The pointy end of the season is truly upon us.  The Blue Tongues have wrapped up their home games for the season and now have just 4 games left to play, all against tough opponents in even tougher venues.

As it stands right now the Blue Tongues are in 4th position on the ladder, just 1 point ahead of the Adelaide Adrenaline and 7 points back from a 3rd place Sydney Ice Dogs.  The Adrenaline are the biggest threat for the Tongues and have the advantage of an easier schedule.

Here is how the 2 teams break down of the final 4 games including the record against those teams this season.

Gold Coast Blue Tongues

Away – Melbourne Ice (1 win, 1 loss, 1 shootout loss)
Away – Melbourne mustangs (3 wins)
Away – Newcastle North Stars (2 losses)
Away – Newcastle North Stars

Adelaide Adrenaline

Away – Canberra Knights (1 win, 1 loss)
Away – Sydney Bears (1 shootout win, 2 wins)
Home – Canberra Knights
Home – Sydney Ice Dogs (1 win, 2 losses)

The Blue Tongues don’t really have any easy teams to face, except maybe the Mustangs.

Tobias Falk has been consistently good all season for the Tongues and deserves to be #1 choice for team MVP

They know they can defeat the Ice as this last weekend showed, and they have the confidence of knowing that they can compete with the Ice down in Melbourne.  The North Stars are the key to this series I believe, as the Tongues history against Newcastle, in Newcastle has not been good at all over the years.  That said, Matt Ezzy has been very normal this season so as long as our boys can bring the firepower they should compete.  The last time they played the North Stars they did so without a full roster and zero team chemistry, so the next 2 games could be vastly different.  The Tongues should pick up a win against the Mustangs and I believe they should pick up a win against the North Stars.  That gives a short estimate of at least 6 of a possible 12 points.

The Adrenaline on the other hand are playing well and have a relatively easy run of things.  The Bears are an easy team for them based on past history with the Knights and Ice Dogs being the key to their season.  The game against the Bears will almost certainly be a win (although would love it not be).  The Ice Dogs I believe will win once again and based on games this season they should split the 2 games against the Knights.  That gives the Adrenaline a short estimate of 6 points from 12.

If both teams pick split their series, the Tongues will remain 1 point ahead and will secure that finals spot.

Right now it’s too close to call.

Related posts:

1. 2010 AIHL Finals
2. Weekly Faceoff: 2011 AIHL Gets Underway
3. Weekly Faceoff: Tongues Fall, AIHL Awards And More

The Sydney bears travel to the gold coast this weekend to play the home team, blue tongues. The Tongues are coming off a weekend they would rather forget after the AIHL ruled the sunday game vs the Ice Dogs a forfeit due to the rink being unplayable.

7 points back from 4th place with 3 games in hand, the Tongues need to win these 2 games.

Games start at 4pm both days, assuming of course the rink works.

Related posts:

1. Trevor Walsh Beats Bears; Blue Tongues Along For Ride
2. AIHL To Determine Blue Tongues Season
3. Blue Tongues Season Opener Goes To Shootout

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

Another week is done and dusted.  Another weekend of AIHL games in the books and another team or 2 in the NHL sent to play golf.

Period 1: Blue Tongues Drop 2 In Adelaide

Image Courtesy Of http://www.adelaideadrenaline.com.au

It took a few games, but the Blue Tongues are finally on the points board… barely.  The team traveled to Adelaide this last weekend to face off against the Adelaide Adrenaline; a team we historically struggle against on the road.  The boys forced a shootout in the Saturday game but could not capitalise in the shootout and ended up dropping the game 5-4.  The positive is they managed to pick up a point and get on the points board.  Sunday was a bit different with the Adrenaline allegedly dominating most of the game, resulting in the Blue Tongues losing 5-3.  For the Blue Tongues, this puts some early season strain on the team, who are 2nd last in the league with just 1 point after 4 games.  Only the Sydney Bears have a worse record (1 win from 5 games).  In a league where teams like the Melbourne Ice, Newcastle North Stars and Melbourne Mustangs have blasted out of the gates, it is going to take some seriously big (consistent) wins to get the Tongues up into a finals contending position.

Period 2: AIHL Awards

I know it’s very early in the season to raise this, but watching the NHL playoffs got me thinking; why doesn’t the AIHL have annual awards?  We may not be a professional league like the NHL, but we do still have rookies, MVP players and killer netminding.  It would be great if the AIHL were to create annual awards, and name them after great Australian Hockey Players from the past.  I would propose an AIHL equivalent to the Calder, Vezina, Conn Smyth, Lady Byng and Rocket Richard.  Of course, there would have to be a way to maybe limit certain awards to local players only, or the majority of awards will always go to imports.  Just a thought anyway.

