Koryos Cup : Ice Wolves (blue) prey on Warriors (grey)
On Saturday 2nd March 2024, our Warriors’ grey team travelled to Bradford Ice Arena to play their first game in the Koryos Cup against the Ice Wolves’ blue team.
What is the Koryos Cup?
The Koryos Cup is a round-robin tournament being contested between Leeds Warriors and Bradford Ice Wolves’ development teams.
Both teams have been divided into two, to form a four team tournament.
Leeds have a Grey and a Black team, whilst Bradford have a Blue and a White team.
All games will be played at 10:30pm on Saturday nights at Bradford Ice Arena.
View the upcoming fixtures here.
Warriors Grey team roster:
Kieran High - NM
Gary Clough
Stella Giwisser
Simon Davis
Wayne Higgins
Jared Weldon
Luke Webber
Connor Brocklebank
Phil Bradley
Paul Eaglestone
Freddy Monk
Jonjo Marshall
Josh Moss
Lee Worsnup
In team news, the grey Warriors had two skaters making their debuts - Josh Moss and Jonjo Marshall. Also, Kieran High was making his first appearance as a goalie, having been a skater previously.
1st period
The first period started well for the Warriors. The play was back and forth - with the Warriors defending stoically when needed, but also creating some decent goal-scoring opportunities.
Unfortunately, the Wolves’ always had the edge and their higher level of skill and experience paid off. The Warriors conceded three in the opening 20 minutes without reply.
Ice Wolves Blue 3 Warriors Grey 0
2nd period
Having had a good amount of chances in the first period, the Warriors remained positive and felt that they could turn the game around in the second period.
At the start of the period, the team were able to kill off the remaining 1.40 of a penalty.
Warriors forward #30 Jared Weldon had a goal disallowed in this period as he slotted the puck home just as the referee blew it dead - having thought that the goalie had covered it. Unlucky for the Warriors!
The Ice Wolves continued to threaten the visitors goal and they were able to score another three goals in the period. But, the Warriors got on the scoreboard with a Freddie Monk goal to make it 6-1 to Ice Wolves.
Ice Wolves Blue 6 Warriors Grey 1
3rd period
With a 5 goal deficit going into the final period, the Warriors needed a strong finish to the game - and that’s what they did.
None of the players heads went down and they continued to battle.
They got their reward with a second goal which came from #66 Connor Brocklebank. He took a shot from outside the blue line, which hit the netminder’s stick and went up and looped over his shoulder and into the net.
The Ice Wolves responded with three additional goals in the period, taking their tally to 9 for the game. But the Warriors weren’t done scoring.
Having had an earlier attempt ruled out, it felt like justice that #30 Jared Weldon would get on the scoresheet. Weldon picked up the puck and skated around the back of the net, came out wide, turned hard and took the shot. Great goal.
With no further scoring, the game ended 9-3 to the Ice Wolves.
The Warriors improved as the game progressed, with the final period ending closely at 3-2.
Ice Wolves (blue) 9 Warriors (grey) 3
Points scorers:
Connor Brocklebank 1+0
Freddy Monk 1+0
Jared Weldon 1+0
Stella Giwisser
Warriors’ player of the game
The Player of the Game for the Warriors, as selected by the Ice Wolves, went to Stella Giwisser for a great outing - and the Warriors’ helmet went to both debutants Josh Moss and Jonjo Marshall. Well played guys.
An honourable mention goes to Warriors netminder, Kieran High, who had only trained as a goalie for four sessions before this game. A fantastic performance between the pipes!
Thanks to the Ice Wolves for hosting this game and the series as a whole. It looks like we’re in a for a great few weeks of competitive development hockey!
The next game for one of our two teams is between Warriors (black) and Ice Wolves (white).
Game details below:
