Gordon Goodenough: Yes, we are the unofficial podcast of the Sydney Bears Australian Ice Hockey League team. My name is Gordon Goodenough. It's great to be with you. we're recording on a Monday evening. I'm here with Nathan Graham, and Matt Wiggins. First of all Nathan, if if you had the the chance as the owner of an NHL team and won the Stanley Cup and you had two places left Two name plates left to engrave. Would you put myself and Matt down or would you put your two children?

Matt: Thank you.

Nathan: I'll just take it to an auction. Two highest bidders, let's go.

Gordon Goodenough: And Matt, reversing the question, if you had the choice of putting down either myself and Nathan, who had slaved tirelessly throughout the season to be able to bring a Stanley Cup home to you, would you put our names down or would you put down Betty and Artie, your dog's your dog's names down on the cup?

Matt: As much as I love Betty and Artie, it's you two boys every time. See that's the correct answer Nathan. Go check yourself man.

Nathan: I'm not I'm not here to be sensible.

Matt: Or sensitive, clearly.

Nathan: No, that's mate, that's me. You've known me long enough.

Gordon Goodenough: Mate, that can be our new logo, like our our new motto. We're not here to be sensible. we we we are glad that you're with us. We've got a lot of hockey to to cover. I have I'd like to show this to Nathan because Nathan's daughter got me this wonderful little squishmallow happy meal toy. that's its character's name is Gordon. And

Matt: alternative.

Gordon Goodenough: That's a a p my my name also. We share the same name. and and seems to be wearing an England jersey mat, so it's it's coming home. I would put down I would put down Squish Mallow Gordon on the Stanley Cup.

Matt: I'm not getting drawn into it, Gordie. Those words are not going to leave my mouth.

Gordon Goodenough: Let's get

Nathan: Scarlett will be very pleased. It's quite timely and this wasn't prepped. She even mentioned this earlier this evening about Gordon really needs to get his act together and get Gordon the shark on the pod. So, mate, very well done. Very well done. Clinical.

Gordon Goodenough: Yes. Look, th the problem was is that Scarlet gave it to me and said that it was for me, but you and I both know, Nathan, that if you bring a soft toy home and you've got a five year old at home like I do, it just becomes their toy. And I I know my place in the pecking order in this household and it's it's below Tilly. So look I'm I'm glad that she is asleep in bed and is unaware that I have borrowed her squishmallow. But we have a lot of hockey to get through from the weekend. Nathan, let's let's get do you wanna take us through the out of town results?

Nathan: Absolutely. I think I've assumed this role by this point. kicking off on Saturday, the Ice Dogs were nine seven winners over the Lightning at Macquarie. There were sixteen goals in this game, one hundred and six shots on net, which is certainly a number. the dogs scored six in the first period. Cale Costa had a huge game, he put away five. Daniel Chen, one goal, three assists. Cabore done two goals. He also had three assists on the evening. Vertesh, three assists. For the Brisbane Lightning, Tanner Hopps and Grant Hebert. They both had five point nights. But certainly not a good night to be either a goaltender or a piece of rubber over at Macquarie. Over to the Mustangs adrenaline. Mustangs run out. 7-1 winners in Adelaide. Brody Crane with a hat-trick. Gator with a four-point evening. Clomp Caron, who actually happens to be an ex-teammate of our own, Kevin Sadowski. And Joey Hughes all had three-point nights. Giesbrecht stopped 27 of 28. The Perth Thunder had an OT win over the ice in Perth, 4-3. Charlie Smart. Had a 935 save percentage for the win. Horochek got the OT winner and put up four points in that game. Plough with three assists. That closed off the Saturday games over to Sunday. Newcastle, they closed out back-to-back wings for the weekend, beating the Lightning 9-5 and the Hunter. another big shot count in this game, 92. Yeah, 92 shots recorded in this game. Raleigh Klugerman. Five points, Francis Drole, four goals. Genzanov, Hebear, and Schenker all had three-point nights. The Mustangs were big winners over Adelaide 9-1, including a six-goal third period from the Mustangs. Gaiter with four goals, which took his weekend total to nine points across the weekend. Lindell and Dorsey had three assists assists each. Suture a goal and an assist, and Seb Woodlands stopped 20 of 21 for the win. And finally the Melbourne Ice were 6'2 winners over the Thunder in the Wild West. Tyrone Bronte, two goals, two assists. Erdogan, three apples, Josh Adkins chipped in with a couple of goals. And Tatsu Ishida rebounded with a nine forty nine in net for the win. That closed this off.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, and and a first goal scorer, first AI HL goal for Lochlan Hodge as well. Always nice to see a player get a get their first career AIHL goal. And let's let's get into the action for for us. We had the game on Saturday against the Newcastle North Stars. And this one it ends ends up being the the North Stars who take it out six to three winners the it We we ended up just losing the one period in in this game. We left the first period tied, we gave up three goals in the second, and then in the third period it was two goals apiece. Matt, what what did you see in front from the start of this one?

Matt: Yeah, tough night at the office, think, all in all. I mean, that's a really somewhat insightful summary of us only losing one period, but sitting at home watching it on the couch felt as though we really lost more than the one period. Started off, worked very, very hard in the first period and obviously went in one goal apiece. But I felt we really lost our way in the second period. And even though both teams scored two goals in the third, my feeling was we were distinctly second best in the third. Castle, a very strong team at home. I felt a little bit sorry for the boys because they did work hard and laid a foundation, but the game got away from us quite quickly in terms of... you know, the second period goals at regular intervals and then, you know, trading goals in the third. But, yeah, 6-3 up in the Hunter, always going to be a tough challenge. yeah, disappointing night at the office from my perspective.

