2 minutes in the box with Derek Campbell

The Breakdown: With at least 10 years Pro experience amongst the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League and the Elite League in the UK Derek Campbell will be a force in the Australian Ice Hockey League and certainly worth watching.  Campbells Resume makes him the highest profile import the Ice Dogs have signed in club history.
 
Nickname at the Dogs: D, Soupy, Cambo

Number: 37
  
Favourite Food? Chicken
 
What type of music are you into? hip-hop, jazz, blues and a bit of everything.
 
Whats your favourite movie? Godfather, Braveheart, Scent of a woman 

How many times do you get to the gym a week? About 4 or 5 times a week 

Greatest hockey memory or acheivement? Winning the OHL (Ontario Canadian Major Junior Under 20 league) and going to the Memorial Cup finals (Canadian National Major Junior Under 20 Championship – Canada’s best Junior Hockey level).
 
Best place to play in the AIHL when not playing at home at the LCC Sports Complex? I liked Newcastle’s rink so far.
 
Who was your hockey idol growing up? Wayne Gretzky 
 
What would be your dream job? Owning a restaurant 
 
Most Memorable sledge you have heard or given? I can’t think of one at the moment which is funny because there have been so many over the years.  

What brought you out to Australia to play ice hockey? A new experience
  
What do you like to do in your spare time? Exercise, read and fishing

Wilson celebrates vs Gold Coast

The BANQ Ice Dogs broke their dry spell Saturday night at home in front of a passionate ice dogs crowd with a convincing  4-1 win.  Besides a slight altercation with the Gold Coast bench in the second period, the Dogs had played their most disciplined hockey to date but we’ll get to that part shortly. 

Import Chad Elliot opened the scoring with a great top shelf goal on the powerplay set up by Derek Campbell.  Campbell then contributed to the second goal as he shot it through Bluetongues goaltender Luke Fiveash for it to be laying on the line for linemate Scott Stephenson to pop it in.  That left the Dogs in front 2-0 at the end of the first.  Goaltender Jim Herbert was on his A game stepping up and making some crucial saves to cement the early lead.  

Second goal vs Bluetongues

 Anthony Wilson almost made it 3-0 however his goal was disallowed with a man in the goalies crease.  Scott Stephenson was set up by Derek Campbell again to then make it 3-0.  Gold Coast Bluetongues Import Dallas Costanzo took care of Scott Stephenson with a big  clean hit that sent him flying over the boards and into the Gold Coast bench which erupted into a bit of a malete  when younger brother Todd and Derek Campbell came in to get him.  

Stephenson drops in on Gold Coast bench

The homeside found themselves with a man in the box and the Bluetongues found themselves a goal closer as Import Mike Mcrae buried from in front after his first attempt was blocked by Herbert. 

But that was as close as the Bluetongues would get as Ice Dogs Todd Stephenson put the puck away to ensure a 4-1 victory and their first win of the season.

This is our first edition of Ice Dogs TV. These are highlights from the season opener so please let us know what you think by commenting below. We’ll be taping a lot more of our home games from now to bring you these highlights on a frequent basis, so enjoy!

*Hint: After you click play below, you can increase the quality to 480p which makes it higher definition.

Credits: Editing/Production – Andrew Burgess, Video – Shahrooz Chowdhury

Dogs vs Bluetongues this Saturday Night

The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs only have the Gold Coast Bluetongues left to play as they have faced off at least once against the other teams so far this season.  The home game will be the first of three matchups in a row before the Dogs head to Gold Coast next week for a double header. 

Defenceman Andrew White will be out of the line up due to a match suspension in Melbourne last Sunday for fighting.  The Bluetongues are currently sitting in third place on the ladder and the Dogs are desperate for a win to get their sluggish season off on a roll.

The puck drops at 5pm this Saturday night at the LCC Sports Complex so be sure to come along, wear a warm jumper and cheer on your Ice Dogs to a victory.

The game will be proudly sponsored by TAB West Hoxton.

A heated Dogs v Adrenaline rivalry gets hotter

After missing their top 3 defenceman the BANQ Ice Dogs collapsed 7-0 to the league leading Melbourne Ice on Sunday.  Anthony Wilson was out of the line up for the weekend, Tomas Manco was suspended for fighting in the last minute of the Adelaide game and Andrew White dropped the gloves sticking up for a teammate halfway through the first period in Melbourne. 

