Brisbane Battle 1 V Ice [3-2 SOL]

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Sydney Bears traveled to sunny Brisbane to re-introduce Queenslanders to live AIHL hockey, hosting Melbourne Ice. Each day of the weekend of 14/15 May featured the two teams at different rinks in Brisbane. Saturday's opening encounter was played in front of a capacity crowd at Iceworld Boondall.

The game would be the AIHL featured game on Fox Sports for the weekend (to be aired on Fox Sports 4, Thursday 19 May at 4pm). This is the Bears' first appearance on Fox Sports for 2016.


The two teams played hard all weekend and the pace and intensity was high. Despite almost constant pressure at the Ice net, the Bears had no goals to show for their efforts in the first two periods. Ice's goals, one in each period, came against the general run of play. 


Bears struck back with the only two goals of the second period. Ryan Annesley scored the first goal on the powerplay. The goal was a good reward for his hard work and a recovery after he earlier suffered a cut to his face late in period 2. He received a stray skate to the face but was able to complete the game and the weekend after medical treatment.


Tomas Landa scored the second Bears goal to tie the score 2-2 in the dying stages of the game. Neither team could break the deadlock in the 2 minutes after the Landa goal. 


Now in their third shootout in as many games, Bears forwards Geoff Irwin and Billy Cliff could not secure the shootout win while the Ice converted twice. 


Despite outshooting the Ice 32-22, the Bears would end day 1 of the Brisbane Battle with a shootout loss and 1 competition point. After this game, both teams had been in 3 shootouts each. Bears are still looking for their first regulation win while the Ice remained undefeated.


There was a lot of passion and excitement in front of a large crowd. Both teams spent very little time over or under strength.The large crowd - a mix of interstate and local fans - enjoyed their taste of live AIHL hockey at Boondall. Many people would return the following day for the battle between the two teams at Iceworld Acacia Ridge, south of Brisbane.


Story: Eric Brook
Photo: Tania Chalmers Photography