A classic Australian Ice Hockey League rivalry kicked off the Sydney Ice Dogs weekend as they defeated the Penrith Bears 5-1 last Saturday in Penrith, before the Canberra Knights rode into town to steal a 3-2 shootout victory at home in Liverpool on the Sunday.
Left to Right Ice Dogs Captain Anthony Wilson (maroon) lines up against Canberra’s Finish Import Marko Raita who ended up with the game winner in a shootout.
It has happened twice now this season where the pups have sealed victory in the first of a doubleheader weekend to fall short on the Sunday night. Despite outshooting the Knights 36-10, they could not seem to finish the job in regulation time. This worked in Canberra’s favour as their new Californian Goaltender Ryan Lowe was hot and with the majority of the play spent in Canberra’s end the ice was pretty scrappy and not the best to manoeuvre in a shootout. Canberra’s Finish import Marko Raita scored first in the shootout and that was all it took to win as Lowe shut out all three Dogs shooters for the win. “We played solid defensively which is something we stressed after last weekend, but this weekend we didn’t capitalise in front of their net” added Australian and Ice Dogs defenseman Andrew White.
Ice Dogs Captain Anthony Wilson and American import Matt Monaghan line up for a faceoff as Ice Dogs Goaltender Jim Herbert prepares in the background.
Next Saturday night will be an intense and physical rematch between the Penrith Bears and the Sydney Ice Dogs at LCC Sports Complex in Liverpool. If you ever wanted to check out an Ice Hockey game this would be the one. Game starts at 5:00pm, Adults entry is $12 and Kids entry is $6 and be sure to wear a jumper at the game!
