Game Report: CBR Brave versus Melbourne Ice - 29 April 2023

The Caribou CBR Brave welcomed back a number of players and got themselves back onto the Winner’s list on Saturday evening - with a 7-goals-to-1 win over the Melbourne Ice at the O’Brien Icehouse in Melbourne.

With Alternate Captains Casey and Bayley Kubara returning to the line-up after National duties and 2022 Finals MVP Joey Hughes playing his first game for the year, the Brave also welcomed two Imports - Cameron Marks and Felix Plouffe - who arrived from the France2 League this week.

The Brave were playing the Melbourne Ice - who had suffered a 7 goals to 1 loss Friday evening against their cross-town rivals, the Melbourne Mustangs.

It was the Brave who opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the Game, when Joey Hughes found himself free and unmarked in front of the Ice Goaltender and calmly slotted the first goal of the game.

Three and a half minutes later, the Brave added to their lead - when Captain Kai Miettinen found Charlie York in front of the Goaltender.

Returning Brave legend Matt Harvey added to the score a minute and a half later, when he also found himself unmarked in front of Goal and made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

The Brave notched their fourth when Import Cameron Marks scored from a long-range shot from the Blue line - completing the scoring for the First Period.

In the Second Period the Ice came out with more purpose. While the Brave had chances, the Ice dug in and defended grimly. They were able to keep the Brave scoreless for the Period, while they added a goal of their own - with just under seven minutes remaining.

With the Brave entering the Third Period on a Penalty Kill, there was an opportunity for the Ice to capitalise on the man advantage - but they were unable to.

Mid-way through the Final Period, the Brave added to their tally - when a long-range shot from Defenceman Nick Christensen was redirected into the net by Kai Miettinen.

Barely 5 minutes later, Joey Hughes added a second goal to his personal tally when he wheeled around in front of the net and launched a back-handed shot which beat the Goaltender.

The final goal of the Game was scored by the Brave’s second newly-arrived Import, Felix Plouffe -  who found himself unmarked after a scramble in front of the net, and netted the seventh Brave goal.

The Brave’s next game Sunday is against the Melbourne Mustangs - a team which is undefeated in Season 2023. It is sure to prove the Brave’s toughest test so far - one which they will most definitely be up for.

Caribou CBR Brave 7 - Melbourne Ice 1
Goal Scorers:
Caribou CBR Brave:  Joey Hughes (2), Charlie York, Matt Harvey, Cameron Marks, Kai Miettinen, Felix Plouffe
Melbourne Ice:  Austin McKenzie