In a very bruising encounter, both teams came out firing on all cylinders, creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities.

But it was the visitors who took the lead midway through the first period, with Gold Coast assistant captain Matt Amado picking up the puck from just inside the blue line and firing a slapshot along the ice to open the scoring.

The Bears replied after the break through assistant captain and coach Vlad Rubes, who netted a goal in the top corner from right in front, levelling the scores.

A penalty-riddled second period saw tempers flare on both sides, and the Blue Tongues regained the lead in the last minute on a powerplay through forward Alex Boyd.  

However, the Bears again equalised through Rubes from a stunning assist by Dutch import Tony Demelinne, and grabbed another minutes later through assistant captain Brett Nelson-Bond.

In a see-sawing game lacking momentum or flow, both teams traded goals throughout the rest of the third period, leaving the game locked at 5-5 with just over four minutes to play.
 

But it was the Blue Tongues who held their nerve to snatch victory from the Bears with two late goals from Amado and forward Tobias Falk.

Bears captain Michael Schlamp described the game as “very messy”, and said the chances of his team making the playoffs are almost gone.

“The flow of the game was really poor due to penalties, so it was really hard for either side to gain any momentum”, he said.

“We’ve played really well but haven’t been able to get the right result, and in the end that’s the difference between us and the top four teams.”

The Habitat Furniture Three Stars of the Game were"

1. Laurie Mock
2. Daniel Shaw
3. Jim Zvonicek 

The Bears host the Newcastle North Stars at Penrith Ice Palace on Saturday 9th July at 5:00pm. 

Article by: Huntley Mitchell