Boucher Finds Groove in Australia

Goaltender Nick Boucher, a former Dartmouth standout, earned player-of-the-game honors for his efforts in posting his first shutout of the season in the Sydney Bears' 1-0 shootout loss to the Newcastle North Stars Sunday in Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). Boucher stopped all 29 shots faced in regulation play.

Boucher, who guided Fort Wayne to the 2010 International Hockey League (IHL) title, made his second start is as many days after arriving in Australia Friday. In his AIHL debut Saturday, Boucher stopped 21 of 23 shots to lead Sydney to a 4-2 triumph over Canberra.

The first period saw the Bears pressure the North Stars early but Newcastle goaltender Matt Ezzy stood his ground, stoning Daniel Shaw twice from point blank in the slot. By the end of the first period the Bears had out shot the North Stars 9 to 6.

With both teams locked at 0-0 the North Stars turned up the intensity late in the second period, but goaltender Boucher answered the call robbing both Peter Cartwright and Brian Bales of 2 sure goals from right in front. The best chance of the period was by Bears forward Joel McFadden ringing a shot off the crossbar after a scramble in front of Newcastle net.

The third period saw the Bears find their second wind, creating a 2 on 1 chance in the final minutes of the game. By the end of the third period the Bears had out shot the North Stars 16 to 9, but couldn’t find a way past goal tender Matt Ezzy.

By the end of the third period both goalies had earned themselves the shutout, with Boucher stopping all 29 shots faced and Ezzy 32 shots.

The first goal of the shoot out was scored by Eric Begin firing the puck lower blocker side on Ezzy to put the Bears in front 1-0. With only 1 shooter to go, Newcastle import Blair Tassone scored lower blocker side on Boucher to level the score 1-1 after 3 shooters. It took till the 6th round to decide the winner with Newcastle forward Gicu Oprea scoring the game winning goal to give the North Stars their fourth shoot out win of the year.

Even with the shoot out loss the Bears secure 1 point and sit just behind the Melbourne Ice for first place on the leader board with 14 points.

"Its tough to lose a game in a shoot out, especially after all the changes we had in the third period" said forward Brett Nelson-Bond. 

The Habitat Furniture Man of the Match went to Boucher for his stellar performance in net and first shutout of the season.

"The better team did not win tonight. We created enough very good opportunities to win in regulation time but both goalies played well. Shoot out is 50-50. We are very happy that our unbeaten streak has stretched to 4 games now and winning 10 from a possible 12 points. We are stilling missing 6 more players that should be playing with us, with them they would take us to another level. I am so proud of the 11 fighters we had tonight, they are the reason we are currently in second place." added Coach Rubes. 

The Bears next game is against the Gold Coast Blue Tongues this coming Sunday at the Penrith Ice Palace, puck drops at 5 p.m.