Turner gets Raiders on the board… (John Scott)
Early defensive lapses handed the Chieftains the initiative: Michael Gray failed to cover the puck as Chelmsford’s Danny Hammond pounced to open the scoring, minutes before Billy Phillips turnover saw player-coach Gary Clarke beat Gray one-on-one for his first of the evening.
Former Chieftain Matt Turner, Raiders man-of-the-match, brought the visitors to within one late in the first period, and when player-coach Danny Marshall lifted a loose puck over David Wride’s right pad to tie the score at 2-2 Raiders seemed to have the wind in their sails.
… before Marshall hauls his side level (John Scott)
Clarke’s second of the game late in the second period curtailed the Raiders fightback, though the more pressing issue will be the long-term impact of an injury sustained on the play by Raiders blueliner Andrius Kaminskas.
Kaminskas was helped from the ice with what appeared to be an ankle problem and despite attempting to skate at the start of the final period he would play no further part in the game.
Raiders spent much of the third period on the PK following a succession of minor calls. As a result, the visitors were never able to build momentum and Clarke’s hat-trick goal, a powerplay strike from the blueline just three seconds into the man advantage, all but ended their hopes of a second comeback.
Marshall scores shorthanded%2C Brabon with the assist (John Scott)
Raiders had extended their winning run to 14 games following a comfortable 6-3 win over the Cardiff Devils at Rom Valley Way on Saturday afternoon.
Juraj Huska scored twice for the Raiders, while Marshall’s 3-on-5 shorthanded goal capped a feisty second period that saw Phillips given a game penalty for slashing. Luke Piggott scored twice for the Devils as Romford kept more than one eye on Sunday’s then-upcoming derby clash up the A12.
Contact the author – alex.nunn@prohockeynews.com
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