Solent Devils had two games on the road this weekend, starting Saturday night in Bracknell for the third meeting this season between the Devils and the Hornets, with each team winning one of the previous two match ups.
With both teams wanting to win this game, it started strong, with the puck going end to end and every player pushing hard to get their team in the lead.
Mark Pitts – photo courtesy of Kevin Slyfield Photography
Devils received an early power play, when Jordan Gregory was given a boarding penalty, but the Hornets remained tight at the back and prevented the Devils getting to the net.
Hornets managed to beat the Devils defence and Christian Cole in the Devils goal, bringing a big cheer from the home crowd. Kamil Kinkor setting up Brandon Miles just over half way through the first period.
Devils began the task of evening the score, and somehow, as the buzzer sounded for the end of the period, the puck was found in the Hornets net. The Hornets were protesting that the puck went in after the buzzer, but the officials disagreed, and Mark Baroni celebrated his goal, with Alex Murray and Aidan Doughty who had given Baroni the assists.
Devils were given another power play in the opening minute of the second period, for Josh Martin getting caught using his elbows. Hugo Tibbits used the space he had, to provide the puck to Richard Facey, who beat Daniel Milton in the Bracknell goal.
Minutes later, Kinkor headed to the penalty box for tripping. The puck was dropped, Murray getting it out to Facey, who made the score 3-1 for the Devils, and meaning Kinkor only spent five seconds in the penalty box.
The Devils now had some momentum, and were pressing hard to control the game. Matt Lawday and Mark Pitts helping Alex Trendall to get a goal. Milton headed off the ice at this point, and was replaced in goal by Nathan Gregory, but that didn’t stop Doughty and Murray setting up Facey once more.
The end of the second period saw the teams head to the break with the score board reading 5-1 in favour of the visitors.
Bracknell continued to fight in the third, refusing to lose by such a margin at home, and with just under five minutes to play, Kinkor picked up a goal to go with his earlier assist. Miles giving him a helper this time, and Ben Ealey-Newman earning himself a point too.
It wasn’t enough though, and at the end of the game captain Alex Cole said “It was a nice road win from the boys, a superb performance, and I’m proud to be captain.”
Sunday, however, and the Devils were in Oxford to face the Oxford City Stars, who were continuing their assault on the league.
Mark Baroni – photo courtesy of Kevin Slyfield Photography
Devils struck first, and with Mark Baroni sitting in the penalty box for cross checking, Richard Facey got an unassisted, short-handed goal, just over three minutes in to the game.
Both teams fought hard, on both offense and defence, and the first period ended with just Facey’s goal on the scoreboard.
The second period continued apace, and with just three minutes left to go, Stars picked up the equaliser, after Dominic Hopkins and Darren Elliott gave assists to new signing, Jaroslav Cesky.
Just over two minutes in to the third, Joonas Liimatainen nudged the Stars in to the lead, and then half way through the period, Alan Green extended that lead to make the score 3-1.
Devils just couldn’t get back on top, and the Stars managed to hold the score for the last ten minutes of the game earning themselves their fifth win from seven games.
Devils now have a two week break, with their next game against London Raiders on November 13th.
Written by Steve Breen
You must be logged in to post a comment.