Warriors 3 blown off course by Cyclones
On Sunday 14th April 2024 our Warriors 3 team travelled to the Motorpoint Arena to take on the Nottingham Cyclones in a challenge game.
This was the third time our Warriors 3 team had faced Nottingham Cyclones. The first occasion was on 23rd July 2023 when the Warriors won 7-6 after a late penalty shot. An epic encounter.
The next game was in Nottingham on 17th September 2023 when the Cyclones won convincingly, 14-4.
With such contrasting score-lines it was hard to predict which way this one would go!
1st period
The Cyclones made a strong start to the game, and their early pressure paid off with a goal less than four minutes in, which they then followed up five minutes later to take an early 2-0 lead. The Warriors rallied and halved the deficit with a goal from Ivans Lebedjoks, assisted by Simon Davis, at 11:24. The rest of the period was a close fought battle, but with a little over 90 seconds remaining, the Warriors were on level terms through Connor Brocklebank’s unassisted goal.
Cyclones 2 Warriors 2
2nd period
The second period got off to a rough start for the Warriors, with the Cyclones scoring a powerplay goal just over a minute after the restart. This set the tone for the next 19 minutes, as the Cyclones dominated the scoring, racking up a further six goals, with the Warriors struggling to execute their line changes on the big ice sheet.
Cyclones 9 Warriors 2
3rd period
With the game essentially over as a contest, the Warriors focused on putting on a much stronger performance in the third period, which they did. Lebedjoks scored his second goal of the game at the 46.52 mark, assisted by Jared Weldon. And less than two minutes later, Craig Baker struck for the Warriors, with an unassisted effort. The Cyclones weren’t finished, however, as they notched up the final two goals of the game later in the period.
Final score :
Cyclones 11 Warriors 4
Despite the final score-line, the Warriors tied both the first and third periods 2-2, and showed a lot of character and determination to keep going following a tough middle twenty minutes.
Points scorers:
Ivans Lebedjoks 2+0
Craig Baker 1+0
Connor Brocklebank 1+0
Simon Davies 0+1
Jared Weldon 0+1
Jonjo Marshall
Warriors’ player of the game
Ivans Lebedjoks
Captain’s player of the game
The Player of the Game for the Warriors, as selected by the Cyclones, went to Jonjo Marshall who worked tirelessly all game and the Warriors’ helmet went to Ivans Lebedjoks for his excellent two-goal performance. Well played guys.
An honourable mention also goes to goalie Kieran High, stepping in for the unavailable Rory Butcher, for his battling performance in net.
Thanks to Nottingham Cyclones for hosting!
The next game for the Warriors is in the Koryos Cup, and will be between Warriors Black and Ice Wolves Blue.
Game details below:
