Brisbane Lightning News: July 30, Week 7 Rescheduled

It has finally happened! If you remember (and who can forget??), the Lightning travelled to Newcastle approximately two months ago for a two-game set at the home of the Northstars – Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. At that time, the team made it to Newcastle ready to go….but the equipment only showed up for seven skaters and no goalies due to luggage issues with the airline. The game was postponed and - after much planning from both sides – was played out this past weekend to the delight of the home fans in Newcastle.

From the start to the finish the game was a back-and-forth affair with both teams having the upper hand at various times. The Lightning started out very well and had significant pressure on the Northstars. However, a bad bounce and an inability to hold the puck in at the blueline led to a partial breakaway for Newcastle winger Zane Jones, who was able to hammer the puck past Lightning starter Nick Novysedlak with a well aimed slap shot to the short side.

Then the challenges began for Newcastle. Patrick Nadin was ruled to have checked Lightning defender Jay Hodgson from behind into the boards. Nadin was given a 5 minute major and game misconduct for the play, and unfortunately the Lightning lost Hodgson for the remainder of the game with a lower body injury. After an exchange of minor penalties, the Lightning got back on even terms with Kasey Kulczycki’s 7th goal of the season.

The dangerous Tanner Butler scored almost immediately to take back the lead, however another powerplay goal from the Lightning – this time scored by Alexis Girard – brought the Lightning back to even again.

As Jones and Duchemin from the Northstars took penalties with abut 4 minutes left in the first period, the Lightning thought they were on the way to a lead for the first time in the game. It was not to be though, as the Achilles heel of the Lightning this season – the shorthanded goal – reared it’s ugly head and Wahebe Darge was able to sneak one past Novysedlak while a man down just before the end of the first.

The second period featured more penalties than goals as the Northstars and the Lightning traded chances with the man advantage. Two goals to Butler – to complete the hat trick – pushed Newcastle to the lead, and it wasn’t until just over two minutes were left in the period that Julian Fodor with goal number 16 for his rookie season clawed the Brisbane team back to within two goals to end the period 5-3 Newcastle.

The third period saw significant penalty trouble for the visiting Lightning. The lack of discipline allowed the Northstars to pull away as Drolet potted two powerplay goals to increase the Newcastle lead to 7-3. Fodor breathed hope into the Lightning cause with his second of the game and 17th of the season as he buried a feed from McTaggart and Roth on the rush.

The Lightning then scored another goal with approximately 3 minutes left in the game and the team up one player after removing the goalie for the empty net. This goal was disallowed in a puzzling decision by the referees, as they had wanted to call a penalty 10- seconds before the goal was scored but forgot. With the goal disallowed the game was essentially done. Newcastle pulled the win away from the visiting Lightning to finish up 7-4.

Julian Fodor had one of his better games of the second half of the season and was rewarded with 2 goals to add to his total.

“I was happy with my play and my ice time this game,” said the Lightning power forward Fodor. “But I’d have much rather given up the goals and had the team get the three points. They’re (Newcastle) a tough team on their home ice. We had our chances but just couldn’t get a break in the game.”

The Lightning did look a confident team entering the match and played with the Northstars for 90% of the game. However, a trio of class goals from Newcastle defender Tanner Butler and a lack of ability to capitalise on numerous powerplay opportunities eventually came back to haunt the Lightning. And the most positive thing?? All the luggage made it to allow the game to go ahead!

This upcoming weekend the Lightning travel to Sydney and Erina to play the Bears and the Rhinos in what will be exciting hockey games.

Words by Ivan Rapchuk 
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