The whole in defence did give youngsters Shannon McGregor and Spencer Austin a full taste of AIHL action, a blooding that will pay off in the long term.  To make matters worse, Scott Stephenson was sent off for 10 minutes for most of the first period due to a misconduct.  “A simple miscommunication with the ref during the fight.  He was asking me to back away which I was and I asked him to watch the fight so he didn’t miss anything.  He thought I swore at him so I was sent off” explains Stephenson. 

Melbournes import Jason Baclig was on fire and led his team in a four goal second period that utlimately decided the game.  The Dogs weathered a four minute penalty kill at the start of the third period and played a smarter brand of hockey with a short bench.

“Melbourne has a top side this season.  We haven’t been on our game against them and they have been firing on all cylinders which you can’t afford to do” says forward Scottie Herbert.  The Melbourne/Adelaide road trips are one of the toughest in the league and unfortunately the Dogs couldn’t find the spark in a crucial month of double headers which featured the two trips to the south.

It is time to stop saying sorry and start winning as the season is almost at halfway.  Fortunately for the Ice Dogs they now have a lighter schedule.  “We know we have the backing of our loyal supporters. We have apologised to them personally for our poor form but now it is time to give them a win and get on a roll” finishes Scott Stephenson.

The season is on the line this Saturday night at the LCC Sports Complex, so be sure to get out there and help the Dogs turn it around.  The game is going to be proudly sponsored by TAB West Hoxton who has donated a food steamer to be raffled off at the game.

Dogs downed by defending champs

The BANQ Ice Dogs are still searching for their first win after falling to the defending AIHL champions 7-5 Saturday night in Adelaide.

Hungry for their first win the Banq Ice Dogs wasted no time getting on the score board as forward Scott Stephenson buried the first goal thanks to a nice set up from import Derek Campbell in the first 90 seconds of the game.

Despite the Adenaline responding minutes later on the powerplay, the Sydney Ice Dogs raced out to a 3-1 lead, courtesy of Andrew White and David Dunwoodie.  White’s goal came on the powerplay with a laserbeam ‘s wristshot placed nicely to the topshelf.  Dunwoodie’s tally came from a rebound from import Andrew DeCristoforo’s original shot. 

Unfortunately for the BANQ boys, Adelaide capitalised on some sloppy plays from the Dogs resulting in some costly turnovers that saw the struggling side down 4-3 by the end of the first period.

No goals were to be had in the second period by either side but plenty of action with Adelaide’s import Cam Dion stirring up trouble by running Dogs goaltender Jim Herbert, which almost resulted in an all in brawl.

“The boys were really charging at the beginning but I think we lost sight of what got us there to begin with which was the game plan and hard work”  says Rookie Brenton Tripp.

Hard work was what would be needed to bounce back from the deficit.  Adelaide knew this as well getting the next goal to make the scoreline 5-3.  Scott Stephenson was at it again scoring from a highlight reel goal off a spinorama slapshot to bring the Dogs within one.

“I was determined to give my best tonight more so for our dedicated supporters back in Sydney who have got our backs and sticking by us through this tough period” remarks Stephenson.

Adelaide would get the next two goals to cement the lead and the game.  Matt Monaghan put in the last goal for the Ice Dogs to keep the score respectable but it would be back to the drawing board for the pups.

The Breakdown: Import Matt Monaghan hails from Chicago in the U.S and is in his second year playing for the Ice Dogs.  Last year he put up 19 points in 20 games and is off to a great start this season with 3 points in 4 games.  Matt is the type of player that has one gear and empty’s the tank every shift.  He is also a “clutch” player which means he will find a goal when needed in the big games.  Keep an eye out for number 17 this season.

Nickname at the Dogs: Monna’s or Matty

Number: 17

Best place to play in the AIHL when not playing at home at the LCC Sports Complex? I like playing in Adelaide, good crowd and I seem to play well there.

What type of music are you into? alternative rock

How many times do you get to the gym a week? 3

Who was your hockey idol growing up? Jeremy Roenick from the Chicago Blackhawks

What would be your dream job? Pro golfer

Most memorable sledge you have heard or given (keep it PG)?  I am not much of a trash talker and there have been so many given over time I couldn’t narrow one down for you.  Or one that was PG at least.

