This Sunday every spectator who comes to the game will receive an entry into the draw for a chance to win Scott Stephenson’s ice hockey stick signed by the Ice Dogs team. All you have to do is show up to the game and you will receive a ticket which gives you an entry into the draw. The winner will be pulled out in the second intermission.

Game starts at 5pm this Sunday at the Liverpool Sports Complex.

Game Preview

This Sunday August 2nd at 5pm the first place Newcastle Northstars come to town to take on the Dogs. The Ice Dogs will be hungry for a big win against the Northstars who they have failed to beat so far this season.

Every spectator who comes to the game will also get an entry into the draw for a chance to win Scott Stephenson’s stick signed by the Ice Dogs team to be given out at the end of the game. Click here to find out more

Game starts at 5pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex.

Game Review

Dogs Knock Down Northstars

The Sydney Ice Dogs took down the league leading Northstars 3-2 last Sunday night at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex. With 5 Ice Dogs out of the line-up due to suspensions and injuries it was going to be a tough slog for the home side, especially when Casey Minson from the Northstars got his team ahead by one early on. Canadian Import Brock Backus however took care of Minson minutes later by dropping the gloves.

Ice Dogs rookie defenceman Shannon Macgregor replied for the Dogs with his first ever AIHL career goal leaving the scores locked at 1-1 before the first intermission.
Ice Dogs goaltender Jimmy Herbert was sensational in net, making desperate kick saves to keep his team in contention. Jimmy wasn’t the only James on fire as Import Jamie Galbraith scored a slippery goal upstairs on national team goaltender Matt Ezzy escaping two of the Newcastle defenders.

Sydney knew the night was far from over and Newcastle’s Import John Halverson confirmed that notion when he tied things up with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
The Dogs held their composure and it would be Jimmy Herbert’s brother Scottie who would put home the game winner as the Pups walked away with the win.

Scottie Herbert after scoring the game winning goal.

The Sydney Ice Dogs will play their Last Home Game of the year August 16th Sunday night against the Adelaide Adrenaline at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex. Game starts at 5pm, Adults are $12 and Kids are $6.

Ice Dogs sign import defenceman Blair Nicholson for the remainder of the 2009 season.  The pups have been playing shorthanded on the import front for the past 6 weeks and have been depleted at the back-end at times when Anthony Wilson was out earlier in the year with a groin injury.  Nicholson played for the Central Coast Rhino’s last season and started this season with the Penrith Bears before being snapped up by the Dogs to join them in their rat race for a playoff spot.

Nicholson is a solid stay at home defenceman who can move the puck up ice very well and can score from the point through traffic.  This extra back bone in defence will allow Sydney some flexibility in their line-up which could possibly see a Tomas Manco or David Dunwoodie upfront to help the forwards if need be as both those two can be dangerous around the net front.

The timing couldn’t be any better as the Ice Dogs look to make a big run home to the playoffs starting with the Melbourne Ice this weekend in a double point agenda.  “Having another solid defenceman will come in handy, especially in the race towards playoffs” says Coach Mark Stephenson.  “We also know what we are getting as we have seen Blair play before and we know what he is capable of”.

Make sure you get to Liverpool this Sunday July 19th for the make or break game of the year between the Melbourne Ice and the Sydney Ice Dogs.

Since the return of veteran Chris Sekura the Ice Dogs have managed to overcome a five game losing streak back in June and win the last four out of five games.

The ex-pat Canadian has been an Ice Dog since the team’s inception into the AIHL back in 2002 and has represented the Australian National Senior team numerous times.
The teams recent turn comes as no surprise “as soon as he [Chris] was back in the line up you could sense a change in the team. I don’t know what it is really, he just has a presence” explains team mate Scottie Herbert.

