NZIHL Round 5 Dunedin Thunder vs West Auckland
Admirals
11th and 12th July
2009
DunedinIce
Stadium
From the drop of the first puck, it was evident to the coaching
staff as well as the spectators that the Thunder was hungry for a
win.
Jordane Fazende scored for the Thunder just 18 seconds into the
game. The Admirals answered back with a goal ringing in at the
15-minute mark, giving a 1-1 tie entering the second period.
In the second period the Thunder players were determined not to
let down and put a further 3 goals past the Admirals goaltender.
The Admirals proved to be just as hungry for a win and scored their
second goal of the game 10-minutes into the second period.
With 5 minutes remaining in the second period, an Admirals
player suffered a lower body injury after receiving a hard check
into the boards. The game was delayed for 20 minutes while the
paramedics tended to the injured player, and eventually transported
him to the local hospital. Fortunately this player sustained no
serious injuries and was discharged from the hospital early the
next morning
Entering the third period the Thunder were leading by a margin
of 4-2. A hard fought battle ensued with the Thunder scoring
another 3 goals, of which 2 were answered back by the Admirals.
Clay Caird and Mathew Weir scored their first goals of the
season, Jordane Fazende scored his second hat trick of the year and
Stephen Vlok and Simon Christos each had 3 assists to top off the
night.
Unfortunately with 8.45 remaining in the third period a Match
Penalty was called against number 20 of the West Auckland Admirals,
resulting in him being ejected out of the game and suffering a game
suspension for the following night's game.
The final score was 7-4 for the first win of the season for the
Thunder.
After last night's win for the Dunedin Thunder, the West
Auckland Admirals were out to try and make amends for their
loss.
Sunday's game was always going to be an interesting match with
Dunedin Thunder trying for a second win, while the West Auckland
Admirals fielded a team with two players out for the game. One with
an injury and the other with a game match penalty.
The first period started with a determined Admirals team scoring
the first goal midway through the first period to No, 8 Zane Brown.
Dunedin Thunder did not display last nights desire to win and found
themselves in defence mode for most of the period.�
A second goal for the Admirals to No. 9 Chris Jefferies saw the
first period end 2 - 0� to the Admirals.
The Thunder started the second period more determined and
focused with a quick goal to No. 7� Clay Caird, which put Thunder
back in the game, next Admirals scored nearly a minute later with a
goal by number 8 Zane Brown again.
The period continued with a similar number of scoring
opportunities from both sides. However the Admirals scored a
further 3 goals by No. 6 Yinman Chan, No.14 Gareth McLeish and
No.12 Robert Chamberlain, while Thunder scored a second goal by yet
again No. 7 Clay Caird.�
The second period finished with the Admirals leading 6 - 2� and
looking strong for the third and last period..
The last period started with both teams determined to be the
winning team tonight, with Thunder stepping up their game and
scoring three goals in the period, by players No. 12 Heath Dunlop,
No. 27 Jordane Fazende and No. 8 Stephen Vlok , holding the
Admirals scoreless for the period.
Despite the pressure continuing to be applied Thunder could not
break through the Admirals defence for the equalising goal.
The final score was a close� West Auckland Admirals 6 -� Dunedin
Thunder 5.
