Preview: Battle Of Sydney 4

For the final time in the 2016 regular season, the Battle Of Sydney between the Sydney Bears and Sydney Ice Dogs will be held on Saturday July 2 at Penrith Ice Palace. The last time the two teams met, the Bears won in a shootout 4-3 (SO) at Liverpool on 28 May. The Ice Dogs won the opening 2 games of the series, game 1 in regulation and game 2 in a shootout.

Both teams are currently outside of the Top 4. Bears are in 6th position with 15 points from 14 games (1-6-5-2). Ice Dogs are in 8th position on 12 points (3-10-1-1) from 16 games.

Last weekend, the Bears travelled to Melbourne for the first time in 2016. On Saturday, they defeated the Ice in a shootout 4-3 (SO). On Sunday, they went down 4-2 against the Mustangs in a controversial ending which included the Bears given 81 penalty minutes in the last 7 minutes of play in the 3rd period. Both games could have been won by the Bears in regulation.

Meanwhile, the Ice Dogs played 2 games against the Newcastle North Stars. On Saturday, they lost 5-1 in Newcastle and lost 5-2 on Sunday at home in Liverpool.

This game is the start of a busy July for the Bears with a road trip to Newcastle the following day and a home double header (Mustangs on Saturday, Adrenaline on Sunday) the following weekend.  

The game starts at 5pm at Penrith Ice Palace. Tickets are available online or at the door. Audio livestream Bears Live commences at 4.30pm

Story: Eric Brook

Photo: Rev William Stewart