The Canberra Knights made a triumphant return to the Phillip Ice House with a 4-2 win over the Central Coast Rhinos.

Steven Deans led the way with two goals while team captain Mark Rummukainen contributed two assists.

The Knights took an early lead through Deans but found themselves chasing the Rhinos after Simon Kummu and Brett Cole-Clark scored on each side of the first intermission.

The lead did not last long, however, as Marko Raita won the race to a loose puck behind the Rhinos net and fed the puck to Deans for his second.

Canberra then went ahead for good when Luoma deked his way down the left wing and feathered a pass across the crease to an oncoming Juha Falin to tap into the gaping net.

The third period produced a showcase of run-and-gun hockey as penalties on both teams opened to ice to more speculative passing.

But Knights goaltender Luke Fiveash produced seven of his 22 saves in the final term while Ollie Rozdarz bought the home side some insurance by swatting the rebound from Luke Philps’ angled shot out of midair.

Canberra visits the Penrith Bears next week but will be back to host the Gold Coast Blue Tongues on August 16.

 

 

Team update:

+ Knights forwards Ollie Rozdarz and Jordan Gavin are back home after being overseas representing Australia in the IIHF World Inline Hockey championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.

 

+ View the images from the game

+ View the media release from the game

 

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights split a doubleheader away at the Gold Coast Blue Tongues over the weekend.

Canberra lost the first contest 5-2 but charged back to win the second 7-3 despite finishing the game with only four players on the bench.

With import Andrew Howard already suspended for receiving a game misconduct on Saturday, the Knights proceeded to lose all three captains in the third period when Mark Rummukainen, Steven Deans and Jordan Gavin were all ejected in the opening term.

But Canberra's other imports and junior players produced stellar showing to steal the win.

The Knights will return home to face the Central Coast Rhinos on August 2.

 

+ View the media release from the game

 

 

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights were sunk by a goal in the final minute of their game against the Western Sydney Ice Dogs at Sydney Ice Arena.

Goals from Marko Raita and Mark Rummukainen and a 20-save performance by goaltender Tommi Kela took Canberra to within 3.6 seconds of a 2-2 regulation tie before Ice Dogs stole the game.

The Knights are, however, still in the play-off hunt after a midweek announcement by the league to officially award Canberra six points for the game forfeited by Adelaide on June 21.

Canberra will visit Brisbane for a double-header in two weeks before returning to the Ice House on August 2

 

 

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights, playing in new traditional teal coloured uniforms, were edged 5-4 by the Western Sydney Ice Dogs at the Phillip Ice House earlier tonight.

 

Andrew Howard and Matti Luoma recorded three points each for the Knights who were unable to tie the game despite playing the last 31 seconds with an extra attacker on.

 

The Ice Dogs went ahead midway through the first period through Scott Stephenson who finished a two-on-nothing breakaway only for Howard to square the game 90 seconds later.

 

Jason Gibson put Western Sydney in the lead again early in the second before Juha Falin tied the game once more with a slap shot from just inside the blue line.

 

But Stephenson put the visitors in front for good with three minutes left in the period as the Ice Dogs replied with three unanswered goals for a 5-2 lead.

 

The Knights were, however, reenergized when Howard scored on his first shift of the third period after sitting 12 minutes for checking-from-behind.

 

Knights captain Mark Rummukainen then made it a one-goal contest when his wrist shot from 55 feet snuck in for a power play goal.

 

Canberra pulled Luke Fiveash with half a minute remaining but was unable to make up the difference.

 

Canberra will visit the Ice Dogs next week in their first of three road games and will not return to the Ice House until August 2.

 

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights were beaten 2-0 by the Central Coast Rhinos at Gosford earlier this evening.

With last week's four-goal hero Matti Luoma missing from the game through illness, the punchless Knights had no answer to the Rhinos' two first period goals.

Canberra returns home to face the Western Sydney Ice Dogs on June 28 in their last home game until August 2.

 

 

 

 

Canberra Knights management have confirmed that Saturdays' game against Adelaide Avalanche has been cancelled.

 

The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) advise that the Adelaide Avalanche have withdrawn from the remainder of the 2008 season due to financial and administrative reasons.

 

The AIHL Board is currenlty investigating various options in regards to the team's continuance in the AIHL. The fate of the team is likely be known within the next 2 weeks.

 

 

 

 

The hot and cold Canberra Knights have bounced back from a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Central Coast at home on Saturday with a 5-2 win over the Rhinos in Gosford tonight.

The win was an ‘All Fin Affair' for the Knights, with Matti Luoma, Canberra's new Finnish import, scoring four goals in a dominant performance. Countryman Marko Raita tallied scored four assists – three of them for with Luoma – while Juha Falin, an offensive defenseman, also from Finland, added one goal.

