Raiders roar

ISLE OF WIGHT, UK –  The Wightlink Raiders roared back to form beating title contenders Chelmsford Chieftains home and away to get their faltering ENL campaign well and truly back on track. The Island team overcame the Essex boys 5-1 in a tough encounter at the Ice Cube before travelling the following evening and beating the Chieftains 4-3 on their own pad.
 
The home match up started evenly. The Chieftains probably had the slight edge in chances before Danny Hughes gave the Raiders the lead midway through the period. There was no further scoring and the Raiders held onto their lead despite being out shot 12-9 in the period.
 
The second period started in a similar vein, both teams had chances before Alex Murray doubled the Raider’s lead on 27:25. Chelmsford heads never dropped though and they halved the deficit five minutes later through Lee Brears. The Chieftains then ran into penalty trouble and player coach Jeremy Cornish restored the Raiders two goal advantage on a 5 on 3 powerplay.
 
In the final period the visitors continued to pose a threat and only several top class saves from home netminder Matt Colclough prevented the Chieftains adding to their solitary score. Further strikes from Alex Murray and Luke Reynolds put the result beyond doubt and the Raiders following were able to enjoy the last 10 minutes as the home team cruised to what was a hard earned but ultimately well deserved victory.
 
This was a welcome fillip for the crowd of 485 and if the Raiders can continue to produce performances and results like this the crowds will surely return. The Raiders now seem to have found their feet in the ENL and with a tough string of games ahead this result will hopefully provide a springboard for an improved second half of the season.
 
The return match the following evening seemed to be heading the way of the Chieftains when the Essex team led 3-0 midway through the second period. Goals from Hammond, Williams and Brears had seemed to have them in control. The Raiders rallied and eventually prevailed as strikes from Cornish, Scott, Hughes and Tait gave them the victory which sent the Chieftains supporters home unhappy.
 
The Raiders will strive to continue their good form with an away trip to the high flying Bracknell Hornets next weekend before returning to home ice a week later again against the Hornets.
  Contact the author Dave.Logan@Prohockeynews.com