Looking To 2011

Sam — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:38:43 +0000

The long dark now approaches. That painfully long period between the end of one season and the start of another. Sure, we have local hockey to keep us entertained and the NHL season kicks off in just a few weeks, but for the hardcore AIHL fan, this period is rather hard to take most years.

The 2010 season was one of ups and downs for the Blue Tongues. We saw some huge improvements from many of the local players, most notably Cam Trew who was standout most games and the return of favorites Dave Upton and Mark “smitty” Smith.

Luke Fiveash saw some great time in net up until Kalleitner was signed and regular locals Ross “Rosco” Howell and Ben “Tick Tock” Spillane were as solid as always, although fans would rather see the coach play Ben as a solid player rather than the grinder/enforcer role he appears to have been lumped with.

The 2011 season is a long way off but many of us, we’re already looking forward wondering what to expect. What imports will the Tongues bring in, what will local players bring to the game next season.

Will see see a change in game style maybe? New changes on or off the ice? These are all questions that go through a fans mind during the “long dark” of the off-season.

One thing is certain though.. we can’t wait for 2011 to get here!

2 Games From Playoff History

Sam — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:00:20 +0000

The Blue Tongues stand on the edge of the most historical even in the 6 years of the franchises involvement in the Australian Ice Hockey League.

This weekend, August 1 & 2 the Gold Coast Blue Tongues take on the Canberra Knights at Bundall on the Gold Coast. Getting 6 points from a back-to-back victory will be a huge boost for the Blue Tongues, but not so huge as the implication it will have heading forward.

You see, if the Tongues can pull of a double this weekend, they mathematically eliminate the Sydney Ice Dogs from playoff contention, and in the process secure their first ever AIHL playoff berth.

This years 11-6-3 record has been a major improvement for the Blue Tongues, who finished 2008 with a dismall 8-17-3 record getting just 27 points and finishing 7th in last years 8-team league.

A major part of the teams success this season has been the outstanding play of import forward, Brad Smulders. Smulders, a native of Canada leads the team and league in goals (30), assists (35) and points (65).

This year has seen some major improvements both on and off the ice. Disciplined play, successful special teams and an increase in crowd numbers have all been a huge bonus to the teams success.

2009 also happens to be the debut season of Ross Howell as team captain. Rosco as he’s affectionately known is one of Australia’s top defenseman and has played this season as both defense and forward, where his outstanding 2-way play has been paramount to the teams winning record.

With just 4 games remaining in the AIHL season, all of them at home, the Blue Tongues have plenty of reasons to feel confident.

Lizard Insider » rosco

Looking To 2011

2 Games From Playoff History