The power forward’s presence is also felt by the opposition not only for his scoring ability (notching 26 points in 22 games last season) but the fact that he will not hesitate to sort out anyone who messes with his team mates.
The penalty killing percentage has definitely improved and the work rate of the team in general is noticeably stronger.
Currently playing alongside import Matt Monaghan and Australian Scott Stephenson it completes a forward unit that can shut down the opposing top lines and add a few goals along the way.

Needless to say the timing could not be any better for the number 12’s return, as the Ice Dogs look to make a tight home run for a playoff spot in the last 6 weeks of the AIHL season.

Game Preview - Double the points, Double the Action

The Sydney Ice Dogs season is on the line this Sunday night when they face off against the travelling Melbourne Ice in a double point decider. Not only will the 6 points up for grabs make a huge difference to the Ice Dogs position on the competition table but it is actually Melbourne who they are battling with for a top four playoff spot.

(As all teams play each other four times in a season and Melbourne only travels once this year to play the Ice Dogs instead of twice, the game is therefore worth double the points).
“This game will be, by far the biggest of the year and you can expect the guys [Ice Dogs] to come out firing at a million miles an hour” tells Captain Anthony Wilson.
It is that time of year where teams and fans start pulling out their calculators and working out who needs to beat who with a handful of games remaining and three or four teams fighting for a playoff spot. “It really is the most exciting time of year in the Australian Ice Hockey League, as every game counts and it definitely shows with the higher speed and intensity that comes from the players” adds Ice Dogs supporter and Liverpool Saints under 13s ice hockey coach Mick Lynch.

The Dogs are charging from their 5-3 win last Saturday night against the Penrith Bears, building on their recent winning streak. The game against Melbourne this Sunday is one of three remaining home games left in the season at the LCC Sports Complex in Liverpool with warm-up starting at 4:45pm. The last time these two teams met it was in Melbourne and the Dogs escaped with a 5-4 shootout win.

Adults are $12 and Children are $6.  For more information visit www.icedogs.com.au/tickets

Game Report

Melbourne 5

Sydney 3

Game Review

Double Trouble For Ice Dogs

The winning streak comes to an end for the Ice Dogs as they were defeated by the Melbourne Ice 5-3 last Sunday night.

At times the game could have gone either way with three of the Ice Dogs scoring opportunities hitting the post whilst Melbourne were treated to some lucky bounces.
The crowd got their fair share of excitement with two fights where arguably the home team finished on top. However the two fights cost Sydney in the sin bin and that is where Melbourne took full advantage.

The Melbourne Ice dominated during the man advantage and scored 3 unanswered goals. Sadly, the Ice Dogs saw the game slipping away and attempted to fight back and managed to score a second goal to make the score 5 to 2 at the end of the second period.
The Ice Dogs were far more disciplined in the third period and Canadian Import Jassi Sangha managed to pull back a third goal and his second of the game but this was to be the final score.

Assistant Coach Dion Dunwoodie predicts the higher pressure and accountability will be good for the pair “there is less pressure and immediate expectation when you are a younger guy, but now they will have teammates looking up to them for guidance and we know they can step up to the plate and then use this confidence to build their AIHL game in the latter part of the season”.

Macgregor is starting to feed off his fellow defensemen Andrew White and Anthony Wilson and showing signs of maturity on the blue line as Cliff looks right at home netting a goal already this season, making plays and hits when needed.

Currently Cliff has played 36 career AIHL games and put up 2 goals and 3 assists, whilst Macgregor who has also scored this season sits at a goal and an assist in his 35 AIHL games to date as a defenseman.

Both pups were members of the Australian under 18 side who won gold at the Division 3 World Championships at the beginning of the year. The pair came back from the trip with a bit more edge and tenacity in their game. “If these two work their bag off, they have the potential to become very good players in the AIHL as they mature” finishes off Dunwoodie.

The team wishes Shannon and Billy along with the rest of NSW state side all the best for this weekend and hope they bring back the gold.