Central Coast fans had to wait until the second period before the scoring was opened. That came just 36 seconds in with a coast to coast goal from Luoma.

He took the puck behind the net from Raita, then skated the length of the ice and slid the puck under the keeper.

The Rhinos evened up the score half a minute later through Beau Taylor, but soon gave up a power play to the Knights.

Defenceman Aaron Clayworth passed to Juha Falin in the low slot, and the Fin added the Knights' second.

The Rhinos fought back and levelled the scores through their own import, Simon Kummu. But again, within a minute, the Knights had scored.

The Central Coast gave the puck away in their own zone, Luoma picked it up and worked a give and go with Raita for the Knights third goal.

At 3-2 by the end of the period, the Rhinos were still very much in the game, but 52 seconds into the third, Raita tore down the right wing and fired a shot across the crease. The keeper split it – Luoma cleaned it up at the far post.

Luoma put the final goal in with 12:26 left in the game. Central Coast fought hard but couldn't scored, during a disciplined, penalty-free period for the Knights.

Luke Fiveash had a typically solid game with 24 saves from 26 shots for the Knights.

The younger Knights team members – Chris McPhail, Mikey Johnstone and Tom Letki – saw plenty of ice in the match, and played well.

The Knights will face off against the Rhinos in Gosford again next Sunday, but not before taking on Adelaide at home on Saturday night for a game worth double points.

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights went down 4-2 against the Central Coast Rhinos at the Phillip Ice House.

 

Despite outshooting the visitors 32-22, the Knights fell victim to three Rhinos power play goals as they racked up 11 minor penalties along the way.

 

The Rhinos took the lead through Simon Kummu before Canberra's Andrew Howard tied the game with a stiff wrist shot into the roof of the goal.

 

Beau Taylor put the Central Coast ahead again only for Matti Luoma to tie the contest once more by firing in off the post from between the face-off circles.

 

But when Central Coast captain Mark Walsh sparked off a fracas by slashing Howard behind the play, the Knights found themselves a player down after an overzealous retaliation.

 

The Rhinos converted the power play and sealed the win with an empty-netter 32 seconds from the end.

 

The two teams meet again in Gosford tomorrow, 15 June.

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights dealt the Penrith Bears their first defeat of the season with a 6-5 come-from-behind win at the Phillip Ice House.

Juha Falin and Marko Raita scored two goals each for the Knights as they overcame a three-goal first period deficit.

Canberra will next play a three-game series against the Central Coast Rhinos beginning at the Ice House on June 14.

For more information, please refer to the attached game report.

 

Team update:

+ Knights players Ollie Rozdarz and Jordan Gavin are heading overseas on 14 June 08 to represent Australia in the IIHF World Inline Hockey championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia.

+ The Knights webmaster will be away from from 14 June - 28 July therefore only minor updates will take place.

 

+ View the images from the game

+ View the media release from the game

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights dropped the first game of a home-and-home series against the Penrith Bears 5-4.

Trying to overcome another slow first period showing, the Knights battled to the end, sending an extra attacker on to chase a two goal deficit with a minute and a half remaining.

The move was only a marginal success, however, as Canberra pulled a goal back before time ran out.

The return leg will see the Bears visit Canberra on June 7.

 

Team update:

+ New import Andrew Howard (USA) has arrived

+ New import Matti Lliona (FIN) has arrived

+ Candaian import Joel Kitchen has returned to Canada

+ Knights play Penrith Bears at home - Saturday 7 June 2008

+ View the media release from the game

 

 

 

 

There was little working for the Canberra Knights as they went down 7-1 at home to the Newcastle Northstars.

Despite winning 70% of the draws in the opening period, the Knights' only highlight was import Andrew Howard's goal with 1:02 remaining.

Newcastle import B J Pulkey produced a stellar six-point effort as the visitors out shot Canberra 34-18.

With the game decided by the middle of the third period, the Knights sent on rookie Chris McPhail, who made several steady plays under pressure.

Canberra travels to Penrith tomorrow to play the Bears in the first of a home-and-home series.

 

+ View the media release from the game

+ View the images from the game

 

 

 

 

The Canberra Knights snapped a four-game winless streak with a 3-2 shootout win Melbourne Ice at the Olympic Ice Skating Centre.

Canberra's imports shined once more as goals by Joel Kitchen and Juha Falin lifted the Knights to a tie at the end of regulation time for the third straight game.

Goaltender Tommi Kela, who had already stopped 34shots for the Knights in open play, then saved all three Melbourne penalty shots as Ollie Rozdarz's lone successful attempt proved the difference.

