Two of the most fancied sides in the NIHL2 came head to head this weekend in what was billed as a four pointer in only the third week of the season, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
The game started as expected in a fast, furious way with a significant decision going 
against the visitors in just the second minute, when the stars Darren Elliott received a five-minute + game penalty for kneeing form Steve Fisher resulting in the former Streatham forward being assisted off the ice, thankfully returning a short time later.
From then on, it was an end to end game and it was the away side who took the lead before MOM Will Stead evened things up on 12 minutes, the period was filled with minor penalties and it was the Hornets who sat five of the seven called in the first, this allowed Florey (Jake) to score on the PP only for S.Fisher to level things at 2-2 at the first buzzer.
The second continued in the same manor and was very much ‘you have a go’ ‘we’ll have a go’ when Stars Stewart Tait was called for slashing it took just seconds for Scarbrough to put the home side in front with Stars MOM Kinkor replying for the visitors soon after. The home side took the lead making it 4-3 through S.Fisher, then former BIHC junior Ikin equalising on 27.19 (4-4) this still left time for Stead to grab his second 10 minutes later and help the Hornets take a single goal lead into the final period (5-4)
Just a few minutes Into the third saw Ikin and Stead take a seat after fisticuffs due to a X-check from the Stars youngster, the Hornets then came out buzzing scoring three PP goals in four minutes through Ealey-Newman (Ben), Tarczycki and Scarbrough, making it 8-4 to the home side, much to ever growing crowds delight. The Stars gave themselves half a chance in getting back into the game with a well worked finish from Oliver making it 8-5 with four minutes to play, until an absolute screamer from Harvey Hind-Pitcher from just inside the blue line past Ronai (who replaced Duffy between the pipes on 49 minutes) all but ended the tie at 9-5, yet another minor penalty for hooking on the home side allowed the Stars to grab a sixth with Lawday’s second ending the game 9-6.
In what was a feisty game throughout, it’s pleasing to say that the handshakes and smiles all round were pleasing to see and showed the respect between these two top sides.
Score : 9-6
SOG: 47(H) 41(Ox)
PIMs: 24(H) 51(Ox)
GOALS/ASSISTS: Tarczycki 1+1, Stead 2+1 Barclay 0+1, Scarbrough 3+2, S.Fisher 1+3 Hind-Pitcher 1+1, B.Ealey-
Newman 1+0, Graham 0+1.
NMs: Sanderson 41(6) 85.37%
Duffy 40(8) 80.00%
Ronai 7(1) 85.71%
Match report courtesy of Justin Wilson
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