaining that the Ice Dogs were finally awarded a power play. The power play was cut short when Stephen Johnston headed to the box for tripping but less a minute later Melbourne’s Jackson McCoy was also called for tripping, giving the Ice Dogs an opportunity once again. Despite some good chances the home team couldn’t find the back of the net.

After a scoreless first period, the Ice Dogs hit the ice fired up for another 15 minutes of play. Stephen Johnston created a couple of impressive opportunities with just around 12 minutes played and Damien Ketlo continued to shine. With 10:16 remaining on the clock Andrew White headed to the box for tripping. The Mustangs were able to make to most of the opportunity and Jamie Bourke scored on their power play. Shannon McGregor created a good opportunity soon after and captain Scott Stephenson almost tied the game but his shot was just stopped by the Mustang’s James Kruger. With 7:17 remaining James Kruger was assessed a minor for tripping. The penalty was served by Melbourne’s Vadim Virjassov and despite coming close on more than one occasion, the Ice Dogs were unable to score.

David Dunwoodie headed to the box for hooking with 4:16 left in the period. The Ice Dogs were able to successfully kill the penalty and finished out the second trailing by one goal.

The Melbourne Mustangs took a two goal lead 20 seconds into the final period when Patrick O'Kane scored. The home team was sent to the penalty kill once again at 14:40 when Stephen Johnston was given two minutes for elbowing. The Mustangs were given a further five on three advantage when Todd Stephenson was called for hooking at 13:21. However the Mustangs opportunity was cut short when Vadim Virjassov was assessed four minutes for Hooking and Tomas Manco two for roughing. The score remained unchanged and with 9:33 remaining the Ice Dogs headed to the penalty kill again when Andrew White was given two minutes for high sticking. Seconds after the successful penalty kill Maxime Langelier-Parent headed to the box for interference. Despite some good chances, the home team were unable to net one on the power play.
A final power play was awarded to the Ice Dogs with 4:32 remaining when Mustang Matthew Beattie headed to the box for elbowing. Andrew White was able to make the most of the opportunity, with a shot that cleanly beat Melbourne goalie James Kruger. The power play goal was assisted by Stephen Johnston and Strat Allen. In the final seconds of the game the Ice Dogs headed to the penalty kill one last time when Shannon McGregor was called for holding.  

Despite the loss, the Ice Dogs held their own against the Mustangs and look to fight back when they take on the Ice and Brave for a final time, at home next weekend.

You can buy tickets to the games here: www.icedogsshop.com.au