Whats your favourite movie? Bad Boys 2

What do you like best about playing for the Ice Dogs? My team mates

Dogs look to turn it around against Adelaide this Saturday

This weekend it is back on the airplane, check in the hotel room and back to business for the BANQ Ice Dogs.   First cab off the rank is the defending champs Adelaide Adrenaline who lost their last two games on the road to the Gold Coast Bluetongues, before flying to Melbourne Sunday to take on the hot Melbourne Ice who have featured in this month’s FHM Magazine. 

Forwards Scottie Herbert and Import Matt Monaghan are day to day recovering from leg injuries and missed practice on Tuesday night, but should be back on Thursday night’s practice to prepare for the weekend.

Captain Anthony Wilson made a public apology on the Dogs website Tuesday afternoon to the teams loyal supporters and sponsors, as other players are unavailable for comment as they wish to focus on this weekend’s matchup and turn things around.

It looks like Defenceman Andrew White will slide back into defence, with the possibility of David Dunwoodie revisiting his junior hockey days playing up front.  It also appears there could be a few more line-up changes as the team looks for some chemistry this weekend.

Either way there is still plenty of hockey to play and the Ice Dogs will need to take it one faceoff, one battle, one period and one game at a time as they fight their way back out of this slump.  If history has shown us anything, you never write off the Ice Dogs!

Bears win 2-1

Still searching for their first win of the season the BANQ Ice Dogs suffered a big blow this weekend losing to an understrengthed Bears outfit 2-1 on Saturday night, followed by an embarrassing 9-2 loss to Melbourne on Sunday night.

Whilst the Ice Dogs have had a very busy and tough schedule off the bat it definitely wasn’t the start to the season or home opening weekend the Ice Dogs were looking for especially in front of a good Liverpool crowd on the Saturday night.  Captain Anthony Wilson managed to score the two goals in the game against Melbourne showing some character leadership in the third period.  “I think we have analysed enough and it is time to take some action.  We can’t back down…not now” said Wilson. 

 ”Our special teams (with or without a man advantage) is our big issue at the moment” explains a calm Derek Campbell, who has been on pro league teams in this position before who have managed to come out of it and win a championship.  On top of special teams being an issue that needs addressing the team also needs to gel as a unit at both ends of the ice.

Saturday night, the Bears charged off to a 1-0 lead with a powerplay goal.  Andrew White replied for the Ice Dogs with a goal from in front assisted by linemates Todd Stephenson and David Dunwoodie.  The scores were deadlocked at 1-1 until the third period where the bears scored thier second goal and held on to win despite a barrage of shots from the Ice Dogs in the last couple of minutes.  Ex-Ice Dogs goaltender Gabe Robledo stood on his head and the Dogs just couldn’t seem to capitalise in front.

Come Sunday the Ice Dogs managed to have solid start and had the momentum early on until they ran into penalty trouble which you can’t afford to do against one of the best powerplays in the league at the moment.  Before they could blink it was a 3-0 scoreline to Melbourne after the first period all being powerplay goals.  The early lead seemed to crush the spirits of the home team who came out flat in the second to be behind by 6-0 , fifteen minutes later.  “We panicked and lost sight of our game plan which earned us momentum in the first 5 minutes.  I think the boys have realised now that there is no silver bullet or easy way out and we have to work hard, develop urgency and be patient” says coach Mark Stephenson.

The Dogs are off to Adelaide and Melbourne next weekend and have 2 practices this week to address some issues to pull off a win this weekend.

Top 10 countdown for the Home Opener

Top Tens are always fun, but here are ten reasons why you should be excited about the 2010 Home Opener and also why you should come.  I hope you have cancelled all dinner parties, packed your jumpers, been sucking on throat lozengers, prepared your sledging and are ready to go!

10. This summer was a scorcher so it is time to cool off.

9. It’s the battle of Sydney against the Penrith Bears.  This rivalry is historic dating back to before the AIHL Days.

8. The Ice Dogs now have a goal song. Sssshhh it’s a surprise and you will have to come to the game to hear it as it is a unique goal song that has never been used before.  The goal song is played after each Ice Dogs goal.

