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.