QUEENSLAND BLADES WIN WHILE SCORCHERS LOSE AGAINST VICTORIA

Blades win again in extra time 4-3

Defending AHL Champions, the Queensland Blades, defeated the Victorian Vikings in extra time 4-3 this afternoon at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

The Queensland team suffered another injury to add to their list early in the first half, with David Donnelly carried off the field after suffering an injury to his knee.

The Queenslanders made an extraordinary comeback in the last 20 minutes of the game, after being thoroughly trounced by the Vikings in the first 50 minutes of the game. The Victorians dominated with three goals by the 45^th minute, and looked certain of taking home the points.

The Blades kicked into gear around the 50^th minute when Troy Elder stamped his experience on the game with two goals in just three minutes. The first, a penalty shot against the keeper in the 49^th minute and the second a penalty corner in the 52^nd minute.

Australian player Liam De Young followed suit quickly with a field goal in the 59^th minute, taking the game to 3-3, with neither team able to break the other up to full time.

With only nine players each side in extra time, the Blades came out blazing with Jacob Burns scoring the golden goal two minutes into extra time.

Goals                           

Vic in 21min      Penalty corner by Chris Ciriello

Vic in 44min      Penalty shot Andrew Smith

Vic in 45 min     Field goal by Andrew Smith

Qld in 49min      Penalty shot by Troy Elder 

Qld in 52min      Penalty corner by Troy Elder

Qld in 59min      Field goal by Liam De Young

Qld in 72min      Field goal by Jacob Burns (Golden Goal)

The Queensland Blades next play in the Finals Week in Perth. Their first game is against NSW Waratahs at 5pm local time on Monday 26 March.

Scorchers soundly beaten 3-0

In a turnaround from yesterday’s game, the Queensland Scorchers suffered their first outright loss of the season when they were soundly beaten by the Victorian Vipers 3-0 this afternoon the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie. 

The Scorchers had no answers to the Vipers two early goals, with the southerners scoring a penalty corner and a field goal in the first 15 minutes, and containing the game to only two goals.  

Despite steady attempts at goal throughout the game, the Queensland attack couldn’t get through the Victorian defence, with Vipers goal keeper Rachael Lynch playing another good game.

Madonna Blyth and Angie Lambert were the Scorchers stand out players, with both making their mark in attack ad defence.

Goals                           

Vic in 10^th minute Penalty corner by Amanda Gillion

Vic in 14^th minute Field goal by Kimberley Morrow

Vic in 64^th minute Field goal by Kimberley Morrow

The Queensland Scorchers play their next Australian Hockey League games at the State Hockey Centre as part of the Finals Week starting on April 2.

The Scorchers play NSWIS Arrows at 6pm on Monday 2 April.