The highlight of the IIHA (Irish Ice Hockey League) this weekend was the clash between the two unbeaten teams in the new league. The visiting Dublin Rams vs. the host team the Dundalk Bulls.
In a lively scoreless opening period the Bulls seemed to be confused on how to break down the Rams and their excellent Canadian goalie.
Eric Tobia, the goalie in question brilliantly saved a breakaway when it looked more likely that the Bulls Bill McKiernan would open the score for the home team. Certainly Tobia was the difference between the two teams making save after save to keep the Rams in the hunt.
The second period saw the Bulls finally hitting the mark. Two goals in quick succession the first Bill McKiernan after four minutes into the period and the second only 13 seconds later by Robert Grochowicz broke the ice for the home team. Captain Kenny Redmond scored his first and the Bulls third goal of the night.
Bill McKiernan scored the Bulls fourth goal followed by David Clarke and the Bulls ” Man of the Match ” Robert Grochowicz getting his second on 37.49 on the middle stanza to leave the score 6-0 at the end of the middle period.
The final period, Kenny Redman, and Vytautas Lukoseuicius took the Bulls into a commanding 8-0. The Bulls had the last shout with Eric Hogberg netting their ninth of the evening to a home crowd rapturous cheer.
On the Sunday afternoon game surprisingly the Dublin Flyers gave the Latvian Hawks a real thrashing. It all started with only 35 seconds played when Szab Sandoor stole in the Hawks goalie opening the Flyers account unassisted.
It was evident the Flyers were off to a great start. Goals followed from D. Donaldson at 3.44 and Mike Daciew shortly after. Donaldson got his second and the Flyers winner on 14.21 of the opening period. Sandoor scored his second to make it 5-0 at the end of the opening period.
The Hawks then took to wing in the second scoring first from Gint Ginter on 24.35 but the Flyers Sandoor got his hat trick with their sixth goal. Steven Cooper got the Dubliners seventh at the close of the middle stanza.
Donaldson net his hat trick at the start of the third period only to be pegged back by Gint Glinter’s second for the Hawks. J.Dunne put the Flyers back on the right flight pattern but the Hawks and the Flyer trade goals again with Sandoor getting his fourth and the Flyers 10th whilst Gaidis Darzins was netting the Hawks third.
Donaldson scored his fourth, followed by Mike Daciew two goals rewarding him with his hat trick as well giving the Dublin Flyers a comfortable 13-3 victory.