Bears V Mustangs [2-1 Win]

Sydney Bears started their final weekend of the 2016 regular season with a drught breaking 2-1 win against the Melbourne Mustangs at Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday August 20.

This game was a stark contrast to the previous weekend's games in Perth. There was physical play by both teams but shots on goal were hard to come by. In the first period, there were 9 shots in total (Mustangs 6-3) and one Bears powerplay late in the period.

Mustangs scored the opening goal of the game in the 5th minute of period 2 in what was another period of a low shot count. Nic Kawasaki finally got the Bears on the scoreboard with a goal on a breakaway with 26 seconds to go in the period to tie the game 1-1.

Billy Cliff scored what would be the game winning goal in the 6th minute of the 3rd period. This goal gave the game the final 2-1 score in favour of the Bears. Shot production did not increase greatly in the third period.

Bears had not won a game since their victory against the Mustangs in Melbourne on July 16. It was also only their second regulation time win at home (last regulation time home win was against Sydney Ice Dogs on July 2) of the season. A win at home delighted the fans and the playing group.

Story: Eric Brook

File Photo: Injected Ideas Photography