Game Preview

The last battle of Sydney for 2009 between the Sydney Ice Dogs and the Penrith Bears. Flying high after two big wins in a row last weekend the Dogs are looking to make it three as they take on the Bears. Saturday nights game is the first of four remaining home game in a row for the Ice Dogs before the season closes and they will be looking to make use of the home advantage to sneak back into playoffs as they sit just one point shy of fourth place.

Game starts at 5pm this Saturday night July 11th. Bring a jumper and the family for a great game of Ice Hockey.

Game Report

Icedogs 5

Bears 2

Game Review

*The editorial review will be written by Scott Stephenson as per usual and posted here shortly after the game.

It was all smiles in Liverpool on Sunday night after the Sydney Ice Dogs defeated the Knights 4-1 in Canberra on Saturday before taking down the Adelaide Adrenaline 5-3 at Liverpool.

The back to back wins now puts the Dogs one point out of a playoff position and with four home games in a row to come the Ice Dogs are determined to bring it home hard. “Every game counts now, and that is definitely starting to show in the hockey we are playing” said Assistant Captain Andrew White who scored the second goal in Canberra off a booming slap shot.

White’s fellow defensemen were the forefront of Sydney’s attack on Saturday as both David Dunwoodie and Patrick Hornacek sniped a goal each in the Ice Dogs 4-1 win over Canberra.

But as Sunday rolled around it was back to business, as the second place Adelaide side came to town hot off the stove with their 4-3 win over Newcastle the night previous. “We knew we had to take the game to them, finish every hit and take the puck hard to the net” tells Canadian Import Brock Backus who came out of the weekend with 7 points.

Backus’s Canadian counterpart Jassi Sangha was also lethal scoring the first and fourth goal for the Pups with his laser beam of a shot.

Ice Dogs youngster Beau Niha was originally sent out to cause a bit of trouble for the Adrenaline, but decided to bring more than just a few thunderous hits when he put home the third goal for his side.

Just as the Dogs thought they had the game in the bag Adelaide leapt back onto attack scoring two flashy goals to get back to within one goal at 4-3. After much end to end action, it was Sydney who had the final say as Todd Stephenson buried the fifth and final goal to solidify a successful weekend for the Sydney Ice Dogs.

Be sure to get to one of the four remaining games to see some hard hitting and fast paced ice hockey action as the Sydney Ice Dogs contend for a playoff spot. For more information on games, tickets and location go to www.icedogs.com.au/venue.html . Next home game is this Saturday 5pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex.

Proudly sponsored by Westbus the Pups club includes atoms and peewee NSW registered players (under 11 and under 13s) who receive their very own pass that gets them into every Ice Dogs home game for free.

“A big part of becoming a better hockey player is to watch better hockey” says Ice Dogs player Scott Stephenson “we want to give all the younger players something to strive towards and we really enjoy seeing them at the games and chilling out with them afterwards”.

If you are a NSW registered Atom or Peewee player and have not received your pass then you can contact us via email or alternatively call the LCC Sports Complex on 8784 4800.

