The Perth Thunder defeated Melbourne Ice 5-4 in a thrilling shootout victory on Saturday afternoon at the Medibank Icehouse.
The visiting side held a commanding 4-2 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, but goals from the Ice’s Matt Armstrong and alternate captain Tommy Powell forced a shootout, with Perth emerging the victors after a lengthy battle.
Scoring for the Thunder were Jordan Kyros, Stuart Stefan and a double for Justin Fox.
Melbourne had four individual scorers in Lliam Webster, Jason Baclig, Matt Armstrong and Tommy Powell, but after taking 46 shots to Perth’s 17, it could be said that the Ice didn’t do enough.
Thunder head coach Stan Scott was pleased with the outcome and praised his team’s effort in finishing the season on a high note.
"It was a good game,” Scott said. “We took our chances and they took theirs and it was played in good spirits. Every time we step out on the ice we want to play our best, and sometimes it doesn't happen. We've had a bit of bad luck through injuries and suspensions - a few things that didn't go our way - but we'll always play to win.”
"I like the Melbourne Ice, I've got a lot of respect for them, and they’re a great organisation. But if they want to win the finals, they have to earn it, and going into the finals this is the best challenge for them; by giving them a competitive game. We could be doing them a favour; you don't want to go into the finals on the back of easy games."
The opening period was one of continuous, free-flowing play, with only one penalty called, one of six in the game. While it wasn't a particularly impressive showcase of finesse, it was clear that both teams were hungry even though their 2014 seasons had been set in stone, as Melbourne were set to play finals the following week and Perth were playing their final two games of the regular season.
Perth Thunder import Justin Fox was first to score, taking on Ice defenders straight to the net and scoring on goalie Jayden Pine-Murphy on the stick-side halfway through the period.
Looking lively early for the home side was the rookie-of-the-year nominee Jeremy Brown, showing his offensive flair. Brown teamed up with Todd Graham in the second to help captain Lliam Webster midway through the second period to tie up the game.
For such a close game, there were plenty of opportunities but the game exploded with under two minutes remaining in the period. Nine seconds into a penalty kill, Jordan Kyros caught Ice defenders asleep and exposed Pine-Murphy, scoring stick-side for a shorthanded goal. Seconds later after taking a second penalty to go five-on-three, Thunder import Justin Fox scored a second shorthanded goal for the visitors.
Action was not over for the period as Jason Baclig claimed one back for the Ice, scoring top shelf on the power play to bring the home side within one.
The climactic final period was aggressive, with Melbourne coming out hard on the defensive end, bringing a physical presence known on the ice. The Thunder played determined, consistent hockey and showed great patience in attack.
Stuart Stefan gave the Thunder a 4-2 lead 10 minutes into the final period due to a costly defensive turnover, leaving Pine-Murphy exposed again.
It was the combined efforts of two leaders within the Ice that willed their side back into contention. Matt Armstrong had been active all game, but left it until eight minutes remaining to score from the blue line, high blocker, bringing Melbourne within one.
Next was alternate-captain Tommy Powell with another power play goal, scoring through the five-hole along the ice, tying the scores 4-4 with just over five minutes remaining.
Going into the shootout, both teams knew that their goalies are strong assets for their respective sides, and that this shootout wouldn’t be over quickly.
Goalie of the year nominated Matthieu Dugas was brilliant for Perth all night, especially when it mattered.
The shootout went for the duration of six shots a piece, with Powell scoring the lone goal for the home side. Thunder’s Andrew Cox scored straight after Powell, but it was Ric Del Basso scoring the game winner followed by a rather impressive goal celebration that has now gathered national and international coverage.
Melbourne Ice assistant coach Johan Steenberg praised the efforts of Thunder goalie Mathieu Dugas, who is in the running for goalie of the year.
"They [Perth Thunder] have a really good goalie in Dugas,” Steenberg said. “As a goalie coach, it's fantastic to watch someone of his calibre. The goalies in this league are great, and they all have different strengths and weaknesses, but not all of them are capable of doing what he can do. He can read the puck very well, and is extremely quick."
The Melbourne Ice hosted the Thunder again on Sunday.
The 2014 AIHL Finals begin next week on Saturday 30th August, with the Ice playing in the second semi-final against the CBR Brave. Get your tickets at http://www.trybooking.com/93613.
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