Warriors get struck by Comets
On Sunday 12th March, our Warriors 1 team travelled to Billingham Forum to take on the Cleveland Comets in the NRHC Cup.
In their away uniform of all black, the Warriors faced the Cleveland Comets in the away fixture between the two teams.
When the Warriors met the Comets in the corresponding home game in December 2022, this was also their opening game of the NRHC campaign, coming away with an 11-5 win.
The Warriors were able to ice their strongest team on that occasion, but it wasn’t the case for the away leg as the Warriors were unable to select defencemen Ollie Gannon, Rich Williams, Paddy Horner, Tom Mallon, James Way alongside forwards Wes Nixon, Ash Pryce, Will Gibbons, Lewis Astill, Adrian Garcia, Tom Gabbitas, Niku Ghaemi, plus player-coach Alex Jones.
Of the three netminders available for selection, Ben Briggs was given back-up duties with Vadims Nazareno getting the nod for his second start as a Warriors 1 goalie.
1st period
In the first shift of the game, debutant Dylan Noonan came close to putting the Warriors 1-0 but was denied by the Comets’ netminder.
The Warriors did create opportunities against a very strong Comets team but couldn’t convert.
The Comets, however, were able to take advantage of their strong bench and enjoyed the lion’s share of chances, converting on four occasions to put them in the driving seat for the remainder of the game.
Comets 4 Warriors 0
2nd period
Sensing that they could get back into the game, the Warriors ramped up their efforts and were rewarded in the 2nd minute of the restart. With the Warriors shorthanded, Warriors’ new boy Dylan Noonan picked up the puck from Niks Kamaldins and broke through to score a well taken breakaway goal on his debut.
4-1 Comets.
The Comets responded with two more goals to extend their lead to 6-1, but within 20 seconds of the restart, the Warriors pulled another goal back. Andy Giles fed the puck to Niks Kamaldins who found Simon Morrow, scoring at the back post.
6-2 Comets.
The Warriors confidence was increasing and despite picking up a minor penalty they were able to grab another short-handed goal. Noonan fed Mitch White who buried it.
6-3 Comets.
At this point, the scoreline was looking far more promising, especially after such a hard first period.
But unfortunately, with a short bench, the Warriors were tiring and this was reflected in how the period played out.
The Comets were able to take advantage of this and scored 5 more times. At the end of the second period, the score was 11-3 Comets.
Comets 11 Warriors 3
3rd period
Knowing that they were now only playing for pride, the Warriors gave it everything they had in the final period.
Withn the first minute of the restart, Niks Kamaldins laid on a pass to Mitch White who scored his second of the night.
11-4 Comets.
But unfortunately, this was the final goal of the game for Warriors as the Comets continued to assert their dominance - the home team notching up another six goals during the final period, as the Warriors guys were depleted of energy.
Final score:
Comets 17 Warriors 4
Points scorers:
Niks Kamaldins 0+3
Mitch White 2+0
Dylan Noonan 1+1
Simon Morrow 1+0
Andy Giles 0+1
Ellen Gallimore
Warriors’ player of the game
Dylan Noonan
Captain’s player of the game
With so many players missing, this was always going to be a big ask against a strong Comets team - in their own back yard.
The Warriors are back in action on Saturday 22nd April as they take on the Blackburn Falcons. The two teams met at Planet Ice Leeds, with the Falcons narrowly winning it 4-2 in a hard fought game.
The away game is sure to be another exciting game. See details below:
Game details below:
Falcons v Warriors
Saturday 22nd April 2023
Face-off : 16:45
@ Planet Ice, Blackburn
Free entry
