The Melbourne Ice defeated the Sydney Ice Dogs 7-1 in a feisty encounter at the Liverpool Ice Rink on Saturday night.
The Melbourne Ice spoiled the Sydney Ice Dogs home opener by piling on four goals in the second period to run away with the game in front of a big home crowd.
“It’s always good to get the points up here; you always have to battle for them,” Ice Coach Brent Laver said. “The score might have looked one sided, but if you look at the game stats, like the shots on, it was a lot closer than the final score.”
Both teams pushed the tempo and physicality from the opening faceoff, which meant there was a steady stream of players to the penalty box, as both sides swapped power play chances.
Melbourne’s power play unit dominated on the night, converting four of eight chances, including a five-on-three late in the third period, while the Ice Dogs’ power play was able to convert one from six with the man advantage.
“With some of the boys being overseas (representing Australia), it’s been hard to get continuity on the power play,” Laver said. “With the guys back, we’re starting to get that continuity now and it really showed tonight.”
Danish import Lasse Lassen got the visitors on the board midway through the first period and the Ice held a 1-0 lead heading into the first break.
Melbourne’s offence went into over drive in the second period with Jason Baclig scored a shorthanded goal, followed by goals to Chris Wong, Joey Hughes and a second to Lassen.
Melbourne net minder Troy Davenport was on top of his game, stopping 27 of 28 shots on the night, including several memorable diving saves to deny what looked to be certain goals.
Ice Dogs head coach Vlad Rubes reflected on a disastrous second period.
“The Ice scored a shorthanded goal and followed it up with two more quick goals,” Rubes said. “They (the Ice) beat us with experience. They have a lot of guys who’ve played together for a long time and they capitalised on their chances tonight.”
The home crowd found their voice in the third period, when Ice Dogs forward Grant Tomlin beat Davenport to record his first AIHL goal.
But Tommy Powell and Jack Carpenter also scored for the visitors to cement Melbourne’s 7-1 win.
Despite the lope sided score line, the fans at Liverpool were treated to quality game of hockey.
“To see lots of people at the game cheering is always good and we hope to keep it that way,” Rubes said.
Next week, the Ice Dogs are at home, taking on the Newcastle North Stars on Saturday night before the second Battle of Sydney on Sunday at Liverpool Catholic Club Sports Complex. Meanwhile, the Ice hosts the Adelaide Adrenaline in a double header at O’Brien Group Arena.