7. The NHL season is nearing an end, so it’s time to follow your southern hemisphere team again!

6. The AIHL is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary making this a milestone occassion.

5. You haven’t screamed your lungs out or seen a human travel at intense speeds for over 6 months

4. The Ice Dogs Home Opener Jersey sale.  Click through for more details about our Australian ice hockey jerseys.

3.  New powerhouse import additions of Andrew DeChristeforo and Chad Elliot

2.  Witness the Ice Dogs highest profile import in club history Derek Campbell in action.

1. The 2010 season is finally here…You have waited long enough haven’t you.

Home Opener Jersey Clearance Sale May15-16 at the BANQ Ice Dogs game

This weekend ONLY at either of the Home Opening  games (Saturday May15th 2010 and Sunday May 16th 2010), you can buy pre-worn home and away player jersey’s for as low as $15 each for the old 2004 championship style set.  The 2007/2008 edition are going for $30  reduced from $65.  

“We have a fair few jerseys to get rid of, so that we can start building up our merchandise variety this year due to increasing demand from our supporters” says BANQ Ice Dog’s player Scott Stephenson.  “We also want to look out to the crowd when we play and see a sea of Ice Dogs Jersey’s”.

The Jersey Clearance Sale is only on this weekend and you have to be at the game to buy them at these prices.  The only other catch is it is first in best dressed.

NEW MERCHANDISE

The new "Property of" T-shirt line. Only grey colour currently in stock

The BANQ Ice Dogs are also proud to announce the new “Property of Ice Dogs” line of Merchandise available in Grey T-shirts and Hoodies.  

Make sure you sign up to the POUND – The BANQ Ice Dogs emailing list where you receive friendly home game reminders and can go in the running for exclusive POUND member prizes.  Becoming a member of our Australian ice hockey newsletter is free to join and you can unsubscribe at any time. 

2010 Home Opener against the Penrith Bears

Finally the BANQ Ice Dogs, coming off a tough road skid, are playing back at home with a classic rivalry to0 good to miss at home this Saturday Night May 15th at the LCC Sports Complex, 5:00pm.

“We have showed at times over the last four games what we can do and that we have a good hockey team here, so we are looking forward to finding some form this weekend and get things going” says defenceman Tomas Manco.

The Penrith Bears will be missing two imports due to suspension and the BANQ Boys are looking for their first win of the season to get some momentum for when Melbourne comes to town on Sunday night May 16th.

It looks like Andrew White will be playing forward similar to the line up for Newcastles game last Sunday.  “Andrew used to play forward and played forward overseas when playing Junior (under 20s) in Canada, so he gives us a bit more depth up front” explains Coach Mark Stephenson.  “With around 8 defenceman of which two to three of them can play forward quite well, we had to move someone up front, but you will still see Whitey [Andrew White] back there from time to time on defence”.

The Home Opener is proudly sponsored by EA Sports NHL 10′ and will be the raffle prize on the night.

The Battle of Sydney

This weekends lineup

Forwards
Andrew White
Matt Monaghan
Scott Stephenson
Derek Campbell
Andrew DeCristoforo
Scott Herbert
Todd Stephenson
Brenton Tripp
Billy Cliff
Adam Culligan

Defence
Tomas Manco
Chad Elliot
Anthony Wilson
David Dunwoodie
Patrick Hornacek
Shannon McGregor
Spencer Austin

Goalies
Jim Herbert
Alan Becken

Be sure to come and catch the action. Adults only $12 and Kids only $6.  Melbournes Game Preview to come underneath here shortly!

Defenceman Tomas Manco finishing his check on the play

After losing 8-3 to the first placed Canberra Knights on Saturday night in Canberra, the Dogs needed to bounce back against Newcastle on the Sunday.  Rallying from 3-1 down the BANQ Ice Dogs eventually scored 5 unanswered goals over the course of the game to take a 6-3 lead until the Northstars took advantage of a few powerplays to stage a late comeback and win in a shootout.

Newcastle Northstars Defenceman Chris Belanger worked his lethal shot on Newcastle’s powerplay to help establish the 2-0 lead for the home team.

Linemates Chris Sekura and Scottie Herbert were on fire.  Scottie Herbert scored the first goal for the Dogs set up by Sekura.  At 3-1 down it was then Sekura who put in a rebound on the rush from Scott Stephenson’s slapshot.  In a tit for tat contest Herbert levelled the scores in the second period with a nifty backhand shot top shelf on Northstars Matt Ezzy.

