Ruck Pleased With Systems

The CD Dodd Perth Thunder are coming off of a solid opening weekend performance, picking up a win against the league's reigning champions at home.

With their line-up missing two of the four imports not yet on Australian soil, it was up to the local core to step up and get the season off to a good start at Perth Ice Arena.

One of the notable aspects to the Thunders game was the team’s willingness to get the defense into the play and create chances from the blue line.

Dave Ruck, who debuted as Thunder coach over the weekend, was happy with his team’s effort, and admitted that the group had been working on their systems in order to help with activating the defense, allowing them to pinch in on the play to create offensive pressure.

“Over the last couple years the defence had really good wheels, and they had the ability to go for a run and pinch in on the play,” Ruck said. “The problem was they weren’t able to do much with it when they got down there, so we wanted to work on getting them generating plays in the offensive zone.”

Jamie Woodman was a big part of that solid blue line group in game one, and with his first game as Captain chalked in as a win, he also commented on the success of the defense pairings in creating chances for the forward group.

“We’ve got a really young and fast defense core and this year we really want to step up and use it,” Woodman said, “But it’s all based around the systems you have, and when you know that you have a forward group who is working hard to get back and help out it makes you feel more confident to jump up and be a part of the play.”

With the group ready to take on both Sydney teams in the days to come, the team will look to extend it's good start as the local group continues to compete hard while waiting for the imports to arrive.