07/12/2019 AWIHL Adelaide Rush v Sydney Sirens 4-3OT

Selected photos from the AWIHL game played between the Adelaide Rush and the Sydney Sirens, in a top of table clash between the two runaway leaders in the league.  In goals for the Rush was Michelle Coonan, with backup goalie Natasha Lovell.  In goals for the Sirens was Sera Dogramaci with Tina Girdler as backup.  As expected this game was a rough affair with the Sirens bringing their physical game to shake up the Rush, but either team was unable to get an advantage early.  The penalty calls had the Rush bench frustrated as in their eyes there was inconsistency.  Rush’s import Sasha Lutz for hooking at 14:54, and captain Kirsty Venus at 13:16 meant the penalty kill unit would have to be on their game…..which they were and saw off the disadvantage.  At 5:37 remaining, the Rush broke through with Tiffany Venning scoring from Tash Farrier.  Again the Rush bench were aggrieved when import Kaitlyn Malthaner was sent to the box for tripping and then Lutz for interference given the Sirens a 5-on-3 advantage which they made use of and levelled the score at 3:31 when import Nadine Edney scored, being assisted by Sharna Godfrey and goalie Dogramaci.  Yet another Rush penalty moments later did not go down well when import Lizzie Aveson was called for tripping.  Shots on goal were Sirens 15, Rush 15.  Penalties were Rush 5, Sirens 0.

The second period continued as the first had been, with continued rough play and players hitting the deck from pushing and shoving, but oddly also falling from no contact a lot.  No goals were scored but the penalties were starting to be evened out when Sirens Amelia Matheson (hooking) and Godfrey (hooking) were called early in the period.  Rush’s Malthaner would head to the box again for tripping at 12:44, Shania Chenoweth (hooking) at 2:51, and Farrier (cross checking) at 1:58.  Sirens Cleo Mayer was sent off for an illegal hit at 7:27.  Shots on goal for the period were Sirens 13, Rush 13.  Penalties now stook at Rush 8, Sirens 3.

The last period mimicked the first in the style of play, but the Sirens captain Stephanie Cochrane found a way past the Rush defences and scored unassisted to give the Sirens the go-ahead goal.  A minute later the built a buffer of 2 goals as import Kayla Nielsen fired a zinger past Michelle Coonan, with the assists from Ava Calabria and Edney.  With plenty of time, the Rush slowly ground their way back into the game.  The managed to peg one back at 8:08 as Tess Reynolds was rewarded with her hard work, scoring unassisted.   An illegal hit penalty by Candice Mitchell was seen off by the Rush penalty kill unit.  With time starting to dwindle in the period the Rush would have mount a challenge soon.  A penalty to the Sirens Katherine Mconie at 5:48 gave the Rush the opening they were looking for.  At 4:43 Tass Farrier scored a timely sneaky goal with an assist from Aveson.  The scores remain at 3-3 and the game headed for overtime shootout.  Both goaltenders stood firm stopping many of the shots.  The Rush came away with the overtime win.  Shots on goal for the game were Sirens 39 to the Rush 43.  Penalties were Rush 9, Sirens 4.