Braces from defenceman Mason Wild and forward Richard Facey set the Solent Devils on their way to two points, claiming a 7-2 victory over the Haringey Huskies on Saturday night.
Further goals from Chris Hocquigny, Mitch Murray and Alex Trendall helped push the Devils to 41 points in the NIHL 2 Wilkinson division, only three behind leaders Oxford City Stars.
The Devils came into the game knowing that a win was vital to their title push, whilst the Huskies hoped to move up the table and confirm their spot in this year’s play-offs.
Chris Hocquigny beat Jussi Lunch-Grut to start the scoring
Solent started the game brightly as Trendall moved around the back of the net, before pushing a pass to Alex Cole whose shot was saved and held by Huskies keeper Jussi Lynch-Grut.
Five minutes later Facey could have opened the scoring when he picked up the puck in front of the blue line, before releasing a wrist shot that was saved by Lynch-Grut.
But with 3:16 left on the clock the Devils broke through to open the scoring through Hocquigny, slipping the puck past the Huskies keeper.
It took the Devils less than three minutes into the second period to score again, this time Wild found the net after being set up by Kieran Annis and Alex Murray.
Facey came close to the third but was denied by the iron of the goal frame, before finding himself through on an odd-man-rush with his shot being saved.
Bryn William-Griffiths was given a penalty for tripping leaving the Devils once again on a power play, Mark Pitts found Mitch Murray who unleashed his slap shot past the Huskies keeper.
It was 4-0 with just under five minutes to go, Wild picking up his second of the match after being given the puck at close range from Kieran Annis.
A minute later however and the Huskies had pulled one back, a defensive error left Joseph Willingham free to slot home.
The Huskies’ defence opened up in the third period, as the Devils scored their fifth, five minutes in.
Drew Campbell pressuring the Huskies defence
A good pass from Drew Campbell allowed Alex Murray to move free, before Facey received the puck and found the net.
With 10:51 of the period left it was six, Trendall tapped in from close range, after Lynch-Grut couldn’t keep the puck under his trap.
Solent made it seven with four minutes remaining, Facey once again netting the puck.
However, the Huskies managed to claim one more goal before the end of the game following multiple penalties.
The Devils were on a 5 and 3 power play but an error in attack gifted the puck to Jack Ball, who slotted Daniel Clayton through on goal to make it 7-2.
The Devils now face Bracknell Hornets at home next week, and know that only wins will see them climb to the top of the table.
Written by Matthew Ponter
All photos are courtesy of Dave Chapman
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