Raiders extinguish Flames

GUILDFORD,U.K- A few weeks back Prohockeynews.com previewed the up-coming English Premier League season. One of my predictions was Guildford Flames to dominate and the Wightlink Raiders to struggle. Right, scrap that things have changed. It appears the script I followed isn’t the same as the Raiders who have thier own ideas for the EPL season. On a serious note, In a weekend that saw under dogs Romford Raiders pull off an emphatic win over the Slough Jets in a shootout not to be out done fellow namesake the Wightlink Raiders have pulled off the shock result of the short lived season and possibly the best result for the Raiders in three seasons. Not only did the Raiders beat current EPL league holders and hotly tipped favorites Guildford Flames but they did it in the Flames backyard. Ok I here you say “Its one game big deal” but lets put it in prospective. The Raiders have never beaten the Flames in their rink, ever. Coming off a poor defeat to Bracknell Bees at home the night before the Raiders hit the road for the trip up to Surrey for what many thought would have been a walk in the park for the Flames, but the Raiders had other ideas.  It took just over two minutes for the Flames to begin what looked like the start of the predicted on-slaught. Latching on to a Paul Dixon pass influential forward Lukas Smital fired home to put the Flames one up. But the goals didnt come for the Surrey side. As the first period drew to a close a late strike from

Tom Long put the visitors back in the game with just 40 seconds of the first remaining. This was the turning point for the Raiders as they took control of the game in the second period in front of the shocked 1157 fans in attendance. Four goals in five minutes put the Raiders up 4-1 leaving a gobsmacked Flames side chasing the game. Not to give up easily the Flames tallied two goals late in the second period setting up a crucial third. With just seven minutes remaining the Raiders extended thier lead to 5-3 through an Adam Brittle powerplay goal. A late goal from Dixon gave the Flames one last gasp at tieing the game. As netminder Joe Watkins sat on the bench for the extra man it was to little to late as Gareth Endicot put the last nail in the coffin with just five seconds remaining scoring on the empty net, final score 6-4 Raiders. The victory will go down in Raiders history as one of the best and everyone in the Raiders organization will look to ride the momentum into the next game against Peterborough Phantoms. Raiders Director of hockey Steve Price spoke very proudly of team after the game. “This is the first win ever for us in their barn, so this shows you what a fantastic win it was, I was privileged to be on the bench tonight and going 4-1 up I looked at each and every one of the team, they all are committed and proud to be wearing the Clubs colors, this is a strong ,very much together bunch who will win and lose together.” Price said. Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com