Gordon Goodenough: Was yeah, was that your your thoughts as well, Nathan?

Nathan: Yeah, I think so. I was actually sitting at At a family event for Mel, and you know, had the had the game on in the background and I was looking like an absolute lunatic at the table. Certainly wasn't enjoying you know a a lot of a lot of parts of this game. I think special teams as well was a a really big story to come out of this. Newcastle scored two goals. I think they were maybe 50% on the power play for the evening. And conversely, our power play was was doing very little, and they actually served up a bunch of opportunities for us. I think that was definitely a bit of a talking point out of the night. I think we actually gave up, you know, probably more opportunities on the power play going the other way than what we were perhaps generating on the Newcastle net. Which certainly isn't part of the you know, the program when you draw it up. And certainly what Matt said, I think you know, the first period the game was probably, you know, there for the taking for for either team. But that second period, Newcastle really asserted their their dominance on the game. And You know, from that point out I I really felt like you know, we struggled. I think we we struggled for for chance generation. you know, there's probably, you know, some goals there that as a collective unit on the ice we'd probably like to have back. so yeah, certainly not not an enjoyable game from from our standpoint.

Gordon Goodenough: of bright spots. Gustav Ramler Jansen had a really nice goal in the final minute of the first period to tie things up and that continued his point streak. Alex Gautier scored in the third period, which gave him one hundred career AIHL points in seventy eight games played, so congrats to him. And then Ruben Nalos scored in the in the third period as well. And for Rubin that was the fifth game in a row in which he's in which he had recorded a point. Lucas Herman as well got a couple of assists. So you know, st statistically there were some bright spots. I I know the game didn't go in our favour and it felt you know, it it felt like the game was got out of hand in in that second period and and it it just had the feeling of inevitability. I think Newcastle's a really tough team. to play in that building at the best of times, but when you're trailing, they really know how to squeeze the game out and y in that third period, Matt, I I know you mentioned that that trend that we've seen where once we score to try to get back into games, the we we seem to allow a quick one.

Matt: Yeah, it happened again. It happened again just inside of two minutes. Goat scored quite early on in the period to get us back to 2-4 and then at 17.30 we conceded a fifth goal. yeah, just picking up on a couple of your points, Gordie, I thought Gustav's goal reminded me a little bit of the one he scored against the Mustangs. He sort of stickhandled through traffic and, you know, then he... bar down, beautiful shot, shows us that good quick release and those good hands. I think a couple of very disappointing things. I didn't speak, I spoke to Nico after the game on Sunday, but didn't particularly quiz him specifically about this. But I noticed we gave away two quite, two penalties in the offensive zone. One led to a power play goal. I think there was a high sticking call against Finn in the Ozone. Kenny got pinged for tripping in the Ozone. you know, if I put my old coaches out on completely different sport and ice hockey, you know, I'd imagine that the boys would, you know, the boys behind the bench would be quite, you know, looking for improvements in terms of where we're taking penalties. We never want to take a penalty at all, but Ozone pens are always ones that seem to come back and bite you. Yeah, I think, as you said, Gordie, a little bit of that feeling of inevitability. I Skatchkov's power play goal was a three on one at one point and, you know, player as good as him is never going to turn that opportunity up. So, yeah, tough night for Hayden, obviously facing a lot of traffic in front of the net and odd man rushes and a lot of shot volume against. yeah, yeah, one that we... needed to sort of flush and rinse and move on from for the game on Sunday.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, I I th sorry Nathan, you go. Well I was just gonna say you know, heading into that evening we were keeping a close eye on on the Perth versus Melbourne Ice game because potentially, depending on the result of that game, we could have been bounced out of a a playoff spot that with the Ice Dogs winning, they'd already leapfrogged us and the the Melbourne Ice were, you know, a threat to go into sixth and us into seventh.

Nathan: Well no you so you go, Gordy? Yeah, and I think just to circle back with what Matt said about, you know, this this you know trend of sorts where you know we gain an advantage and all of a sudden we're we're almost handing that advantage back quite often after we we we we we score. momentum within a game, like any sport, hockey's definitely you know, the the you know i it's the case here where momentum in a game is absolutely critical. You cannot afford, particularly against good teams, you certainly can't afford to just hand any advantage that you work hard for back to your opposition. I also think from sort of that thematical perspective, you know, again, we're referencing, you know, a lot of the same players. We're we're referencing, you know, the Herms and and the Goose and and Ruben, et cetera, as well as, you know, stick penalties at at really tough moments in games. These are just some of the little items that, you know, we need to, you know, continue to work on heading into the back end of the season where, you know, these are these are moments in games and events in games that are, you know, they're in our control. so, you know, it is unfortunate that, you know, again in this game it you know, some of these themes were prominent. but yeah, I I I think it's also interesting that that, you know, we've been talking about some of the same items over the last few weeks.

Matt: Yeah, I mean, just a couple of other notes I made, Nathan, and again, you know, I was watching the game from home and feeling, you know, less than happy as a supporter. But, you know, as the game progresses and Newcastle were exerting their authority and influence over it, you know, I felt they were winning more puck battles. were, you know, they were winning, you know, cycling the puck and winning the pucks off the board, off the boards more, you know, more frequently. And I think the opportunities that we had on the power play, noticed a couple of times that we weren't quite getting set up and that element of patience, getting the players in the right places, getting traffic in front of the goaltender. So we're squeezing a little bit, obviously trying to do the right thing, possibly in trying to do the right thing, not quite waiting out time enough and getting set up properly. Yeah, the Newcastle are a decent team in front of a very vocal crowd up there at the Hunter. Ruben, again, great to see him get on the score sheet. I had a very, very quick chat with him on Sunday night. he's certainly doing himself proud in terms of getting on the score sheet. But as I said earlier on, one that you need to just flush and try and move past and make sure you're in the right mindset for the game on Sunday, which proved to be a super big six pointer, right?

