Post Game Recap - June 7 & 8 (North Stars & Rhinos)

Saturday 7 June, Blue Tongues Vs North Stars, HISS Newcastle

After a promising start by Gold Coast, the North Stars dominated for the majority of the game. Able to keep up with the North Stars for the first period, the Blue Tongues performance was edging for a close match, however the referees took a strong stance on all infringements, seemingly wanting to avoid any fights to break out between the teams. This resulted with the Blue Tongues, plagued by frustration, making costly mistakes that put them on the penalty kill for two thirds of the game. The loss of Don Burke in the second period to a game misconduct had a huge impact on the team, as it caused both the forwards and defense to double shift. Skating on a larger rink than their home ice, Gold Coast wore out as the game progressed.

Simo Mustonen put up a valient effort in net against the North Stars. Though his statistics do not reflect it, his performance was phenomenal on ice, considering one third of the time he was in net, the Blue Tongues were down a defenseman and approximately half the time he was in net, the Blue Tongues were on the penalty kill. With just over seven minutes left in the game, Mustonen pulled himself from the ice and allowed backup CJ Anderson to take his place. Anderson didn't fare much better than Mustonen, saving only four of the six shots faced.

In all of the seemingly bad news, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Ross Howell was spectacular in defense, and new import players Billy Crumm, Gaeton Royer and Brian Lachance, all put in solid performances. Offensive standouts were Jack Connor and Dave Upton. None of the team gave up the chase to score until the final whistle blew, and with such committment to win, it is only a matter of time before the goals go their way.

Sunday 8 June, Blue Tongues Vs Rhinos, Erina Ice Arena

The Blue Tongues came out against the Rhinos like a whole new team. A shaky start saw the boys penalised four times, however with Ross Howell capitalising on the powerplay and scoring the lone goal in the first period, the Blue Tongues were leading at the end of the first. Simo Mustonen was once again starting in goal and made some spectacular saves, making sure Gold Coast remained in control of the puck for the majority of the period.

Rather than playing with desperation, Gold Coast remained focused in the second, only going to the penalty box once in the entire period. Instead, the Blue Tongues scored three quick goals, import Gaeton Royer showing exactly why the team wanted him by netting two, both assisted by Brian Lachance and Jack Connor. Robert Orosz teamed with Ben Spillane, once again filling in up front instead of defending as usual, to pot the third goal of the period, giving the Blue Tongues a 4-0 lead. The Rhinos, however, were not to be outdown and came back at the end of the period with two quick goals of their own, ending the second with a 4-2 scoreline.

Dave Upton opened the scoring in the third, taking the Blue Tongues to their highest goal count so far this year. Anticipation was high in the third period and once again simple mistakes turned costly. The Rhinos capitalised on their mistakes, scoring twice on the powerplay and bringing the game right down to the wire. The Rhinos did everything they could to get the puck past Mustonen one more time to level the game, however the Blue Tongues defense held strong, giving the team their first win of the season.

Gaeton Royer, Jack Connor and Dave Upton were once again phenomenal in their offensive play, as well as Brian Lachance with a couple of helpers. Ross Howell stood out on the defensive corps, not only blocking important shots but netting the first goal of the game on the powerplay. A well-deserved player of the match mention went to Simo Mustonen, who was outstanding in net.

By Wendy Hansen June 11, 2008

Upcoming Games

DATE	HOME	AWAY	TIME
-	-	-	-

Season Schedule

Previous Games

Home teams on top row

Date	Teams	P1	P2	P3	F
24 August	Blue Tongues A's	0 3	0 3	0 1	0 7
23 August	Blue Tongues A's	2 0	0 3	0 0	2 3
17 August	Bears Blue Tongues	3 2	3 2	2 0	8 4
16 August	Knights Blue Tongues	3 1	2 2	4 3	9 6

Game Results

AIHL Standings

Final Season Standings
	GP	Pts
The Bears (Sydney)	28	61
Melbourne Ice	28	54
Western Sydney Ice Dogs	28	54
Newcastle North Stars	28	53
Canberra Knights	28	34
Adelaide A's	28	32
Gold Coast Blue Tongues	28	27
Central Coast Rhinos	28	21

Full League Standings

Individual Leaders

Final Season Statistics
Goals:	Gaetan Royer	22
Assists:	Bryan Lachance	22
Points:	Gaetan Royer	36
PIMS:	Bryan Lachance	188

GAA	Simo Mustonen	4.75
SV%	Simo Mustonen	85.16

Player Statistics