Di Salvo solid between the pipes for the Thunder. Photo: Richard Sak.

In a Game that went all the way down to a dual between the Goaltenders, the Perth Thunder came away with a crucial two points on Saturday getting the win in a shootout at Perth Ice Arena.

The Ice had looked like they were going to take the game in regulation before the Thunder managed to come back and tie it up with three minutes remaining in the third period with Andrew Cox getting credit for saving the Perth side from a costly defeat.

Lliam Webster gave the Melbourne side a lead heading into the second period with a late goal in the dying seconds, but back to back goals from Tomek Sak and P.O Grandmaison had given the Thunder a lead of their own as the game headed into the final period.

Thunder coach Dave Ruck was pleased with the win but felt his team needed to do a better job of shutting down games when they have the opportunity to win in regulation.
“Being up going into the third we have to be able to shut these games down. We can’t keep giving up chances to get crucial points, and it’s happened to many times this year where we are forced to rely on guys to win it for us in a shootout. But they are a good team, and they put pressure on us today, we gave them too much space in our own end at times but that’s something we address heading into tomorrow.” He said.

Thunder coming through with a game-tying goal. Photo: Richard Sak.

Melbourne had outshot the Perth side heading into the final frame 23 to 18, and as the third got underway it seemed as though things started to look up for the Ice who managed to get ahead in the game as Thomas Powell first tied things up at two, then Nate Flemming put the Ice up by a goal on the Powerplay with just four minutes remaining on the clock.

With the Thunders tying goal, the game headed past regulation where Grandmaison and Breault both managed to bury goals for the Thunder as Di Salvo stayed solid at his end of the Ice to Shutout any attempts of a shootout victory for the Ice heading into Sunday’s game.

Melbourne Coach Sandy Gardner felt like Melbourne at times dominated the play and were unfortunate not to come out with a regulation win to show for their efforts.
“I feel we dominated more of the game than they did tonight and we had a lot of opportunities to be ahead in the game and at the end of the day we just couldn’t put the puck in the net.” He said.

Gardner felt frustrated with his team’s lack of goal production at times when they battle hard to produce good scoring chances that are unable to find their way into the back of the net.
“Every week it seems like we get plenty of chances to be in front, we outshoot the other team but this game is won by scoring goals and that’s something that just hasn’t gone our way. If we can string some positive games together it won’t take much to improve our position, but we just have to put the puck in the net. And tomorrow there will be another three points up for grabs if we can do it”.

Grandmaison netting a goal and a shootout win for the Thunder. Photo: Richard Sak.

Coach Ruck too felt as though Sunday’s game was up for grabs, and it was crucial for the winning team to play three good periods of hockey.
“We have to get through a full game without making too many mistakes; it’s so competitive this year that one mistake can cost you at crucial times. And it’s the little things that good teams do when these big games are on the line, to find a way to win. Hopefully, that will be us more often than not.” He concluded.

The two teams faceoff again on Sunday for another important game with crucial points up for grabs for teams.