A long off-season finally came to an end as top line Australian hockey returned to the Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday 19 March. The first game of the pre-season Wilson Cup featured the Sydney Bears and Sydney Ice Dogs. The competiton also features the 2015 Wilson Cup & Goodall Cup champions, Newcastle North Stars.
While the Bears were in the Wilson Cup Final against the North Stars in 2015, the Bears are coming off a mixed season in the AIHL. After a slow start, the team recovered to be as high as 4th before dropping to 7th by season's end.
Meanwhile, the Ice Dogs are looking to rebuild after a horror 2015 where they did not have a regulation win during the regular season. A shootout win against the Bears was the only addition to the Dogs' ladder last year.
All teams are preparing for the 2016 AIHL season in different ways. As usual, the two Sydney teams had traded some personnel between the teams during the off season. Despite tryouts and training sessions, this would be the first time to play for the season under match conditions. While training is good, match conditions would be the place where combinations can be tested.
In front of a good crowd, the match started with the Dogs having a lot of the opening play. The Bears defence did not have to wait long to get into the action. The offence took longer to fire with limited chances early. It was hard for the Bears to attack with a lot of time being spent defending their own net.
A combination of passion and pre-season timing being out meant that the penalty box volunteers were being kept busy for both teams. This would give the special teams plenty of time together on the ice. There were several promising passages of play however promises does not equal goals. Missed passes, missed chances, missed checks and close calls were common but the action heated up as the game went on. With more game time, the combinations will become more used to each other during the Wilson Cup as players float in and out.
With 40 minutes of running time hockey completed, no one had scored by the end of the second period. Despite this, there was plenty for the fans to look forward to for the final period and the rest of the season. There was a lot of action on and off the puck for people to watch out for. Intensity was increasing by the minute.
Early in the third period, the deadlock was broken thanks to a top shelf shot from close range. Bears captain Michael Schlamp opened the scoring and would soon score again to give the Bears a 2-0 lead, again at close range. Lamp lit twice and an earlier missed chance off the post with a wide open net, Schlamp was always in the thick of the action.
With the clock winding down, the Ice Dogs managed to find the Bears net for the first time in 2016. Goal scorer would turn into penalty box occupier for former and now current Ice Dog David Dunwoodie. He was one of several players in the match to be wearing a different uniform to the 2015 season.
Wearing Bears jersey 19, former Ice Dog Brian Funes was making his first appearance as a Bear. Proving that the name on the front is more important than the name on the back of the jersey, Funes was heavily involved all over the rink. Giving the team options in both defence and attack, he also provides additional size and muscle.
Making his debut for the Bears, Geoff Irwin was able to celebrate a late goal to seal the win for the Bears late in the period. The players were celebrating. The fans were celebrating. The scoreboard increased by a goal. However, the goal was denied due to a Bears player in the goal crease. Irwin was denied this time but it will be the first of many celebrations for him during the season. Cameron Smith was also impressive on debut with a high work rate despite meeting the team for the first time pre game.
In the shadow of the final siren, former 2015 team mates Funes and Ice Dog Kevin Harvey took each other on in the corner against the netting. Several punches were thrown with both players given a 21 second early mark when order was restored by the officials. This 21 second early mark was academic for this game but will have an effect for following games.
A pleasing win for the Bears with a 2-1 win is a good start for the 2016 season. There is a long way to go however early signs were positive for both teams. The following day, the Ice Dogs defeated the Newcastle North Stars 5-1 at Liverpool as the 2015 champions started their season.
The Wilson Cup competition pauses for Easter. The following weekend, the Bears host the North Stars on Sunday April 3 at 5pm. Following this, the next weekend is spent on the road with games in Newcastle (Saturday) and Liverpool (Sunday).
Report - Eric Brook
Photo - Injected Ideas Photography
MUSTANGS
BRAVE
ICE
THUNDER
RHINOS
NORTHSTARS
ADRENALINE
LIGHTNING
