Brisbane Battle 2 V Ice [3-1 Loss]

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After a hard night at Iceworld Boondall and their 3rd consecutive shootout, Sydney Bears and Melbourne Ice traveled south to Iceworld Acacia Ridge for the second Brisbane Battle on Sunday 15 May. While the arena has a lower crowd capacity, the venue was again full of keen hockey fans.


The game barely had time to settle with the Ice opening their account in the first 90 seconds thanks to an unfortunate deflection into the back of the Bears net. 

2 minutes later, Brent Vandenberg hit back to tie the scores with assists from fellow imports Ryan Annesley & Geoff Irwin. Neither team could add to their tallies for the remainder of the first period and the whole of the second. Both teams were battling hard with no result. Both goalies were standing on their heads. The Ice really boosted their shots in the second period.

Interestingly, there were a lot of penalties in period 2 with no goals but very few penalties in the third period. Two unanswered Ice goals in the third period saw the Bears end their weekend with a 3-1 loss. The pace and the skil level on neutral ice - unfamilar to most players on both teams - was spectacular. Both games thrilled the local fans and the interstate fans that traveled to support their teams.


The Bears next face defending AIHL champions Newcastle North Stars at Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday May 21, keen for a win in front of a full Bearsden.

Story: Eric Brook
Photo: Tania Chalmers Photography