At 3-0 down after the first period, it was not looking to promising to the home side at the LCC Sports Complex. The bounces were clearly going the Bluetongues way scoring 2 out of their first two shots from some tough angles.
That didn’t stop the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs from staging a comeback in the opening minutes of the second and middle period thanks to the efforts of the import combination of Matt Monaghan and Andrew DeCristoforo. Not only did it happen early on into the second period but both goals were one after another and a 3-0 deficit was cut to 3-2 and the momentum was back in the Ice Dogs favour.
James Esson had his first crack at goal for the Ice Dogs replacing usual frontman in between the pipes Jimmy Herbert after 2-0 down. Esson came up trumps on two occassions leaping across the net to stop a second shot and also shutting down a breakaway to keep his team in it. “We are definitely pleased with the way Esson stepped in and took control” says Coach Mark Stephenson.
Unfortunately Esson couldn’t stop everything for the Ice Dogs and the Bluetongues battled back to extend the lead to 4-2 as the puck just trickled over the line as Import Dallas Costanza tucked away the rebound off the original shot.
The discipline again was much better from the Ice Dogs however they did find themselves on the penalty kill but this time forward Scott Stephenson managed to beat defenseman Ross Howe 1 on 1 to then score from a tough angle on Gold Coast to get his team 1 goal away from tieing the game up.
The Dogs kept on pressing with many near misses but Gold Coast would score one more goal with around 4 minutes left in the final period to finish the game 5-3. The Gold Coast Bluetongues then went onto defeat the Penrith Bears 4-2 on the Sunday. Highlights from the Ice Dogs game will be up on Ice Dogs TV later this week.
Hey guys. Another Ice Dogs TV here for you hungry fans, its 3am ive worked extra hard to get this to you before Monday so you can spend your ‘valuable’ work hours watching doggies highlights (it may or may not have had something to do with Scotty wanting to see a replay of his amazing goal!).
As per usual enjoy and leave me some feedback, thanks to Dallas and James for giving us some time for interviews and a congrats to James for a great debut game for the Ice Dogs! See you guys next week for the double header.
Video/Editing/Production: Andrew Burgess Interviews: Mitch Collins
The last time the Gold Coast Bluetongues came to town the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs ran away with a 4-1 win and the game had its fair share of hard hitting action and rivalry. After losing both games in the Gold Coast the Doggies are determined to turn things up a notch and give a little payback on the scoreboard this Saturday night June 26 at the LCC Sports Complex.
The Puck Drops at 5pm. Adults $12, Kids $6 and the game will be proudly sponsored by EA Sports where NHL 10′on EA Sports is being raffled away as the prize at the game
Canberra’s Import Goalie Lowe tends to turn it up a notch against the Ice Dogs and last Saturday night was no exception leading his side to a 3-1 win in Canberra. The Ice Dogs played a far better disciplined game and stepped up defence deadlocking the scores at 0-0 after the first period. The Penalty Kill was a lot stronger by the BANQ Ice Dogs until Canberra’s import Sean Scarborough broke away from the pack and scoring a back hand shot against Jim Herbert.
Despite the goal Jim Herbert had stepped up his game an was playing with a lot more confidence making some key saves in the game. Canberra however snuck another goal past him before the end of the second leaving a two goal deficit for the Ice Dogs to recover from. Meanwhile at the other end of the Ice the Dogs were peppering the net with shots but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Defenceman Dave Dunwoodie tried to find some momentum for his side going toe to toe with Stu Philps from the Knights. Dogs Import Matt Monaghan put his hand up and scored with five minutes left in the game giving his struggling side some momentum and the upper hand until Scarborough broke away from the pack again scoring on a breakaway to make the final score 3-1.
Despite addressing discipline and the penalty kill the Ice Dogs still need to work on generating offence and scoring some goals to start winning some hockey games.
This Saturday night June 19th the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs are off to play the Canberra Knights. Due to high demand the Ice Dogs are offering supporters the chance to catch the bus with the team for the trip for $25 a head. The bus will leave the LCC Sports Complex at 11:15am and to register your interest/book your spot email Scott at info@icedogs.com.au . The $25 only covers transport on the bus and does not include game entry.
