Warriors 1 beat Sheffield Blazers
On Saturday night Warriors 1 faced-off against the Sheffield Blazers at Planet Ice and recorded the clubs 2nd ever win - with a convincing 16-7 victory.
The Warriors got off to a flying start - in the 3rd minute, debutant Ash Pryce put them 1-0 up from a Niks Kamaldins assist.
By the end of the first period, the Warriors had given themselves a nice foundation for the rest of the game as they lead 7- 1 going into the first break.
The other goals being scored by Adrian Garcia (2), Sam Cromack (2), Wes Nixon and Niks Kamaldins.
Knowing that the Blazers would come out for the 2nd period feeling determined to get back into the game, coach Alex Jones warned the players against complacency and urged the team to maintain the same intensity levels as the 1st period.
In the 2nd period, the Warriors recorded another 6 goals through Wes Nixon, Sam Forrester, Dan Zylinksi and notably - Mitch White scored twice, whilst Sam Cromack bagged another to complete a hat-trick.
Predictably, the Blazers were stronger in the 2nd period, scoring 4 goals, with most of the damage coming from number 15, Andras Kehl.
The Warriors had to dig deep in the 2nd period as multiple minor penalties meant they were down to 5 on 3 for significant periods. But despite the barrage of pressure, they valiantly killed off each of these penalties.
The final score for the 2nd period was 6-4 to the Warriors, meaning it was 13-5 going into the final period.
In the 3rd period, things were even closer, the Warriors scored 3 times and the Blazers bagged 2. Warriors goals came from Adrian Garcia with a superb rebound from his own slap-shot, Andy Giles - and Sam Cromak bagged his 4th of the evening.
The final scoreline was 16-7 to the Warriors.
Thanks to the Blazers for coming up to Leeds for the game. It was a really competitive and fairly played game between the two teams. We look forward to the return fixture in Sheffield in the coming weeks.
Special mention to both our goalies, Ben Briggs and Lewis Pickering - who were brilliant when it was their turn in the net.
Shout out to Niks Kamaldins who was the coach’s choice for Player of the Night and Sam Cromack who picked up an impressive 5 points with a 4+1 output, earning him the Captain’s Player of the Night award. Let’s not forget that Adrian Garcia also weighed in with an impressive 3+1 haul too.
Finally, big thanks to Paddy Horner (our Elite league referee who normally plays for the Warriors) who gave up his playing time to step in and referee the game.
It was all smiles in the Warriors locker room after the game.
Player stats:
Sam Cromack 4 + 1
Adrian Garcia 3 + 1
Wes Nixon 2 + 1
Mitch White 2+1
Ash Pryce 1+1
Niks Kamaldins 1 + 1
Andy Giles 1+0
Dan Zylinski 1+0
Sam Forrester 1 + 0
Will Gibbons 0+2
Adam Gibbons 0+1
Tom Mallon 0+1
Jordan Batty 0+1
Rich Williams 0+1
Niks Kamaldins
Coaches player of the game
Sam Cromack
Captain’s player of the night
