It was the Stephen Blunden show as the Canberra Brave's Canadian import hammered home an incredible six goals in his team's 12-4 thumping of the Sydney Bears on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Blunden's stunning haul is the most goals scored by a Brave player in a single game and would also be right up there in the team's previous incarnation as the Canberra Knights.
The Brave's back-to-back victories this weekend moves it into the top two in the Australian Ice Hockey League standings ahead of a massive double-header with another of the title contenders, the Melbourne Mustangs, in Canberra.
That series next weekend at the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre could guarantee the Brave its place in the finals.
Brave captain Mark Rummukainen said Blunden had continued on his form from earlier in the season.
"He was unbelievable, I don't know the last time I saw something like that,'' Rummukainen said.
"For one guy to score the way he was scoring, it's a special night.
''Statistically he's at the top. Off the ice he's a great teammate and a great guy all-round.''
After scoring in the final two minutes to beat the Newcastle North Stars 3-2 on Saturday night, the Brave travelled to Baulkham Hills knowing the Bears were out of play-off contention.
The visitors raced away to a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period before piling on seven straight goals to seal the result.
The Bears rallied with three late goals, but were no match for a red-hot Brave.
"Full credit to the Bears, they came at us all game and took advantage of our mistakes,'' Rummukainen said.
"There's definitely things we can improve on, but it can be hard when you're up by a couple to keep that intensity up.
"Next weekend is huge and we know we'll have to be better against the Mustangs.''
AUSTRALIAN ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE: Canberra Brave 12 bt Sydney Bears 4 at Baulkham Hills on Sunday.
