Warriors 2 weather the Cyclone
On Sunday 7th April 2024 our Warriors 2 welcomed the Nottingham Cyclones to Planet Ice for the return game in the M62 Cup.
Having beaten the Cyclones 0-7 at the Motorpoint Arena on 22nd March, the Warriors took their goal tally to 22 in their four games for the season, which gave them every reason to feel confident going into this game.
The team iced four lines for this game. Andrew Hughes was the starting netminder with Joe Quinn as back-up.
1st period
After the opening exchanges, it was clear that the Cyclones were icing a stronger team than they did in Nottingham. The visitors created some good opportunities and it wasn’t long before they made the breakthrough, scoring two unanswered goals within the opening ten minutes. 0-2 to the Cyclones.
The Warriors couldn’t afford to let the game get out of reach and the next goal was an important one. The team rallied and managed to get on the board after 14 minutes, when Louis Feather hit a one-timer from the slot. Howie Barwick getting the assist.
Momentum was now with the home team and they pushed hard for the equaliser. Within a few minutes of the restart Tom Cokill picked up the puck from a Josh Edwards pass, skated wide to the face-off circle and hit a low and hard shot which surprised the Cyclones goalie and went into the net. 2-2.
The period ended even. A good period for the Warriors considering they were down by two goals early on.
Warriors 2 Cyclones 2
2nd period
The second period picked up where the first ended, with both teams trading chances and Warriors netminder Andrew Hughes pulling off some great saves.
But it was the Warriors who were the more clinical. On the 25 minute mark, Stu Nelson got his first goal of the night, with the assist coming from Cokill. 3-2 to the Warriors, who were now in the lead for the first time in the game.
But the team needed that extra goal to create some daylight between them and the Cyclones. Fortunately, Stu Nelson was on hand to bag the Warriors fourth and his second goal of the night after 32 minutes. As the puck came loose in the slot, Nelson lifted the puck into the top corner. Assists coming from Tom Gabbitas and Cokill. 4-2 Warriors.
But the Cyclones did not give up. They continued to push hard to get back into the game and they got their reward just a few minutes later. They had reduced the deficit to one at 4-3. The next goal was now crucial.
With only a few minutes left to play in the period, the Warriors were able to restore their two goal advantage when Tom Gabbitas broke through on goal and hit a hard wrist-shot into the top corner. Great goal! 5-3 Warriors.
Warriors 5 Cyclones 3
3rd period
Since the opening ten minutes of the game, the Warriors had scored five and only conceded one. This had been a great turnaround, but the game wasn’t over yet and the team knew that the Cyclones would give it everything in the final period.
Thankfully the Warriors started strongly and were able to extend their lead to 6-3 when Chris Scampton got a deserved goal. The assist coming from Howie Barwick who was now on 0+2.
Having a three goal lead helped to make the game feel a bit more comfortable for the Warriors. But, the Cyclones continued to create good chances and if it wasn’t for the heroics of netminder Hughes, things could have been a lot different.
Eventually, the Cyclones did add to their tally, bagging a fourth goal which gave them some hope with five minutes remaining. But the Warriors stood firm and managed to keep the visitors at bay.
Final score:
Warriors 6 Cyclones 4
Points scorers:
Tom Cokill 1+2
Stu Nelson 2+0
Howard Barwick 0+2
Chris Scampton 1+0
Tom Gabbitas 1+0
Louis Feather 1+0
Josh Edwards 0+1
Jamie Thurston
Warriors’ player of the game
Stu Nelson
Captain’s player of the game
The Player of the Game for the Warriors, as selected by the Cyclones, went to Jamie Thurston for a great performance. The Captain’s helmet went to Stu Nelson who bagged two great goals. Well played guys.
An honourable mention should go to Warriors netminder Andrew Hughes who pulled off some great saves, conceding 4 goals from 38 shots.
Thanks to Nottingham Cyclones for a competitive game of hockey.
The next game for our Warriors 2 team is in the M62 Cup, against Kingston Fat Dads:
