Game Report: CBR Brave versus Sydney Ice Dogs - 22 April 2023

In one of the gutsiest performances of their nearly ten year existence, the Caribou CBR Brave overcame the absence of a number of their stars and a tough opponent with an established line-up to take a dramatic overtime win in their opening Home Game of the 2023 Australian Ice Hockey League Season.

With the Brave still missing four first-choice Players on National Duties in Spain at the World Championships and with Imports still to arrive, the Brave were entering the game in an unfamiliar position - as underdogs in a game on their own Ice.

The Brave had a win in Erina last weekend against the Central Coast Rhinos, while the Ice Dogs split their opening weekend - with a loss in their opening game against the Sydney Bears and a win in their second game against the Brisbane Lightning.

Both teams were hungry for another victory, to build on the good start that they had in week one of the League.

The First Period was a back-and-forth affair - with neither side able to convert their chances. With no penalties and very few stoppages, the period proved to be a great test of stamina.

It was the Visiting Team who led in shots on goal, forcing Brave Goaltender Alex Tetreault to make 15 saves - while the Home Team struggled to get the puck on net.

The Second Period brought an early penalty to the Brave, and the Ice Dogs took full toll - with Import Forward Grant Toulmin putting the Visitors on the board run the sixth minute.

The Brave struck back in the thirteenth minute of the Period, with a well worked play - finding Joey Maatouk for a clean strike past the Goaltender into the net.

Barely a minute and a half later, an interception by Brave Import Chris Stoikos led to a breakaway and a one-on-one opportunity with the Goaltender - and a second Brave goal.

The Ice Dogs evened the scores with just under two minutes left in the Period, with a goal to Brandon Egli.

The Third Period was a tense affair - with the Home crowd on the edge of their seats for the entire 20 minutes. The noise level rose significantly, as the Crowd urged on the Home Team.

Despite the best effort of the Home Fans, the Brave were unable to convert their 12 shots - and the game went into 3-Player-on-3 Overtime.

In the first minute of the Overtime period, a desperate defensive effort by the Brave brought the puck into the possession of Goaltender Alex Tetreault. 

Tetreault spied Captain Kai Miettinen skating up the ice - and lifted a long pass to Miettinen in the Brave’s attacking zone, being marked by three Ice Dogs players.

Looking up, Miettinen sensed that the Goaltender may be screened by a Defender - so he put a quick, looping shot on goal which beat the Goalie and found the back of the Net. 

The crowd in the Brave Cave erupted - as the Home Team took the overtime win 3 goals to 2.

For Kai Miettinen, this was one of his more memorable wins.
“It was a massive win. Very proud of everyone. It’s a massive morale boost heading to the rest of the season.”

For the Players, the Crowd were the factor that lifted them to the win.

“The crowd was amazing. You could see that they were in right in the game from the first puck drop right to that last goal in overtime.” said Miettinen.

"They kept us in it, they kept us on top of our game. The noise after every goal, every hit, every save - we [the players] feel that and we feed off it. And to get that win in front of everybody the way we did was a pretty special moment.”

The Brave travel to Sydney tomorrow to play the Sydney Bears - who are undefeated after two games this year.  The Bears always seem to find something extra when they are playing the Brave - and tomorrow will be no exception. The Brave will need to be on their game to keep their winning streak alive.

Game Summary:
Final Score:  Caribou CBR Brave 3 - Sydney Ice Dogs 2
Goal Scorers:
- Caribou CBR Brave:  Joey Maatouk, Chris Stoikos, Kai Miettinen
- Sydney Ice Dogs:  Grant Toulmin, Brandon Egli