Raptors def Sting 6-4

Round 2, Raptors stepped up to take the 6 – 4 victory over the Sting. Goal Keeper for the Sting, Gabe Robeldo shared “We always look forward to playing the Raptors. It was a competitive game as expected. We have a new look team and the team feels good”

Period one was the highest scoring of the game with Raptors,  Alexander Wardlaw scoring the opening goal in the first 2 minutes of the game getting the team off to a strong start.  This was followed quickly by James Barton’s scoring 4 minutes later.  These goals remained unanswered until Lukas Vaic finally scored for the Sting, 8 minutes into the game.

Sydney Sting coach, Gregor Rozenberg commented, “Raptors are the current champions and, with addition of AIHL players this season, will be one of the main contenders for the title. Fast, skilled and well coached outfit. And very tough to play against”.

“They managed to get an early jump and outskated and outplayed us in the early phases of the game. We have lots of new members on the roster and are in a year of trying rebuild - but this will be a challenge as the comp has become stronger.”

Captain Lucas Vaic got the Sting on the board and Raptors answered within a few minutes with Luke Zvonicek keeping the Raptors ahead by 2. Sting edged closer in the final minutes of the period with a shot from David Jasko taking the period to a 3-2 ending.

Sting came out hard in period 2 with Michael Glowka levelling the score at 3-3 in the first minute of the period. Raptors pulled back ahead with James Barton’s second goal and Raptor’s 5^th goal by Adam Kimbley to close out the second period of the game with the Raptors taking a 5-3 lead.

Rozenberg commented on the Sting’s fight back, “We did manage to fight back and pressure the Raptors - especially towards the end of the 2nd and 3rd period. Mainly because we managed to settle in and our players getting more used to their new line formations and systems”.

With 13 minutes left in period 3 Max Portnov brought the score line closer up to 4-5, but it was the Raptors in the final moments of the game and Scott Clemie with an empty net goal that sealed the win.

Raptors alternate captain Paul Bond, shared his sum up of the dying minutes of the game, “killing off a 5 on 3 that became a 6 on 3 when the Sting pulled the goalie in the last few minutes of the game, Scott Clemie secured the win scoring an empty net goal in that play”

Following the game Gregor reflected, “Good competitive game for us with lots of learning points. Especially happy with the fact that we managed to put some shots on and sustain some pressure now and again. Plenty of positives but also an indication that the league is strong and will be very competitive this year”