Brisbane Lightning Weekend Recap: May 23, Week 6

What a Saturday night! What a game!

In a back-and-forth game of ice hockey, the Brisbane Lightning came from behind against the Perth Thunder to tie the game late in the 3rd period with the goalie pulled and their net empty to take proceedings to overtime. Both teams generated excellent scoring chances in the extra session, but neither could net the game-winner and the game went to a shootout. Just as they did in regulation and overtime, the two teams exchanged chances, goals and saves in the shootout. The Lightning – on the back of some acrobatic goaltending by starter Steve Harris and a clutch breakaway goal from Jordan McTaggart – sealed the deal to take the win and the extra point from the Thunder.

“There’s no doubt that the win’s big, but I think a lot of the guys in the room think that we had chances to win it in regulation and get that extra point,” Assistant Coach Ivan Rapchuk said after the game. “But I liked our third period. We worked really hard to maintain a positive vibe on the bench and in the end did all the little things right to take it to overtime.”

Some slight changes in the organisation of the lines paid off with some big dividends. On the forward lines, shifting winger Arum Rapchuk up to play on the top line with McTaggart and Eric Speedie created a trio with some immediate chemistry that paid dividends on the scoresheet. Lachlan Clifford out with an injury meant the high energy 3rd line needed a new wing, and a more than suitable replacement in brother Will provided the skill and speed to keep them buzzing. At the back end, the welcome addition of Thomas Kiliwnik back from injury gave some added experience and offensive punch to the Lightning blue line.

“We were trying to find some combinations that had a spark,” said Assistant Coach Eamonn McKay. “It’s not a slight against any player, but after a couple of games without much offensive punch our top line needed a shakeup. And getting Thomas Kiliwnik back in was another key. I thought they all did a good job, I thought they handled things extremely well, and I can’t wait to see how we go next game as well!”

The game was fast paced and easy to watch. The sellout crowd at IceWorld Boondall was not disappointed and got every dollar’s worth for their tickets from this exciting game. The Perth Thunder played hard, and their new import forward Andrew Bellant looked dangerous the entire game – despite the fact that he was less than 12 hours off the long flight from North America! The Lightning, behind their six goal scorers – Sacha Rapchuk, Aaron Wanat, Jordan McTaggart, Patrik Popovics, Julian Fodor and Harley Anderson – stood tall in the free-flowing offensive game to claim the extra point for the shootout win.

Taking the energy forward for the Lightning will be critical with two very challenging away weekends coming up against the perennial powerhouses Newcastle Northstars and CBR Brave.

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Words by Ivan Rapchuk (Assistant Coach) 
Image by Cassandra Edwards