Nathan: And as you said, you you certainly need to give credit to a team like Newcastle. They work hard, they're a talented group, they're quite an established group, they're very strong at home. So, you know, whilst we we we talk about some of these items again, you do need to give your opposition credit. You know, that they they're working hard on earning some of these opportunities in games. But yeah, look, I I probably don't have anything to add in relation to to Saturday's game, I don't think.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, it yeah, let's let's move on to Sunday very quickly then. I I I think we all felt that Sunday's game ratcheted up in importance based on what happened on Saturday. We needed points and we needed something to hang our hat on and and say, Yes, we've we can come to this podcast tonight and and be able to to to say something, you know, that's you know, have a bit of fun. and it ended up you know, we had the the Rhinos coming into town and they'd been in a really rough patch of form. Still in the in the playoff race, just a few points outside of of finals contention, but w with having played more games, a little bit more tricky for them. Only six points secured over their past twelve games, so out of a a possible thirty six just the six points. So really really unfortunate run of form for them. and we ended up just a quick summation. First period got out to a three goal lead. second period was scoreless. Then we scored another two goals to begin the third. So five unanswered goals. And then the Rhinos got one goal midway through the period and one in the in the final or thirty three seconds left. let's let's dig into this one. Gents, what what did you see?

Nathan: I might I might be tough with this one. I didn't see a lot of this game, particularly at the start of the first after we had that really unfortunate incident. And I'd I'd actually probably like to kick off with this. We obviously had that incident where the start of the game was delayed. there was there's some damage to to one of the plexiglass panels in warm ups. and just a massive shout out to everyone involved, the two teams, staff, referees, certainly our group of Awesome volunteers around the rink. I think everything was handled in a really composed, productive manner. Rink staff, you know, were communicating very well and also the production crew at Thought Fox. Just a super quick shout out to say, you know, a job well done to everyone involved there. and and also to the crowd. Everyone, you know, remained engaged and were having some fun with some of the different activities that were taking place in in in and around. The rink. I think certainly what I saw in the first was maybe some things that we we also saw in our our previous two home games. Canberra and I think previous to that perhaps Brisbane Lightning, where energy was strong. Again, we were moving through rotation, there was good fore check. You could tell the guys were up for it. and again, all of that effort reflected on the scoreboard. we got the crowd into the game early. Good to see the power play convert early again. You know, we talk about special teams on the Saturday. To get the power play moving, you know, early in that game, you know, that adds an additional element and it probably set a tone, I think, to a degree.

Matt: Yeah, I would agree, Nathan. Great start. I mean, great start from the scoreboard perspective, but also quite fun to see two officials hit the deck in the first 15 seconds. That's always a of a giggle. I am a savage, yeah. But no, good on decks. Back on the score sheet after we called out his lack of hair on his top lip. I had a...

Nathan: You're a savage.

Matt: quick chat with his lovely partner over the weekend. She said, thank goodness you've mentioned it as well, needs to make a reappearance. we asked the man delivered back on the score sheet decks with the opener, power play goal in the first period. Brian was causing havoc in the crease. So great to see Brian back and doing what Brian does well. And then obviously Noah, he's scored two Sundays in the row now after a really nice goal in Canberra where he used a defender as a sort of screen to hit the top corner of Tetz's net last weekend, redirected a shot from the point and he sort of reacted very quickly and picked up his own rebound to put us 2-0 ahead. I did notice that the Rhinos didn't have a shot on goal until about 10 minutes into the game. a theme that I, you know, I was entertaining guests at the game so didn't watch as much as I'd normally like. But I did kind of say to the guys, look, watch Kimma, he hardly moves, he plays the angles, uses his big body, let's pucks hit him. And, you know, waiting for a shot. for 10 minutes into a game, was not easy for any goaltender. But Kimmer did exactly what it said on the tin when he was called into action. He was there, was cool, calm, collected. And then Kev got a third in the first period, his first of the season, shot from the point that got through traffic. Finn, with he provided the screen, so great to go in 3-0 ahead after the first.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, and and against a goalie, Anand Oberoy, who has caused us a bit of grief at the Macquarie Ice Rank back in July twenty twenty four, the last time that he played the Bears at Macquarie, he faced seventy nine shots and made seventy five saves in a five to four shootout win for the Rhinos. So a a guy who's certainly capable of of stealing games against the runner play. I thought getting to him early was really important. those power play that power play goal by Dexton Mosell was was excellent. got us on track. It also gave us the opening goal of the game for the ninth time in ten games against Newcastle. We gave up the first goal of the game for the first time since the end of May. so it was a really strong start by the guys. I thought Kimmer, even though we were up three nil thought he made some excellent saves. We ended up getting a power play later in the first period and we gave up one or two breakaway chances. Sangho Bei he he stopped him and Sangho Be is a guy that that scored against Kimmer on on a breakaway at Arena earlier this this year, just a few weeks ago. So I thought he did really well and it felt kinda similar. I know we talked with Riser after that Brisbane Lightning game and he said, you know, you look at Plimley's performance and you think you know, eight nil he probably didn't face a lot of shots, but he made some key saves early that kept the team the lead, kept the other team off the scoreboard and just gave gave the boys a a big boost. And I think Kimmer really did that for his team with some outstanding saves.