Period 3: AIHL Update

The North Stars finally dropped a game this last weekend, falling 6-4 to the Ice Dogs.  The Mustangs gave the Ice their first loss of the season also, beating them 5-4 in a shootout. Interestingly, it is the Ice Dogs who have the leagues best GAA, who after 5 games have let in on average, 3.40 goals per game.  They back that up with 5.00 GFA.  The North Stars, who have a league leading 6.00 GFA are third in GAA with 3.75 goals against per game.

The AIHL Standings as of today are:

Overtime: NHL Playoffs

No doubt you’ve been following the NHL playoffs so are aware of the spanking that the Tampa Bay Lightning put on the Washington Capitals, sending them packing in 4 straight games.  Just when people were getting over the shock of that, the Boston Bruins did the same, sweeping the (Stanley Cup favorites) Philadelphia Flyers out of the post season.  In the West things are a still going.  The Canucks look good, but have struggled a little against the Predators defense.  They hold a 3-2 lead in their series.  Just today the Red Wings pulled off a 4-3 win against the Sharks to keep their chances alive.  The Sharks lead that series 3-2.  The big question is, regardless of who wins in the West, are they good enough to stop the Bolts or Bruins?

Related posts:

1. Weekly Faceoff: 2011 AIHL Gets Underway
2. Weekend Roundup: Ice Dogs Bite & Bears Fall
3. Weekly Faceoff: McRae, The AIHL & World Champs

Over the next 2 days the top 4 teams will fight it out to discover who will be the AIHL Champion for 2010.  After a grueling regular season only the Sydney Bears, Adelaide Adrenaline, Newcastle North Stars and finals host Melbourne Ice remain in the competition.  These 4 teams each play their own style of hockey and all of them want to raise the cup as much as the next.  But, who will be strong enough to make it?  Last seasons winners, the Adrenaline are looking to win back-to-back championships.  The Newcastle North Stars have a deadly offensive lineup including Brian Bales and Peter Cartright who surpassed last seasons record set by Brad Smulders of the Blue Tongues.  The Sydney Bears have been looked on as the underdogs, but have a well balanced team that is dangerous to underestimate.  Lastly, the Melbourne Ice, who have a new rink, new attitude and a serious home-ice advantage.

As a fan of the sport of hockey, it’s hard not wanting to throw support behind one of these 4 teams during the finals.  I personally would love to see the Bears get up over the other teams, but a first round match against the Ice could prove a mighty challenge.  The Ice losing in the semi would be a great thing to see however.  The North Stars / Adrenaline matchup will be a good one as we see great offense meet great defense.  If the Adrenaline can shut down Bales and Cartright, I think they could take the win.

Game 1 is this afternoon with the 2nd semi Saturday night at 7:15pm.  The Final is Sunday afternoon.

Related posts:

1. Staring Down The Barrel At The 2011 AIHL Finals
2. Congratulations Melbourne Ice: 2010 AIHL Champions
3. Adrenaline Champs, Off-Seasons & the AIHL Rumour Mill

With just 4 games left in the regular season for our Blue Tongues, and all 4 of them against the Newcastle Northstars, the Tongues have just one thing on their mind… turn out the lights on the boys from Twinkletown!

Matches between the Northstars and Blue Tongues has always been some of the best hockey to watch, and these last few games shall be no different.  The Northstars bring with them a strong offensive lineup and solid netminding from Matt Ezzy (product of Gold Coast Ice Hockey, btw).  The Blue Tongues bring size, grit and a strong offensive scoring punch from imports Mike McRae and Dallas Costanzo.  This season the Blue Tongues have a new weapon however.  One that could play a huge role in these final 4 games; Reese Kalleitner. Reese has been solid in all his games played this season, and looks to continue his domination between the pipes this weekend.

Going into this weekends games, the Northstars have just 8 regulation wins, but have managed to pull off a whopping 7 shootout victories, ensuring their place in the standings with 39 points!  The Blue Tongues have 9 wins and 1 shootout victory and currently sit tied for 4th spot with 30 points.  While the Stars have put up more goals this season, the goals against for both teams (62 & 66 respectively) are both in the top 3 in the league.

The current standings are:

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1. Weekly Faceoff: Tongues Fall, AIHL Awards And More
2. Hot Tongues Roll On
3. Adrenaline Champs, Off-Seasons & the AIHL Rumour Mill

Reese kalleitner made 3 giant shootout saves tonight and the Blue Tongues special teams excelled to secure the Blue Tongues 3-2 shootout victory against the visiting Sydney Bears. Mike McRae netted a fantastic shorthanded goal and Alex Boyd put in a 1st period goal in a game that was fast-paced and full of intensity.

