Returning Sydney Bears import Tomas Landa has reminded fans of his ability with a goal in each period to record a hat-trick in his team’s 5-2 trial game win over the Sydney Ice Dogs as Andrew McMurtry reports.
pic:: Sydney Bears Facebook Page
Landa, who set the league alight on his last trip to Australia in 2007, was in every attacking play for the Bears, showing deft stickmanship to cut through the middle of the ice on several occasions.
The Bears led from the outset over the young Ice Dogs side that only had four players from last season and returning goalkeeper Gabe Robledo.
Despite there being nothing on the line except bragging rights before heading to the Ice Dogs base at Liverpool for a return trial next week, there was no love lost by the cross town rivals with 32 penalties for a combined 146 minutes in the penalty box as the game threatened to spill over into a brawl.
However, both teams had some positive performances from young guns with 17-year old Scott Clemie scoring a strong goal and competing well throughout the night for the Bears.
On the Ice Dogs side, Joel Rhodes and Matt Pease were equally impressive, both scoring goals and working hard throughout the night.
It was a good hit out for both teams who showed a lot of passion and commitment. But with so many quality players, Australian reps and imports set to strengthen the sides, it will be a much different spectacle when the season proper begins for the two teams on April 28 at the Sydney Ice Arena.
by Andrew McMurtry
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