Ice 3 @ Bears 2 (SO)

With the Sydney Bears fresh from a 8-6 goalfest win against the Melbourne Mustangs and the Melbourne Ice running riot against the Sydney Ice Dogs 11-1 the previous day, Sunday August 9 was the last home game of the 2015 AIHL season at Penrith Ice Palace.

 

 

The Ice were basically confirmed as in the top 4 for the AIHL Finals at this point. Results the day before helped the Bears climb back to 6th, the 3rd game of the series was going to be very important. The Bears had defeated the Ice 6-4 in both games this season with Jaden Pine-Murphy in net for the Ice. On this occasion, import Alex Leclerc would get the start.

 

 

Period 1 was hard and fast with the opening goal not coming until just under 3 minutes to go. Ales Padelek and Spencer Austin provided the lead up to the goal with Joe Harcharik being Joey on the spot and taking advantage of a Leclerc rebound from close range. 

 

 

Half a minute later, Bears captain Michael Schlamp headed to the penalty box after an interference call. After a lot of pressure from the Ice's powerplay units, Schlamp had just stepped onto the ice in time to see Ice forward Jason Baclig getting past Bears goalie Kamil Jarina. With 6.42 seconds remaining in the period, the scores were again equal.

 

 

The Bears' second goal occurred just after another penalty. In another interference call, Adrian Esposito returned from his own penalty to give the Bears the lead again in the 4th minute of the second period. Both teams were giving everything they had however no goals came as a result. The lead could have changed several times without the services of Jarina and Leclerc.

 

 

Into the third period, one could be forgiven for wondering when the game was going to open up. One moment in time could be enough to change the game. With 13.33 remaining in the game, such a moment happened. Seemingly safe, the puck bobbled off the glove of Jarina and into the back of his net. The scores were again tied.

 

 

Locked at 2-2, both teams had ample chances to break the deadlock. The Bears had a couple of powerplay chances since the equaliser but they could not get past Leclerc. The Ice could not get through Jarina. Even a delay of game penalty against Leclerc after he fired the puck into the grandstand (penalty served by Marcus Wong) was not enough.

 

 

2-2 at regulation would see both teams head to a shootout. Unfortunately for the Bears, their 3 shooters could not light the goal lamp. The last time the Bears won a shootout (against Perth Thunder in Perth), Joe Harcharik nailed the puck home. This time, he was denied. A frustrated Tomas Landa was denied. A desperate glove save by Leclerc denied Cameron Todd.

 

 

At the other end of the ice, the Ice failed to get past Jarina with their first two shooters, Tommy Powell and Matt Armstrong. With the game in the balance, Jason Baclig ended the game just how he started it for the Ice. The grandstand was stunned in silence after the shot while the Ice bench cheered loudly with the shootout win. 

 

 

After the game there was another loss but this one would provide the Bears faithful with a surprisingly joyful moment. Defenceman Paul Bond was having his beard shaved off for beyondblue, a charity which raises awareness and support for male mental illness and depression. His teammates and fans gathered around him, lightening up a sombre mood. Together with the fans, Bond raised over $1700 for the charity in a few days.

 

 

Reflecting on the game, goaltender Kamil Jarina commented that both teams played very hard. "Today, they (Ice) were more lucky than us.We played hard and gave it everything. And I hope the fans enjoyed the game."

 

 

The easy going Czech import has loved playing in the league in his first season down under and in front of the fans, especially at Penrith Ice Palace. "I enjoy it here. I like everywhere so I don't have a problem with this. Everywhere you can meet nice people". 

 

 

Fellow Czech import Ales Padelek also had thoughts about the game in his own matter-of-fact way. "It was a tough game. We led the game like 2-1, then they (Ice) got the goal 2-2. Penalty shots (shootouts) are 50/50, so we just lost. It's a shame." Padelek's plan for the next 4 games is simple. "We have to win everything."

 

 

The last home game for the season did not end the way that the Bears faithful wanted. With finals hopes now all but gone, the 6th place Bears head on the road for the rest of the regular season with matches against the Sydney Ice Dogs (August 15), Newcastle North Stars (August 16), Melbourne Mustangs (August 22) and Melbourne Ice (August 23). 

 

 

Story - Eric Brook

Photo - Injected Ideas Photography