The key standout feature in todays game was the Blue Tongues presence in front off the Bears goalie, Nick Boucher. The boys in blue crashed the net and screened the goalie perfectly, and it was on one such occasion that Alex Boyd put the Tongues ahead.

The last line of defense, Reese Kalleitner was once again, outstanding between the pipes making this fan swallow his words posted in an earlier blog. I admit it, i was wrong about Reese.

I want to give a very special shout-out to Ben Spillane and the other injured players. It’s not easy being injured and having to watch the game instead of play in it, and these guys are professional in both victory and defeat. I know that Ben is itching to get out there and will see action when the team travels to Canberra in 2 weeks time.

The Blue Tongues are looking strong and all the boys are ready to make a strong run for their spot in Melbourne at the end of August!

Go Tongues!

Related posts:

1. McRae, Kalleitner Lead Tongues To Victory
2. Reese Kalleitner: Import or Bust?
3. Weekly Faceoff: Imports, Sponsors & Intersquad Games

Mike McRae’s hatrick and Reese Kalleitner’s solid netminding ensured the Blue Tongues a 4-2 victory in todays match between the Gold Coast Blue Tongues and visiting Sydney Bears.  Dallas Costanzo also had a goal.

The Blue Tongues, missing Ben Spillane and Adam Gebara to injury, relied on fantastic teamwork and discipline to outplay the Bears.  The patience in making plays created many opportunities for counter-attacks and the Blue Tongues did not hesitate in making use of them.

The Blue Tongues discipline allowed the Bears only 3 powerplay opportunities, and the team defense killed off all of them.  At the other end of the ice, the Bears struggled, going to the penalty box 5 times.  The Tongues special teams jumped on the opportunities with 2 powerplay goals.

The fast paced game provided for exciting end-to-end hockey, and the real battle of the game was between the guys between the Pipes; Reese Kalleitner and Nick Boucher.  Both goalies made incredible saves and did their teams proud, but it was Kalleitner who won the day, and the game.

Special mentions to Don Burke who played a solid game as a forward today, and Jon Bale, who has stepped up his game this season and pulled off some spectacular plays in todays match.

Let’s do it again tomorrow boys!

Related posts:

1. Reese Kalleitner: Import or Bust?
2. Hot Tongues Roll On
3. Blue Tongues Blow Lead, Give Newcastle Shootout Win

We’ve reached that part of the season we love to hate.  The skates are put away, the schedule is complete and the champion has been crowned;  the 2009 AIHL season is over.

Adelaide Adrenaline, AIHL Champions

Congratulations to the Adelaide Adrenaline who played some of the best hockey this fan has seen in recent times, dominating the Melbourne Ice 6-1 in their semi-final and defeating the defending champions, Newcastle North Stars in a 3-2 overtime victory on Sunday to secure the championship.

With IHA declaring the revered Goodall Cup was going back to a state competition, the AIHL introduced a new trophy which AIHL teams will now play for.  The trophy was on display during the finals and handed to Adrenaline Greg Oddy as the captain of the victorious Adelaide Adrenaline.

The Gold Coast Blue Tongues made their first ever finals appearance to the roar of a dedicated Tongues fan base.  Players later expressed that the Blue Tongues fans, who numbered less than 20 out-screamed the packed North Stars crowd.  Keeping even through 2 periods, the Blue Tongues lost to the Newcastle North Stars 5-3 in their semi-final matchup.

The Melbourne Ice team, who were defeated 6-1 by the Adrenaline in semi-final #1 should take away many positive things from this season, one in which saw them rebuilding with youth and inexperience.  Greg Oddy and the boys did fantastic to get them to the playoffs.

Brad Smulders, AIHL MVP

Brad Smuldes was awarded the AIHL regular season MVP award.  He broke the AIHL scoring record, putting up 33 goals, 43 assists for 76 points, beating the old record by 7 points.

Cass Delsar of the Adelaide Adrenaline was awarded the playoff MVP, for what we can tell, deflecting a puck and scoring the overtime game winner agains the North Stars.  This has sparked a discussion as to whether scoring “that” goal is deserving of the playoff MVP.  We feel Greg Oddy or Thilthorpe would have been more deserving personally.

Mike Crowhurst of Slapshot.com.au has posted that DVDs of the finals games (all 3 of them) are available for purchase via their website: http://www.slapshot.com.au.  According to Mike, they had 300 people tuning in to watch the games!  A huge thanks to Mike, Mischa and the rest of the Slapshot boys for making the games available to the world.

