Bears @ ADL (Game 1, 6-2 Win)

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Sydney Bears escaped the rainy weather at home on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 June for a series in Adelaide against the Adelaide Adrenaline. Missing captain Michael Schlamp & goaltender Anthony Kimlin through suspension, the team were upbeat before the game.


On Saturday, new import Nic Kawasaki opened the scoring midway through the first period. Adrenaline replied shortly after on the power play to tie the game 1-1.


The Bears scored twice in 19 seconds in period 2. Brent Vandenberg nailed his shot closely followed by Cameron Todd. A 3-1 lead at the end of the second period was nice however the job was not completed.


Approaching the midway point of period 3, the Adrenaline scored their second power play goal to narrow the margin. From that point, however, the Bears were not headed with another goal to Vandenberg and 2 further goals to Cameron Todd. Todd's latter power play goal was during the Bears' first power play of the game. 


The entire team did their jobs from the back of the ice to the forwards. James Downie returned from Canada mid-week and slotted into the position vacated by Anthony Kimlin with a high quality performance, saving 34/36 shots. At the other end of the ice, the Bears placed 45 shots on goal at Adrenaline goalie Peter King.


With the Bears winning 6-2, the first win of the season in regulation time was worth celebrating. Celebrations would be relatively short before the second game of the weekend the following day.


Story: Eric Brook
Photo: Adelaide Adrenaline