Veteran Chris Sekura has returned to re-ignite the Ice Dogs line up helping the Ice Dogs to a 4-1 win over the Gold Coast Bluetongues on Saturday night at Liverpool. It was then on the road to Newcastle on Sunday to battle with the first place Northstars where the Dogs fell short by a goal.

Saturday nights game was do or die as the pups needed a big win to break their losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive. The Dogs needed to get back their mongrel and there was no shortage of big hits and scoring opportunities by both teams.

Jassi Sangha scored the first goal early on for the Ice Dogs but it would be defenceman Andrew White who would steal the show scoring two back to back goals in the third period with less than five minutes to win and secure the game. His defence partner and Captain Anthony Wilson put home an empty net goal to finish off the Bluetongues.

The mongrel continued in Newcastle the following night with White on a roll starting the game with a top corner goal from the blue line during a Northstars penalty. The cheering didn’t last long when a bad bounce resulted in an own goal, and if that wasn’t enough help for the Northstars the Ice Dogs found themselves in penalty trouble and down 3-1 in no time.

That didn’t phase Sydney as they continued to step up the physical play and attack the Newcastle net. Ice Dogs top goal scorer Jassi Sangha found another use for his magical hands when he got the better end of a Newcastle defenceman in a fight. Fellow import Matthew Monaghan got the Dogs within one goal with 8 minutes left, but Newcastle managed to hold on for the 3-2 win. “Despite the loss this Sunday I am proud of the guys as we are starting to play like the team we can be” finished Coach Mark Stephenson.

Finish off next weekend on a high as the Ice Dogs take on the Adelaide Adrenaline next Sunday night at 5pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex.

The slump continues for the Ice Dogs after losing 9-2 and 8-4 against the Gold Coast Bluetongues in Gold Coast last weekend. The losing streak has been extended to five losses now, which has not happened to the troubled pups in a very long time.

“I think we forgot what made our team successful and competitive in recent years and that is a hard working, hard hitting in your face hockey culture” explains Captain Anthony Wilson. “We addressed this before Sunday’s game and started to look like the Ice Dogs again in the first two periods”.
Wilson was not wrong. The Ice Dogs came out flying on the Sunday exerting a more physical style of play which left the scores tied at one a piece after the first period. American Import Matt Monaghan scored the go ahead goal for the Dogs at the start of the second stanza which was his second of three goals for the weekend.

League leading goal scorer Brad Smulders scored to lock it up at 2-2 for the Bluetongues and again just minutes later to regain the lead 3-2. Monaghan replied to make it 3-3 before penalty trouble put the Dogs on the back foot and the Bluetongues in the driver’s seat allowing the Gold Coast to consolidate a double header victory.

The Gold Coast Bluetongues come to the LCC Sports Complex this Saturday night June 27 and the Ice Dogs are determined to turn their season around. Puck drops at 5:00pm so bring a jumper and some friends for what looks to be a very physical and redeeming game.

Position: Defence

Age: 21

Height: 5’9

Weight: 78kg

When did you start playing hockey? 5 years old.

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? My grandpa and my uncle

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Gummi Bears

First pair of hockey skates you owned? Bauer 25’s

What do you do in your spare time? Body Boarding, going to the beach and chilling with my mates.

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? T-Bone steak

What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? When we made the final last season.

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Do your best and make sure you have fun while you are doing it.

Favourite Music: Everything.

Favourite Car: Combi Van

Who was your first crush on? Cameron Diaz when she was in the mask.

The Gold Coast Derby

Last year the Dogs faced the Northstars in a derby three times in a row, heating an already fierce rivalry. This year it is the Gold Coast Bluetongues the Dogs are facing three in a row as the Dogs travel to the Gold Coast this weekend for a double header clash before the Tongues are in town June 27th on a Saturday night.
This clash is as important as ever for Sydney as the Gold Coast sit above them in the standings and a few head to head wins will thrust the pups back into the top four. The last win over the Bluetongues is a distant memory as Gold Coast defeated Adelaide twice in a row two weekends back, showing they are ready and firing.

Make sure you come to the next home game June 27th Saturday night at 5pm.

Ice Dog Todd Stephenson will be appearing on “The Squiz”, 8:30pm this Saturday June 20th on the SBS Channel.  The Host of the show Anh Do came out to the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex to have a go in goal and learn more about the awesome game of Ice Hockey.

The Ice Dogs were in for a tough weekend of ice hockey and unfortunately were unable to come out victorious losing 6-3 to the Canberra Knights in Canberra on Saturday and 6-4 to Newcastle on Sunday at home in Liverpool.

With a depleted line up due to sickness and injuries the pups didn’t help themselves down in Canberra as they amassed a whopping 68 minutes in penalties in comparison to the Knights measly 24.

Canadian Jassi Sangha calmly sniped the first goal of the game for Sydney before the storm of penalties would give Canberra’s Fin Marco Raita the chance to even the match with the man advantage.

