Playing in their final regular season game the Bears were unable to finish with a win before heading down for the finals this weekend.

After securing 3rd position on the AIHL ladder after beating the defending champions the Adelaide Adrenaline 5-4 in a shoot out on Saturday, the Bears faced off against their playoff competitor the Melbourne Ice in a semi finals preview.

The Bears wasted no time getting on the score board after the Ice received the first penalty of the game with Joey Hughes being sent off for a 2+10 penalty for checking to the head. Defense man Eric Begin blasted a rocket from the point top shelf to give the Bears the early 1-0 lead only 30 seconds into the game.

Both teams turned up the intensity with the Ice applying consistent pressure on Bears net minder Nick Boucher.  The Ice tied the game with Liam Webster scoring on the powerplay after Begin was handed a questionable broken stick penalty.

The capacity crowd was not disappointed after the first period as both teams finished deadlocked 1 a piece. Unable to get the puck out of their zone, the Ice made the Bears pay with Matt Armstrong picking off the cross ice pass and snapping a crisp shot lower blocker side to give the Ice the 2-1 lead.

The Ice continued to roll with Joey Hughes netting his first of 2 on the night before Vlad Rubes pulled the Bears within 1 by finishing off the beautiful 2-1 play with line mate Vladan Stransky. The problems continued for the Bears who were unable to clear rebounds from in front of their net after the Ice extended their lead to 5-2 before the end of the 2nd period.

Finding themselves once again in penalty trouble at the start of the 3rd period with referee Daryl Hamilton ensuring the crowd got to learn all the penalties from the rule book, after handing the Bears a delay of game penalty whilst already being short handed.

The Ice added 2 more goals before Scott Townsend finished the game on a high note scoring 5 hole after a partial break, deking out goal tender Stu Denman.

“The Ice played well tonight and deserved to win” said coach Vlad Rubes after the defeat.

The Habitat Furniture Man of the Match went to Scott Townsend for his great individual effort in the 3rd period and bone crunching hits all night.