Nathan: Yeah, absolutely. He certainly from what I could see, he he had a massive game. And it it almost had that feel, and I hate saying it, but it had that feel where maybe he was gonna pull off the the shutout. Obviously it wasn't to be, you know, in that that second half of the third, but you know, what you say there, Gordy, in terms of you know, the the ability for the guys to draw energy from, you know, a performance like that. you know, gives the guys confidence. You know, when Kimmer's having a strong one, it probably elevates everyone else. It has them, you know, playing a bit bit more free. so yeah, I definitely think there's stock to take out of that for sure. and you know, we've seen this for for such a long time, you know, Kimmer's ability to sort of, you know, take over games and and and be very commanding in net. And it's a it's it's a huge boon for us when, you know, when he's out there with with that degree of form. And from memory I think he was very strong the last time we played the Rhinos, which wasn't wasn't all that long ago either in in Arena.

Gordon Goodenough: Yep, you're exactly right. That was that was the five three win where he he shut the door in in the third period when the game was on the line and a allowed allowed the the team and pretty much for most of the second, if I recall Matt as well. He he shut the door as well.

Matt: Yeah, two periods of that game he was playing stellar, stellar net. I did think, you know, and this is me being completely biased, you know, Central Coast did look like a team that were in a bit of a slump. And they obviously lost, they, I think at the end of the first, I was trying to watch the replay to see exactly what happened. I think he took a bit of a... hit behind the net when he went on one of his skate rounds. I'm assuming that was when he picked up the injury, but I didn't see him too much in periods two and three, unless I completely missed him. But yeah, Bichard was wandering around and trying to light a fire under the team. And apart from those sort of breakdowns and those odd rushes that Kim have bailed us out on, they did look at... you know, it did look like a team that was struggling a little bit at the moment. But you've got to put teams away and that's what we did. Brian got our fourth early in the third on the power play, very early in the third, 15 seconds in. A little bit of controversy, I think he just about scored Gordie on the five on three, but officials said it was one second into the five on four, so our second power play evaporated in smoke. Zander then got another power play goal but on an incredible stretch pass from Finn with the almost length of the ice and he picked it up and scored a really nice little goal in tight on Oberoi lifting the puck up and into the top of the net. So 5-0 we're almost home and hosed but they've got a couple of late ones which we could argue possibly flattered them a little bit but yeah great bounce back from the boys.

Nathan: Absolutely. And that's you know what you highlight there, Matt, that that stretch pass from Finn was such a great heads up play, executed perfectly. And then, you know, Xander, you know, put the garnish on it with a really nice finish. you know, roofed it backhand. That was a really pretty goal actually.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah.

Matt: Good to see Zarenda back on the score sheet. Is seventh of the season I think Gordie?

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, seventh of the season, but that's his third power play goal. So he's been a a real big part of that second power play unit. I thought that was another thing that I took away after we went for six on the power play in in Newcastle on Saturday, we had a really strong three for five and both power play units scored. You know, you had Dex Mosell, Brian Chambers for the top unit, and then Alexander Wardlaw for the for the second unit. another just A lovely statistical thing that that I I enjoyed was that we had eight goals scorer eight goals scored for the Bears over the weekend and eight different goal scorers, which I think is nice balance. And if you look at just the Sunday, we put the lines in a blender and we had players moving up and down the lineup and players from all four lines recorded points during the game. So I thought that was a really nice a balance a balanced attack, you know, we we're missing you know, guys. We're missing you know, Nick Sites was an ab absolutely dominant aver averaging a goal a period. He's out. The question is who's gonna step up? And it's it's been a job by committee.

Matt: Thanks

Nathan: Which is critical for us. I think that's the biggest takeaway from the weekend, to be fair. And sorry to jump in there, Matt. I think what you just raised there, Gordy, is absolutely critical for us. When we have contributions up and down our lineup, particularly in that forward group, that generally will mean really good things for us. you know, and and certainly I think when you look at This league, they're the two, the two keys, right? If you can get production by committee and you can have, you know, your depth scoring really show up when it matters, and you can pair that with winning, you know, the special team battle. This league is very very much driven by special team effectiveness. Again, this game, we saw both of those elements very prominent. We we we saw the collective scoring piece, and we saw we saw us win the special team. battles, all of a sudden you're on the right end of of the result. So, you know, it's not always a complex science, but it's easier said than done as well.

Matt: And you made the point, was going to make. Nathan, I mean, obviously Gordy talked about eight different goal scorers, but I noticed more ice time for Mack, Tutton on the back end. Espoo was out there again, you know, leading by example and just showing us those veteran smarts in the second and third. Colby Schumacher got ice time and Tegan Rippon got ice time. So yeah, Reiser was definitely putting the boys out and, you know, getting them, the opportunity to stretch their legs and... everybody contributed. yeah, good signs and very much that sort of next man mentality where everybody's putting a shift in, everybody's trying to do a job for their teammates and everybody's contributing either on the score sheet or by playing solid shifts in the defensive zone when we're looking after a lead and trying to see us home to the three points.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, and and just a a a shout out too to Riser. This he's playing his former head coach in Ron Kaprowski. This is the first time that he's facing him at the Macquarie Ice Rink, the former captain playing his former coach and I thought did a really good job with the lineup and the d decisions and the you know, whatever was needed to be able to get the team fired up and motivated and prepared for this one. He he got the job done and you know, congrats to him as well.

Matt: Absolutely.

