Coaches Report: Must Win Games This Saturday & Sunday

Well after two shoot-out losses last weekend in front of great crowds and fan support at Iceland, Bundall, this weekend's games Saturday and Sunday against the Sydney Bears has added importance.

As a group we have looked at last weekend's games against last year's champions, the Newcastle North Stars, and there are far more positives than negatives (outside of the disappointment) to come out of those two losses. We continue to outshoot the opposition, we are on level or above par to the perenial top team in the AIHL, and the boys continue to come together as a cohesive team. The one major change we need to make this weekend is improve on our discipline after a penalty is called, we picked up two many misconducts last weekend which hurts when we are running with such a lean roster.

For as well as we played last weekend , the bottom line is we need to put wins and points on the board so we can achieve our goal of a final four finish and a berth in the National Finals weekend. So this weekend, albeit early in the season is very important for us to achieve the above goal. With that in mind we cannot take the Bears lightly and will need to be at the top of our game both defensively as well as offensively to be successful.

This weeks line-up sees the addition of #17 Matt Stubbert a former Blue Tongue import who has received permanent residency, Matt's experience and maturity will be a nice addition to the # 96 Dave Upton, and # 19 Trevor Walsh forward line

#30 - Luke Fivash - Goalie- who had over a .900 save percentage last weekend will get the start Saturday. Luke played well last weekend and needs to continue to freeze the puck at every opportunity.

#1 - Marl Paulsen - Goalie- will back up Luke.

#27 -Ross Howell - Defense- "C" Ross continues to anchor the defence and has showed great leadership ascaptain of the team.

#8 - Cam Trew - Defense- Cam played well when given the opportunity last weekend.

#44 - Don Burke - Defense- Don continues to improve fitness wise, he needs to keep his emotions in check.

#21 - Chris Martin - Defense- "A" Marty played well on Sunday (his only game last weekend) and chipped in with a timely goal, he will play both games this weekend.

#88 - Henrik Ivarsson - Defense- Henrik played well on Saturday (his only game last weekend), he will play both games this weekend.

#96 - Dave Upton - Forward-  "A" Davey played well last weekend, he needs to bear down when the scoring opportunities he creates present themselves.

#19 - Trevor Walsh - Forward- Walshie performed well when on the ice last weekend in his first two Blue Tongues games, scoring in each game, the team needs Trevor on the ice and in the game.

#16 - Jack Connor - Forward- Jack played well with limited ice last weekend, he will be seeing duty at centre this weekend.

#22 - Marco Bertossa - Forward- Marco will play with Jack over the weekend, Marco continues to play good sound hockey.

#5 - Ben Spillane - Forward- Ben will see action up front with Marco and Jack over the weekend.

#14- Tino Sandhu- Forward- Tino impressed with his offensive skills last weekend, the team is waiting for Tino to break out goal wise, Tino will see action Sunday ( Due to import numbers)

#7 - Andre Selander- Forward- Andre will move back to forward Saturday after last weekend's stint on defence when he picked up the Blue Tongues number one star for his weekends efforts. Due to import numbers Andre will sit out Sunday's game.

#10 - Jon Bale - Forward- Jonny continues to impress with solid hard hitting two way hockey, Jonny is due for a couple of snipes this weekend ad will get the opportunity with Brad and Andre on Saturday.

#9 - Brad Smulders- Forward-  Brad continues to lead the team offensively and will be counted on again this weekend to do so.

So come out and cheer on your Blue Tongues to victory this weekend