Game Results: Sunday Vs Canberra Knights

Apoogies for the delay the writer and team had big trip back from Canberra yesterday with a bus trip from Canberra to Sydney and then plane from Sydney to the Gold Coast.

The boys had a great weekend winning 5-1 and 3-1, and jumping to second place from fourth. Newcastle lead the table which is fine, however only 5 points separating 2-5 on the ladder. (Note: 3 points for a win). Blue Tongues have 32 pts, then Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney Ice Dogs are on 27, however Adelaide have 4 games in hand and Melbourne 2. So with 6 games remaining for the Blue Tongues still too close to call for the final four.

Last Sunday Luke Fiveash closed the gate on former teammates as the Canberra Knights penalised themselves to a loss.  The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues went to Canberra several men down, however the short bench did not seem to affect the Blue Tongues, as Coach Kevin Sands continues to find the right players to play together.   Brad Smulders centred Dave Upton and Andre Selander while, Ross Howell centred, Marco Bertossa and Jonny Bale.  On defense it was Chris Martin, Henrik Ivarsson and Cam Trew who rotated with each other.  Also a flu ridden Ben Maher was called on when needed.

Canberra began the game with vengeance looking to steal 3 points from the Blue Tongues.  Yet, they were unable to produce the first goal.  At 12:37 in the 1st period, Blue Tongues line of Upton, Selander and Smulders put the Blue Tongues ahead by one.  Brad Smulders battled in the corner to free up the puck for Dave Upton, who then passed it to Andre Selander, who in return put the moves on the goalie to shoot and score.

The battling continued throughout the first.  At 5:38 David Batho went to the box for slashing when the Blue Tongues were breaking down the ice to penetrate the Knights zone for a potential scoring opportunity.  It wasn’t the Knights goalie, Ryan Lowe that had to come up big on the power play, but Luke Fiveash who had to make a diving save to keep the Blue Tongues up by one.

The adrenaline was pumping for the Knights as the penalty kill was ending.  They continued their rough play, causing Chris Martin to answer back with 2 seconds remaining to draw a roughing penalty.

The Blue Tongues started the second period shorthanded, but only allowed one shot during the Knights power play.  It was an end to end battle during the second period with both teams shutting each other out.

The third period was a fight until the end, and the Knights were kept motivated by the large Phillip Ice House crowed backing the Knights.  The Knights seemed to have “dress the post with a jersey” as the Blue Tongues continue to ring it.

The Blue Tongues were able to avoid the post and score at 7:32 in the third period.  Brad Smulders won the faceoff to Dave Upton who jammed one home.  The Blue Tongues were 80% on faceoffs for the night.

The Blue Tongues were putting on the pressure to close the game, causing the Knights to draw a penalty. Sean McNeil went in the box for two many men on the ice.  The Knights tried to argue, which caused Mark Rummukainen to take it too far and received a 10 minute misconduct and a game misconduct.  The upset Knights did not stop there as Aaron Clayworth tried to hit the referee with the puck, which cost him a game misconduct.

It looked as the game would come to a close with the Blue Tongues finishing the game on the powerplay.  But, the Knights were able to get a shorthanded goal at 1:26.  Craig Sanders got a breakaway goal as he picked up his own rebound to score.

With the score 2 to 1 Blue Tongues, the Knights had a chance to even it up with 48 seconds remaining.  The Knights came close but ringed the puck off the post.  The hope came to an end for the Knights, as the Blue Tongues sealed the deal with 35 seconds left. The knights turned the puck away to Brad Smulders who made the score 3 to 1, to close the game.

The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues now head to Adelaide this coming weekend to take on the Adrenaline in what are sure to be the games of the year for theBlue Tongues.