Nathan: Yeah. Yep. Definitely. And and obviously some changes to lines from the Saturday. You know, credit there. And I think the guys, you know, probably made it a bit easier on the coaching staff on Sunday as well. I think you know, we had one offsetting penalty, a roughing call in the second. But outside of that, you know, we we were relatively disciplined in this game. And then that that in turn allows the coaching staff to roll lines, to give guys up and down the lineup opportunities. And, you know, again, that that that's just a healthy equation for everyone. You know, you're not you're not running your top guys into the ground. you know, it it's just a much it it's a much cleaner effective equation if you can, you know, stay out of the box and and just allow rotations to to, you know, play their part in the game.

Matt: This must be the first two-game weekend Nathan we've gotten through in the last month or so without any serious injuries as well.

Nathan: Yes, which is given the given the rotten luck that we've had so far this year, certainly the worst that anyone can remember. It's nice to to enter a a new week without any fresh injury concerns. So that's that that that's also a a a win out of yesterday as well.

Gordon Goodenough: Just a couple of point streaks as well continue. Gustave Remler Jensen, he he's up to a ten game point streak. Lucas Herman, eighteen game active point streak, and out of those eighteen games, thirteen of them he's recorded multiple points. It's really impressive. He's only gone two games this season without recording a point. and that was that that th that was all within the first three games of the season, the first and the third game of the season. So he's been really consistent and he's been providing a lot of assists really over the last couple of weeks and and weekends and the the other players on on his line line mates have benefited

Nathan: Absolutely.

Matt: Lucas to me looked like he was having fun on Sunday night. Obviously he's lost line mates in the last month, three or four weeks. We've seen Ruben promoted to the top line in Nick's place. Lucas looked like he got a spring in his step on Sunday night. Some beautiful rushes, hard work on the back check, leading by example.

Gordon Goodenough: Mm.

Matt: some beautiful stick handling, that elite passing, hard work getting pucks back in the Ozone and keeping the young boys involved in plays. So it was really, really good to see Lucas being that dominant player that we know he can be. It really looked like he was having fun out on the ice again.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, I d I think you know, he dangled two guys in that game for, you know, shots on goal on on Oberroy and it's something I haven't seen a lot from him this season. He's done it once or twice. I know he he did it in against the Melbourne Ice on May ninth. He he was having a a fun time there and one one of the common denominators I think was Brian Chambers being on his line and Brian Chambers played a really good game on Sunday, I thought, for a first game back. He hadn't played since May against the Adelaide Adrenaline when he left the game after two periods, scored three points in that game in in two periods, comes back, picks up an assist, picks up a goal, and it was a really it was a really nice goal to offer fine play from Kevin Sadowski.

Nathan: Yeah, that that was a really neat play, great finish. and certainly great to see to see Brian, you know, being able to celebrate that after such a long period out. you know, he's he's a class guy, you know, the way that he's conducted himself off the ice, you know, during a period that I'm sure has been very, very frustrating for him. you know, he's probably just finding his straps before you know he went down with that injury. so you know, so thrilled, so thrilled to see him you know, put that one. And see a big smile on his face. He's you know, he's a guy that adds a a hell of a lot around our group, that's for sure.

Matt: Yeah, it was a sharp finish, really beautiful one-timer down on one knee. I'm looking forward to the pictures this week.

Nathan: Yeah it was. It was pretty. Ha ha ha.

Gordon Goodenough: I I think one one other player I would be remiss not to mention, Tyrol Clare. he's running a three game point streak, which is the the longest point streak of the season so far for him. He's picked up twelve assists in nineteen games. Very useful. He's the one that provided the initial shot that Noah Moncrief deflected and then collected the rebound and scored. so he's been been a an ever present presence on the blue line for the Bears and Matt as the head of the Tyrol Claire fan fan club. How d how did you see his game?

Matt: Yeah, I've got to be very careful about what I say. Tyrell always just quietly goes about his business and good to see him on a three game point streak. I did notice he kept his customary two pims a game up as well. So we had a free Tyrell chant going on around us. yeah, good on you Tyrell, keep it up mate.

Nathan: And just to add to that, Tyrell's been huge for us this year. you know, I I I feel like he's he his leadership capability's taken another another step this year with what has been, you know, predominantly a real makeshift defensive group for us, not by design, but that's just the way that it's unfolded this year, you know, due to injury and availability. Tyrell's just been, you know, such a solid game in, game out. you know, a guy that we can rely on. As you say, Gordy, you know, he has also contributed at the other end. But, you know, he he has been one of our, you know, our secret weapons. You know, he's played a lot of minutes. He's been very dependable. I think he's he's played with such a high floor this year. And that's what you need. and you know, whilst, you know, I'm sure that he loves playing the minutes, it's a lot to ask, you know, particularly in in back to back weekends. And he really hasn't put a foot wrong for us. and sure, you know, he's experienced. He's one of our senior guys. You know, he wears a letter for a reason. But just to see the consistent, you know, high high level of contribution, you know, game in, game out, just going about his business, you know, Tyrell's playing the best hockey when perhaps you don't notice him as much. he's been absolutely massive for us this year so far.

Matt: ultra reliable.

Nathan: That's for sure.

Gordon Goodenough: So are we finished wrapping up that game? Any any final thoughts before we move on to next weekend's games?

Matt: No, great. mean, as we said, six point game. I think it was, there were very, very needed points. Not many of the other results went our way. you, you know, if you pull it apart in terms of where we sit in relation to the other teams scrapping for those, you know, those. those positions, maybe the third, fourth, fifth, sixth positions, not too many results went the way that we would have liked. So I think it was great to see. And I did have a quick chat with Nico and asked him what he said to him and Ryza said to the boys and they just said, go out, have fun, express yourselves. And it looked as though that's exactly what the boys did on Sunday.

