Bear Essentials: Lightning Grounded
It’s that time of the week again - the Bear Essentials recap and preview sponsored by Genesis Edge Law Group. Last weekend, the Bears travelled to Brisbane to take on the Lightning, who were undefeated at Boondall.
Entering the weekend, the Bears could have ended up anywhere from first to ninth in the standings by Sunday evening. In the end, after earning five out of six points at Boondall (6-5 OT win on Saturday, 7-4 win on Sunday), the Bears sit in third place in both points (15) and points percentage (.625).
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Bears ranked ninth in goals scored per game. After 13 goals across two games, the Bears now sit sixth in that category. Defensively, the Bears continue to excel, conceding the second-fewest goals per game.
Those improvements have led to the Bears sporting a three-game win streak and a five-game point streak.
A big part of the weekend’s success and improvement in the last few weeks has been balanced scoring. Eight different goal scorers contributed to the 13-goal total, including three players who recorded their first goals of the season: Kenshin Hayashi, Ruben Nalos, and Finn Withey.
Kenshin Hayashi’s goal was especially significant, and not just because it was his birthday. The goal was the first by a Bears defenceman this season.
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Logan Brodie had another outstanding weekend, with eight points (4G, 4A) across two games. Brodie now has 13 points in eight games played, is second on the team in points, and is tied for second in goals (5).
Finn Withey opened his AIHL scoring account in style with a top-shelf wrister in overtime on Saturday and a top-shelf slapper from the slot on Sunday, which ended up as the game winner before he iced the game from the red line with an empty-netter.
Anthony Kimlin has shouldered a heavy load for the Bears this season, and he had another solid outing to earn an overtime win on Saturday. Kimlin also took sole possession atop the league in both save percentage (.919) and goals against average (2.59).
Newly signed netminder Hayden Plimley was outstanding in his AIHL debut on Sunday, recording 36 saves on 40 shots for a .900 save percentage, good for sixth overall in the league.
Also, as a random stat, among all players with no penalty minutes, Lucas Herrmann has the most goals. If the AIHL had a Lady Byng equivalent (for the combination of most skilled and sportsmanlike player), Herrmann would be a favourite to win the award.
What’s Next
This weekend, the Bears have two home games. First, the Sydney Ice Dogs return on Friday night for the second instalment of The Battle of Sydney. Next, on Sunday, the Adelaide Adrenaline head to Macquarie Ice Rink. The Bears lost to both these teams last time they met, and will be eager for revenge.
The Bears will also be keen to continue to push up the AIHL standings. By the end of the weekend, depending on results, the Bears could sit anywhere from first to sixth.
Book your place at Macquarie Ice Rink and cheer on the Bears by securing your gameday tickets here.
