The Bears took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first, Josh Gribben picking up a power play goal, and Robert Franchini another after a textbook tic-tac-toe play.

Vladan Stansky got the third to momentarily stun the Canberrans and hush their fans.

But on an odd man rush, Canberra’s Juha Falin put the puck past Bears Goalie John Daugulis to give some life back to Canberra. Then Bears’ D-man Josh Gribben was given a match penalty with a five-minute major.

The loss of his services was a big blow for Sydney, who already were down some players. Canberra were able

to take advantage and add two power play goals to bring it to 3-3 at the end of the first and take the momentum with them.

Midway through the second a strange thing happened, Knights goalie Tommi Kela left his crease to play a puck in the corner which was sent down the rink, where Bears D-man Laurie Mock picked it up on his own blue line and fired it back towards the open net. It sailed in but was later disallowed and called a deliberate off-side, as a Bear player was in the zone.

With two minutes left the Bears pulled their goalie, but Canberra’s Marko Raita was able get control and stuff the puck into the empty net on a wrap around and it was 6-4. The Bears weren’t done yet, Stransky got one back quickly but after the play he took a minor penalty.

Again the Bears pulled Daugulis, and came close in their last ditch attempt but couldn’t snatch a goal, and went down 6-5.