As fans of the AIHL we are used to seeing import players come and go each season. It’s not so often however that we find ourselves saying farewell to long-term local players, a position Blue Tongues fans find themselves in now with the departure of #96, Dave Upton, who is pursuing a Rugby Union career.
Dave Upton
Dave Upton is one of those guys who can only be described as a freak. Naturally talented at most sports, Dave smashed his way into the AIHL with the Brisbane Blue Tongues at the age of 15, the youngest player ever to play in the league to date. Since then fans have watched Dave grow, not just as an extremely talented hockey player, but as a person.
There are many highlight reel moments over the years including amazing goals, blazing speed and some of the best checking and hittin the Blue Tongues have seen. Fans may remember the massive open ice hit Dave put on a Central Coast Rhino a few years ago in brisbane, or the countless times Dave’s passion and determination shone through as he worked hard to carry the team back into games.
It is fitting and pleasing then to know that Dave’s last game as a Blue Tongue was also a historical one; the Blue Tongues first ever AIHL finals game, a game that was the culmination of 5 years hard work, determination and pure grit by players such as Dave Upton.
Dave Upton’s hit on a Rhino’s player. We apologise for the video quality.
Dave’s departure from the Blue Tongues leaves more than just an empty roster spot, it leaves a “Davie shaped hole” in the very heart of the team, as one fan was recently quoted as saying. A lineup without Dave Upton wont feel like a proper Blue Tongues lineup.
We would like to thank Dave for the time and effort he has put into this team over the last 5 years, and want to express how deeply we appreciate the memories he have given us. Whereever the future takes Dave, we know he will excel and do well.
So to #96, Dave Upton; farewell and thank you for the memories.
The Blue Tongues are on the road this weekend facing off against the Ice Dogs and Bears with a depleted team due to injuries and personal committments. The Tongues solid regular 2nd line made up of Trevor Walsh, Dave Upton and Matt Stubbert are all out this weekend, as is forward Jack Conner and key stay at home defenseman Don Burke.
The lack of depth was prominant in Saturdays 4-1 loss to the Sydney Ice Dogs. The scoreline does not truly reflect the game or how even the teams were, but the loss does show that depth players are essential to a strong team.
Sunday saw a similar situation occur with the Blue Tongues going down 3-2 to the Bears in a shootout. While not a regulation loss, a loss to the Bears is still very much a shock considering they’ve only 4 points this season, including the 2pts they picked up tonight. Andre Selander picked up the only 2 regulation goals.
The Tongues second line has been vital in the recent string of home wins putting up goals and setting up plays. They’re also a solid 2-way line who shut down the opponents while giving the imports a chance to have a rest. Jack Conner, who has been out a few weeks already brings speed and secondary scoring and can play from the top line down, so is very flexible.
One of the biggest losses this weekend however has been Don Burke, who has been absolutely solid on the blueline this season.
According to sources, the Blue Tongues will go into next weekends road games Vs the Melbourne Ice without Walsh, Burke, Upton or Conner.
Harsh subject, I know, but apt. 23 seconds into the first, and the packed out crowd were up on their feet and cheering for the first goal of the game. Throughout the period the Newcastle fans who came up to give their boys some support were chanting “Ezzy Ezzy Ezzy OI OI OI”. Of course Gold Coast fans hit back, repeating the chant exactly the same way after the two Blue Tongues goals that followed in the period! It was intense and exciting to watch, with our boys in blue just hammering Matt Ezzy, checking the North Stars left, right and centre and just generally outplaying them in every way.
In the second period, Newcastle fought back, with a goal by their go-to man, import John Halverson. The end-to-end hockey was impressive, with both teams giving up the puck in their own zone to strong defensive play by both teams. Newcastle scored again, and at the end of the second period? 3-2 Gold Coast. We were still in it, and still looking very, very good. Those 3 points were ours!
In the third, we scored “an insurance goal”, giving us a 2 goal lead over the North Stars. It was brilliant! The BT fans were chanting “EZZY EZZY EZZY OI OI OI!”, the Newcastle fans were silent. So silent, their team turned around (the fans were on the seats behind their bench) and yelled at them to start cheering for some encouragement! It all seemed to be going Gold Coast’s way…
And then a lapse in the defensive core occurred, and for some reason, Gold Coast were unable to stop John Halverson from getting his stick on the puck. He wasn’t shut down, he wasn’t guarded by our defensemen. He was allowed the puck, and we paid the price dearly. 2 goals by Halverson in the last 2 mins of the game meant we once again went to a shootout. And while we scored twice on Ezzy (thank you Dave Upton and Brad Smulders!), Luke Fiveash couldn’t stop the Newcastle shooters from scoring on him.
In the four game and 24 point series against the North Stars, we came away with 0 W 2 L 2 OTL and a lonely 2 points.
So where do we go from here?
Next weekend we play The Bears. Last time we faced The Bears, Luke Fiveash shut them out, and our skaters put 7… that’s right seven goals on them! Therefore we need plenty of offense, but we can’t be complacent on defense. The Blue Tongues must protect their goalie and shut down the opposition’s shooters. Ideally, they should also try to reduce the number of turnovers and missed passes they have too. Saying that, practice makes perfect and all they can do is come out firing!
Until next game….
