BOOSTED by the new Bears cheerleading squad, the Penrith Bears beat the Central Coast Rhinos in round seven of the Australian Ice Hockey League on Saturday.

The Bears trailed for most of the game before stepping up in the final period to beat the dogged Rhinos 5-4 in a penalty ridden affair.

Looking a little complacent after a weekend off, the Bears allowed an early goal when Simon Kimmu put a slap-shot high through traffic on a Rhinos power-play.

Bear's forward Vladan Stranksy got a goal back after a feed from Murray Wand, but two more power-play goals and the 7th placed Rhinos lead the unbeaten Bears 3-1 at the end of the first period.

Canadian import Josh Gribben got a power-play goal at the start of the second period, and soon after Vlad Rubes scored on a wrist shot right in front after a delicate pass from Stransky, and at 3-3 the Bears looked to be back on track.

But Brett Cole-Clarke cont-ributed one for the Rhinos, picking up a loose puck after a scrum in front of the Bear’s net and pushing it home. That goal gave Central Coast a 4-3 lead going into the third.

The Rhinos were bumping and grinding their way toward an upset win, but the Bears turned it on just in time with Adrian Esposito popping a game-tying goal, then Warren Jayawardene added the Bear’s fifth which would be the game winner.

The next home games for the Bears, at the Penrith Ice Palace are on June 21-22. On Saturday, June 21 they play Sydney Ice Dogs at 5.30pm and on Sunday, June 22 they play Adelaide Avalanche at 5pm.