The AIHL Trophy

The AIHL off-season is a long one, stretching through til April/May next year.  Over the next 7 months teams will work on securing new imports, work on training the local guys and prepare for another AIHL season.  The AIHL is notorious for it’s rumour mill, so here are few to whet your appetite.

According to people in the know, the talk around the league is that there could be new teams in the AIHL next season.  Nobody has been able to confirm anything as yet, however 3 names keep popping up; Melbourne, Central Coast and Brisbane.  Melbourne have their new ice arena next season, making room for another team down there.  The Central Coast has the Rhinos, although I find it hard to believe they would be back if the same owner is involved.  Brisbane used to have the Blue Tongues, so has the ability and fan base to hold a team.

According to sources who we believe had one too many, Matt Ezzy’s days in Newcastle are over, and he could be on the move to a new team.  This rumour was also popular this time last year, so take it as you will.  I sincerely hope he does not move to the Gold Coast unless he welcomes the taste of humble pie, as there is zero chance fans up there will worship him as the Newcastle crowd do.

Loads of rumours of returning import players, including 1 from the Blue Tongues, 1 from Newcastle and 1 from the Adrenaline.

Related posts:

1. 2010 AIHL Finals
2. Weekly Faceoff: Tongues Fall, AIHL Awards And More
3. Weekly Faceoff: McRae, The AIHL & World Champs

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Seems a harsh subject, but if you were at the game, a fairly accurate description. The ice was reminiscent of a scene from Youngblood, an 80s hockey movie staring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze – fog all over the ice, and visibility for the crowd was extremely limited. After the game, I spoke to a couple of players who assured me that the visibility on the ice wasn’t that bad for them, and either way it was as bad for the Bears as it was for the Blue Tongues.

Fog and pelting rain on the tin roof of the rink aside, the start of the game didn’t bode well, with import Andre Selander sent to the penalty box for boarding 14 seconds into the game. However, the Blue Tongues strong penalty kill (PK) team showed up to play, killing off not just Selander’s penalty but Ivarsson’s tripping penalty 4 minutes later. Dave Upton opened the scoring for the BTs, with Trevor Walsh and Jon Bale also adding to the tally in the first.

Before I go onto to Trevor Walsh and how he was truly the hero of the game, I want to spend a moment on Jon Bale’s goal. The play was just beautiful. Don Burke passed to Dave Upton who sent a sweet pass, and I mean a sweet pass to Jon Bale, who connected perfectly, lifting the wrister shot into the top left shelf, where it missed the post, hit the net and the arms went up in the air. It was just such a pretty, pretty goal. The crowd screamed and cheered and clapped and everyone was elated. And it sent the Blue Tongues to the first intermission with a 3-0 lead.

In the second period, I’m not sure what happened to our boys but they either went to sleep or left the building because they weren’t the same team in the second period that they were in the first. Let’s face it, if it had been the North Stars out there yesterday instead of the Bears, that would have been the ballgame. The North Stars would have shredded us to pieces, spanked their butts and sent them home to their mothers. The defense was lackluster – no energy, no one looked to see where their teammates were – there were more turnovers than a Brumby’s bakery! The amount of times a BT passed the puck to a Bear was astronomical. And while the fog didn’t help the team, the Bears had to play in the same conditions, to they can’t use that excuse. The Bears put three goals on the BTs in that period. THREE! They shouldn’t have gotten anywhere near Fiveash to score on him – especially when we outshot them in every period.

Meanwhile… Walshie. Walshie was the hero of yesterday’s game. He lead the way on the ice the entire game, and was a standout player for the whole three periods. He was strong on offense, he was quick to get into position, he was helping out on defense when – in the second period – the defense for the Tongues took a nap or went on vacation. He was just one the entire game. Two goals were scored in the second period for the BTs – both by Walshie. And he scored his fourth goal in the third period. Brad Smulders and Andre Selander also scored in the third, while the Bears managed 1 more – the game ending at 8-4, but the scoreline just does not represent how the teams played.

In tonight’s game, the Blue Tongues once again face the Bears again in the second of the double header. The Blue Tongues need to tighten up the defense and watch their teammates. There is no point passing the puck if there’s no one there to receive it. And while we can score goals and put plenty of shots on goal, the defense needed a little improvement – or at least a little more physicality. The intensity that was there against the North Stars was not there against the Bears. Hopefully it will return tonight.

Related posts:

1. Can The Bears Grizzle The Blue Tongues
2. Blue Tongues Blow Lead, Give Newcastle Shootout Win
3. Weekly Faceoff: Blue Tongues Tear Knights, Controversy On Blogs And More