PERTH Thundersticks let a golden opportunity slip and went down 4-3 to Canberra Chill in men’s Hockey One at Perth Hockey Stadium on October 12.
The women’s game was decided by a penalty shootout, with Perth holding on for a determined 2-1 win against Canberra.
It was the Thundersticks’ second narrow men’s loss in as many games after being beaten 5-4 by Hockey Club Melbourne in their opening game two weeks earlier.
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READ NOWBoth sides conceded possession several times early in the game, each looking to gain the ascendancy in the warm conditions.
Midfielder Tim Geers broke through for the Thundersticks’ first goal late in the first quarter but couldn’t capitalise on the one-on-one opportunity for the bonus.
Defender Brayden King scored the home team’s second goal from a penalty stroke after the ball hit the Canberra defender on the line, resulting in a penalty stroke.
Jake Staines opened the Chill’s account with a clever reverse-stick field goal 12 minutes into the second quarter and converted the one-on-one conversion to level the scores 2-2 heading into half-time.
Kookaburras squad member Aran Zalewski set up a penalty corner for Perth in the opening minutes of the second half, with Frazer Gerrard deflecting the ball wide of goal.
The defences of both teams dominated the third quarter and Canberra was unable to convert a penalty corner in the dying seconds which would have given them a lead at the last change.
Japanese international Kazuma Murata had a chance to put the Chill ahead with two minutes left on the clock, Thundersticks goalkeeper Tyler Lovell making a desperate save to keep Perth in the contest.
Murata, James Day and Backhus all found the back of the net to start the penalty shootout, Zalewski and Wickham missing for Perth to put them on the back foot.
Staines missed an opportunity to finish the game, the Chill claiming the extra point after Thundersticks midfielder Coby Green steered his chance wide.
Like the earlier men’s clash, the defences of both women’s teams were kept busy early with the ball shooting from end to end in the blink of an eye.
Thundersticks’ Karri Somerville broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second quarter and Japanese international Shihori Oikawa levelled for the Chill late in the third quarter.
Thundersticks goalkeeper Aleisha Power proved to be the difference in the deciding shooutout, saving all five Canberra attempts.
The Thundersticks head to South Australia this week to take on Adelaide Fire at the State Hockey Centre as part of Hockey One round four on October 18.