Against someone fully human, blows to the arms would undoubtedly work coming from Tom. He's strong, and though bludgeoning lacks finesse in general he clearly knows where and how to hit. But Albert's wrists are metal and he doesn't have the same reaction to impact as a human hand. There are no tendons to snap or bones to crush and wood can only go so far against alloy.

Yet the pressed attack isn't fruitless, Albert is still driven backwards, though luckily near parallel to the water instead of directly towards it. He'll still land in the drink eventually if Tom keeps up, but instead the ice makes it difficult for both of them and Tom missteps, giving Albert an award shot that if he were playing it safe he wouldn't take. But seeing as he's soon to lose any advantage he may have felt he had, Albert takes his chance.

At the wobble on ice, Albert turns his shoulder and shoves under Tom's arm like a linebacker, hoping to at least knock the man down if not make him drop the club. Of course, it puts him in an easy position to be knocked down too and send both men into a struggling heap.