The Melbourne Ice continue their impressive 2024 form with a maiden sweep over the Brave in Canberra. Winning 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday and following it up with a tightly-fought 3-1 victory on Sunday.

The Ice are on fire at the moment, eight wins on the trot. It’s their equal second best ever start to a season. Equaling their start in 2017 and just one game shy of their best ever start to a season in 2016 (9 games).

The Brave’s longest ever deep freeze continues but there were plenty of bright spots to indicate a thawing is coming.

Small margins matter

The Ice hit their mark on the margins to edge out their opponents and find success at the Brave Cave.

When two even teams match-up, it is often said that the little things decide the outcome of a balanced contest. Finding that tiniest of edges to squeeze out that extra bit of performance.

It is equally often said that past performance cannot guarantee future results. However, past performances can help provide the additional margins to eke out that extra performance on a given day to secure victory.

This weekend past, I believe the additional confidence the Ice brought to Canberra on the back of their hot streak, gave them that edge in the clutch moments over a very comparable Brave team. A Brave team lacking that same confidence as they entered on a cold streak.

The Hughes, Erdugan factor

This was exemplified by Joey Hughes and Joakim Erdugan in the Saturday night game. The Brave had opened a two-goal lead early in the third period. They were looking to lock out the rest of the game and secure a much-needed home win.

Livewire Erdugan knew he had the speed and stick handling skills to turn on a dime and breakout of defence and turn it into attack. He does not need many opportunities to convert his attacks into goals, just one.

With nine minutes to go, he fires the Ice back into contention. Festivities in the stands turns to nerves. Can the Brave hold. The clock ticks ever closer to zero. The Brave continue to look for the killer blow, the referee’s whistle blows. Maylan argues with the ref as he heads to the penalty box. On the power play, Erdugan breaks, plays in Webster who finds Hughes. The whole arena apart from those in blue, white and red goes silent, the Melbourne players celebrate on the ice, they have scored the equaliser, it’s 3-3 and its going to overtime.

Overtime nerves

The Ice defend strongly with a man down for a good portion of overtime. Canberra threw everything into winning with the extra man. They just can’t get past Ishida. The Brave miss a golden opportunity to win.

The game goes to a shootout. They are particularly tricky to score in, tenders are favoured to make the save. Both teams look to their ‘big game’ players to fire them home.

After three shots its even, both sides scoring one goal. The Brave have a second goal by Tommy Steven waved off, we enter sudden death. Up steps Joakim Erdugan. He has already scored the first goal in the shootout. Cool as a cucumber, Erdugan skates down to the goals and performs a move and puts the puck into the net. The move was as cold as ice, Erdugan never looked like missing. It’s like he held all that pressure in the palm of his hand and just scoffed at it.

Austin Cangelosi steps up for the reply shot for the Brave. There is not the same calmness or vibe. He skates towards the net, Ishida makes a big save and watches the puck come to a stop. The Ice throw their hands in the air, game over, they have comeback and won by the slimmest of margins.

Canberra, a welcoming place for away fans

In the past it has been said that Canberra, while a unique away day experience, could be a cold and intimidating away day experience. Big cold lines out the front, drinks restricted to a small space, no hand dryers and poor-quality facilities and a sometimes-intimidating atmosphere.

This is something however that the Canberra Brave organisation, game-day crew, new local business vendors and new rink management and owners are combining to change.

All efforts are being put into improving the game day experience and making Brave Cave days, fun and exciting for everyone, including locals, casuals, visitors and away day supporters.

I have previously covered some of the facility upgrades that are going on around the rink. The Caribou Kingston and Phat Boy Burgers collab continues to develop and grow. Now they have begun hosting pre-game tail-gate parties in the forecourt of the Brave Cave. Gone are the days of lining up outside in the Canberra cold for gates to open. Good riddance to that.  

During games, people move around the rink, come and go from the bar and canteen, all with ease. The addition of more fans on the right hand side of the rink has increased the feeling of all round noise and buzz throughout the rink.

After the games, fans and players mingle at the rink and then kick-on at the Caribou Kingston bar. Game day has gone from just being a game to being an all-day experience, an event.

What the fans have to say

The relaxed fun vibes flowing on game days combined with the good hospitality by the Brave staff has not gone unnoticed either by traveling fans.

“Thank you Canberra Brave. Great weekend of hockey and hospitality. Food and beverages at rink and Caribou Kingston are amazing. Go Melbourne Ice.”

Dave Eastham, Melbourne Ice fan

“I don’t normally enjoy sports but this experience [at the Brave Cave] has been great. I really like how fast paced and dynamic the game is. I have really enjoyed myself.”

Reece Flowers, visitor from Brisbane

‘Brilliant weekend in CBR. Home fans and members, Brave and Caribou staff were all so welcoming. I can’t thank everyone enough. We had so many CBR fans come up to us thanking us for being there and adding to the atmosphere. I would absolutely recommend the trip for fans that haven’t done it before.’

Anonymous Melbourne Ice fan

This kind of feedback is encouraging and shows everyone associated with the game day experience is on the right track in making Canberra a welcoming and fun away day for AIHL fans of all persuasions.

Competitive step forward for the Brave

For the Canberra Brave, despite the pair of losses, the weekend did raise a lot positives. The Canberrans went toe-to-toe with the league leaders and pushed them all the way in two impressive displays on the ice. It felt like a competitive return for the Brave outfit that had lacked offensive cut-through at times in the first few weeks of the season.

The returning Australian and New Zealand national team players in addition to new import Austin Cangelosi, made a big difference. Suddenly the Brave team could keep their intensity, speed and freshness up for the entire game. It’s amazing what a world of difference four lines makes compared to two or three over a 60 minute game.

Saturday: Game one

In game one on Saturday, the final result could well have fallen to the Brave’s win column. They battled hard to open a two-goal lead during regulation time. They kept testing Ishida in the Ice’s net, but in the end the luck of a penalty shootout decided the split of points.

It was a game that highlighted the amazing talents of both goaltenders. With over 100 shots faced during the game, both Tatsunoshin Ishida and Alex Tetreault kept over .900 save percentages. Tetreault coming out on top in the contest with a .947 save percentage.

Sunday: Game two

On Sunday, the game was similarly a tight tussle. The big difference came with the Ice scoring early in the first period. The Brave had to battle back from behind, rather than defending from in front.

Momentum swung back and forth throughout the game. Tempers flared up at times and it was wild seeing Ishida throw down his stick hard into the ice in pure rage and rush towards a Brave player in anger. If it was not for all the other players getting involved, I am not sure what he would have done.

It was a joy watching Justin Maylan’s passion for the game as he started coordinating plays and attacks on the ice. His leadership skills and determination were clear to see, and the fans loved it.

But ultimately former Brave hero, Joey Hughes, broke hometown hearts. He scored a late third period goal to end the crescendo of positive momentum the Brave had built up as they hunted for an equaliser. There was a distinct and clearly audible flattening of the noise and energy around the packed-out Brave Cave.

Perhaps this was not the night of a giant leap forward. Instead, Canberra fans left saying how wonderful it was to have their team back competitive with the best of the best in the league again.

It was the first small step back on the road to redemption for the Canberra Brave in 2024.

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