The 2011 Bears roster was finally at full strength thanks to the arrival of Jordan Hale on Thursday morning and Tony Demelinne and Sheldon Baerg cleared to play, the Bears wanted to make their mark early on in the game and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 8 minutes. 

Vlad Rubes scored the all-important opening goal of the game, banging in a loose puck on the side of the net after Kurtis Dulle wristed a shot on net. 

Michael Schlamp extended his 5 game point streak batting a puck out of the air, putting the Bears in front 2-0 before the end of the first period.  

The Ice came on strong in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts with Perreault scoring low blocker side after a 3 on 2 rush. The Ice continued to pressure, but goalie Shedlon Baerg stood tall robbing Joey Hughes of a sure goal after diving across the net to block the shot.

The Bears increased their lead again with Tony Demelinne scoring his first of the season completing a beautiful passing play that found him wide open on the side of the net. 

Starting the third period up 3-1, the Bears continued to play a defensive style of game until Jordan Hale fell awkwardly into the boards and fracturing his ankle. Now down a defenseman the Bears were on the back foot and the Ice drew within one on the powerplay with less than 4 minutes. The Ice found the back of the net again with less than 2 minutes to go after a lucky deflection off a stick bounced over the shoulder of Bearg forcing a shootout. 

The Bears were unable to find the back of the net on all 3 attempts despite Demelinne ringing it off the post. 

“Despite the loss it was another building block game for us. To be up 3-1 against the Ice in Melbourne is no easy task, losing Hale in the 3rd period was the turning point of the game” said Bears assistant captain Brett Nelson-Bond. 

The Habitat Furniture 3 stars of the game were:

1. Sheldon Baerg
2. Kurtis Dulle
3. Tony Demelinne

Photo credit: Cathy MacDonald