Period 2
Aardvarx A 1 Bears 5
Aardvarx goal scored by Rick Mann, assisted Dave Chambers
Period 3
Aardvarx A 0 Bears 7
Pens: Michelle Calcutt (Aardvarx) Tripping 3 Mins
Final score: Aardvarx A 1 Black Bears 20
Netminders:
Adam McArdle (Aardvarx A)
Alex Tebb (Bears)
MVPs
Dave Chambers (Aardvarx A)
Gary Lathwell(Bears)
Attendance: 20 approx
Coming in from a 17-0 win the previous night, the Bears were riding high going into the game against a depleted Aardvarx A squad. With three defence players unable to make it, Aardvarx A were forced to drop forward Peter Hird into a D spot, giving the Aardvarx two defensive pairs and seven forwards with which to face the Bears. With Dave Chambers taking to the ice with a damaged hand, Aardvarx A coaches Richard Allan, Rick Mann and Mark Doyle opted to play a defensive game, with only two aims: to score a goal, and to finish the game playing with as much enthusiasm as they started it. Both were achieved.
An early altercation between Aardvarx A's Ian Merrick and Black Bears captain Simon Roden saw Merrick put in the sin bin for the retaliation whilst Roden remained on the ice, and the resultant powerplay gave the Bears an easy goal, their third of the night.
The second period was the landmark one for the Aardvarx A squad, not only limiting the Bears to just five goals but also getting on the scoreboard, Rick Mann capitalising on some superb set-up play by Dave Chambers to squeeze the puck across the line and register the Aardvarx A squad's first goal of the tournament. Netminder Adam McArdle also stepped up to the plate, having had his neck guard broken on an early slapshot he chose to continue with the game rather than forfeit, which was a classy move.
The third period saw the Bears step up a gear with some excellent set piece play and positional team-work, pulling the Aardvarx defence out of position to leave netminder Adam McArdle open to attack. Michelle Calcutt earned extra kudos for picking up a tripping penalty in the third, a penalty which frankly she didn't deserve but hey, she took it well. The game ended 1-20 to the Bears, and with Dave Chambers and Gary Lathwell both picking up MVP awards for their performances.
Match Officials:
Pete Hagan (ref)
Danny Whittaker (linesman)
