Bears @ Thunder [G2: 2-1 Loss]

Sydney Bears completed their Perth road trip with a tight 2-1 loss against the Perth Thunder on Sunday 14 August at Perth Ice Arena. With the scores tied 1-1 with the clock running down, Thunder scored a heartbreaking goal to seal the win with 43 seconds to go in the game.

Both teams were backing up from the grinding 2-0 victory by Thunder the previous afternoon. Play started in a similar way to the previous day with the first goal being a powerplay goal to Thunder with 3.34 remaining in the second period. Again, both goalies were putting on a goalie clinic although the shooting rate was reduced from the day before.

Bears finally got on the scoreboard in the first 3 minutes of the final period. Cameron Todd took advantage in front of lead up work from captain Michael Schlamp and Nic Kawasaki. 

With the game rapidly heading for a shootout and no need for the Bears to rush to the airport, Thunder scored a heart breaking goal with 43 seconds to go in the game. This resulted in the Bears leaving Perth with 0 points despite the Bears putting in a large amount of work in defence all weekend. 

Bears return home for their final weekend of the AIHL season with games against Melbourne Mustangs (Saturday) and Adelaide Adrenaline (Sunday). All three teams can not make the AIHL Finals however both games will be competitive.

Story: Eric Brook

Photo: via AIHL