After defeating the Bears at home last Saturday July 17 and tying the season series at 1-1 the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs will be looking to take that momentum on the road when they take on the Bears at Penrith this Sunday July 25.
The Ice Dogs will be missing Andrew White and David Dunwoodie to suspension, whilst Import Matt Monaghan is also temporarily away in the United States for the next few weeks. The Bears are missing key forwards Vlad Rubes and Roberto Francini so it will still be quite the even field and set for another barn burner.
The Ice Dogs may have won 8-2 last game but won’t be taking Penrith lightly as the Bears have a solid home record. Conversely the Dogs may have a bit of a following down the M4 after last weeks performance and it could re-ignite the spark.
Another Ice Dogs TV for you all, this one is fresh off the press. I put a hurry on this episode as im sure all of you are keen to see one certain part of it, so enjoy guys.
Next two weeks are in Penrith so there wont be another episode for a few weeks, unless we do a roadtrip special edition… haha who knows, throw any ideas out there if you have them
Video/Editing/Production: Andrew Burgess Interviews: Mitch Collins
Despite being down 1-0 in the first few minutes the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs were thriving from their last win at home and raced away with an 8-2 win that sure had everyone talking. With a new massive banner and second chapter of “The Pound” in the stands, the Ice Dogs looked like a determined outfit and had the crowd to match.
A little luck started the barrage of goals with Tomas Manco scoring on a dump shot on net from the red line to tie up the scores at one a piece. But from that point on it was skill and hard work that would give the Ice Dogs lead.
Matt Monaghan started his scoring spree notching the Ice Dogs second goal and was soon followed by Scottie Herbert who had a four point night himself. With a 3-1 lead heading into the changeroom it was clear the night was far from over.
Jim Herbert was solid in net making some key saves and adding to the Bears tough night. Todd Stephenson put away the fourth and sixth goal for the night with Monaghan squeezing in the fifth with a nice accurate shot between Bouchers legs.
With a 6-1 game on hand, tempers flared and Ice Dogs Andrew White and Bears Import Michal Lauko were clearly not getting along which led to an exchange of blows and like a chain reaction other players followed suit.
David Dunwoodie faired well in his match-up until taken out by a second bears player which almost caused a full scale brawl from both benches, however after a few minutes all eventually simmered down teams returned to changerooms and then it was back to hockey. Highlights will be up on Ice Dogs TV this week.
Once play resumed ex-Ice Dogs player Jim Zvonicek scored on the powerplay to make it 6-2 but that would be as close as the Bears would get on the night as Monaghan finalised his hat-trick and Billy Cliff scored his second goal in two games leaving it at 8-2 and making for a good team/supporter photo at the end.
The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs have a facebook fan page which means you can connect even better with your Ice Dogs from viewing Ice Dogs TV highlights posted up there, to seeing score updates and the latest news.
Game Photos and photos with our supporters will be posted up and you can tag yourself in etc etc. To “like” the Ice Dogs Facebook fan page click on the link below:
Hey guys, hope you are all ready for some thrilling highlights!!!
Today we have the highights from what im going to claim was the most exciting game of the season. With 15 goals and plenty of big hits this video is pack fully of doggie goodness for you fans. I even threw in some hits with sound so you can hear the impact+ crowd reaction and a slow motion replay, which after you see it will agree had to be done.
Sorry there arent any scorers details but due to the ammount of people asking for this i couldnt wait any longer for the games boxscore to be put online, it was also delayed by more than a day thanks to youtube muting the first 2 versions for audio copywrite (it takes about 4 hours to render and upload each vid) which is a shame because the original song i used was so perfect. But anyway here you go guys enjoy.
Video/Editing/Production Andrew Burgess Interviews: Mitch Collins
When we think of our team we think of our supporters…we are one big team! Also we look out to the crowd this season and we are seeing a sea of Ice Dogs Jerseys and hoodies and love it.
The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs are getting their team photo this weekend on the ice after Saturday night’s clash. But we are doing things differently this year. We want our supporters in the photo with us as we are one big team!
We are looking to do the photo after the game up against the boards at centre ice in front of the grandstand and want our supporters behind us in the stands and to the sides along the boards. We will also allow around 10 minutes the big team photo for supporters to take photo’s with some of the players.
So make sure you bring your Ice Dogs Jersey’s with you and a big cheery smile as we make change things up a bit and make AIHL history. You can bring your camera’s for the individual player shots (but not the team shot as we don’t want people on the ice in case they slip over) and we will post any pics we take of you with the players on our facebook fan page at:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-Sydney-Ice-Dogs-Page/106016799449217. All you have to do is click like at the top of the facebook fan page and you can access the pics at the photos tab.
The Battle of Sydney really gets into action this Saturday night July 17th at the LCC Sports Complex as the first of three encounters in a row. The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs will be looking to extend their recent success and carry it over to Penrith for the following two games.
The Bears have come off two losses in the Gold Coast and will be looking to get back to their top of the ladder form this season. “We are just looking to steal points and upset some teams at this stage of the season” says Captain Anthony Wilson. “The last two games have shown some positives for the future and we want to build on that”.
Billy Cliff got his chance alongside Derek Campbell and Matt Monaghan and didn’t look out of place and contributed a goal in last games comeback. “He has gone from playing well on the ice to making an impact, it is great to see him stepping up” adds coach Mark Stephenson.
Import Defenceman Chad Elliott is finding his form mid season and has been solid on the blueline for the past five games. With the new attitude of the Ice Dogs and a determined Bears outfit make sure you get to the LCC Sports Complex this Saturday night July 17.
After the game the Ice Dogs will be having their team photo and want their supporters to be in the background of the photo so don’t miss out and bring your Ice Dogs Jerseys as well. The GAME will be proudly brought to you by BANQ Accountants.
A different feel was in the air on Saturday night as the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs made an outstanding comeback to defeat Canberra 8-7 at the LCC Sports Complex. Some said it was the Ice Dogs of old. Things were definitely different from current trends this season as the Ice Dogs opened the scoring with a hard fought goal from Todd Stephenson. Canberra replied but Stephenson’s linemate Scottie Herbert scoredmoments later to re-establish the lead at 2-1.
Although going into the locker room at 2-2 after the first period it was clear the Ice Dogs were in charge and backed this claim up with a goal from Import Derek Campbell. But all that momentum was taken away when after penalties to both sides forced four on four hockey and Knights Import Sean Scarborough scored two break away goals leaving the score at 4-3 after the second period. The Knights streak continued as they added another two unanswered goals buffing their lead to 6-3.
But finally the puck started to bounce the Dogs way, literally, as David Dunwoodie smacked a rebound out of mid air to initiate the comeback with 8 minutes to go in the final period. Next was Andrew White who skated the length of the rink out wide cutting in at the last second to deke the Canberra goalie. With the scores now 6-5 another bounce would go the Dogs way as Billy Cliff managed to track down the rebound off a Canberra Knights Defender and scored with a hard wrist shot from the top of the circles.