Nathan: Yeah, absolutely. And for those playing at home that have a strong attention to detail, just referencing the box score. the goal that we were we were sort of alluding to earlier with Finn's you know fantastic setup for for Xander's goal. the box score at the moment shows the goal Xander from Goose. That will be corrected, and obviously Finn and Ruben will pick up assists on that goal. So that's just a it's a very small piece of detail, but it's something that I've actually received a couple of messages. Messages about today and that that will be eventually resolved at some point this week.

Gordon Goodenough: That's a Yeah, I was yep.

Matt: Does that put a pin in Gustav's point of

Nathan: Yes. Sorry, Goose.

Matt: contrabasso?

Nathan: I'm sure you're listening. Sorry about that.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah.

Matt: Vineyard

Gordon Goodenough: Yes.

Matt: buying the beers, think, for Gustav. Or sorry, lemonade.

Nathan: You know me, I'm not very generous.

Matt: Ruthless.

Gordon Goodenough: So yes, Gustav's point streak ends at nine games, but very, very impressive for him nonetheless. And I think, you know, even without that assist, he's on twenty four points for the season. I I I haven't actually looked it up, but I I yeah.

Nathan: I think that's right. I think at the moment it's showing twenty five through twenty one.

Gordon Goodenough: Yes. Yes. So yes. Memory is correct. So it it's it's all I am. It's all I've got to offer. I I need to know my numbers. Let's move on to next weekend and it it's a pretty big one. We end up doing the the Melbourne double. The Melbourne trip always a a fun time and a a tough trip with both teams, both Melbourne teams

Nathan: You know your numbers. But you're ahead of me.

Gordon Goodenough: very competitive obviously and and looking for a place at finals. We are I don't want to say fortunate, but we we will be facing the Melbourne Ice after it'll be their second half of a back to back. We play them on Saturday and that might be useful because, you know, although we play the Mustangs on Sunday and that's a big game too, I feel like the head to get against Melbourne That feels monumental.

Nathan: I don't wanna be repetitive, but this weekend feels massive. It's a huge opportunity. The games against the Melbourne Ice are always eventful. I think we can take a lot out of our previous fixture at Macquarie. I think we were were actually quite dominant in that game through probably forty-five minutes. We had some lapses, we we covered that at the time. but there's certainly a lot to take out of of that performance. but you know, they are fully built. They've got they've got a lot of weapons, but really looking forward to this game. I think, you know, the j just the importance of this game for for both teams you know is you know it should set a really nice a really nice tone heading into the game. And as you say, Gordy, I don't know. I'm not smart enough to understand the science in terms of what that means, you know, playing them you know, second game of back to back after the Friday derby, which are obviously always you know, fairly involved affairs. you know, does that work in our favour? Not sure. but, you know, I'm sure the guys are gonna be up for this. huge points. you know, we're obviously competing with both of the Melbourne teams, you know, very closely on on on the ladder this year. so again, a six point game. Let's let's build off some of the positives we we we set you know, during the last game at Macquarie and this this should be this should be a real beauty of a game.

Matt: I've got some injury concerns of their own, think, gents.

Nathan: Look, there's certainly a lot of talk around the league about David Booth. My understanding is he didn't play in that last in the last last classic game. he he was listed for the ice and their games in Perth but didn't play. What that means, who knows? you know, I think from a hockey perspective, you know, the the ability to see David Booth out on the ice is obviously

Matt: second.

Nathan: you know, a a great level of entertainment for for fans, you know, whether he plays or not, who knows. you know, he he obviously came in, you know, for that game against us at Macquarie and and ended up being quite instrumental in their win, you know, late in the game. So, you know, if we're being if we're being selfish here and we're being competitive, you know, if you know, we'd be happy for him to sit out another weekend. But yeah, I'm not beyond him, I'm not Entirely sure what other question marks there are about the ice heading into the weekend. You perhaps you gents may know know more if there is there.

Gordon Goodenough: No, my my sources are non existent at at this stage. so I I can provide no no insightful comments on on David Booth's injury at all. except, yeah, just echoing that that I had been surprised that he didn't end up playing in Perth on Saturday. I I know Sy Simon Dupre was you know, not listed on the ice hockey classic roster, neither was Booth and and that wasn't a surprise in itself, you know, thinking about the big weekend that the Mel Melbourne Ice had in Perth, it's always a a difficult balance for head coach Kerry Goulet. but yeah it was it was a surprise not to see him hit the ice and then Josh Atkins was flown in after playing in the Ice Hockey Classic on the Saturday to play in Sunday's game for the Ice and he had a really good game, scored shorthanded, scored on the power play and was was a really good presence for them. So I mean, no matter what Melbourne Ice team we face, whether it's with David Booth, whether it's Sons David Booth, it's gonna be a tough, tough game.

Nathan: Absolutely. You know, you you look at the list for the ice, you know, th this is standard issue. There's a there's a lot of talent and you know potent offensive ability at the top of their lineup. and I think this year, you know, they've they've they've had Tyrone Bronte come in, you know, J Jed Lake's had a massive season. I just saw then Jed Lake's got eighteen goals through twenty one games. I knew he was having a big year, but that is that's impressive. I I don't know where that sits in the league in terms of goal scoring, you know, leadership, but that would have to be up there. you know, Erdogan, you know, Schindle has proven his, you know, his ability as a as an impact import. know, Matt Carowana, I think I've said before, he's one of my favourite players in the league to watch. Absolutely phenomenal. Really, really, you know, well rounded player. you know, good good leader by all accounts. you've got the experience and, you know, ferocious, you know, nature of of Jamie Burke and what what he brings. you know, you just referenced Adkins as well, Gord, you they've got a a really strong group and they can do damage. You know, there's probably multiple lines there that can do damage if you're not on your toes. So you know, again, you know, the These are the ingredients for what should make a great game.

