Victory from the Brink
A Night in the Dog House
I’m becoming a regular, but walking into Macquarie Ice Rink, or the "Bears Den," if we’re being traditional, I’d prefer it to be called the dog house. Tonight, the air was buzzing. We were coming off a massive 11–5 thrashing of the Rhinos the day before, and I was catching up with a former colleague, Jackie, for an epic NSW versus QLD battle.
It’s been a week of "comebacks" in New South Wales. In the State of Origin on Wednesday, we looked dead and buried at halftime, only to claw our way back and snatch a last-minute victory. I didn't think lightning would strike twice, but I clearly underestimated the grit of a motivated home team.
The game started, and it felt shaky. The Dogs got on the board first, but the Brisbane Lightning didn't take long to find their groove, piling on goals and taking the lead. Their attack was clinical, almost stunning at times, while the Dogs looked fumbling, failing to find that confident, free-flowing rhythm that blew the Rhinos away yesterday.
Towards the end of the second period, we were down 6–4. It wasn't looking great. Brisbane had been dominating, playing with the kind of momentum that suggested their upset win over the unbeaten Newcastle Northstars yesterday wasn't just a flash in the pan; it was a real threat. As a Dogs fan, I was genuinely concerned. We were having to scratch, growl, and fight for every inch, while Brisbane seemed to be scoring at will. Even our goalie and defence looked uncharacteristically exposed.
The third starts at 6-5 down, and now we are down 7-5. The flp switches, and the Dogs find some fire. They got physical, aggressive, and properly scrappy. Suddenly, the ice opened up, and the game transformed into that free-flowing skating match we’d been missing. It's 7-6. Then, with five minutes left, we were square at 7–7.
The hope was tangible. Whoof, whoof! Before I knew it, we’d pushed in front: 8-7
The final three minutes were pure, unadulterated tension. Brisbane pulled their goalie for an all-out attack. Our defence stood like a fortress, the puck barely left our half, and the crowd was screaming for one more goal to seal it. The clock wound down, the buzzer sounded, and the Dogs were roaring in their own house.
A victory snatched from the jaws of desperation.
The best part? That W puts us officially second on the ladder. With a game in hand, the optimist in me is saying we’re basically equal leaders with Newcastle. We’re in the hunt, we’re showing heart, and we’re building momentum.
Bring on the Melbourne Ice at home next week. Let’s make that number one spot official.
