Thunder 9 - Ice 3

Records were broken and debuts were had at Perth Ice Arena on Sunday night, as the CD Dodd Perth Thunder recorded an emphatic 9-3 victory over the Melbourne Ice on the strength of a Thunder-record nine points from Louick Marcotte.

Marcotte broke the record previously held by Ken Rolph and Ben Breault for most points in a single game for the Thunder (six), as his five goals and four assists were ably assisted by Kieren Webster’s six-point game (two goals, four assists).

The game also marked an AIHL debut for back-up goaltender Evan Bowater, who recorded eight saves on nine shots faced in 7.36 of ice time after coming in to relieve Nico Viksten, who made 27 saves on 29 shots faced.

Keven Veilleux also hit the scoresheet with four points (1G, 3A), while Rob Haselhurst (3A) and Alastair Punler (2A) also recorded multi-point games.

The first period went down ideally for the Thunder, with each of the import skaters and Kieren Webster recording a goal in the first 15 minutes to power the Thunder to a 4-0 lead after on period.

The lead blew out to 6-0 after Marcotte scored twice in the second period, including a tremendous short-handed goal on the back of a great rush from Rob Haselhurst, before the Ice restored some interest in the game with two goals of their own before the second period ended.

It was Marcotte again who crushed he hopes of the Ice, with his fourth goal coming just 31 seconds in to the third period, before Webster made it 8-2 on a Marcotte assist just four minutes later, ensuring that Nico Viksten got some rest before the game was out.

Marcotte’s fifth goal of the game gave debutant Evan Bowater some goal support, but after a strong sequence of early saves, the Ice found a way past the local goaltender to ensure the game finished 9-3.

The Thunder return to Perth Ice Arena for the final home game of the season this coming Saturday, August 17 against the Sydney Bears. Third place will be on the line, so we need everyone there! Make sure you get your tickets today!