Ice Dogs celebrate Matt Clarke Shield with win over Perth

Grant Toulmin’s second hat-trick of the season puts Ice Dogs past Thunder

Grant Toulmin celebrates a hat-trick for the Ice Dogs during their AIHL match with Perth at Macquarie Ice Rink. Picture: Peter Podlaha/ The AIHL

• Sky Blues show off silverware
• Dogs nip bears in derby

It was a happy Canada Day for the Ice Dogs’ Canadian import Grant Toulmin on Saturday as the Langley, British Columbia native scored a hat-trick in Sydney’s 5-3 win over Perth in the AIHL.

It was a big night all-round at Macquarie Ice Rink as the Dogs hosted their annual Matt Clarke Shield event to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Clarke was an Australian ice-hockey representative who died from leukaemia in 1995 when he was only 18.

In honour of Clarke, Sydney took to the ice wearing the jersey of his former club the Warringah Bombers, each one adorned with a memorial Clarke nameplate.

Toulmin got the Dogs off to a flying start as he scored his first goal of the night just minutes into the first period before the home side added two more in the second to head into the final stanza up 3-0.

Sydney looked to have the win locked up when Toulmin got his second early in the third period before the visitors finally struck back with three goals in quick succession.

Sydney managed to stay composed however, finally sealing the win as Toulmin scored his second hat-trick of the season.

Meanwhile, the Bears had a disappointing road trip to Melbourne over the weekend, going down 6-4 and 6-5 in their two-game series against the Ice.

It will be the Ice Dogs turn to travel south this weekend as they face the Mustangs at Melbourne’s O’Brien Group Arena while the Bears take on Newcastle at Macquarie Ice Rink on Saturday.

For tickets, go to bears.theaihl.com