Toddy with Conner Lee

Scottie H teaching Matty how to shoot

Galbraith working with Christiarn

Name: Brentin Azzopardi

Club: Norwest Emperors

Grade: Atoms/Peewees

Position: Defence

Favourite Movie: Kung-fu Panda

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie Stephenson

Name: Jordan Taylor

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Peewees

Position: Defence

Favourite Movie: Land of the lost

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie and Todd Stephenson

Name: Matt Wu

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Atoms/Peewees

Position: Forward/Defence

Favourite Movie: Terminator

Favourite Ice Dog: Andrew White and Jassi Sangha

Name: Madeleine Danecek

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Peewees

Position: Forward

Favourite Movie: Kung-Fu Panda

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie Stephenson

Name: Cody Walker

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Peewees

Position: Defence

Favourite Movie: I am Legend

Favourite Ice Dog: Whitey

Name: Connor Lee

Club: Canterbury Eagles

Grade: Atoms/Peewees

Position: Forward

Favourite Movie: Terminator, Fast and the Furious

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie and Todd Stephenson

Name: Lachlan Fahmy

Club: Norwest Emperors

Grade: Atoms

Position: Forward

Favourite Movie: Terminator

Favourite Ice Dog: Jassi Sangha

Name: Jack Ransome

Club: Norwest Emperors

Grade: Atoms

Position: Left wing

Favourite Movie: Alien

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie Stephenson

Name: Casey “Cubby” Kubara

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Peewees

Position: Forward

Favourite Movie: Never Back Down

Favourite Ice Dog: Jassi Sangha

Name: Ellesse Carini

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Atoms/Peewees

Position: Forward

Favourite Movie: Black Xmas

Favourite Ice Dog(s): The two Scottie’s, Toddy Stephenson and Jamie Galbraith

Name: Damien Sables

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Peewees

Position: Defence

Favourite Movie: Black Xmas

Favourite Ice Dog: Whitey

Name: Dylan Sables

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Atoms

Position: Defence

Favourite Movie: Night at the Museum 2

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie Stephenson and Whitey

Name: Floyd Gill

Club: Liverpool Saints

Grade: Peewees

Position: Forward

Favourite Movie: Terminator

Favourite Ice Dog: Brock Backus

Name: Christiarn Hall

Club: Penrith Bears

Grade: Atoms

Position: Center

Favourite Movie: Miracle

Favourite Ice Dog: Scottie Stephenson and Whitey

Position: Defence

Age: 35

Height: 6’1

Weight: 100kg

When did you start playing hockey? 8 years old.

How did you even get into Ice Hockey? Started general skating and then went to a hockey practise. Dad encouraged me to do what ever I enjoyed.

What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Space Ghost

First pair of hockey skates you owned? Plastic Microns

What do you do in your spare time? Watch my boys play soccer, cuddle my Daughter. Ride my Harley and go to the Gym.

What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? A steak along with lightly pan fried vegetable. mmmmmmm

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

Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Australians have 2 main problems, skating and shooting. You need to shoot more than 500 pucks every day after school and you need to skate 4 to 5 times per week.

Favourite Music: U2

Favourite Car: Don’t have one. Favourite motor cycle: Harley Davidson

Who was your first crush on? Julia Roberts

Striking from the back end the Ice Dogs defence led the charge in Canberra Saturday night as Dave Dunwoodie, Andrew White and Patrick Hornacek scored each in a 4-1 win over the Canberra Knights.

Veteran goaltender Al Becken jumped in on the defensive action rendering the Knights scoreless until the third period when they finally registered their goal for the night. David Dunwoodie drew first blood scoring top shelf on a break away with a man in the penalty box four minutes into the second period.

Andrew White continued his hot streak scoring minutes later with a slap shot on the power play. Sydney walked into the change room after the second period with the most dangerous lead in hockey, a 2-0 score line. With the season on the line and a voodoo to break against the Knights, the Dogs were not going to take the foot off the pedal.

The Knights however had other plans, determined to please their frenzied fans they managed to get within a goal with ten minutes remaining in the game. The momentum shifted noticeably in the Knights favour, but Becken stood on his head and weathered the storm.

With defence being the new attack on the night Patrick Hornacek made the most of a set up from Brock Backus putting him right in front of net alone with Lowe. Hornacek wasted no time sneaking the puck between Lowe’s legs to give the pups some breathing room at 3-1.

Brock Backus then added another point to his night scoring an empty net goal to seal the win tight 4-1. The Dogs now gear up to face Adelaide on Sunday night after their win against the Northstars 4-3 in Newcastle. Game starts 5pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex.

 This Sunday July 5th the Ice Dogs and Adrenaline face off for what looks to be a great match-up. The Adelaide side are looking to bounce back after a 4-1 loss to Melbourne at home whilst the Ice Dogs are fighting their way back for a playoff spot.

Finish your weekend on a high.

Puck Drops at 5pm at the Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex. Click venue for further information.