The Import contingent rose again as Matt Monaghan ripped a slapshot top shelf skating down the wing, followed by Derek Campbell who would notch what turned out to be the game winner. The Knights scored another goal to bring it within one but Sydney held on and narrowed the gap on the standings with the Knights.
Make sure you get to next weekends game at the LCC Sports Complex Saturday July 17th as the underdogs look to steal some points away from rivals Penrith Bears.
Hey guys and welcome to a special Double Ice Dogs TV showcasing last weeks home double header clashes against the Northstars and Adrenaline. We have some great action here with the highlights from the heated Northstars game and the ‘edge of your seat’ finish that concluded the Adrenaline game.
I’m sorry its taken till now to get these up but with double the highlights means double the workload (and i had to build an overtime scoreboard), but here they both are so enjoy!
Thanks to Blair, Scotty and Manco for the interviews… and to our special guest reporter Dan for filling in for Mitch. Cya all Saturday for the Knights game.
Video/Editing/Production: Andrew Burgess Interviews: Mitch Collins, Dan Collins
Despite a tough season there have been some positives as of late worth making mention of.
As the leadership group and veterans have depleted slowly over the last few seasons players such as Tomas Manco are stepping up to the plate. Not only playing his best hockey to date but if you watched the game against Adelaide you would have noticed some shifts where he was making hits, chasing his own dump ins and revving up his team. Manco and his peers are not the young bucks anymore and it is time for them to step up and follow his lead.
Shannon McGregor number 77 continues to grow his game. The 18 year old is playing solid and mature from behind the net to the offensive blueline. He made use of his extra ice time against Adelaide on Sunday and further proved he has got what it takes to be a top four defenceman for the Ice Dogs in the not to distant future.
Billy Cliff will be coming back from a solid Under 18 National Championship where NSW narrowly lost in the final despite being quite dominant in the round robin. Not only with the season shaping up to provide him more opportunity, his game play speaks for itself and will be a large reason for getting more ice time and opportunity to build his game. You will see more of the 17 year old number 17.
The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs may be at the bottom of the table but they now have the Underdog tag which never hurts for a turn around. Discipline is also improving.
Last but not least our supporter base. The Dogs have the best supporters and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. To be going through a tough season, that is very challenging and to turn around and still have the support of not just vocal and evergrowing pound but to the familiar faces we see cheering on their team win or lose. This is the team behind the team and is the biggest positive to draw on this season.
This Saturday night the BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs will be looking to build off last Sundays performance at home against the Adelaide Adrenaline where they lost in a narrow shootout after coming back from a 2-0 deficit.
Derek Campbell and Anthony Wilson were responsible for the two goals from the Ice Dogs and notable performances go out to Ice Dogs defenceman Shannon McGregor and Tomas Manco.
The Canberra Knights only sit a few points ahead on the table in front of the Ice Dogs so the home side will be looking to steal some points head to head and stir up the opposition.
Make sure you wear a jumper, bring a blanket and the family and cheer on your Ice Dogs this Saturday night 5pm at the LCC Sports Complex as they take on the Canberra Knights.
Dogs get chance to take on Adrenaline and Northstars at home in double header
This weekend it is double the action as the Newcastle Northstars return to the LCC Sports Complex on Saturday night July 3rd to take on the Ice Dogs and the Adelaide Adrenaline will be in town on Sunday night July 4th.
Both games should be entertaining that’s for sure as the Dogs have narrowly lost in Adelaide to the defending champs and can’t wait for the chance to take them on at home. The BANQ Sydney Ice Dogs are also looking to make up for a 6-2 loss last time Newcastle were in town.
Both Games start at 5:00pm at the LCC Sports Complex.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!
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 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
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.
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
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 4th 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.
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
The Ice Dogs quickly forgot about Saturday’s game and were back to business against the Adrenaline in their hometown on the Sunday. This game they would be without new Import Derek Campbell due to his fight against Melbourne happening in the last half of the third period. Adelaide unveiled their 2009 championship banner in front of a packed house and were determined from the outset to please them.
The first 10 minutes of the period was solid with both teams having very close chances before the Adrenaline found some luck off Ice Dogs Defenceman Tomas Manco’s skate giving them a 1-0 lead. “It was unfortunate and I said sorry to Jimmy after. It is just a part of the game, sometimes they shoot and get lucky off your skate” admits Manco.
Sydney wasn’t too disheartened and kept pushing on, but were left 2-0 down before the first period due to a one timer (when the player shoots as soon as they get passed the puck) from Australian team forward Wehbe Darge.
Ice Dogs Rookie Brenton Tripp scored his first goal as his teams reply and the Dogs were back in the fight. With momemtum on their side the Dogs kept pressing but couldn’t seem to capitalise on some of the chances. Jimmy Herbert again was fantastic in the net making some attractive gloves sides and keeping the Dogs in the game.
Import Matt Monaghan was fed a great pass from his linemate Andrew DeCristoforo and he nailed the top of the net to tie the scores in the third period. Todd Stephenson later hit the post in the third period and the Dogs just couldn’t seem to get it over the line in regulation time.
This then forced a shootout where Adrenaline’s import Sammy Mantere managed to score the lone goal and give the defending champs two points on the competition ladder.
“It is a long season, we have a good team and we are building. We still haven’t had a practice as a full team with Derek only arriving last Friday” says coach Mark Stephenson. “The boys perservered and showed some fight which is good to see given Saturday nights adversity”.
The road trip doesn’t end here with the Dogs off to Canberra next Saturday
Saturdays game vs Melbourne Game Report
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.
After a lot of hard work and many months spent planning, Skaters Network has finally arrived in Sydney. This new and exciting store and concept has been designed to change the way the Australian skating community buy their equipment.
Skaters’ Network Retail Store has been developed to improve pricing, availability, accessibility and expertise when purchasing skates, skating equipment and related products within Australia. Skaters’ Network offers the best and largest range of skating equipment ever seen in Australia with skaters and hockey nuts attending to your every enquiry.
Whether you are an Ice or In-line hockey player, Figure skater or just love getting out for a skate, Skaters Network has been created to satisfy your every need.
We will be offering full service in store including professional fitting, skate sharpening, oven moulding and repairs. Come in this weekend and speak to one of our friendly experienced staff members.
Ice Dogs supporters meet Derek Campbell; the Ice Dog’s highest profile import signing to date.
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.
“Derek being one of the highest point scorers in the English Elite league as well as being what leagues call an enforcer, he will not only fill the net and set-up his team mates at the Dogs but he will bring a toughness that the Dogs have lacked in the last couple of seasons” explains captain Anthony Wilson.
Campbell can be considered a rare all-round hockey player that will add firepower upfront given the points he has put up in the Elite league, East Coast Pro, Canadian Major Junior and University hockey. On top of that he is certainly not afraid to drop the gloves if need be.
The Nepean, Ontario native from Canada won’t be alone as the Ice Dogs have stocked up on import talent this season.
