For the first time this season the Ice Dogs took on the Melbourne Ice. In a huge final period, which included Daniel Pataky scoring his first goal of the season, the Ice Dogs defeated the first placed Melbourne Ice, 4-3.

Stephen Johnston opened scoring at Macquarie Ice Rink five minutes into the first period when he slid the puck past Dayne Davis. The goal was assisted by Todd Stephenson.

With 5:13 remaining in the period the Ice Dogs were sent to the penalty kill when Daniel Pataky was called for tripping. The penalty kill was cut short when goalie Dayne Davis was given a minor for interference. Both teams skated 4 on 4 for just over a minute before the Ice Dogs headed to a shortened power play.

The Ice Dogs entered the second holding a 1-0 lead over the Ice. Damien Ketlo made key saves to ensure the Ice Dogs kept the lead while Grant Toulmin and Stephen Johnston continued to work cohesively together to create strong opportunities. With 8:46 remaining, Dave Dunwoodie was given a minor for roughing, which the Ice Dogs were able to successfully kill. After a strong first period, the scoreboard remained unchanged until the final seconds of the second period when Melbourne’s Christopher Wong was able to tie up the game.

The Battle continued into the third period and again Sydney began creating scoring opportunities and skilled plays. The Ice took a 2-1 lead just over five minutes into the final period with a goal from Viktor Gibbs Sjödin.

Sydney headed to another power play with 13:50 remaining however the team was unable to capitalise on the opportunity. With just over 10 minutes remaining Todd Stephenson tied the game for the Ice Dogs with an impressive goal, assisted by Grant Toulmin and Stephen Johnston.

The Ice Dogs headed to another power play with just under nine minutes remaining in the period. After some close chances, Sydney was able to capitalise on this opportunity when Dave Dunwoodie scored his first of the night and second of the season. The power play goal was assisted by Grant Toulmin and Stephen Johnston.

Shannon McGregor headed to the box for roughing with 3:48 remaining. Seconds after Christopher Wong was called for interference, negating the penalty kill. Both teams skated 4 on 4 for just under two minutes then the Ice Dogs head to the shortened power play. Daniel Pataky scored his first goal of the season from a shot from the point to give the Ice Dogs a 4-2 lead on the power play. The goal was assisted by Grant Toulmin and Stephen Johnston. With just 42 seconds left on the clock, Andrew White and Viktor Gibbs Sjödin headed to the box with a double minor for roughing. Melbourne’s Niklas Dahlberg was also assessed a minor seconds later and Melbourne scored a final goal with 10 seconds remaining.

The Ice Dogs look to fight back for a top four position when they take on the Melbourne Ice in back-to-back games, at O’Brien Group Arena.  

You can purchase tickets to the next home game here: https://goo.gl/31qbRU