Perth, WA – In their home opener, the Thunder came out guns-blazing against the 2012 champs, but cooler heads prevailed as the Melbourne Ice took their second win of the season against the home side.
On paper, this result was always the safe bet, but someone forgot to tell Perth Thunder, as the home team played a punishing first period. Finding space, throwing bodies and clogging up the neutral zone, the Thunder looked every bit as convincing as they did the last season, even with the departure of a number of key imports. After an easy victory over the Mustangs last week, the Melbourne Ice could be forgiven for thinking they could cruise into Perth and pick up an easy six (6) points, but they certainly looked stunned throughout the first 15 minutes of the game.
Early into the second period the Ice opened the scoring, with new signed Ice Import, John Gordon firing home a shot from the point. The 28-year-old Canadian would tally two more before the end of the game to record his first hat-trick in the AIHL. While he say’s a hat-trick is always fun to grab, its not all about the goals “I’m an offence man and in every game you play to win but I don’t keep count of the goals. It is a bonus though,” said defenseman.
Hughes would add another one for the Melbourne Ice before Thunder forward, Liam Jeffries, would knock home a loose puck midway through the 2nd period. Jeffries is in his second year with the Perth Thunder and saw considerable ice time during this game. The goal woke the Thunder and the crowd up, but it wasn’t to last, with Gordon netting his second just a few moments later. Thunder Goalie Michael Smart played hard to keep the lead close, in his debut for the Thunder and the Period finished 1-3.
During the 2nd period break, Perth Thunder Assistant Coach Chris Kostopoulos said ‘…the energy in the locker-room is great, the players are happy with their play so far. We’re still in this’.
The third period opened with a quick goal to Gordon, completing his hat-trick for the game and creating an up-hill battle for the chasing Thunder. However, the rest of the game would be a defensive battle for the Thunder, as the team started taking a number of careless penalties. Midway through the period, penalties to Hoffman and Young created a 5-on-3 chance for the Melbourne Ice. With nearly 90 seconds of advantage, the Ice move the puck round the boards and high slot, but couldn’t find the lane they were looking for. Jordy Kyros put on a penalty killing clinic, as he shadowed the point-men for the entire kill.
The Ice would score again – this time Armstrong netting the goal – before promising Thunder forward Jonathon Bremner rifled a big shot from the point during a rare Thunder powerplay to make the game 5-2.
The extra five minutes of playing time in the third period was enough for the Thunder to mount a come-back, but given the lack of key imports Michael Forney and Dean Moore, as well as local roleplayer Andrew Cox, the Thunder took a lot of positives from the game.
The Thunder host the ice again on Sunday and have a chance to try and snatch some points from their opening weekend.
by Paul Kelly.
© Photo: Paul Kelly – Shutter Speed Designs