At the start of the third the BANQ Ice Dogs came out firing scoring three goals in three minutes, two of the goals coming from Chris Sekura with his third goal a great top corner shot.

Sekura's line comes back to the bench to celebrate his first career AIHL Hat-trick

The Dogs played even harder but were given some unfortunate penalties where the Northstars scored their fourth and fifth goal.  With the tables turned the Northstars leveled the score with approximately three minutes left in the game and it was onto a shootout.  Andrew DeCristoforo scored on the first shot but the Northstars buried two of their own to give them their thirs shootout win in as many games.

“Tonight was a better indication of how we can play, however we need to focus on playing like that every single shift. We aren’t panicking as there is still a long season ahead and we are looking forward to getting the ball rolling at our hompe opener this Saturday against the Bears” says Ice Dogs forward Scott Stephenson.

The Battle of Sydney should be staged to be one thriller of a game with both the Bears and the Dogs determined to move up the standings.

The Dogs are on the hunt for their first win of the season and looking for redemption after Canberra’s season series win last year.  “The team has addressed last weekends weak points in practice this week and now we are just really looking forward to playing tomorrow”  says import defenceman Chad Elliot.  The Penalty box definitely being one of them. 

“I think we played better disciplined in Adelaide with only one penalty, so I guess we want to continue that approach this weekend and avoid penalties that we have control over” adds Scottie Herbert.

You can expect a physical contest though in front of a passionate and usually sold out Canberra crowd.

Both teams have injected some fresh new import talent with some familiar and reliable faces in the line up.  BANQ Ice Dogs as many know have fresh faces in Derek Campbell, Andrew DeCristoforo and Chad Elliot with Matt Monaghan returning from last season.  Canberra have returning players in Matti Luoma from Finland and goaltender Ryan Lowe from the States with a few new additions Garrett Delaquis and Sean Scarbrough.

Sunday the Ice Dogs then make their way up to Newcastle to take on the Northstars who are on the hop after defeating the Penrith Bears in a shootout last weekend.

This Weekends Line up

Forwards

Derek Campbell (Import)
Chris Sekura
Andrew DeCristoforo (Import)
Scott  Herbert
Todd Stephenson
Brenton Tripp (Rookie)
Scott Stephenson
Matt Monaghan (Import)
Adam Culligan
Billy Cliff

Defence

Andrew White
Chad Elliot (Import)
Tomas Manco
David Dunwoodie
Anthony Wilson
Shannon McGregor
Spencer Austin
Patrick Hornacek

In Goal

Jim Herbert
Alan Becken

New recruit Andrew DeCristoforo in action against Adelaide

Hard to say, hard to spell but he should be fun to watch – Andrew DeCristoforo is one of 3 import forward signings at the Ice Dogs this season.  “Since he has been out skating with the team he definitely has a few moves up his sleeve and an accurate shot” says team mate Scottie Herbert.

 Pronounced de-kris-ta-foro, Andrew has played two years of Junior A back in Canada for the Cumberland Grads where he led his team in scoring and was 4^th in the league. He then went onto Junior College where he amassed a whopping 88 points in 24 games earning him an NCAA scholarship to Hamilton College. 

 In Andrew’s 3 years at Hamilton College he was the top goal scorer every year and in 2008 began his pro career in Serbia Elite League where he boasted 41 points in 16 games. 

"Cristo" weaves through the play

 Last season he played pro in Finland and now he is in Sydney to suit up for the Ice Dogs.

” I have heard nothing but good thing about the AIHL from several of my friends who have played here for the last couple of years! Im looking forward to the experience and glad to be apart of the Ice Dogs this season. I hope I can contribute to winning the championship with this great group of guys and looking forward to play at a high level of hockey in my off season” says DeCristoforo who notched 2 points over his first AIHL weekend.

 “This season we have focused our import selection towards scoring with players such as Andrew and Derek, and then added some further bulk to the back end with solid d-man Chad Elliot” says Coach Mark Stephenson.  Matt Monaghan is returning for his second season at the Dogs providing grit and the hard to find goals when the Dogs need them most, rounding out a new improved 2010 import outfit.

