Preview: Bears v Thunder

With 3 weekends of the AIHL regular season remaining, Bears are now out of finals contention. This weekend the team plays one game against Perth Thunder at Penrith Ice Palace on Sunday August 7.

The two teams last met at Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday 23 July. Thunder won the game 4-2 after 3 goals in under 90 seconds were costly for the Bears in the third period. After this weekend, Bears travel to Perth next weekend for a double header and complete their series against Thunder.

At the start of the weekend, Thunder are in 3rd place on 43 points from 22 games (12-6-3-1) and play the 2nd place Newcastle North Stars the day before in Newcastle. Bears are on 25 points from 23 games (4-11-5-3).

Last weekend Bears travelled to Newcastle and lost 5-2 on Saturday. On Sunday at Penrith Ice Palace, Bears staged a 3rd period comeback but went down to CBR Brave 6-4 in an exciting finish. In Perth, Thunder hosted Sydney Ice Dogs and swept the weekend (3-2 Saturday, 6-3 Sunday).

After this game, Bears play Thunder twice in Perth next weekend before returning home for their final regular season games against Melbourne Mustangs (Saturday August 20) and Adelaide Adrenaline (Sunday August 21). 

Leading Bears in all goal scoring departments is Tomas Landa (12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points) with Cameron Todd (10 goals), Nic Kawasaki (9 goals) and Michael Schlamp (8 goals) close behind. Meanwhile for Thunder, Bears will need to focus on scoring leaders Ben Breault (20 goals, 20 assists, 40 points), Michael Dorr (15 goals, 22 assists, 37 points) and Jessyko Bernard (14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points).

The battle of the goaltenders will again be of interest between Thunder's Thomas Heemskerk (2.60 GAA, .925 SV%, 15 wins) and Bears' Anthony Kimlin (3.25 GAA, .904 SV%, 7 wins). The last time the two teams met in Penrith, the first 2 periods was a real battle between the two goalies. 

Puck drops at 5pm on Sunday August 7 at Penrith Ice Palace.

Bears Live audio stream on air at 4.30pm. 

Story: Eric Brook

Photo: Injected Ideas Photography