“We are proud to add an import of Derek’s calibre to the line up” says coach Mark Stephenson. “I think he will fit right in with our team, and his experience will be of great benefit to our pursuit for a national title this season”.
The addition is not only a big plus for the Dogs but also for the local hockey community who will be able to see a high profile import on a consistent basis which is very important to the growth of the sport and gives the kids another idol they can follow.
Ice Dogs supporters and hockey goers can get their first glimpse of Derek at the home opening weekend starting May 15th and 16th when the Ice Dogs face the Penrith Bears and Melbourne Ice.
Left to Right: Ice Dogs players Todd Stephenson, Tomas Manco, Scott Stephenson, Chris Sekura and Anthony Wilson
The Australian Mens Team have returned home from Mexico City with the Silver Medal after defeating Turkey 10-1 and Belgium 5-2 in their final two games. Todd Stephenson managed a hat trick in the crucial game against Belgium with all three goals assisted by linemate and brother Scott Stephenson.
The final game against Belguim was a true reflection of how the Australian Mens Team can play as they raced off to an early lead courtesy of Todd Stephenson and Chris Sekura from the Dogs and led the first period 3-1. Belguim fought back hard in the second however the aussies managed to increase the lead to 5-1. Belgium narrowed the scoreline with a late goal in the third.
“It would have been great to face Spain again after that game” said forward Scott Stephenson. The Ice Dogs practically matched the scorelines Spain had against the same teams.
Anthony Wilson pictured with Mexico's mascot as he shows his best defence of the tournament medal
Anthony Wilson will be entering the AIHL season on a high as he was named the tournaments best defenceman.
All up it was a great result for the Ice Dogs who have 5 players returning from International play and will be back with the team and fresh imports for training this week in preparation for the first game against the Melbourne Ice.
The Australian Mens team have bounced back from a 6-0 loss to Spain by beating Bulgaria 11-4 and Mexico 5-2.
Despite Spain’s control of the game from the drop of the puck it didn’t help when Australia found themselves in the penalty box, which Spain capitalised on early. Australia did gain some momemtum and started to take control in the second period until a goal was disqualified for the Aussies which proved to be the turning point. Spain ran away with the game in the third making Australia’s hopes for gold very difficult.
Against Bulgaria Ice Dogs Todd Stephenson and Anthony Wilson both had a goal each with Adelaide Adrenaline’s Wehebe Darge posting a hat trick in the 11-4 win.
Last night in front of a home crowd of 2,000 the mens team found themself taking on an energised Mexico line up. It was an Adrenaline fest with four out of the five goals coming from Adelaide players. Goaltender Matt Ezzy was superb in between the pipes helping his team weather a few intense penalty kills. Melbourne Ice’s Lliam Webster scored to make it 4-2 which proved to be critical in the win to allow Australia to escape 5-2.
Belgium’s 6-1 loss to Spain now means the Gold Medal is further out of reach for the Aussies who are now fighting for at least a Silver Medal with Turkey and Belgium left to play.
Now that 2009’s player profiles (2 minutes in the box) have come to an end, we can’t help but ask you what do you want to ask the Ice Dogs in their next player profiles in 2010.
See, there are only so many quirky questions we can come up with to ask some of the same players like what was your favourite cartoon. We have long since passed the “what famous person would you like to meet” question which has been asked a number of times over the years with same “Jessica Alba” response.
So to make next seasons 2 minutes in the box a bit more fun and entertaining comment below on some questions you would like the players to answer in their player profiles next year. That way the questions are fresh, not too quirky and you can find out what you want to know about the players.
I don’t know why we didn’t think to ask you sooner but better late than never I guess. Please note that not all suggestions will necessarily be asked in the player profile.
Thursday night Ice Dogs Clinics are off for 3 weeks as Alan Becken holds his highly respected Great Saves Goalie School at the LCC Sports Complex with the first school to commence April 6th. Alan Becken, 10 time Australian representative goaltender and head instructor of Great Saves Australia since 1996 will help you achieve your personal best through improving your technical and mental skills. Al and his team will show you save selections, reading the play, angles, current internal styles of Goaltending including situational analysis through specialised “on-ice and “off-ice training.
In Al’s assistance will be Dogs netminder Jimmy Herbert and with Ice Dogs players as Shooters for the on ice component. Over April, two schools will be held and run on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“Intensity, organisation, video analysis, great interpretation of goaltending skills and explanations. I am confident in saying that this would have been my greatest hockey experience in my years in Senior Hockey, and something I can build my game up on.” Roland Weber (National Senior Team – New Zealand Ice Hockey)
Goalie School 1: Tuesday, 6 April – Tuesday 13 April 2010
Tuesday 6th April 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm: Dryland Training
9.00 pm – 10.00 pm: On ice session Thursday 8th April 7.45 pm - 8.45 pm: On ice session
9.15pm – 9.45pm: Chalk Talk Tuesday 13th April 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm: Dryland Training
9.00 pm – 10.00 pm: On ice session
Cost = $250
Goalie School 2: Thursday, 15 April – Thursday 22 April 2010
Thursday 15th April 7.45 pm - 8.45 pm: On ice session
9.15pm – 9.45pm: Equipment presentation Tuesday 20th April 7.00pm-7.30pm: Lecture
7.30 pm – 8.30 pm: Dryland Training
9.00 pm – 10.00 pm: On ice session Thursday 22nd April 7.45 pm - 8.45 pm: On ice session
9.15pm – 9.45pm: Eye/Hand Foot Coordination Training
The season hasn’t even started and the Ice Dogs have a big win under their belt with the signing of a new major naming rights partner BANQ Accountants.
“We are very excited to have our first ever naming rights partner in Ice Dogs history” says Captain Anthony Wilson. “The support of BANQ off the ice allows us every opportunity to succeed on the ice this season and further professionalise the club and the league”.
BANQ Accountants specialise in strategic business management, financial advice, legal and more. Mr Gino Cassaniti of BANQ grew up in Liverpool and enjoys the physical contest of Ice Hockey and would like to see the sport grow further in the Liverpool Community. ”I think it is great to see a national league ice hockey team in Liverpool, especially the Ice Dogs who are doing a lot of hard work to grow the sport and we want to be apart of that” said Mr Cassaniti.
Now that BANQ are on board as major sponsors they expect nothing less than a championship from the Ice Dogs. “We are excited to get out to the games and want a repeat of 2004 now that our name is on the line” jokes Gino Cassaniti from BANQ Accountants.
“BANQ Ice Dogs…has a nice ring to it I reckon” finishes Wilson.
If your child is a registered NSW Atom or Peewee ice hockey player they are eligible to become part of the Westbus Pups Club where your Pups Club pass gets them access to all 12 Ice Dogs Home Games for the 2010 season.
