Perth Thunder (2-4-0-0 6 PTS) vs Sydney Ice Dogs (4-1-1-1 15 PTS)
Perth Ice Arena – Malaga – 4:30PM
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Perth Thunder returns home for only their second home-game weekend of the 2013 AIHL Season.
In 2012, the Thunder went 1-7 in the opening eight games of the season. With wins this weekend, the team has a chance to build to a 4-4 record and start challenging for a top four position on the ATC Productions Ladder.
When the Thunder opened the season at home nearly a month ago, the team had a very different composition than it does now. The expectation throughout the organisation was that the opening few rounds would be a tough grind for the team, especially when opening the season with back-to-back games against the 2012 champions, Melbourne Ice.
While the Thunder might still sit at the bottom of the ladder, most people around the league view this team as a legitimate threat and this is the weekend that Thunder has to start showing it. As Stan Scott said following last weekend’s defeat at the hands of the Ice Dogs:
‘there are no more excuses’.
Speaking with Stan Scott in the lead up before the game: ‘The Ice Dogs are always a challenge. They’re a well-balanced team with a great work effort.’
‘I’m keeping an eye on Anthony Wilson. He’s a fantastic local player and one of the best defense men in the competition. Couple him with [goaltender] Kimlin and it makes the Ice Dogs a tough team to score on’ said Scott, when quizzed about some of the key Ice Dogs players to watch.
Scott didn’t appear to be overly concerned during the team’s final practice of the week. ‘The new guys are really looking to turn it up this weekend. [Michael] Forney wants to put on a show in front of the home crowd and I think that [Matt] Strueby is going to bounce back now that he’s had a chance to get some rest and acclimatise’.
The Thunder is still trying to find an identity, after having to change from a defensive system, to a run-and-gun style of play as different players have rotated through the squad. With the full roster set to take the ice this weekend, we asked the coach which team we’re likely to see.
‘Definitely an offensive team. With the speed and skill we have on the top lines, you would be silly to not let them loose. You’ll see a very hard fore-checking team this weekend and we’ll be looking to create lots of opportunities in their zone’.
New imports, Michael Forney, Joe Tolles and Matt Strueby hit the ice for the first time in Perth. All three players looked great last weekend and will really give the Ice Dogs a test this weekend. Brad Young is back after his suspension and Andrew Cox stepping out onto home ice for the first time this season.
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We asked Andrew if he was looking forward to playing at home again:
‘Definitely. The home crowd is really great and when you hear the fans cheering you on, it really gets your adrenaline pumping. After two away weekends in away, it’s great to get home and have our fans showing a lot of support.’
Andrew has 1 point over the last four games for the Thunder. When quizzed about his scoring, Cox said ‘You know, my role on this team is a little different this year. We have so much talent up front, that my focus is really more on checking hard and keeping the puck out of our net.’
Who is Andrew keeping his eye on ‘The Stephenson Brothers [Scott and Alec] are great local players and always give me a challenge. I like playing against Billy [Cliff] too, but we won’t see him until Sunday.’
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The Ice Dogs travel to Perth this weekend and will be looking to repeat the result they had last weekend when Anthony Kimlin recorded his first shutout of the 2013 season. The team will be without Billy Cliff for the first game against the Thunder this weekend as he serves his one-game suspension for fighting.
Matt Puntereri and Simon Barg have been impressive for the Ice Dogs this season and lead the team with a combined 25 points. They were the sole goal scorers in last weeks win over the Thunder.
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The game starts at 4:30PM (WST). Click here to buy your tickets.
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