Game vs Don Valley Vikings

For this later than usual night start we traveled over to Sheffield for an exhibition match against the Don Valley Vikings. From the off the Vikings had us penned in our own zone. With no way out we felt the pressure early and dug in our heels for a tough fight. We got a quick break into their half about 5 minutes in and started pushing back. We were rewarded with a goal from a slap shot from Jase Haigh which bounced off the keepers glove and in. The defensive effort kept the Vikings off the board until late in the first ending the period 1-1.

The second period started with a controversial goal by the Vikings which was blown dead for being covered, but was changed to a goal after the opposition celebrated. To everyone’s irk the Vikings came straight back into our zone from the next face off and netted a beauty 2on1 goal. No arguing this one. Jase scored an epic penalty shot after being tripped on a breakaway around ten mins later to even it up and that’s how it stayed as we stale mated their offence with our defence. 3-2 after 2.

We opened the third on a power play. A lucky deflection set Jase up to complete his hat trick and to even up the score. We were all amazed we were still in this game as the Vikings had been all over us through all three periods. Alas the Vikings pipped is a couple mins later to go up 4-3. We traded chances throughout the rest of the third and that’s how it ended.

Despite the loss everyone was chuffed with the result and how close fought the game had been. By far the best defensive effort we have had in a long time with all 5 players tracking back and out numbering the Vikings breakaways with a centre man making it 3on2 coming back into our zone. Excellent work and something we struggle to always work into our game.

Man of the match – Stian Michael Naylor

Captains choice (I was honorary C for the night and in the absence of Andy we are awaiting a successor to the chalices, I still want to point out one guy though for an excellent job defensively blocking a huge number of shots) – Chris Briggs

On to the next one!