Thanks to EA sports this year all Pups Club Kids who join will go into the draw to win an EA Sports NHL 10 video game! It is free to join, So mum and dad if your son/daughter is a registered Atom (under 11) or Peewee (under 13) ice hockey player, please help them fill in the form below so we can tee up their pass and give them a chance to win NHL 10 on either XBOX 360 or Playstation 3.
This season’s pups club passes also come with a free Bauer Hockey Lanyard for them to wear and being apart of the pups club will have them in the running for more cool prizes throughout the season.
Note: Players registration will be checked with Ice Hockey NSW. Your email will be added to the Ice Dogs e-newsletter list where we ONLY send you a friendly game reminder of which you can unsubscribe at any time.
Lachlan Fahmy showing off his new NHL 10 EA Sports game
Thanks to EA Sports the Sydney Ice Dogs have the highly acclaimed NHL 2010 video game on XBOX 360 or Playstation 3 to give away throughout the 2010 season. The first lucky recipients were Jack Oxlade of the Liverpool Saints and Lachlan Fahmy of the Norwest Emperors, both players who are regular attendees of the Ice Dogs skills clinic on Thursday nights.
“The NHL games on EA Sports are great, I remember playing them back when they were on Sega Megadrive and still have a bash on the XBOX these days” admits Ice Dogs forward Scott Stephenson.
“It is just a great game for kids who are passionate about their hockey and follow the NHL as they can be their idols on the game” adds team mate Shannon McGregor.
EA Sports NHL 10 is a must buy for any ice hockey player with an XBOX 360 or PS3
Atoms and Peewee players of the 2010 Pups club will go into the draw to win the NHL 10 video game on either Playstation 3 or the XBOX 360. Lastly everyone will get a chance to win EA Sports NHL 10′ at one of the games where the video game will be raffled off as a prize.
“If you don’t get end up winning the game through the pups club or at a home game it is definitely worth trading in a few old games to get” finishes Stephenson.
A big thanks to EA Sports for their support of the ice hockey community and bringing some smiles to the faces of some aspiring young ice hockey players.
Support your favourite team and get the best deal when you become an Ice Dogs Member in 2010.
Benefits of being a member
This year with a 12 home game schedule the price has been set so that member’s receive 3 home games for free. With your membership passes you can avoid the queue and we will also have your seats reserved. As Ice Dogs merchandise starts to build up member’s will also be entitled to 10% off Ice Dogs Merchandise.
- 3 FREE HOME GAMES
- SKIP THE QUEUE
- RESERVED SEATING
- 10% OFF ICE DOGS MERCHANDISE
Prices
Adult Member Price = $108.00 ($36 saving)
Child Member Price = $54.00 ($18 saving)
If your interested in becoming an Ice Dogs Member this 2010 season please fill out the enquiry form below and someone from Ice Dogs Management will be in touch with you about payment options or answer any questions you may have.
Aussie Mens team at training session with McKenna in Lithuania
Any Aussie who doesn’t know anything about ice hockey and has been watching the Olympics are all asking the same thing…Where is Australia? The year 2010 caps off a 50 year period since the Australian’s first and last Winter Olympics appearance in the 1960 games at Squaw Valley. Whilst it is great to hear Aussies on the street, office, work sites and in cafes talking about ice hockey with fascination and interest it is also tragic they are unaware that the game has existed in Australia for over 100 years.
So where is Australia? Well in 2009 the Aussie Mens team travelled to Lithuania to compete in the Division 1 World Championships which is one division below the World/Olympic Pool and the closest we have been to the Olympics in a long time. Ask any member on that team and it was an eye opener to say the least. But the great part is that Australia does produce talented ice hockey players and put them through a similar program, league and training regime similar to other European nations or even the Japanese who compete in Division 1 and the Olympics could be a closer possibility than you think. Key word in that last sentence is “possibility”. Unfortunately the last two sentences involve lots of financial support and the facilities but these are challenges not problems with the sport.
At Lithuania in front of a 7,000 people crowd
But don’t write off Aussie Ice Hockey just yet. Have some faith! The Australian Youth Team won gold for the first time in 2003 at the division 3 world championships knocking off China for the first time ever in a 6-3 win at Mexico City. 5 years prior to that the Australian Youth teams used to lose by ten goal margins to China. What was the difference? Was it the depth charts of the team of 1985-1986 born players where a spike of numbers in this age bracket was spurred along by the ”Mighty Ducks” movie…Maybe, but most likely not…or was it the fact that 5 years prior a training camp would last 2 days at a rink somewhere in Australia compared to 2 week training camps held in Canada or Europe which became the norm from 2001. This years Youth team is off to compete in Division 2 again.
The Mens team in Lithuania last year lost to third place Japan 6-0, an Aussie team that was also missing some key players to injury mind you. See a pattern here? With the right direction that 6-0 gap can be closed down to 2-0 or 1-0 and with a scoreline like that it then becomes anyones game. If Australia can find its way to being competitive in that top three of Division 1 then the Olympics and World Pool become a possibility and a scary one at that.
On top of that the AIHL are making strides every year and the league is getting better and promoted better. Melbourne just got a brand new ice facility so we are moving forward!
But I guess it all starts with the next upcoming Division 2 Wolrd Championships in Mexico City where the Australian Mens team will be looking to reclaim Gold and have another crack at Division 1 again.
So shall we aim for 2018 or 2022, or lets host the game and get automatic qualification…who cares if we get dominated at least people know where Australia is in the ice hockey come Winter Olympics!
How did you even get into Ice Hockey?Partially mighty ducks and then partially watching Wayne Gretzky’s biography “Above and Beyond” until finally Dad took me to Blacktown Ice Rink to do development league with Anthony Wilson.
What was your favourite cartoon as a kid?Pokemon
First pair of hockey skates you owned?A pair of blue Grafs
What do you do in your spare time?Muck around with Cars and bikes a lot.Go the gym.
What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? A bbq and 2 minute noodles would be my specialty.
What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? My first season as a rookie in the playoffs was a good experience.
Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up?Concentrate on your skating and work ethic is everything.
You may have seen the RSS Feed logo around on the Ice Dogs website and wondered what it is all about. Basically by signing up for the Ice Dogs RSS Feed, you are sent an email every time an Ice Dogs article is released on the website and hence you can keep up to date on the latest updates and feature stories of the team.
We know the off season has been long and the news has been slow. But that will all change as the season approaches.
This season the Ice Dogs aim to bring you more news and keep all our supporters up to date on everything that is going on with the team. The RSS Feed allows us to do just that and is also handy as you then can visit the website knowing something new is up to read about.
Join now! It is simple and gives you first wind of all the action! You can click on the RSS Feed logo on the blog home page or click the link below to sign up:
Anthony Wilson has just recently been named Assistant Captain of the Australian Side travelling to Mexico. Adelaide Adrenaline’s Greg Oddy will move in as Captain and Melbourne Ice’s Lliam Webster is the other Assistant Captain.
“I would like to congratulate Greg on his recent selection as captain. He led the Adrenaline to an AIHL championship last year and is a perfect fit for the Mens team” said Wilson.