The Knights managed to add to their tally, scoring with 12 seconds left in the first period before Dogs top defenceman Andrew White was kicked out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The more the Dogs tried to reason with the referees the more trouble they found themselves in facing another three player ejections before the night was out. Despite the penalties the Ice Dogs kept on barking and were tit for tat with the confident Knights. The Ice Dogs did look like a chance at the start of final period as David Dunwoodie put home a ripping slap shot in hope of encouraging a comeback from 4-3.

The Canberra Knights had other plans and finished the job to make it 3 wins over the Ice Dogs this season which is a first in AIHL history for Canberra giving a bruised and battered Sydney side a lot to think about on the 3 hour journey home.

Onto the first place Newcastle Northstars the very next day and the Ice Dogs were met with yet another challenge when Newcastle charged off to a commanding two goal lead in the opening stanza. David Dunwoodie knew what to do scoring in similar fashion to the night previous.

American Import Matthew Monaghan levelled the game as he converted his break away goal shooting the puck off the top bar and in over the Newcastle goaltender Matt Ezzy’s glove.

Just as the feisty pups could sniff a lead, Newcastle’s Import John Halverson replied on his own breakaway goal to make the score 3-2. Ice Dogs Jason Gibson staged a second comeback for his team in impressive style scoring right off the draw hitting the far post and in catching Ezzy off guard.

The Ice Dogs relapsed their way back to the penalty box at the worst time possible allowing the Northstars to get two more goals and eventually a 6-4 win.

As we hit the halfway point of the season the playoff race has tightened up and Sydney will need two big wins this weekend as they travel to the Gold Coast to keep in it.

Defence

Age: 25

Height: 6’2

Weight: 95kg

When did you start playing hockey? 4 years old.

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? Saw a poster for hockey while skating at Blacktown International Ice Arena and decided I wanted to play

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Smurfs

First pair of hockey skates you owned? I can’t remember possibly Bauer 100’s

What do you do in your spare time? Weights, playing with the gf and hanging out with mates.

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? Salmon ala whitey

What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? Winning the league in 2004

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Work hard on and off the ice and good things will happen

Favourite Music: Little bit of everything favourite songs include ‘My My My’ and sail away.

Favourite Car: Jeep

Who was your first crush on? Alicia Silverstone/Anna Kournikova

If you have any questions for Whitey, feel free to comment below.

After a lot of movement in the crease last season, the Ice Dogs have found a solid combination between the pipes in Jimmy Herbert and Alan Becken.  With the departure of Import Goaltender Bryce Luker in July 2008, the original plan of incubating young Jimmy Herbert for the number 1 spot in 2009 was pushed forward and Herbert broke out of his shell in style.  In his handful of games before becoming the number 1 goaltender Herbert played like the first string anyway.

But something was still amiss.

The Ice Dogs called on veteran Alan Becken back from the Central Coast Rhino’s to support Herbert and the team.  Becken originally played for the Ice Dogs up until 2006 and was a member of several Australian National Senior teams.

Becken was the missing piece to the puzzle and a perfect fit at that.  But Becken decided to bring more than just leadership and enthusiasm; he also played outstanding when he was in net.  “One game on the road in Melbourne Al stood on his head and pretty much won us the game; it was like the Al of the 90’s” recalls team mate Todd Stephenson.

In the finals series Herbert was everywhere.  He stole victory for the pups against Melbourne in the semi finals with a stunning performance that had fans talking green and gold.  In the final, he was solid again proving that the night before was no fluke.  Despite his efforts though, the Dogs fell short of the Goodall Cup finishing second in the Australian Ice Hockey League.

This season the two guard dogs are at it again and will be determined to lead their team from the back end, with nothing but the Goodall Cup in their sights.

You are always in for a good game of ice hockey whenever the Ice Dogs and the Northstars face off. A rivalry that has existed since the early part of the millennium, the two teams have met in the finals on three occasions with the Ice Dogs only managing to claim victory one of those times in 2004.

Aside from the heated rivalry, the Ice Dogs have slipped down to fourth in the standings as the Gold Coast Bluetongues managed to defeat the Adelaide Adrenaline twice last weekend. The pups didn’t have any games last weekend and will be facing Canberra on Saturday June 13th in Canberra before taking on the Northstars at home on the Sunday.

Newcastle currently sits at the top of the standings and two wins will be necessary for Sydney to close the gap on Newcastle and remain in the top four. Captain Anthony Wilson will hopefully return to the line up as he recovers from a groin injury.

Make sure you bring a jumper and some mates and cheer on the pups this Sunday June 14th at the LCC Sports Complex. Puck drops at 5pm.

Position: Forward

Age: 23

Height: 5’9

Weight: 73kg

When did you start playing hockey? 8 years old.

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? We grew up watching our dad play and practically begged and nagged until our parents finally let us play.

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? The Ninja Turtles

First pair of hockey skates you owned? Plastic Micron’s

What do you do in your spare time? Go to the gym.  Play guitar in a band and try to sing.

