Ice Dogs return to winner’s circle over Thunder

The Sydney Ice Dogs snapped a nine-game losing streak, defeating the Perth Thunder 3-1 on Sunday night at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex.

The Ice Dogs scored three unanswered goals in the second period and young net minder Charlie Smart stood on his head as the home side held on to deny a fast finishing Perth Thunder side.

“The boys really played for themselves tonight,” said an upbeat Ice Dogs coach Vlad Rubes. “To see all the people at the game tonight was really exciting and to see everyone cheering at the end was great for the team.”

“Tonight was a good defensive game and our goalie really played well, we survived lots of penalty kills and played with lots of heart.”

The Thunder stamped their authority on the game in the first period and their power play was first to strike.

With Ice Dogs forward David Dunwoodie in the box, Thunder forward Jessyko Bernard scored with a booming one-timer to send the visitors to the first period break leading 1-0.

“I felt we dominated the first period,” Perth Thunder Assistant Coach Darin Bryce said. “We were certainly doing all the right things, but they had a goalie who was playing great and we got complacent in the second and third periods.”

It was all Ice Dogs in the second period with Strat Allen kicking off the scoring with a shorthanded strike.

Ice Dogs Captain Scott Stephenson gave the home side the lead, when he buried a loose puck in the crease.

Ice Dogs defenceman Paul Swindlehurst extended the home sides advantage, when his point shot found its way through traffic to beat Thunder net minder Thomas Heemskerk.

Heemskerk had a tough night in net, allowing three goals on 19 shots, while at the other Charlie Smart was on top of his game, stopping 29 of 30 shots on the night.

Despite having six power play opportunities in the third period, the Thunder’s power play was held scoreless by a tenacious Ice Dogs penalty kill.

“In the third, we got plenty of chances, but I think we were over thinking it and moving the puck to much, as opposed to just getting the pucks on net and looking for the rebounds,” Bryce said.

The Thunder also had a goal power play goal waived off at the 10-minute mark of the third period.

Despite the goal appearing on the score board and players lining up at centre Ice – referee Jeff Scott waived the goal off, after consultation with this his linesman, the officials deemed the net had been dislodged before the puck crossed the goal line.

With the clocking winding down and the Thunder pushed hard to get back into the game.

Even with their goalie pulled for and extra attacker in the final minute, the Thunder couldn’t find a way to beat Smart and the Ice Dogs held on the a 3-1 win.

The Thunder won’t have to wait long for the rematch, with the Ice Dogs heading to the Western Australia for a double header at the Perth Ice Rick this weekend, Ice Dogs Coach Vlad Rubes know that its’ one of the hardest road trips of the AIHL season.

“We just want to feed of this game tonight,” he said. “Everybody’s playing well, the defence are working hard and we’re just trying to keep it simple, but it going to be a tough weekend.”