The ‘A’ comes as no surprise to Wilson as it will be his 11th time enduring the role of Assistant Captain of the Australian side. If you didn’t read the last Ice Dogs article, Wilson joins five other Ice Dogs on the Australian Mens ice hockey team: Chris Sekura, Andrew White, Tomas Manco, Todd and Scott Stephenson.
Great News for the Ice Dogs with six players named in the Australian Mens Team for the 2010 Division 2 World Championships. Chris Sekura and Anthony Wilson are back in the fold after being unavailable for selection in 2009. Other Ice Dogs in the team are Tomas Manco, Todd Stephenson, Andrew White and Scott Stephenson.
The tournament is held in Mexico City and the squad departs for training camp April 4th. The tournament will be Wilson’s 15th international showing (he has also captained the Australian Mens team for 3 years and been an assistant captain for 10 years over this time). “Captaining the Aussies is the greatest acheivement I have had in ice hockey. I think we can win this tournament if the players show discipline, buy into whatever system we have and score” says Wilson. Although the AIHL and NST veteran won’t officially be leading the roo’s this year his leadership is definitely unquestionable. “Having Willo back in the mix is a massive boost to the National team again as we have a younger squad this year which needs a bit of guidance” says Ice Dogs Tomas Manco.
You will be able to keep up to date on the Mens team at www.iihf.com and hopefully the Ice Dogs twitter and Ice Dogs website.
So why is this big news for the Ice Dogs? “Having six players going through the Mens team camp and tough international play puts us in good stead and shape to start the season strongly” answers coach Mark Stephenson.
This years mens team will be hunting for Gold after the great taste of Division 2 gold in 2008 and being relegated from Division 1 last year in Lithuania.
Get out your diaries and your red marker because the 2010 AIHL schedule is finally here. The Great news is that the Ice Dogs will be playing 12 home games this year as opposed to the 11 like last year which means more hockey for everyone!
Out of these 12 games, 9 of them are Saturday night games so for the hockey players and sporting folk who normally can’t make it to a Sunday night game can now get to more Ice Dogs action this year.
The Dogs start out the season with their first game away in Melbourne May 1st at the new Docklands Ice Arena. This will be a memorable event as the Ice Dogs will be a part of the first ever AIHL game at this venue.
After another weekend on the road in May the Ice Dogs will then have their first 2 home games in Liverpool in a Double Home Opener Weekend as we face the Penrith Bears on Saturday May 15th followed by the Melbourne Ice on the Sunday May 16th.
Ice Dogs Memberships should be on sale by March, which will come with access to all 12 home games at a saving, reserved seating and more. In 2010, the Ice Dogs are working furiously to bring you a better supporter experience online, at the games and a better on ice product. We hope you are as excited as we are.
Number 4 is the Bike. This can be done in or out of the gym.
The Bike is great for strengthening your legs and getting a good cardio workout.
If in the gym you can actually program most bikes to do what is called Speed Intervals where you set a total time and it will divide that time into intervals. After you have set a level for first low interval and then for the second high interval it will remember the levels so all you have to do is ride.
If the bike does not have a speed interval setting not to worry. Just adjust the level to a suitably challenging level that will allow you to go at a high intensity (Above 80 RPM) for 40 seconds. After the 40 seconds drop the level to a comfortable setting that doesn’t require too much effort and stay at this level for 1-2 minutes before bumping it back up for your 40 seconds of high intensity. Do you see a pattern here. If not, heres a clue. In what activity would you go really hard for say 40 seconds to a minute and then get off and catch your breath for 1-2 minutes? (the answer is ice hockey)
Again we are training for Ice Hockey so we need to condition ourselves accordingly preparing for High Intensity shifts. The best thing about bike is you get the benefits of cardio whilst giving your leg muscles a good hard work out. The proof is hidden in a cyclists legs!!!
If your not in the gym and have a bike well then go for a ride. You could even do bike sprints in a park. Just remember to wear a helmet!
Note: It is always a good idea (and recommended by the ice dogs) to consult with a personal trainer or someone from the gym if it is your first time using the bike or any equipment for that matter at the gym. Not only as a safety precaution but also because they can provide some very useful tips. A qualified trainer is also very good as they can design a program to suit your needs and help you achieve your goals as everyone is different.
This coming Thursday night the 21st of Januaryat 7:45pm the Ice Dogs clinics are back on. The clinic goes for 1 hourand is held every Thursday night and is $25 per session at the LCC Sports Complex – home of the Sydney ice dogs.
For those who haven’t been before the clinic is run by the Ice Dogs players and hones in on building the skills of players from Atom up to Midget.
“It will be great to be back on the ice after a break and get out there with the kids and get them ready for the 2010 season” says Ice Dogs player Scott Herbert. After the clinic the invitational Junior Elite training will be back on, this time with the addition of some of the national senior team players in attendance.
The team lines up to the sound of the national anthem
Claiming two golds with in the period of one year with the Australian Youth team last March 2009 and then now with the Australian Junior team just this week Shannon Macgregor is in top form.
The Australian Junior Team started by winning their group taking down Bulgaria 11-1 and New Zealand 5-1 which led them to the semi against DPR Korea. A tight 4-3 win and promotion to Division 2 secured the Aussies found themselves against Iceland for the Gold Medal game where they were victorious 3-1.
The 18 year old Ice Dogs Defenceman found himself 10th among defensive scoring leaders with 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 games. “I am impressed to see Shannon’s performance on the stat sheet especially his plus minus tally and scoring percentage” says Dogs coach Mark Stephenson. Economical would be the best way to sum up Macgregor’s perfomance with a +2 rating, 2 penalty minutes in a tournament where Australian’s usually spend alot of time in the penalty box (sin bin) and a scoring percentage of 16.67% (2 goals off 12 shots).
Note: Plus-minus rating is when you are awarded a +1 everytime you are on the ice when your team scores, but a -1 when you are on the ice when your team is scored against. It can be used as a good measure of the defensive awareness and capabilites of players – forwards and defence.
In 2009, Macgregor elevated his game to the next level seeming more confident at the AIHL level and has the ability to lift his game a few more levels if he keeps up the hardwork and learns from his fellow Dogs D-corp.
Strength and Conditioning Coach Sam Brewer running a few combos with Todd Stephenson
I know we were trying to reveal ways to improve your ice hockey without being a member of a gym, but this activity was one we just had to mention.
Now boxing is good for ice hockey and no it isn’t because of the fighting. Most gyms have what is called a boxfit class. “These boxfit classes will really test out your fitness and are great for your ice hockey as you run through punching combinations at intervals of between 40 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the combination or exercise which is quite similar to a hard working shift out on the ice” says strength and conditioning coach Sam Brewer.
Check in with your local gym and give it a try. Brewer goes on to say “Nothing to be afraid of with a boxfit class because you are not physically fighting or sparring and all sorts of people are giving it a go i.e. Mums, Dads and all ages”. Once you have been to a few classes you will see that if you have a set of boxing gloves and pads you can run through some combinations with a friend in the park or even your backyard. So I guess you don’t have to be a consistent member of a gym to do this exercise so it does keep in theme with our 10 ways segment.