Canberra hosts the Newcastle Northstars on May 31before a pair of home-and-home series against the Penrith Bears and the Central Coast Rhinos.

 

+ View the media release from the game

 

 

 

 

 

AV'S DOWN KNIGHTS

Goals from Juha Falin and Matti Lliona were enough to secure a point for the Canberra Knights as they went down 3-2 in a shootout away to the Adelaide Avalanche.

With the scores tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation, both goaltenders put on a perfect display until the Avalanche finally broke the deadlock on their fifth attempt.

Canberra faces the Melbourne Ice tomorrow before hosting the Newcastle Northstars on May 31.

 

+ View the media release from the game.

 

 

DOWN TO THE WIRE

 

The Canberra Knights came within a minute of victory before going down 3-2 against the NewcastleNorthstars.

Canberra went ahead twice on goals by Juha Falin and Mark Rummukainen.

The Northstars tied the game with 53 seconds remaning before going on to win in a shootout.

The Knights take to the road again next week, beforere turning home for a rematch with Newcastle on May 31.

 

Team update:

+ Tommi Kela (Goalie) sat out due to ankle injury

+ Two imports (Finish & Canadian) due to arrive within next few weeks

+ Team travels to Adelaide and Melbourne next weekend

 

+ View the media release from the game.

+ View the images from the game.

 

 

FAILURE TO LAUNCH

 

A third-period collapse saw the Canberra Knights defeated 6-1 at home to the Melbourne Ice.

Canberra’s sole tally came from Jordan Gavin at the end of the second period.

The Knights’ next game is at home to the Newcastle Northstars on May 17.

 

Weekend Score:

Canberra Knights 1 - 6 Melbourne Ice

 

+ View the media release from the game.

+ View the images from the game.

 

 

ALL GUTS NO GLORY

 

Another weekend of disappointment has hit the Knights as the team took two loses to the Penrith Bears and the Sydney Ice Dogs.

The Knights took a 2 - 0 lead early in the game against the 2007 AIHL Champions (Bears) at a packed Canberra Ice House on Saturday 3 May. The experienced Bears hit back late in the 3rd period ending the game in a 5 - 3 loss to the Knights.

 

Weekend Scores:

Canberra Knights 3 - 5 Penrith Bears

Canberra Knights 2 - 6 Sydney Ice Dogs

 

 

KNIGHTS HIT BACK HARD

The Knights have come away from the Anzac Day long weekend with 2 win's under their belt as they beat the Gold Coast Blue Tongues at home 4-3 and the Newcastle North Stars away 3-2.

The 'new look' Knights worked hard for all 3 periods of the two tough games and came away with 6 valuable points.

The Knights play the Penrith Bears at home this Saturday 3rd May 2008 at 5:30pm at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre.

 

+ View the media releases from the games.

+ View images from the game.

 

 

HEADS HELD HIGH AFTER DISAPOINTING WEEKEND

The Knights have their heads held high after two disappointing games on the weekend.

The Knights kicked off the AIHL season against the 'Avalanche' in Adelaide on Saturday the 19th of April and the 'Ice' in Melbourne on Sunday 20th April.

The team is disappointed with the season opening losses but is confident in getting a win when they take on the Gold Coast Blue Tongues in this Saturdays home game.

The team hopes you can make it to the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre to show your support!

 

Weekend Scores:

Canberra Knights 0 - 4 Adeliad Avalanche

Canberra Knights 0 - 2 Melbourne Ice

 

 

On Saturday 19 April the Knights will fly to Adelaide and Melbourne to play their first double header of the season against the Avalanche and the Ice.

The Knights have been training hard in the off-season in preparation for the first 'away' weekend and with 4 new Imports being signed the team is confident they will come out firing.

+ Watch this space for scores and statistics from the games.

 

For the first time ever, Australia will move up into 'Division I' of the Ice Hockey World Championships after winning Gold at the 2008 World Championships held in Newcastle, Australia.

The undefeated 'Mighty Roo's' team defeated China 1-0 in the final game to secure Australia's Gold Medal and to move up into next years Division I Championship.

Canberra Knights defender Aaron Clayworth scored 2 goals and 1 assist for the tournament while Canberra's Mark Rummukainen was as solid as a rock in defence.

+ View more information.

+ View Australia's statistics.

 

Star defensemen from the Canberra Knights, Aaron Clayworth and Mark Rummukainen have been making Australia proud being selected to play for the Australian Men's Ice Hockey team to compete in the 'Division IIB' World Championships in Newcastle, Australia this month.

Games are underway with Australia winning 2 from 2 games, beating Mexico 7-1 and Spain 5-3.

+ View more information.