SIHA Round-up - 6/7.12.2014

Sheffield Senators came unstuck against a dogged and determined Coventry Blaze in the NIHL North Laidler Conference on Saturday. The teams were closely matched in  what was at times a little scrappy game and were basically cancelling one another out to go into the second period with the score 0-0. The second period continued as the first had gone but Blaze nipped into the lead to make the most of their chance on 23.05 with Dale White scoring. Senators will have been disappointed not to deal with things as they would have probably liked but there was nothing they could do when Blaze added another shortly after; a well worked powerplay goal timed at 25.45 scored by Arthur Brookes with assists for Philip Mulcahy & Dale White. Senators didn’t give up and were working just as hard as Blaze and deservedly pulled one back through Mike Mawer, assisted Charlie Thompson timed 34.35. The final period never really got going, it became scrappy at times which was not aided by some over fussy refereeing but it was still an intriguing contest as Blaze defended their lead with zest against a hard working Sens team who were doing their best to pull level. It was still a pretty even game but Coventry were just that little smarter and wiser at times which was the main difference between the teams on the night to see Coventry just shade it to claim a deserved victory.

Final Score: Coventry Blaze 2 Sheffield Senators 1

Sheffield Spartans were left kicking themselves after letting a winning position slip in the final seconds of the game to draw 4-4 with Sutton Sting. It was however a fair result in what was a great game of hockey.

In an end to end first period it was a close game with neither team really getting the upper hand until Sting took the lead on 16.01 through Vjaleslavs Movko. It was a disappointing goal to concede as Spartans defence were caught napping and left themselves wide open to allow Movko to take his chance well to score. Spartans had a great chance to equalise turned over possession and found Scott Morris in the clear only for him to be pulled back for which a penalty shot was called. Morris pulled Zimozdra out of position but couldn’t get his shot away. Sutton finished the period strongly and were unfortunate not to make it 2-0 with the post coming to Spartans rescue.

Spartans dominated the first half of the period and went on to put themselves into a commanding position with three goals. Will Barron & Chris Wilcox combined well to set up Scott Morris to score a nice goal on 21.36 to draw level. Some good work from Ollie Barron on the powerplay set up Andy Turner to score on 24.39. As Spartans pushed forward Elliott Knell’s neat pass found Ollie Barron who made no mistake on 28.19 to make it 3-1. Whilst clearly on the up and in the driving seat Spartans pressed the self-destruct button to fail to react when under very little pressure as Movko found Mark Turner who’s half hit shot eluded Brandon Stones to go through his legs to concede what was a defensive howler. This lifted Sting and they enjoyed a good spell to play some excellent hockey but Spartans defence were back on their game to deny them. Some poor finishing let Sting down as Spartans came back into the game to finish strongly but had to be content being 3-2 up going into the final period.

It was however a very close game, a very exciting an enjoyable one too with some good hockey being played out and it was hard to predict which way it would go. This was also the case after Richie Oliver scored a nice goal to tie it up at 3-3 timed 44.23; a goal that you could sense was coming when it did. There was nothing between the teams from this point and just when it seemed we were destined for the last minute to be played out and settle for a point apiece the game exploded back into life. Some great individual skill from Ollie Barron created a chance from nothing for him to score a great goal on 59.12 and make it 4-3 to Spartans. As Sutton pulled their netminder for a numerical advantage Spartans put themselves under some needless pressure by continually icing the puck for face offs in their defensive zone. They paid the price when Sutton won possession to see Richie Oliver equalise from Simon Offord with just 12 seconds left on the clock. Spartans were guilty of making the wrong choices in what was a winning position to see them ultimately drop a point with a final score of 4-4.

However it has to be said that it was a fair result in the end, it would have been harsh on either team to have lost in what was a fantastic game of hockey and a great advert for the sport for which both teams deserve praise and credit. Cole Shudra was awarded to Cole Shudra whilst the impressive Vjaleslavs Movko won it for Sting.

Final Score: Sheffield Spartans 4 Sutton Sting 4

Juniors round up starts with Swampfrogs U12’s D2N 5-0 midweek win over Sutton at Ice Sheffield. Sticking with the U12’s, this time in D1N, Lasers pulled off an 11-0 win against Manchester over in Altrincham on Saturday with Callum Field scoring an amazing 7 goals with Isaac Tse, Ross Macpherson, Lewis Kimpton & Tate Shudra also adding goals to the score line. Sheffield Samurai were also on the road up in Billingham for their cross-ice games with their hosts along with Whitley Bay & Bradford. Sheffield Greyhounds U16’s D2N put in a great performance in Blackpool to win 13-1 and judging by some of the photos I’ve seen a good day was had by all! Sheffield Rapiers U16’s D1N enjoyed a solid home win against Telford after which Sheffield Steelhawks U18’s D1N disappointingly lost to Nottingham. There were no junior games on Sunday in what was a pretty decent weekend on the whole for SIHA’s teams.

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments please get in contact with the Frozen Steel Team on this article, Facebook or via Twitter:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@TomWalkeden
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@RatedRDG

Check out the Frozen Steel Forum

or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com