Gordon Goodenough: So this this is a list of the local players who have more goals than Jed Lake so far this season. Are you ready?

Nathan: Ready. It's it's gonna be short. Yep.

Gordon Goodenough: Kel Costa Scott Timmins. That's it.

Nathan: There you go. Yep.

Matt: Good company.

Gordon Goodenough: Yep, and you know, Scott Timmins is a low quarters. That's that's nuts. So, you know, congrats to Jed Lake. You know, he he went to North America to develop last season, wasn't on the Melbourne Ice last season, and boy, he's he's come back as as an impact player for this this season, so good for him.

Nathan: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, in twenty in twenty four he had three three goals for three points through seven games. Now he's got eighteen goals for twenty six points through twenty one. You know, as even, you know, perhaps our most relevant comparison could be Goose. You know, I think he was perhaps half a point a game guy at the Rhinos. He's come in here and you know, obviously had a fantastic season for us. So it's really good to see. You know, stories like this in our league are fantastic. and he'll he'll definitely be one guy to watch closely on Saturday, that's for sure.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, the Melbourne Ice in in their past ten games they've got points in nine of those ten games. So they're one of the form teams of the competition. looking forward to that one for sure. Melbourne Mustangs will then be the task for us to overcome on the Sunday. And the Melbourne Mustangs, they're in a bit of good form as well, scored sixteen goals in Adelaide, conceded just the two they've been on a a bit of a hot streak as as well. what's what are your thoughts about this one guys?

Matt: Yeah, they're a decent side, aren't they? Looking at their season stats, they share the load around as well. Lots of players have got 30 points on the season. A bunch of other players have got 20s. So obviously they've got lots of weapons and well-oiled machine. I thought the win against them at Macquarie was very, very decent two or three weeks ago. We can just hope for the same effort, same application, same execution from the boys. It's going to be very tough though. It's two huge games this weekend.

Nathan: Yeah, that's for sure. And I think one one thing that really pops off the page in relation to the Mustangs, they've got ten players producing at a point of game clip or better. You know, we spoke earlier in in this episode about, you know, the importance of, you know, collective scoring, scoring by committee, you know, meaningful contributions up and down your lineup. That in itself, and look that yes, that's a stat on paper. But that's very meaningful and it's very impressive. You know, I I again I don't have the the numbers on this, but that would have to be, you know, one of the best, if not the potentially the best across the league this year, I think.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, I I think from memory we have eight players who are producing at or above a point per game. But some of those, you know, one of them is is for example Riser who got four points in three games. so you've got some guys who you know, Lander is another one who's who's unavailable. Logan Brody is another one who's unavailable. So we've we've we've got we've got some, but they've they've got yes, they've they've got some high producing players and they've got some guys who are not just you know, averaging one point a game, but you know, Scott Timmins forty six points in twenty three games, so over two a game, David Gator thirty two points in fifteen games, over two points per game. It's it's a a luxurious production from the Melbourne Mustangs.

Nathan: Yeah, it really is. It really is. And, you know, they've they've even got, you know, some some young talent in there. I think Sutra this year, you know, has has been really effective for them, you know, coming in, which has been super impressive for such a such a young guy. you know, obviously someone like Brody Lindell, we know what what Brody's talents can produce as well. So I think this is gonna be an interesting matchup. I almost, you know, when I look at both of the Melbourne teams, I do feel like they're a very different type of matchup. and certainly the the depth in that Mustangs lineup, and I say that with absolute respect to to the Melbourne Ice, you they're configured and built a little bit differently. you know, this this will definitely you know cause some headaches for the coaching staff in terms of how we do match up on the road against the very deep particularly forward group for for the Mustangs on the Sunday.

Matt: two very decent goalies as well I'm guessing Giesbricht and

Nathan: Seb Seb Woodlands.

Gordon Goodenough: No, yeah, is sh is Sheeta for the Ice. Yep.

Nathan: sorry, I shoot it for the OC.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah. Yep. And Brody Crane is is one to watch as well. He's got a really impressive regime and he when he played us, it was one of his first games since coming coming over and we ended up keeping him pretty quiet in in that game. We we held him off the the score sheet. but i just in the past what is it, in in the past eight games, he scored twenty nine points.

Matt: Thanks so much.

Gordon Goodenough: in in eight games, which includes a seven point game and a six point game, three four point games. Like just unbelievable. His skating is is elite. He reminds me a lot. I'm I'm really interested to to see him because he reminds me of, you know, when we when we played Canberra and you know the the skating. Who was who was the guy on Canberra? This is terrible. I've had a mental lapse.

Nathan: Or bites.

Matt: Peace for our thanks to.

Gordon Goodenough: Bates, yeah, Peter Bates. so yeah, looking forward to seeing him.

Matt: I did reach out to Gooch and ask him if there were seats on his private jet, the one that he was using to fly players, even from the Classic. He said no, not for U3, so I'll pick you boys up on Wednesday for a weekend. We'll drive, because we're good at road trips, right?

Nathan: Yeah. Don't forget we're on the south coast, so we'll take the horse and cart.

Matt: You won't have to stop and charge that up.

Nathan: That's enough out of you, mate. You're y you're in the rear view. Eyes forward.

Gordon Goodenough: Look, if if we need to do as many toilet breaks as we did on Sunday, Matt, with with Nathan, we're gonna have to leave straight after recording this podcast to be able to get there before Puckdrop.

Matt: I kept you high level electricity, Gordie, but you just went straight to the bathroom, didn't you?