Only 25 seats available so be sure to get in quick.
Hey guys and welcome to another episode of Ice Dogs TV. Today we have the highlights from saturday nights unfortunate loss to the Newcastle Northstars along with an entertaining postgame interview with Tomas Manco and Northstars defender Robert Starke.
Shout out to the Dog Pound… are you guys heading down to Canberra this weekend? Im hoping that if i can make it down ill do a special roadtrip edition of Ice Dogs TV live from heart of The Pound to show the world what being a hardcore Dogs fan is all about. What do you think? Throw me a comment and let me know.
Thanks go out to Cristo for the game footage and some funny commentary that ill hopefully bring to you in a later episode, and to Rob for coming over to enemy territory and doing the interview for us, much appreciated.
Video: Andrew DeCristoforo Editing/Production: Andrew Burgess Interviews: Mitch Collins
Hey guys, welcome to a special midweek edition of Ice Dogs TV.
This week Mitch and I decided to swing by the boys training to get the word on last weekends double header and the upcoming clash against the Northstars.
Please forgive us for the terrible audio quality, we are hopfully getting our hands on a mic soon or we’ll just do interviews away from the ice, but try and enjoy anyway.
Thanks to Matt and Derek for taking a few mins out of training to do this for us.
Video/Editing/Production – Andrew Burgess Interview – Mitch Collins
Next Home Game: Saturday June 12th at the LCC Sports Complex against the Northstars
Last time these two teams faced off was in Newcastle back in May where the Ice Dogs bounced back from 3-1 down to take a 6-3 lead to lose in a shootout. Long story short, expect another epic battle to continue as these two rivals face off this time at the LCC Sports Complex.
An Ice Dogs match-up wouldn’t be complete this season without a little adversity with the latest challenge being the loss of two imports to one game suspensions, namely Derek Campbell and Andrew DeCristoforo. “We have found ways to win games missing key players in the past, guys are going to have to step up again and play some desperate hockey” says Defenceman Tomas Manco.
Import Matt Monaghan also threw out a little challenge to his teammates “lets just say I offered a little incentive for the guys to finish their checks and play some hard working hockey this weekend”.
The puck drops at 5pm this Saturday night against the Northstars at the LCC Sports Complex in Liverpool. Adults $12, Kids $6. For venue information click on the venue page of www.icedogs.com.au. If you want friendly game reminders make sure you join “The Pound” e-newsletter list. You can also come meet the Ice Dogs after the game across the road at the Liverpool Catholic Club for some dinner and drinks
Line Up
Forwards Scott Herbert
Billy Cliff
Matt Monaghan
Scott Stephenson
David Dunwoodie
Brenton Tripp
Scott Stephenson
Adam Culligan
Defence Andrew White
Anthony Wilson
Tomas Manco
Chad Elliott
Spencer Austin
Shannon McGregor
Patrik Hornacek
The Breakdown: After playing a solid tournament for the Australian Mens team last April, Tomas Manco is really starting to find his game and forge his place in the league. Usually teamed up with either Anthony Wilson or Andrew White on the blueline, Manco is smooth with the puck andthe ultimate team player who will do anything for the team.
Nickname at the Dogs: Manks
Number: 8
Favourite Food? Greek
Toughest player you’ve encountered in the AIHL? Chris Sekura when I used to play for the Bears as 17 year old.
What type of music are you into? Everything, Stickmike
Do you have a pet? Used to have a dog named Freddy
Who is the funniest guy in the changeroom you have ever played with? David Huxley from Adelaide when we were on the Aussie team together.
