NEWCASTLE – Adam Dauda scored two goals and two points to Danick Gauthier helped the Sydney Bears claim the 2019 AIHL Championship over the Perth Thunder 5-2 at the Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Dauda’s first goal, scored during a 5-on-3 power play, came at 0:18 of the first period on a mistimed Danick Gauthier shot. Dauda’s second goal came at 9:38 of the second period, with a scramble at the side of Viksten’s net.
Danick Gauthier scored an empty-net goal with 14 seconds left in the game. His assist on Dauda’s first goal gave him two points for the game. Gauthier was announced as AIHL Finals MVP, following on from his two goals from the previous game.
Bears captain Michael Schlamp and Ryan Annesley got two assists for two points each.
Louick Marcotte of the Thunder opened the scoring in the Grand Final at 9:58 of the first period, with a skillful goal skating around several Bears defenders. His shot high to the glove side went past Kimlin and put the Thunder on the board early.
Kieren Webster scored Perth’s second goal just over two minutes later, picking up the rebound from Veilleux’s shot. This would be the last goal for the Thunder, as Kimlin and the Bears put up a wall of defence to deny the Thunder more scoring opportunities.
Anthony Kimlin was the winning goalie for Sydney Bears, making 26 saves on 28 shots, for a Save Percentage of 0.929. Nico Viksten was the losing goalie for Perth Thunder, making 22 saves on 27 shots, for a Save Percentage of 0.815. Viksten left the game for an extra attacker. It backfired, as Danick Gauthier scored an empty net goal at 0:14 of the third period, assisted by Ryan Annesley.