Captain Michael Schlamp had a brief explanation for the result, "We were really behind the eight ball from the get-go, and it snowballed on us," adding that, "It was a poor team effort today, and everyone is pretty frustrated."

Notoriously The Bears enter the game with plenty of momentum, and it seemed not much had changed with imports Kurtis Dulle and Tony Demelinne terrorising The Ice goal early with some fluent passing and skating. However The Ice drew first blood taking advantage after The Bears lost Spencer Austin to a penalty. The Ice capitalised again soon after, Joey Hughes scoring in a crowded net after The Bears were once again disadvantaged losing Coach Vlad Rubes to a penalty.

The Ice used the second period to continue to advance, increasing their advantage early when Greg Sturrock shot through a once again crowded net. The Bears showed moments of brilliance, Kurtis Dulle and Michael Schlamp working together swiftly to try and create opportunities to score, but The Ice machine was relentless, four goals by the end of the period making for a frustrating period for The Bears.

Despite the certainly unassailable lead, The Ice barely relaxed in the final period pushing ahead and scoring two more goals for the night. Tensions boiled over when a scuffle emerged after Glen Mayer struck Bears goalie Gaberial Robledo away from the play, but The Bears brushed it aside as Michael Schlamp tussled through desperate Ice defence to get past the goalie for a slight consolation for an otherwise tumultuous game.

The Habitat Furniture 3 Stars of the Game went to: 

1. Michael Schlamp
2. Spencer Austin
3. Gabriel Robledo

Its hoped The Bears fortunes will change when they host The Canberra Knights at The Penrith Ice Palace on the 3rd of June at 5pm.

Article by: Christian Roach