State of Origin on ice

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.

2010 Home Opener against the Penrith Bears

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

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

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

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

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

The Battle of Sydney

This weekends lineup

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

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

Goalies
Jim Herbert
Alan Becken

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

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.

Game Reviews

Last weekend the Ice Dogs took to the road defeating the Adelaide Adrenaline 3-1 on the Saturday night before flying to Melbourne to lose to the Ice 4-1. Both games were in front of packed out crowds as it was the final home game for both teams before they playoff against each other next weekend in the Finals series in Newcastle.

The Dogs played smart and kept out of the penatly box against a high flying Adrenaline outfit capitalising on their opportunities to take a 2-1 lead after the first two periods. Both goals came from the combination of Todd Stephenson and Imports Jamie Galbraith and Matt Monaghan. Monaghan put the final nail in the coffin giving their line one goal each in the match.

A fight between Ice Dogs Defenceman and ex-Australian team defenceman Adelaide’s Luke Thilthorpe gave the home town something to cheer on as the two players duked it out blow for blow before the Dogs walked away with victory.

Sydney were unable to take the same approach against Melbourne. Despite shutting the Ice out 0-0 after the first period, it didn’t take long for Melbourne to start picking up steam and taking advantage of some inexcusable Ice Dogs errors.

Unfortunately for the Ice Dogs they were unable to make the playoffs this year but they won’t be taking off to the golf course in a hurry “We are definitely dissappointed with the outcome of this season. We have to come back next year better prepared and ready to play” admits goaltender Jimmy Herbert. The Ice Dogs will be in the gym furiously as some players wait for Australian team invites and others are preparing to settle the score come next April when it all starts over again.

Game Review

Close But No Cigar

The Sydney Ice Dogs clawed back from a five goal deficit in the first period to score five unanswered goals and tie the game, forcing a shootout where the visiting Adelaide Adrenaline escaped with the shootout win 6-5. With the playoffs out of reach for the Ice Dogs there was nothing left but pride on the line which was put to the test when Adelaide went on a scoring spree putting Sydney deep in the doghouse five goals down.

“It wasn’t the best start to a game and we were far from playing our best hockey which we addressed in the change room after the first period” explains Todd Stephenson who scored the first goal in the Ice Dogs comeback. Not far behind Stephenson was team mate Scottie Herbert who notched the second goal from a set-up by veteran Chris Sekura.

Of course no comeback would be complete with out a bit of good old fashioned mongrel. “When we started finishing our body checks and getting under their skin, it opened up the ice and allowed us more room to attack the net” explains Jamie Galbraith who sniped the third goal to leave the second period at 5-3 in favour of Adelaide.

By the third period the LCC Sports Complex was on the edge of their feet cheering their Dogs on as Stephenson and Galbraith both put up their second goals of the night. The Dogs could have won the game in regulation time when Import Matt Monaghan hit the puck out of mid air into the net, but the goal was disallowed due to a high stick on the play leaving the game to end in a shootout.

One of Australia’s best forwards Greg Oddy scored on the first shot of the shootout for Adelaide and despite Jimmy Herbert’s two big saves afterwards the pups failed to score on their end allowing Adelaide to salvage the win.
Next week the Ice Dogs are on the road to Adelaide and Melbourne to complete the season.

Game Preview

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

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

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

Game Review

Dogs Knock Down Northstars

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

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

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

Scottie Herbert after scoring the game winning goal.

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

Game Preview - Double the points, Double the Action

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

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

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

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

Game Report

Melbourne 5

Sydney 3

Game Review

Double Trouble For Ice Dogs

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

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

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

Game Preview

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

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

Game Report

Icedogs 5

Bears 2

Game Review

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

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

Finish your weekend on a high.

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

The Gold Coast Derby

Last year the Dogs faced the Northstars in a derby three times in a row, heating an already fierce rivalry. This year it is the Gold Coast Bluetongues the Dogs are facing three in a row as the Dogs travel to the Gold Coast this weekend for a double header clash before the Tongues are in town June 27th on a Saturday night.
This clash is as important as ever for Sydney as the Gold Coast sit above them in the standings and a few head to head wins will thrust the pups back into the top four. The last win over the Bluetongues is a distant memory as Gold Coast defeated Adelaide twice in a row two weekends back, showing they are ready and firing.

Make sure you come to the next home game June 27th Saturday night at 5pm.

You are always in for a good game of ice hockey whenever the Ice Dogs and the Northstars face off. A rivalry that has existed since the early part of the millennium, the two teams have met in the finals on three occasions with the Ice Dogs only managing to claim victory one of those times in 2004.

Aside from the heated rivalry, the Ice Dogs have slipped down to fourth in the standings as the Gold Coast Bluetongues managed to defeat the Adelaide Adrenaline twice last weekend. The pups didn’t have any games last weekend and will be facing Canberra on Saturday June 13th in Canberra before taking on the Northstars at home on the Sunday.

Newcastle currently sits at the top of the standings and two wins will be necessary for Sydney to close the gap on Newcastle and remain in the top four. Captain Anthony Wilson will hopefully return to the line up as he recovers from a groin injury.

Make sure you bring a jumper and some mates and cheer on the pups this Sunday June 14th at the LCC Sports Complex. Puck drops at 5pm.