Post Game Report: Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues Vs Canberra Knights

Saturday: Blue Tongues Home Opener Success!

The Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues opened their 2010 season with a home game double header against rivals, Canberra Knights with a packed out crowd on Saturday afternoon.  Armed with new import players, the Blue Tongues took to the ice at Bundall Iceland. Returning goaltender Luke Fiveash, an ex-Knight himself, started between the pipes in what was expected to be a clash of the titans.

The Knights were the first to get on the scoreboard, with Jordan Gavin getting the puck past Fiveash halfway through the first period. Import centre Dallas Constanzo evened the score 3 minutes later. Gavin, however, answered back for the Knights a mere 15 seconds later. The Blue Tongues were not to be outdone in the first, with import forward Mike McRae netting one past the Knight's import goaltender, Ryan Lowe to take the teams tied at 2 to the first intermission.

The Blue Tongues were the first to score in the second period when local player Jon Bale sank the puck past Ryan Lowe. Before the Knights could answer, the Blue Tongues got a 2 goal lead when Dallas Constanzo got his second goal of the night. Jordan Gavin scored his hatrick for the Knights to close the gap to 4-3. But the fans were once again on their feet a minute and a half later when Blue Tongue local Tom Letki extended the Gold Coast's lead to 5-3. The Knights managed to close the gap once again when Luke Phillips got their fourth goal past Fiveash with just over 3 and a half minutes left in the second. The score at the second intermission remained at 5-4, with the Blue Tongues in the lead.

In a fevered battle for possession in the third, the fans were also treated to some big checks not just against the board but also on open ice. It was the Knights to strike first and even the score 5-all thanks once again to Jordan Gavin. Just under 3 minutes later though, the Blue Tongues crowd nearly cheered the roof off the rink when local player Dan Pederson took on the Knights Captain, Mark Rummukainen, stripped him of the puck and sailed the puck past Ryan Lowe unassisted in what had to be the goal of the game. Defending their 1 goal lead for 7 and a half minutes, the Blue Tongues celebrated on the final siren of the game for their first win of the season, and on home ice.

Sunday: Knights Defeat Blue Tongues At Acacia Ridge

The Canberra Knights looked like a different team to those that have faced the Blue Tongues in the past when they took to the ice at the first of two games being played at Acacia Ridge IceWorld in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon to yet another full house.

The Blue Tongues were determined to send the Knights back to the ACT pointless, and this showed in the first period when local player Jack Connor scored the only goal of the first period. More open ice checks from Dallas Constanzo thrilled the crowd as the Blue Tongues battled with the Knights for puck possession throughout the game.

In the second period, the Knights dominated, scoring 2 goals in just over 6 minutes (Sean Scarbrough and Garret Delaquis respectively). Blue Tongues local Alex Boyd tied the game with just under 6 minutes left in the second period. Garret Delaquis scored his second to give the Knights a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Or it would have been, until Dallas Constanzo tied the game again 3-3 with only 38 seconds left in the second period.

The last minute goal should have given the Blue Tongues a boost going into the third period, but the team seemed a little fatigued on the bigger sheet of ice at Acacia Ridge than they would have at their home ice at Bundall. Knights' Garret Delaquis scored an impressive three more goals in the third period, taking his total for the night to 5. The Blue Tongues could only add one other goal with just under 2 minutes left in the game, Alex Boyd getting his second of the night. The Knights took away the 3 points on offer, the game ending 6-4.

The Blue Tongues have a bye next weekend and then face the Adelaide Avalanche at home, Bundall Iceland, on Saturday 15 May, 2010 and Sunday 16 May 2010. Both games start at 4pm. Tickets are available at the door.