Player/s you like to play on a line with? The Stevo’s
Whats your favourite movie/s? Anchorman
How many times do you get to the gym a week? 3-4 times a week
Best place to play in the AIHL when not playing at home at the LCC Sports Complex? Newcastle
Who was your hockey idol growing up? Ziggy Palffy
What would be your dream job? Pro Surfer
Most Memorable sledge you have heard or given? Cass Delsar from Adelaide to ex-Ice Dog Import Mike Tobin “Don’t worry, I hope you find your neck”
Dogs fail to keep the Bluetongues down in Gold Coast
If the Ice Dogs are looking for any positives it is the fact that last weekend signals the end of 6 weeks of double headers, aeroplanes and highways. Saturday night the BANQ Ice Dogs lost 5-2 to Gold Coast where Andrew DeCristoforo and Matt monaghan started to click notching Sydney’s only goals for the weekend, but the Campbell-Stephenson’s trio could not get things happening on their line.
“I don’t think we have had a game where all lines seem to be firing yet” says Dogs forward Adam Culligan who found himself in a fight and a tussle over the weekends play. The Bluetongues hit the scoreboard first on the powerplay and led the first period 1-0. DeCristoforo broke his cold streak on a nice set-up from David Dunwoodie to level the scores 1-1.
Just as the Tongues started to break away in the third period at 2-1, Import Matt Monaghan replied moments later scoring from a slapshot as he burst down the wing. The Gold Coast finally broke free capitalising on the powerplay and establishing a 4-2 lead. With 6 minutes remaining in the final period Gold Coast found themselves with a major 7 minute penalty, but they weathered the storm and scored on an empty net (the Ice Dogs pulled their goalie in exchange for an extra attacker to try and increase pressure and make a comeback).
Things didn’t seem to improve in Sunday nights game of the double header as the Tongues consolidated a 3-0 win. The Ice Dogs didn’t let up however with no goals scored in the third period and shutting down a 4 minute Gold Coast Bluetongues powerplay in addition to killing off several other penalties. “Same old story, when we buy into something and play as a team we are the team we know we can be” said trainer Mark Page. Unfortunately the Ice Dogs will be without Import’s Derek Campbell and Andrew DeCristoforo due to the altercations that broke out in the last half of the third period.
The coach however is confident the playing group will turn it on next home game against the Northstars, “The game we have won was without our top defenceman Andrew White, we have been without Campbell and taken Adelaide to a shootout, it is just a little more adverisity for the boys to deal with and come out on top. This is the time for everyone to step up their game and contribute”.
“There were two different teams out there; first the Dogs were not the team they were at home last Saturday, but neither were the Tongues. We need to bring it every night, no excuses” says Captain Anthony Wilson.
If the BANQ Ice Dogs have a chance to turn things around, it will come over next month’s home stretch as all interstate road trips except for Canberra are done. The Ice Dogs take on the Newcastle Northstars at home at the LCC Sports Complex this Saturday night June 12th at 5pm.
Welcome to the second installment of Ice Dogs TV! This episode we have the highlights from the win over the Bluetongues which includes some great goals, great saves, a postgame interview with Anthony Wilson and the brawl im sure you have all been itching to see.
With more time to work on this one ive added an animated scoreboard and also produced it in widescreen so you fans see more of the action.
Enjoy and please leave comments/suggestions on how i can improve Ice Dogs TV for you the fans. Go Doggies! and thanks to Anthony and James for doing the interview.
The Ice Dogs have Andrew White back in the line up a win under their belt and they are off to the Gold Coast this weekend to continue the season series that kicked off last Saturday night. Asked about the situation that occurred at the Gold Coast bench last game and the Dogs are not dwelling on the event “That was last game and we have moved on and are focused on making things happen up at the Gold Coast this weekend” says forward Scott Stephenson who was sent flying over the boards which started the whole skirmish.
The team admits it needs to continue to buy into the systems tha have been put in place and focus on playing solid defence and getting the simple things right. “Especially on the road, you need to play as a team and come together…buying into the same system accomplishes that” says Tomas Manco who has been in top form as of late.
Scottie and Willo
The Gold Coast have come off a tough Sydney road trip losing to the Ice Dogs 4-1 and then the Penrith Bears on Sunday night 7-1 and will be looking to turn things around at home. The Bluetongues have a perfect record at home so far this season to protect as well and the Ice Dogs will need their full line up to be on their game.
Stay tuned for the footage from the last home game to be posted on Ice Dogs TV very soon.