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? Probably spaghetti bolognaise and then toasted cheese sandwiches.

What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? Assisting my younger brother’s first AIHL goal in his first AIHL game back in 2004

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Train hard, learn as much as you can from each coach you have and there is always something to learn no matter how long you have been playing for.

Favourite Music: Rock and punk

Favourite Car: My Mazda 3

Who was your first crush on? Alyssa Milano

If you have any questions for Scotty, feel free to comment below.

Are you new to the game and are wondering what is going on out there on the ice? You love what you see but can’t make any sense of it? Well the Ice Dogs have you covered with our Rookies Guide to Ice Hockey which aims to explain and simplify what is going on out there so you can enjoy the game even more (and also tell the ref what he is doing wrong!).  Basically an FAQ for you!

1. An ice hockey game is split into 3 periods.  In the Australian Ice Hockey League these periods are 15 minutes in length and stop time, which means that whenever the ref blows the whistle to make a call the clock stops.

2. Each team has 5 skaters and 1 goaltender on the ice to start the game.

3. Out of these 5 skaters, the 3 up front are the forwards and the 2 at the back play defence.  These 5 players make up a “line” of the team and coaches generally keep line combinations together.

4. A team is usually made up of 15-20 players and 2 goalies which are 3-4 lines.

5. When the player’s line up before the puck is dropped by the referee, this is called a Face off.  You will see these take place at the various red dots located around the ice which we will cover shortly.

6. Players can be interchanged while the play is still going on and this is termed “changing on the fly”.  The coach generally “changes” lines after the whistle has been blown and the play has stopped, however if the players have been out for to long the coach will look to change on the fly or the player will do so themselves when the timing is right.

7. The duration the player is out on the ice is called a shift.  For instance, a player has started the game and interchanged at the bench after a minute.  He/she just played a “shift”.

8. So what are the lines and dots for?  Well the Blue lines are known as the offside lines.  The red line in the middle is the centre line and the two thinner red lines at either end are the goal lines.  Again we will get to the dots shortly.

9. An offside occurs when the attacking player crosses the blue line of the offensive zone before the puck does (the offensive zone is the end where the other teams goalie is that they are trying to score on).  If an offside is called then the ref blows the whistle and a face off will take place at the dot just outside the blue line on which ever side it occurred.

10. The other dots that are surrounded by circles are a goalies dream.  When the goalie saves the puck and holds onto it for more than 3 seconds (which is termed freezing the puck) the ref blows the whistle and a face off will occur at the dot inside the circle on whatever side the goalie saved the puck.

11. An Icing is when the player shoots the puck on their side of the centre line and it crosses the other team’s goal line without the opposition touching or playing at the puck.  The ref will blow the whistle and a face off will take place back at the teams end who iced the puck.

12. Of course, who can forget the penalties…which we have saved for last!  Generally most penalties are 2 minutes long and are for minor infractions such as tripping or elbowing.  Players also get penalised for diving – none that of that sissy stuff here!

13. When a player receives a penalty they have to sit in the penalty box in which it will leave that players team a man down for the duration of the penalty.

14. For the team who is a man down this is referred to as being on the “penalty kill” as the objective is usually to kill off the time of the penalty until the player returns back onto the ice.  For the team on the penalty kill the icing rule does not apply for the duration of the penalty so they will usually shoot the puck down the other end when they get the chance (which is called dumping).

15. The team with the man-advantage are on what is called a “powerplay” and they will do their best to score with the advantage.

16. This is just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended) to the game of Ice Hockey but hopefully it has answered a lot of your questions and given you a better understanding of the game.

What do Canadian forwards Jassi Sangha, Brock Backus and Jamie Galbraith have in common?  Well yes they are all Canadian, but they also played on the same junior team, the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.  Sangha led the Storm in point scoring for two consecutive seasons and was ranked in the top 5 scoring in the league in 2007 and 2008.  In his time in the KIJHL he was also called up to the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL on many occasions.

After the Storm’s narrow defeat in the KIJHL 2008 final both Backus and Sangha were offered to play for the University of Southern Maine Huskies, while Galbraith finished his third and final season for the Storm who again finished second in early 2009.

With the departure of both veterans Brett Thomas and Chris Sekura, the Kamloops trio will look to bring some offensive spark.   Not to mention a little aid in defence if required as Galbraith plays both positions well. “One thing that hurt us last year in the playoffs were injuries which left us a bit shallow at the back, this year we have an abundance of defensemen and an import which can slip back there if we need him to” adds coach Mark Stephenson.

American forward Matthew Monaghan completes the import roster and adds some more speed and a physical presence which suits the doggies’ just fine.

Most successful campaigns for sporting teams are usually a result of team chemistry.  In the Australian Ice Hockey League it is sometimes quite challenging finding the right mix of imports that will gel and flow with the team.  The Ice Dogs are confident that they have the right mix this year and can now focus on getting the job done.