The Canberra Brave score vital win against rivals Sydney Bears in the first match-up between the two teams in 2024.

The 5-3 victory had big impacts on each team’s season with the Brave cementing themselves in the Finals placings in the Rurak conference and the Bears dropping from first to second in the Hellyer conference and the overall league.

Are the Brave Back?

Is a question and statement that I am sure is going to be thrown around the AI community chatter this week.

It was a tremendous result for the Brave faithful and a culmination of what they have been building to over the last few weeks.

A big reason for the Brave’s recent performances uplift has been the aggressive forecheck the team has been deploying. It’s creating a lot of quick transition and shooting opportunities. Playing to the strengths of players like Austin Cangelosi, Casey Kubara, Mitch Henning and Justin Maylan (when he returns).

I think it is worthwhile comparing some key stats between the first seven games and the last seven for the Brave in Table 1 below.

	Points	Wins	Losses	PP%	PK%	Shots Difference	Goals Difference
First 7	4	13%	88%	10%	72%	-76	-18
Last 7	11	50%	50%	19%	84%	+23	+3
Difference	+7	+37	-38	+9	+12	+99	+21

The table above demonstrates how well the Brave are improving their special teams and offensive production. This in turn results in improved results with more wins and less losses and big points gains. It is the reason why the Brave have advanced from last in Rurak conference to third. Putting the team square in Finals contention.

Strong display vs the Bears but still improvements to be made

The Brave score a vital win by putting in a strong display vs the Bears. Took a hard-fought lead, built on it and then survived a late rush from the visitors. That third period is still an issue for the Canberrans this season. 39% of goals conceded in the first seven games came in the third. That has only increased in the second seven games to 46%. It reminds me of the pre-Starke Brave era and is one area that needs urgent attention to improve.

‘But enough with the negative third period waves Moriarty’. On a bright note, I really enjoyed seeing Mitch Henning utilised in a high line. I thought he really imposed himself on the game with his speed and guile. That goal too was a pocket rocket, get in. Aleksi Toivonen’s return from injury was also a sight for sore eyes. Alex has done a brilliant job this season, but he does need a rest, so to have the tandem back is really important for the Brave’s season.

Bears Lose But Rally Late

Despite the position the Brave are in, I know the Bears would have come to Canberra expecting a tough game. It’s like a derby, ‘innit.

It was great seeing a healthy contingent of Bears fans make the trip down for the game. Always bring lots of noise and colour to the rink. However, it was a little strange seeing them seated so centrally next to the scorers bench.

It was wonderful to see Jake Riley return from injury and back to Canberra. It was however a big surprise to see Dane Brumm in net considering the scintillating form of James Downie.

The Bears were not crash hot in the first period. They really took their time building into the game. You could see things not clicking as they normally do for the league leaders in the second period. They are not used to conceding three goals without reply.

However, the late rally was not a surprise to me. The Sydney Bears are the best performing team in the third period across the league this season. They have the best goal difference in the third period than anyone else. So when Ryan Annesley inspired the Bears to pounce and bring the game into contention once again, the home supporters were right to bite their nails and watch the clock ticking down.

It really was a captains knock by Annesley and he was clearly the best player on the ice for Sydney.

The Bears will be disappointed with the result but I don’t think it is going to dent their confidence for the season. They did turn around the following day and secure a good win verse the reigning champions. Normal service resumes.

Evolution of game-day experience continues

The Brave score another vital win on the hospitality and game-day front.

Previous improvements introduced earlier this season are proving to be popular and continue to grow. Including the pre-game ‘tail-gate’ parties in the forecourt of the rink. It is harder though to convince people not to line up and get into the rink as soon as possible. Breaking a habit of a lifetime does take time, but I feel eventually we will get there, especially for members.

One improvement that started the other week, which represents another evolution of how someone experiences game-days in Canberra, is the ability to hang back after games and enjoy an after-game drink at the Caribou rink bar. Previously, you were chased out of the rink after games, sometimes with the threat of lights being turned off, but now the environment is more inviting.

It was to my surprise that fans, staff, volunteers and players alike were able to enjoy newfound freedom and relax after a game. Catching a glimpse of the Senior grade B game before everyone moved onto their next venues or home.

It’s only a little thing, but it is the sum of all these little nice changes that makes a big difference to the overall experience of game-days. It is also the type of thing that makes the experience of going to hockey in Canberra feel like a real tight-knit community.

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