Nathan: Thank you, listeners, that's all for today. Thanks very much.

Gordon Goodenough: I I have no standards. yes. well it should be should be a cracking weekend. I'm really looking forward to to this one and you know, optimist I'm optimistic. I think I I don't know if there's anything official but we did Matt, you did get some intel on on Nick's sites after this chatting with Nico, co assistant coach Nico Demopoulos.

Matt: Well, I think Nick shared the view that all three of us share is we hope he's back this weekend. yeah, it'd be great to see Nick back on the ice and drive and play on that top line and, you know, fill in the net again as he did in his first few weeks for us. yeah, this is an enormous opportunity for the boys to make a statement. If you... heading to Melbourne for a back-to-back against the Mustangs and the Iceland come away with points, you know, serious points, that's going to make a big statement to the league and then set us up for the games. think we've got Thunder the week after, is that right? So it doesn't get much easier, albeit that game's back at Macquarie. So we are really sort of fighting our way through the teams at the top end of the table at the moment. So yeah, let's get out there boys and cause some trouble in Melbourne.

Gordon Goodenough: Yeah, I I think the weekend after we've got we've got the Ice Dogs and then we've got the Rhinos and then it's the weekend after we've we've got Perth. So a huge huge few weekends for us. And this weekend, just a side note, this weekend is the last weekend of the regular season that we don't have a game at home. So for the

Nathan: Yeah D.

Matt: Yes.

Gordon Goodenough: For the rest of the season after this weekend, after we played the Melbourne teams, we have at least one game at home every weekend to finish out the regular season, which is I th I think with the home crowd that that we have at the Macquarie Ice Rink, that's gonna be a huge boost.

Nathan: Absolutely. And I think one one take out from yesterday's game as well, this you know, just popped into my mind. Once again in the third period, there was some, you know, really impressive chants and a great energy coming from the grandstand in the third period. A little challenge for the fans that are listening. Let's have that consistent from from puck drop. Because, you know, even even sort of sitting down where we were, Matt, you you the energy levels doubled. It was absolutely fantastic. you know, you could almost you could almost sort of see the guys, you know, react to that. And it just makes such a difference. particularly as games, you know, go on, you know, where guys are getting a bit more fatigued, etcetera. And it was just really it was really nice to listen to the energy that was being created out of certain pockets of our fan group. So, you know, just a small challenge. Let let's see that take place over the course of the game. And then, you know, maybe we can start you know, striving for, you know, the very best game day experience and atmosphere in the league.

Matt: My party loved it, Nathan. They were blown away by the product on the ice. They blown away by the size of the crowd. I think I mentioned to you after the end of the first period, three of them wandered off and came back wearing merch. Loving every second of it. every time you speak to anyone, any of the players or any of the coaching staff,

Nathan: Ha ha.

Matt: It's a singular message. You the crowd is the sixth man. So I echo that, Nathan, you know, let's get those chants going, get behind the boys and, you know, create some hostility. Macquarie is a difficult place for teams to come. Let's greet them with noise and that sustained noise throughout the entire afternoon and evening.

Nathan: Absolutely. And e even some of the football sort of structured chants, you know, e even even though the World Cup's only got another week or so to go, it doesn't mean those chants need to get sort of put put in the locker. you know, I I thought this, you know, there's some really creative work happening across the fan group. So let's let let's bring it and and cheer the boys home over the course of you know, our our last I think it's five games at home.

Gordon Goodenough: Well, any final thoughts, gents, before we we call this one a day?

Nathan: Everyone's in the battle. You know, I feel like we're very repetitive in saying, you they're six point games and they're massive games and everything's riding on these, you know, these weekend fixtures. But the reality is there is what appears to be a a seven horse race. You know, I I don't want to rule out anyone, but at the moment that is the way that it's, you know, that's the complexion that it's starting to take. Every game is massive for for every team. That's just the nature of the league this year. And this weekend, I just look at it and I'm sure the guys are the same. It's a massive opportunity for us. And and we can go down there and beat both of these teams. Full stop.

Matt: Yeah, three points separates fourth from seventh. And you'd hate to be, you'd hate to finish seventh, you know, one point behind sixth. And with a distinct margin from seventh to eighth, which looks as though it's, you know, with the games that the Rhinos have played, they've played 23 more than almost everyone in the league, except for the Mustangs. their ability to make ground up is probably getting smaller by, obviously getting smaller by the weekend. So yeah, very, very tight for, you know, for those top six places. So super important.

Nathan: Yeah, agreed. If if we can keep and I'll definitely sound like I'm oversimplifying this, but if we can keep our discipline in check and we can, you know, establish an early energy and and get on the four check and assert ourselves early, you know, we we know we're going to get strong goaltending. I think our sample is big enough to to make that statement. I really like our chances here this weekend. you know, I feel like the outcome of this weekend is very much in in our control. And hopefully we see, you know, an ability to win that special team battle, stay out of the box, get your lines rolling, and hopefully good things come off the back of that. And we've s we've already seen this year we can absolutely skate with these guys and more, both of these teams.

Gordon Goodenough: Brilliant. Well, thanks as as always, gents. thank you too for listening. Thank you. We've received some lovely comments as well that continue to come in from people who are enjoying the podcast, enjoying the content, have provided some comments and suggestions. thank you for those. If you've got any questions, anything that you want us to cover on the podcast as well, feel free reach out to us on socials. Facebook and Instagram are our bread and butter at the moment, so reach out to us through either of those avenues, Bears and Bears podcast, give it a search. And until next week, gents, looking forward to the Melbourne Games and we'll see you next week.

Matt: Go Bears!

Nathan: It is.