Sydney Bears' coach Vlad Rubes said that it was the mistakes the Bears made that lost them the game.

``We controlled the puck but could not penetrate their defensive wall,'' he said.

``They were scoring goals as we made too many mistakes.''

The Bears seemed sluggish from the start.

They were able to attack with eight shots at the goal but it was the Bears' normally iron-clad defence which was lost in a lack of urgency, allowing Tongue forward Dallas Costanzo to score twice in the first period, after 12 shots at the goal for the Tongues.

The Bears came out in the second period looking to equalise but only managed seven shots at the goal to

the Tongues' 10.

But The Tongues did have their chances.

Both teams lost players during the period to penalties, which allowed for what could have been key power plays but neither team took the advantage.

It was in the third period that the Bears stepped it up a level, their aggression evident in the 17 shots at the goal, returning forward Vlad Stransky giving the Bears hope by scoring to equalise early.

But the Tongues dashed their hopes soon after with Dallas Costanzo scoring another goal, his third for the night.

Mike McRae scored the Tongues' last goal which put the result beyond doubt and both final-period goals scored by the Tongues were done so in just three shots.

The Bears will be taking a break and then they will be back at the Penrith Ice Palace to compete against the Ice Dogs on Sunday, July 25. The game is set to start at

5pm.