A five point party spoiler in Melbourne and a goal celly that went viral … that’s what i call a weekend away!
I don’t know who writes the script for the AIHL but the players on our team certainly didn’t receive it. All we heard in the week lead up was that the top placed Melbourne Ice would take two easy wins to secure the minor premiership and the Reid Trophy, against a down and out Perth Thunder who were playing for nothing.
I agree that when you are in our position it would have been easy to turn up and roll over. I have seen teams do just that, but that is not in our team make up. The players worked very hard all night and I can take nothing from them. We knew that if Melbourne Ice were to win top spot they would have to earn it. We battled every shift like it was a playoff game, the team worked very hard in both games and we deserved our rewards. Dugas in net was outstanding. Jamie Woodman who is nominated for AIHL Rookie of the Year, was one of the best players on the ice in my opinion. He looked like a five year veteran rather than a player in is first season. Also, rookie Jordan Grover held his own very well, showing that this club is developing players of great calibre.
The penalty shootout on Saturday will possibly be the most memorable shootout in AIHL history, not for the goal which was very well taken, but the celebration which has gone viral around the globe. Strange how these things work out… whilst Ric Del Basso is not a renowned goal scorer, he has a great shot, probably one of the hardest in the league and when the Ice missed the boys on the bench were calling for Ric to shoot and we thought it would be fun for him to do the headstand. I sent Ric up with one instruction, just rip it at the net no dangle and he did just that. It was a great shot and he won us the game. We were already laughing on the bench as he went for his celly… the rest is history and the AIHL and Ric got world headlines. Incredible and fantastic exposure for the AIHL!
On Sunday we could have been excused for not having as much in the tank, as we had given a lot on Saturday and road trips take their toll in such a long season. The players however turned up again and it was classic game. The Ice came out very physically and it really woke the guys up. I think perhaps the Ice got it wrong in that they brought too much emotion into the game. The hits were hard and late and unfortunately Grover received a concussion.
I say this about the Perth Thunder, we have too much respect for fans of the AIHL and our sponsors to roll over in any game. The fans pay their money and deserve to see the best we have. Whilst it may not always be good enough, it is the best we have on the night and on Sunday night it was again good enough to take three points. As league standings go they were not valuable but as character of the team go, they were priceless.
There are many ways to view the last games of the season, but finishing on a high with two wins at the Icehouse is the most positive way.
See you at The Saint Hotel today from 1.00pm – Coach Stan