Warriors 3 put on a brave display against Ice Wolves
On Saturday 22nd June 2024 our development team welcomed the Bradford Ice Wolves to Planet Ice, Leeds for a challenge game.
In team news, quite a few Warriors players were unavailable for the game - Andis Jansons, Ash Davies, Connor Brocklebank, Lisa Speed, Richard Knight, Stella Giwisser, Fran Humphries, Michael Laidler, Dean Cadman, Simon Bainbridge, Lee Worsnup, Paul Eaglestone, Wayne Higgins and Tomasz Molenda.
But despite that, the team were almost able to ice three lines.
Dressed players:
Kieran High, Matt Dudley (C), Brendan Hullah, Craig Baker, Freddy Monk, Gary Clough, Heather McCarten, Dimitri Shalashilin, Jared Weldon, Jonjo Marshall, Josh Moss, Matty Meadows, Phil Bradley, Simon Davis and Zach Huntley.
Kieran High made the start in net for the Warriors.
1st period
Play was even to start the game, with both teams having several chances to take the lead and both goalies making some nice saves. The Ice Wolves were the team that managed to break the deadlock, scoring the game’s opening goal at 12:33. It looked like a tight period was going to end 1-0, however Bradford were able to double their lead with under three minutes remaining, taking a 2-0 advantage into the break.
Warriors 0 Ice Wolves 2
2nd period
The Warriors were very much still in the game and were looking to get off to a good start in period two. However, Bradford needed just over a minute to extend their lead to 3-0. Leeds didn’t let their heads go down and were immediately rewarded with their first goal of the game. Jarod Weldon broke through the Ice Wolves’ defence and slotted home, assisted by Phil Bradley. This gave the Warriors a boost and two minutes later it was one-goal game, as Matt Dudley scored off a breakaway to make it 3-2, assisted by Weldon. However, the game shifted back to the Ice Wolves towards the end of the period, as they scored twice to regain their three-goal advantage at the end of the period.
Warriors 2 Ice Wolves 5
3rd period
The Warriors needed a strong start to the final period to get back into the game, but it was the Ice Wolves who struck first to further extend their lead to 6-2. But Leeds weren’t going to go down without a fight, and quickly replied with a third goal, Jared Weldon scoring his second of the game, unassisted. That was as close the Warriors came to mounting a comeback, as the Ice Wolves pulled away with three goals late in the period to secure the victory.
Final score :
Warriors 3 Ice Wolves 9
Points scorers:
Jared Weldon 2+1
Matt Dudley 1+0
Phil Bradley 0+1
This was a closer game than the scoreline reflects, and the Warriors were very much in the game until the last 10 minutes or so of the third period. Overall a positive outing, with some clear signs of progress both as a team and in many individual’s games.
Matt Dudley
Warriors’ player of the game
Jared Weldon
Captain’s player of the game
Player of the Game, as selected by the Ice Wolves, went to Matt Dudley, and the Captain’s Helmet went to Jared Weldon for his 3-point performance.
Josh Moss had to unfortunately leave the game with a shoulder injury, so we’re hoping he has a speedy recovery.
