The Weekly Faceoff is a regular column talking about all things Tongues, in and around the AIHL.

After what felt like a millenia while other teams played, the Blue Tongues finally got their season underway this weekend just gone.  The Blue Tongues hosted the red-hot Newcastle North Stars in a match up that was sure to be interesting, for both fans and players alike.

Period 1: Positive In Defeat

Matt Amado - 5G 1A this last weekend

This may sound cliche, but the Blue Tongues should feel very pleased with their outcome, especially after the Sunday game.  We must remember that the North Stars have been playing for at least 3 weeks, and in that time have developed team chemistry; the type of chemistry that only comes from playing together.  Matt Ezzy is coming off a stellar (Gold Medal winning) performance at Worlds and the team has red-hot scorers from last season Brian Bales and Peter Cartright tearing up the scoreboard up front.  The Blue Tongues went into the weekend as a fresh new team with little in-game chemistry and missing their top scorer from last season, Mike McRae, who was out of the country.   It also needs to be noted that the Blue Tongues played at least 3 rookies and only 3 imports.  On Saturday the North Stars out-played the Blue Tongues in almost every aspect of the game.   The Tongues found their game in the third and gave Newcastle a good push back with 2 quick goals by Matt Amado and Jon Bale.  By the end of that game the Blue Tongues had a better sense of their opposition, and themselves.  Sunday’s game was a much stronger performance by the boys in blue, highlighted by the incredible 3 goals in 1:15 late in the third period.  While they did lose the game 7-6, it needs to be noted that an untested team still finding its footing made put 6 goals on Matt Ezzy, most of them while the North Stars top line was on the ice.  Imagine what the Blue Tongues could do when they get chemistry and have a full line-up!

Period 2: The Price Is Wrong

Those familiar with the Gold Coast know that directly behind the opposition bench are the Blue Tongues faithful; the loudest fans in the house.  Over the years there have been a few minor incidents between players and fans, but generally things go smoothly.  A few seasons back we had an incident where Matt Price of the North Stars squirted water at some of the fans; an incident that resulted in the fan in question getting a written apology.   Last season there was another incident, again with Matt Price, where he insulted a group of fans.  The insult went ignored by the fans at the time.  This last weekend there was an incident with, you guessed it, none other than #14, Matt Price.  The fans were calling out the ref regarding a “bad call” and Price turned and made rude and derogatory comments towards the fans.  At no point in time did any of us fans refer to, or talk to the North Stars players or even reference them in any way; we make a point of ignoring the guys on the bench after the incident a few years back.  The comments were completely uncalled for and highly offensive.  Do the North Stars need to put a leash on their dog?  I can’t imaging the North Stars encouraging or supporting this type of behaviour from their players.  I for one am quite disgusted that comments like this are almost expected from Price when the North Stars visit the Gold Coast.

Period 3:  The Good, The Bad, And The Defense

Making the switch from forward to defense is not an easy thing to do.  This weekend we saw Jack Conner move to the blue line, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw.  Conner’s positioning was solid and he used his puck skills, agility and speed to his advantage, often beating the attackers to the puck or getting in the passing lanes.  The fans were very impressed with the performance Conner put in, kudos to him.  Also on defense is another forward / defenseman; Marco Bertossa.  Marco made the move to D last season and continues to play that role in 2011.  This weekend he was unfortunately a liability on the ice more than a benefit to the team.  On Saturday Bertossa’s bad positioning directly resulted in forwards skating in for a free shot and scoring on the Blue Tongues.  We know Marco can play well, so we do hope that this weekend was an anomaly and his game improves for next weekend in Adelaide.  Upfront the standout for the fans was #9 Adam Geric.  While he put up no points, he was incredible to watch and was heavily involved in all aspects of the ice.

Overtime: Beer With The Boys

One of the things we have always loved about the Blue Tongues was the player/fan interaction.  Us old fans will never forget the 2006 season when JP, Gibbo and all the other imports drove up to Redcliffe from the Gold Coast just to have a BBQ with the fans.  It was that kind of interaction that made us fall in love with the team.  The on ice performance was always welcome, of course.  Last season the teams official after-game location was moved to Rowers and many of us didn’t like it because it was loud and allowed no good place to actually talk to the team.  This season the after-game pub has been moved back to the Benowa Tavern, just around the corner from the rink.  So you can imagine how happy we were when after the games this last weekend, the team, family and fans alike all headed round there for a beer, dinner and to say hi.   For the fans it is this kind of interaction that is the true driving force behind this team.

The Blue Tongues travel to Adelaide this weekend to take on the Adrenaline.  In the 12 away games the Tongues have played in Adelaide (incl. games vs Avalanche and A’s) the Tongues record is 3-6-0-3 (w-l-sow-sol).