A qualified personal trainer can easily take you through a boxing session and give you a real workout.
Boxing is great for discipline and upper body strength and endurance, so you will find it not only benefits your fitness on the ice but probably give your shot a boost as well.
We won’t give you any examples of punching combinations or a program as it does need to be communicated visually and verbally and by a professional to be done properly.
As the long and tough 2010 AIHL season rapidly approaches West Hoxton TAB has joined forces with the Sydney Ice Dogs.
This mutually beneficial sponsorship will see West Hoxton TAB be able to access the rapidly growing Ice Hockey community who may or may not be aware that they can have a bet on the NHL with TAB Sportsbet. Whilst the Sydney Ice Dogs gain some monetary help with the rigours of the 2010 season.
“I wasn’t aware that you could place a bet on any NHL game through TAB sportsbet and I have been playing the game for over 15 years now. So I guess it is a very fitting partnership” says forward Scott Stephenson who visited West Hoxton TAB just the other week to seal the deal.
“The Ice Dogs do alot of work with the ice hockey community all year round so it is also nice to help them out with a sponsorship” explains TAB agent Peter Azzopardi (pictured to the right above).
For those adults out there who like to gamble responsibly and have a bit of fun by betting on the NHL be sure to stop in at the West Hoxton TAB and support the company that supports the Ice Dogs.
Most of us were at the beach or watching the cricket on Boxing Day whilst 18 year old Ice Dogs defenceman Shannon Macgregor was on a plane with the Australian Junior (Under 20’s) team heading to Orangeville, Canada for training camp.
The Junior Team is currently preparing for the Division 3 World Championships which kicks off in Istanbul, Turkey January 4th.
The Australians will be facing off against New Zealand, Iceland, Turkey, Bulgaria, DPR Korea and Chinese Taipei. The team looks pretty solid and in with a chance of claiming gold (knock on wood) which would be Macgregors second at a division 3 level after winning last year with the Youth team.
“It would be nice to bring home another medal, but just have to take it one game at a time. We have got the team to do it” admits Macgregor.
Ice Dogs coach Mark Stephenson is excited by Macgregors selection “Shannon had a good AIHL season this year and this experience at an international level will help step us his play again”.
For updates on how the Junior Team is going at the tournament simply go to www.iihf.com.
This Thursday December 17th will be the last Ice Dogs clinic for 2009 before the clinic resumes back on Thursday January 21st 2010.
The Ice Dogs would like to thank all kids and their parents for coming out to the clinics throughout the year and hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we have.
Also in case we forget, a big merry christmas to not only our clinic and our pups club but to all our supporters as well
Part of the Kamloops Trio, Galbraith played both Defence and Forward to help the Dogs
2 MINS IN THE BOX WITH JAMIE GALBRAITH
Position: Forward/Defence
Age: 21
Height: 5’11
Weight: 79kg
When did you start playing hockey? 4 years old.
How did you even get into Ice Hockey?My Mom and Dad, Hockey was always a part of my life.
What was your favourite cartoon as a kid?The Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Power Rangers.
First pair of hockey skates you owned?Plastic Micron’s, from what I remember.
What do you do in your spare time?Work and hang out with friends as much as possible.
What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook?Gourmet sandwiches are probably my specialty.
What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date?I’d say our first Aihl game.Just meeting everybody, winning the game and scoring the first goal was awesome.
Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up?Learn as much as you can every day and have a lot of fun while your doing it.
Favourite Music: Can’t name just one, I will listen to almost anything.
TJ Eason in 03' with his Memorial Cup winning team the Kitchener Rangers
If you didn’t catch the 1st edition of “where are they now”, we caught up with ex-imports Cam Kuzyk and Lanny Ramage not to worry. You can find the article in the Ice Dogs Blog section.
This edition we flashback to 2006 when import Mike Tobin entered the Australian Ice Hockey League for the Dogs halfway through 2006 and made twice the impact. Notorious as an ice hockey heavyweight not to be messed with, he definitely gave the Ice Dogs room to move, leadership and his time back to the ice hockey community.
Mike Tobin playing for the Ice Dogs in 06' at Ice Dogs old home venue the Blacktown Ice Arena
But best of all, he was a class act and despite his ability to make a mess of opponents if he wanted to, he didn’t run around like a maniac as other heavyweights who have come to Australia to play ice hockey have.
Mike Tobin’s pro hockey career began back in 1997 with the El Paso Buzzards of the WPHL. Notable stints at the Oklahoma City Blazers of the CHL in 1998 where he recorded 4 goals and 33 assists and 177 PIMs in 78 games played, as well as, The Flint Generals of the United Hockey League where Tobin notched 2 goals 17 assists and 129 penalty minutes in 79 games played in 2004.
A few of the Ice Dogs bumped into Mike at their Australian team camp in Ontario back in April this year where he had just finished playing a tournament and was on his way back home. “Mike really enjoyed his time in Australia and is interested in coming back and playing for the Ice Dogs again one day, so we will have to wait and see” tells Captain Anthony Wilson.
Speaking of Ontario that brings us to T.J Eason. Eason played 4 season’s of Major Junior in the OHL, starting in Peterborough before being moved to the Kitchener Rangers in a trade that exchanged fellow Ice Dog import and friend Jimmy Gagnon to Peterborough. In 2003, he won the Memorial Cup with the Kitchener Rangers on a team that boasted many NHLers such as Derek Roy (Buffalo), Steve Eminger (Anaheim), Mike Richards ( Philadelphia’s current captain) and David Clarkson (New Jersey).
Can you spot TJ in this picture. A few clues are he sported a moustahce and is number 26
From there T.J secured a scholarship with the Acadia Axeman which his where he teamed up with Jimmy Gagnon as well as where he met their goalie Lanny Ramage. “T.J really moved the puck up ice well and had a great on and off ice presence” explains coach Stephenson. “He also had pretty wide and flattened shin pads, which was for shot blocking…something that made me laugh but when you think about it is very handy on defence” continues defenceman Tomas Manco.
After the Ice Dogs T.J took his impressive resume to the CHL in 2007-2008 where he played for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees where he put up 5 points and 87 PIMs during the season in his rookie CHL year.
T.J and Jimmy Gagnon also visited some of the Ice Dogs at their Australian Team training camp in Orangeville Ontario at the start of 2009 as both are back living at home in Canada pursuing their careers.
“I think we had more stories to tell that year than we have any other..those guys were a hoot” says Wilson with a smile on his face. ”We wish them all the best and hope to bump into them one day soon”.
By following your favourite ice hockey team on Twitter you can keep up to date on recent Website updates, latest scores and all recent Ice Dogs news. The Ice Dogs of course will “follow” you back i.e. add you back.
If you don’t have twitter joining is easy just sign up at www.twitter.com and we will be happy to be your first follower!
