Game Report Sunday, 28 June Blue Tongues Vs Sydney Bears

With both teams dressing two lines, you know there would be a battle to the end.  Brad Smulders started the game off with winning the opening face off, and it looked liked the momentum was going to go with the Blue Tongues.  Yet, the Bears were able to get on the board first.

At 10:35 in the 1st period Vladan Stransky had a pass across the ice from Vlad Rubes giving Vladan the net to shoot at on Blue Tongue goalie Luke Fivash’s glove side.  The goal did not stun the Blue Tongues; within a shift the team was able to continue working hard in the Bears end.   

The penalties began as Ben Maher was taken to the box for hooking at 5:55 in the 1st period.  Shortly after, Paul Shumak received an interference penalty on the face off with Brad Smulders at 5:35. This put the teams on 4 on 4 for 1:40 to go.  The Blue Tongues had several great chances to score while on the 4 on 4.  Chris Martin skated in alone after receiving a pass from Brad Smulders, yet was unable to hit the net.  As the penalties came to a close, Jonny Bale jump the bench too early and the Blue Tongues were charged with a penalty for too many men on the ice (Ben Maher served the penalty).  The penalty expired and the Bears did not register a shot on goal.  Yet, 3 seconds later Daniel Shaw of the Bears was able to jam one home after a swift rush making the score at the end of the 1st period 2-0, for the Bears.

The Blue Tongues did not let the goals affect them, and came out hard in the second period.  The Blue Tongues were winning battles and cycling the puck well causing the Bears to draw a hooking penalty at 9:35 by Brett Nelson-Bond.  Another face off win from Brad Smulders in the Tongues offensive zone allowed the team to cycle the puck from Henrik Ivarrson to Brad Smulders then to Andre Selander to take a shot from the dot to beat Daune Davis through the five hole at 9:28.

The hard work continued for the Blue Tongues and paid off when another penalty was draw on Steven Adams for hooking down Jonny Bale at 7:57.  The Blue Tongues were unable to capitalize on either of theire 2 shots.  The penalties continued for the Bears as Adrian Esposito was called for interference at 2:17.  The Blue Tongue pressure continued and was to much for Daune Davis to control as Andre Selander scored his 2nd goal of the night as if it was instant reply of the first goal.

The third period had begun with Ben Spillane picking up the puck in the offensive zone and chances continued for the Blue Tongues, when Chris Martin had a great opportunity to give his team the lead but was hooked by Sydney Brett Nelson-Bond at 11:25.  The Blue Tongues managed to get 4 shots on Davis, but Davis continued to come up big. More penalties for both teams yet either team was able to capitalize, as the penalty killing was too strong.  Either team was able to score before the end of 3rd period, so the game went to a shootout.

The shootout began with Blue Tongues Andre Selander deeking out Davis on the blocker side. The Bears followed with Vladan Stransky beating Fivash low on the blocker side.  With it tied up 1-1 Brad Smulders stepped up and tried to go blocker side on Davis, yet missed the net.  Next was Vlad Rubes to try his luck yet was denied keeping it 1-1 in the shootout.  Blue Tongues Henrik Ivarrson made it 2-1 with his shot on Davis on the blocker side. In order to keep the shootout a live Brett Nelson-Bond would have to score, which he did by deeking Fivash.  Going into a sudden death shootout both teams were able to go back to the same shooters that were used in the first three shots.  Andre Selander was looking for his second shootout goal, but Davis came up big and saved the shot from Selander when trying to go for the five hole.  Vladan Stransky would take the win for the Bears by beating Fivash on a deek that enabled him to just slip the puck pass the goal post and Fivash’s skate.

The Blue Tongues line up again next weekend with games both Saturday and Sunday in Melbourne.