The CBR Brave ice hockey team had a hard-fought 5-2 victory over the Sydney Ice Dogs in their first home game of the 2021 McCormack Cup at the Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre (aka the Brave Cave) last night, Saturday 15 May.
The evening began with an emotional pre-game ceremony which saw the ceremonial puck drop performed by the parents of Lachlan Seary, the young Brave player who lost his life in a car accident earlier this year. The team announced that they will be dedicating this season to Lachlan.
A very tight and tough first period saw chances for both teams – and the score remained tied at nil-all at the first intermission.
In the second period, the Brave opened the scoring with quick goals to Kai Miettinen and Hayden Dawes in the first minute. The visitors countered with a goal in the eleventh minute, before Brave Captain Matt Harvey netted another to make the score 3-1 at the second intermission.
The final period was free-flowing and there were many chances for both the Brave and their visitors. A goal to Wehebe Darge and a second for Hayden Dawes put the result beyond doubt.
The only sour note for the evening was an injury to young forward Mitch Henning.
This was a fine, first-up home win for the Brave under new Coach Stuart Philps.
Next Sunday, the Brave play the Sydney Ice Dogs at their temporary home in Erina. The Brave’s next home game is against the Ice Dogs on Saturday 5 June at the Phillip Swimming and Ice-Skating Centre.
- Match report by Scott Stevenson