Sprints are great for ice hockey as they assist you in building explosiveness in skating when starting as well as the added cardio benefits and fitness. A park down the road with a level field of grass is perfect for sprint training. Jogging to the park is actually a great way to warm up for your sprints. Take 5 markers or something that can be used to identify where to run to and place one at your starting point. Then every ten metres place down a marker til you have reached 40 metres. Simply take ten large steps and you should have roughly ten metres mapped out. See first diagram.
Quick sprint workout:
Exercise 1:
Sprint to the first marker(10m) and walk back
As soon as you get back to the start sprint to the second marker(20m); walk back
Sprint to the 3rd marker(30m) and then walk back;
Sprint to the 4th marker(40m) and then walk back
Rest for 1 minute
Repeat 3 times
Exercise 2:
Sprint 40 metres and walk back x 3
Rest for 1 minute
Repeat 2 times
Exercise 3:
Sprint to 1st marker backward sprint back to start
Then sprint to 2nd marker and backward sprint back 10 metres back to first marker
Then sprint to the 3rd marker; backward sprint to the 2nd marker;
Then sprint to the 4th marker; backward sprint to the 3rd marker and sprint back to the 4th marker
Rest 2-3 minutes
Repeat once
Exercise 4:
Sprint from start to first marker and back continuously for 20 seconds all forwards
1 minute rest
Repeat 3 times
Exercise 5:
Warm down by jogging to 4th marker and walking back
Then full body stretch
If you have any good ones you would like to add as there are plenty more out there please feel free to comment below. Remember to warm-up with some light jogging before sprinting for at least 5 minutes and to warm down as above with some jogging and a really good stretch.
Ice Dogs Forward Scott Stephenson shaking hands with Westbus CEO Jim Glasson
The Ice Dogs would like to extend a big thank you to one of their 2009 major sponsor’s Westbus, for supporting the Sydney Ice Dogs and the Pups Club.
Every year Westbus continuously give back to the community and in 2009 they decided to invest in the often neglected ice hockey community through the Ice Dogs and the Pups Club. The Pups Club is made up of registered ice hockey players in the Atoms (under 11) and Peewees (under 13) age grades around Sydney, who receive free passes to all Ice Dogs Home Games.
The purpose of the Pups Club aligns with the Ice Dogs mission statement which is “to retain the youth of the game, by providing a pinnacle they can aspire to”. “The most important thing to come out of the AIHL and Ice Dogs at the end of the day is that kids come to the games with their families and stick to the sport, because they want to play at that level in the future” says Captain Anthony Wilson. Wilson goes onto say “It is great to find a partner like Westbus who not only understands this, but shares the same vision”.
In 2010, the Ice Dogs are looking to take everything to the next level, including the Pups Club. “We want to give more to the younger players who come to the Ice Dogs games” says forward Scott Stephenson. “We want to have the Atoms and Peewees playing games in our intermissions, receiving free posters and go that extra mile beyond letting them have first dibs on broken sticks (and even complete sticks sometimes). It is just a matter of setting up the infrastructure over the off-season to grow the Pups Club”.
So thanks again to Westbus and if you live in the Western Sydney area and are looking for a public transport alternative please check out www.yourbus.com.au and help support the company that supports us!
How did you even get into Ice Hockey? When my family moved from Vancouver to Kamloops, hockey was the sport to play so my parents just signed me up.
What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Duck Wing
First pair of hockey skates you owned? A really old pair of cooper skates
What do you do in your spare time? Back home I go to University, but now that I am in Australia I pretty much workout and play hockey.
What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? Bacon and egg Mcmuffin with cheese and a glass of milk, if that counts.
What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? Scoring my first AIHL goal
Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Work hard at training because that is where you get better, and become a fan of the game and try to pick up little things from other players around you or on TV that can make you better and put those nuances in your game.
With the NHL a week into action overseas and running over the course of an Aussie off season the timing couldn’t be any better whilst you prepare for next year. Number 7 is watching the NHL this summer and watch not only becuase you enjoy watching ice hockey but because you can actually learn a lot. Why? Cause they are the best ice hockey players in the world. You could pick up a new move that you can start practising, even use it as a bit of motivation to work harder.
“I tend to watch what the center’s are doing positionally all around the ice from defending in their own end and acting as a support for the defenceman to how they forecheck and apply pressure to the opposing team in their end” reveals center Scottie Herbet. “Even how they approach face-offs”.
Now there are a few ways an aussie can keep up to date with the NHL action. Firstly, anyone can go onto www.nhl.com and watch highlights and even livestreamed games. Secondly, if you have foxtel. Fox sports plays at least two games a week. Go to www.foxsports.com.au and check it out. Thirdly, if you know a friend who has foxtel, get them to even tape a game for you.
This is probably the easiest and most enjoyable out of our 10 ways to improve your ice hockey this off-season. Number 6 is sprints. We will also detail a sprint program that you can use straight away.
Back to the essentials before we get to the real good stuff! If you have just joined us last week we looked into bodyweight squats and the week before that we reviewed the importance of flexibility to your Ice Hockey. This week is nutrition! It takes a lot of discipline and is easier said that done.
Number 8: Nutrition
Why is nutrition important? Well if you want your hard work off the ice to pay off, a well balanced healthy diet is key. There is no point doing sprints and a big cardio workout to follow it up with a big mac and a six pack of nuggets (no offense Macca’s and we know you now have a healthy choice menu – and infact you just got a free plug).
Your body needs the right fuel to perform at it’s best. This also becomes a big test of discipline, avoiding those vending machines and choosing a banana over a packet of chips. Now we won’t go into specific’s into what you should eat exactly as everyone is different but lets cover some basics on what you should be working on.
a) Three big meals breakfast, lunch and dinner with healthy snacks in between such as Muesli bars and fruit. Alot of people avoid breakfast which as most know is the most important meal of the day. Wake up earlier so you can make sure you don’t miss it due to rushing out the door.
b) Avoid junk food. This is a general rule and easier said than done believe me. But if you can make this a general habit, you are going a long way.
c) Water. Everyone knows that you should be drinking 1-2 litres of water a day. Hydration plays a big part in ice hockey, especially on game day! Drink plenty of water the day before and on game day so you are hydrated to help your endurance and stamina in the game.
Everything is about making good habits, like we mentioned with flexibility. Do whatever you can to avoid the junk food, maybe even think of them as an opponent trying to stop you from winning the championship next season.
Also a big good luck to club teams going into finals next weekend.
Now if you missed last week, Number 10 was flexibility. You can always find the article here on the blog however so don’t worry. Now although this is a count down to the best exercise we wanted to throw in a wild card to break things up a bit.
Number 9 – Body Weight Squats
Now Squats would be up the top when it comes to an exercise outside of the gym and off the ice that can really help your skating and power. But as we mentioned earlier we wanted to give you some juicy stuff early. As you can see in the photo’s when performing a squat your knees should not extend out past your toes as this is bad for your knees. You will also see that you are not lifting any additional weights.
