The C.D. Dodd Perth Thunder will head to Melbourne for a pair of games against the Melbourne Mustangs this coming weekend. The Thunder have won four straight contests over the Adelaide Adrenaline and have moved into the fourth and final qualifying position for the AIHL finals.
Saturday 13th July and Sunday 14th July
Melbourne Mustangs (5-W/7L/0-OTW/3-OTL-18PTS)
Perth Thunder (7-W/7-L/1-OTW/1-OTL-24 PTS)
Mission Accomplished in Adelaide
The C.D. Dodd Perth Thunder extended their winning streak to four games with a pair of road victories over the Adelaide Adrenaline this past weekend. On Saturday, the Thunder skated to a 4-2 victory led by a pair of goalseach from Ben Breault and Kieren Webster. Nico Viksten was solid in goal for the Thunder turning aside 40 of 42 shots faced for a .952 save percentage.
The Thunder backed up Saturday’s win with one of their most complete efforts of the season downing the Adrenaline 7-1. The Thunder continued the weekend pattern of scoring goals in pairs as Jake Gilmour (2G-0A-2pts) scored his first two AIHL goals for the Thunder and Keven Veilleux (2G-3A-5pts) and Kieren Webster(2G-1A-3pts) also netted a pair of goals each. Ben Breault (1G-1A-2pts) rounded out the scoring as he continued his resurgent play and now has scored eight goals on the season including five in his last three games played. Nico Viksten turned aside 33 of 34 shots faced (.971 save %).
Overall, the Thunder accomplished their goal of securing all 12 points on offer in the back-to-back weekend games against the Adrenaline, sweeping the first two games at Perth Ice Arena followed by the sweep in Adelaide. There were other positive signs as well. The special teams were excellent against Adelaide, the power play striking for six goals in 16 chances, a 37.5% success rate, while the penalty kill went 17/20 in the four games, an 85% clip while adding two short handed goals.
Haselhurst Named Player of the Week
Following the weekend home games against Adelaide on the 29th and 30th June, Thunder defenseman Rob Haselhurst was named the AIHL Skaters Network Player of the Week. Haselhurst scored two goals and two assists in his two games played against the Adrenaline. Congratulations Rob on securing the honour!
Gilmour Settling in Nicely
C.D. Dodd Perth Thunder import forward Jake Gilmour is settling in well to his new role with the Thunder. Gilmour netted his first two goals in the AIHL on Sunday in Adelaide, and has now scored two goals and added four assists for six points in his first three AIHL games. Gilmour’s addition to the line-up has led to a very noticeable improvement in the play of the club’s import group as a whole and the fact that all four import forwards are contributing with strong offensive performances gives the Thunder an abundance of options as they continue their Finals push. Head Coach Dave Ruck will be busy weighing his options and delivering the optimal combination of imports each game whilst enjoying the luxury of a solid player to come into the line-up should anyone be unavailable due to injury or suspension.
Viksten Shutting the Door
Thunder Finnish import goaltender, Nico Viksten has elevated his play over the past two weeks in winning four straight games over Adelaide. Viksten stopped 119 of 127 shots faced against the Adrenaline, good for a .937 save percentage. Viksten’s play has been up and down at times this season but there is no question he is looking more and more comfortable in the Perth net as the season progresses and he adapts to play in the AIHL. The Thunder will need Viksten at the top of his game if they are to continue their recent form and secure as many points as possible against fellow Finals contenders in the upcoming weeks.
This Week’s Games
The C.D. Dodd Perth Thunder are back on the road for the second consecutive weekend when they take on the Melbourne Mustangs at O’Brien Icehouse in Melbourne.
Game time Saturday (13th July) will be 3:00pm Perth time while Sunday’s (14th July) puck drop will be at 12:00pm Perth time. Check our social feeds for updates on availability of live streams. We will share that information once it becomes available.
The teams last faced one another on the Thunder’s home opening weekend when they split a pair of contests at Perth Ice Arena. Jaden Pine-Murphy stopped all 49 shots he faced over two games in posting two shut-outs, however he only managed one victory as the Thunder were 1-0 winners in the second game that weekend on a Rob Haselhurst shoot-out winner.
Entering this week’s series, the Thunder have an opportunity to distance themselves from the Mustangs and consolidate their standing as a Finals team if they can secure the maximum, six points on offer. Perthenters play in fourth position on 24 points while the Mustangs are placed sixth on 18 points. To show the importance of these games, a pair of wins by the Thunder in regulation would see them open a 12-point advantage over the Mustangs while conversely, a pair of Mustangs’wins in regulation would see the teams tied.
AIHL Finals Series Shifting to Newcastle
As reported last week, the AIHL announced that the 2019 AIHL Finals Series will be played in Newcastle at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on the 31st August and 1stSeptember. This will mark the 5th occasion that Newcastle will host the AIHL Finals series and Goodall Cup Championship having hosted previously in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012. Ticket information is available on the AIHL website.
Next Thunder Home Game
Perth’s next action on home ice will take place on the weekend of 20th and 21st July when they host the Sydney Ice Dogs for a two game series that is bound to have major implications on the race to the Finals! Be sure to book your tickets early for these massive games, as the Thunder will be looking for the support of a raucous home crowd.
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