Lots of ice hockey for the Doggies in May

The month of May is going to be absolute MADNESS and whilst there are only 3 home games with the first home game on May 15th vs rivals Penrith Bears, this season www.icedogs.com.au will keep you more up to date than ever before when your team is on the road.

May 1st the Ice Dogs played their first game of 2010 against the Melbourne Ice in their new home at Docklands.  The very next morning they were off  to Adelaide to play the defending champions the Adelaide Adrenaline.

Just five days later the Dogs will be back on the road to Canberra to take on the Canberra Knights looking for redemption after losing three out of four matchups last season – a first in Ice Dogs and AIHL history.  After the game it is back down the freeway for a quick nap before getting up and going North down the other freeway to take on the Northstars in a rivalry that doesn’t need any heating up!

Finally comes May15th and May 16th the Home Opener weekend when the battle of the west between Penrith and the Dogs begins and on Sunday the battle between Melbourne and the Ice Dogs continues as the Dogs look to settle the score from May 1st.

It will be ”deja vu” for Sydney as May 22nd and 23rd it is back to the Adelaide/Melbourne leg before finishing off the month at home on May the 29th vs the Gold Coast Bluetongues.

The best part of May is the Dogs will have faced every team of the league at least once which gives a great sign of things to come for the rest of the season!

Chris Sekura finishing his check on Greg Oddy. photo:F Kutsche

Dogs lose 4-1 in Saturday nights clash against the Ice

In front of a packed “icehouse” of 1,300 fans the Ice Dogs had quite the challenge in front of them.  New import Andrew DeCristoforo however thought otherwise scoring the opening goal of the game a couple of minutes on.  Melbourne tied it minutes later on the powerplay locking the teams at 1-1 after the first period trouble.

Melbourne stepped their game up a notch in the second period and capitalised on the numerous powerplays(when the other team is a man down due to a penalty) that went their way.   Melbourne’s Lliam Webster (also a national team player) was responsible for some damage helping his side to  a 3-1 lead after two periods.

New import Derek Campbell was given a game misconduct for an equipment infraction (his chin strap was a little too low to the referees liking) this saw him in the box for 10 minutes.  To make matters worse the Dogs were handed an extra innovative 6 minute penalty just before the end of the second meaning they startedthe third period missing Campbell and being a man down. 

The Ice added one more goal to their tally to make the final score 4-1.  Derek Campbell mixed it up with a Melbourne player who found himself undressed with his jersey over his head, but that was the only win the Dogs would walk away with for the night. 

Despite the scoreline Jim Herbert was very strong between the pipes for his side.

On the Road. Melbourne Saturday then Adelaide Sunday

The Ice Dogs season is underway starting this Saturday on the road against the Melbourne Ice.  The Ice Dogs will make history as this will be the first AIHL game played at the new Docklands Ice Arena.   Melbourne will be looking for redemption after 2 losses on the road against the Newcastle Northstars and the Penrith Bears last weekend.  With a sellout crowd predicted, The “Ice” have a lot to get motivated about. 

“We had a really great tempo at Thursday nights skate and everyone is looking pretty sharp, so we can’t wait to get this [2010] season underway” says Ice Dogs forward Chris Sekura.  A tempo that the Dogs will need to continue to set a tone for when Melbourne comes to town May 16th.

This Weekends Line up

Forwards

Derek Campbell (Import)
Chris Sekura
Andrew DeCristoforo (Import)
Scott  Herbert
Todd Stephenson
Brenton Tripp (Rookie)
Scott Stephenson
Matt Monaghan (Import)
Adam Culligan
Billy Cliff

Defence

Andrew White
Chad Elliot (Import)
Tomas Manco
David Dunwoodie
Anthony Wilson
Shannon McGregor

In Goal

Jim Herbert

Dogs face defending champs on their home turf this Sunday

The very next Sunday morning the Dogs will be on a flight to Adelaide to face the defending champs in their home opener.  “This weekend presents a couple of challenges for the playing group as we face two teams hungry to impress their home crowds so the boys will need to gel quickly” admits Assistant Coach Dion Dunwoodie.  “It won’t be easy but I think the guys can make it happen this weekend”.

This weekend marks the beginning of a four game road stint before the Dogs finally play their first home game May 15th vs the revitalised Penrith Bears.