It is also important to keep a proud chest and straight back as shown in the photo’s as well. Start out light maybe with a set of between 20-40 and see how your legs feel. Try 50 a day for a week and then maybe increase your load a bit each week*.
“I have seen a great benefit to my hockey when doing squats. I also remember when Alex D’Jamirze (an ex-ice dog) came back from overseas and he was just flying around the ice. I asked him how he had increased his speed and he was doing up to 500 squats a day!” recalls Scott Stephenson.
Squats will not only help your speed out on the ice but also contribute to further stability.
Remember to keep up your stretching as well, you might be a bit sore after the first few days of bodyweight squats.
*Ice Dogs recommend consulting with a professional i.e. qualified personal trainer, on the workload of squats you should be doing.
This article is for all you young aspiring ice hockey players out there without gym programs. The AIHL season is over and the Dogs are already back in the gym getting ready for 2010! As your season draws to a near this might come in handy for your off-season. We have tried to come up with 10 ways that require minimal time in the gym for all those who don’t have a gym membership.
Each week we release one new way to improve your ice hockey off the ice counting down from 10.
Number 10: Flexibility
You kids might think stretching is boring but have you ever realised that one of the biggest factors stopping any athlete from reaching their full potential is injury. All that hard work gone to waste because you didn’t make time to stretch.
Ideally you should be stretching everyday especially the older you get and the more you start working out. “I separated my collar bone when checked into the boards playing junior in Canada and the doc pinned it down to my inflexibility as a major contributing factor” explains Scott Stephenson. ”Because I neglected stretching when I was younger I am now facing all these issues that will take me even longer to reverse”.
By increasing your flexibility it actually increases your range of motion which will benefit your stride and your shooting power! Try to make a habit of at least doing a couple of stretches when you wake up and before you go to bed in addition to stretching after every work out and training.
“Flexibility is important, I think back to Australian Youth and Junior teams and so many players would be pulling groins as there body was not ready for the increased 2 a day trainings at camp. When guys are off the ice, it tends to let the team down” adds Dogs Defenceman Tomas Manco.
So make the habit of stretching now as we drip feed you with exercises over the next 10 weeks to improve your ice hockey. We don’t want you getting injured now do we!
Whilst other imports have returned to their homeland, Canadian Jamie Galbraith has decided to stay longer to experience the warmer version of Australia as we head into spring but more importantly to help coach the younger kids. “It has been a lot of fun at the clinics this year helping the kids out with their skills and getting to know them better” says Galbraith. “To then see them at our games and talk to them after the games and about the game at the clinics is really cool”.
Galbraith working with Christiarn
Every Thursday the Ice Dogs hold a skills clinic for kids Atom aged up to Bantam and Midget. Although the clinic costs $25, all funds raised from the clinic go to running the Ice Dogs and keeping it alive. The clinic this year has been an absolute success as the kids get to not only learn off the Ice Dogs players but the Ice Dogs and young Pups get to know each other better.
Scottie H teaching Matty how to shoot
“It basically aligns with what we are doing with the Westbus Pups club where Atoms and Peewees receive free passes to our games, along with the clinics it helps us achieve our mission statement which is to keep the younger kids in the sport and a pinnacle they can aspire to” explains Ice Dog Scott Stephenson.
The Ice Dogs players themselves don’t get any individual financial benefit from giving up their time to coach as all funds go to the team. “We have had some great feedback from the parents but I have also noticed a massive improvement in most of the players from when they first started the clinic at the beginning of the season” admits Galbraith.
The Dogs will be continuing to run the clinic over the off-season so that other clubs whose training clashes on a Thursday night can benefit from the clinic. In addition to giving back at the clinic, the Ice Dogs have made at least 50 appearances to minor hockey club trainings across Sydney over the past 2 seasons voluntarily despite their heavy AIHL training and game schedule.
Toddy with Conner Lee
“The ability of the Ice Dogs to interact with the young players at both their AIHL games & at these training sessions not only allows the young players to mix with their heroes but also shows them that there is a path to senior ice hockey if you are prepared to work hard” tells parent Peter Azzopardi. “An insight into the Ice Dogs dedication to their young players for me happened when the kids asked Todd Stephenson to come out to one of their games and sure enough he made it out to their 7:00am game when he could of been in bed happily sleeping”.
The Ice Dogs would like to wish all minor hockey clubs the best of luck as they head into finals in the coming weeks.
For our first edition we check in on Canadian Imports Cam Kuzyk and Lanny Ramage.
Back in 2006 the Ice Dogs acquired an AIHL teams dream (in regards to imports) when they picked up Cam Kuzyk who not only had an impressive resume playing for the University of Alberta Golden Bears and in the CHL but had already lined himself up a job in his profession as a physiotherapist.
Kuuz (pronounced Kooze) “was a character guy on and off the ice” recalls Todd Stephenson. “It was pretty funny as he was struggling to score at the start of the season and the first goal he did score was in a shootout and didn’t count, he turned it all around pretty quick though” adds Stephenson. Kuzyk did turn things around finishing in the top ten scoring with 9 goals and 27 assists for 36 points in 26 games.
Take points out of the equation and his work ethic and change room presence alone was an incredible attribute to the team.
After the Ice Dogs Cam and his lovely wife Danielle returned back home to Edmonton, Canada and have recently had a beautiful baby boy named Caden Kuzyk. Who knows maybe a future international future recruit in the making?
Lanny Ramage was another import who came to Australia the following year in 2007 with a stunning resume. Setting records in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winterhawks in his junior career he then went onto Acadia University under scholarship. It was at Acadia that Lanny met Jimmy Gagnon and T.J. Eason which resulted in all three travelling to Australia to play for the Dogs.
“Lanny was really quick in the net and could make that second and third save on a play that most goalies struggle with” remembers current goaltender Jim Herbert. Unfortunately Ramage left the Dogs with three weeks remaining in the season to finish off his last semester in Acadia.
In the 2008-2009 season Ramage played for the Rapid City Rush in the CHL recording a save percentage of 0.898 and GAA of 3.50 in 25 games.
The Ice Dogs would like to thank both Cam Kuzyk and Lanny Ramage for making an impact in the organisation and wish them all the best for the future!
How did you even get into Ice Hockey? My older brother was a hockey player and I followed in his foot steps
What was your favourite cartoon as a kid? Teenage mutant ninja turtles
First pair of hockey skates you owned? A really old pair of cooper skates
What do you do in your spare time? I have a job for premier parking
What is the best meal you can cook? Can you even cook? Kraft dinner
What has been your favourite Doggies moment to date? Scoring my first AIHL goal
Do you have any advice for the youngsters coming up? Work hard and have as much fun as you can, that is the best way to learn. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it, believe in your self that is the best learning tool.
Favourite Music: Michael Jackson
Favourite Car: Escalade
Who was your first crush on? Sharon Lockwood (HaHa inside joke)
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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