Canberra played valiantly against the invaders from the south, but were bested 5 to 1 in Saturday night’s ice hockey game in Canberra.

The Canberra Knights match report:

Knights fall to Ice at home

15 May 2010

The Canberra Knights were beaten 5-1 by the Melbourne Ice in their top of the ladder clash at Phillip.

Canberra’s lone goal came from Aaron Clayworth who scored on a snap shot just inside the blue line.

The Knight have a long road trip ahead but will be back at Phillip to face the Sydney Bears on June 5.

The Melbourne Ice’s more triumphant match report:

Saturday night was to be the top of the table clash as the Knights hosted the very offensive Melbourne Ice in the capital. Both teams started well, pressing each other looking for the early advantage. The Knights home crowd was vocal early on but it would be Melbourne who would open the scoring first.

Playing on the top line with Baclig and Armstrong, Sean Jones tallied a brilliant individual effort, after receiving a nice pass from Baclig, Jones danced around the defense and with two knight’s players hanging off him went on to dek out the keeper and slip in a great goal that would set the scene for a great night of hockey. With less than 40 seconds passing in game time; Blanchette got his first goal of the season with assists going to MacSweyn and Powell and Melbourne lead 2-0. By this time the Knights crowd was getting quite and it looked like the Ice were going to dominate, but with 6:23 to go in the first with the Knights on the power play local journeyman Adam Clayworth closed the gap to just the one goal with a nice dipping slap shot from the point.

The second period saw Melbourne Ice absolutely dominate the play, the period ended with no change in the score but Melbourne had now out shot the Knights 34-14. The Knight’s goal tender was certainly keeping them in the game. In the dying seconds of the period Baclig was called for hooking and the prepared to start the third on the penalty kill.

The third period saw the Knight’s press on the powerplay but the Melbourne Ice withstood the sustained pressure and began to control the play once the penalty was killed off. With just 5.30 left to play the Canberra crowd along with a good 20+ Melbourne faithful were about to witness just how talented the Ice team really are. MacSweyn got the monkey off his back and ripped a screamer into the back of the net, assist on the play was Dylan Moore. Next up was Baclig who squeezed a clever goal into the back of the net after a nice play that saw Jones get his second point on the play. Webster sealed the win with just 6 seconds to play assists to Powell and MacSweyn. The win on Saturday night in the capital ensured that the Ice were now top of the league heading to Sydney to face the Dogs on Sunday. The players thanked the travelling supports with a salute that left the Canberra crowd silent. Ice win 5-1.

The Melbourne Ice would like to especially thank the loyal supporters, fans and members who traveled to Canberra to support the team.

Ice Scoring Summary (g=goals, a=assists)
K. MacSweyn 1g 2a, J. Baclig 1g 1a, S. Jones 1g 1a, T. Powell 2a, L. Webster 1g, A. Blanchette 1g, D. Moore 1a, M. Armstrong 1a.