Warriors perform well at the RAFIHOC tournament

Jul 5

Written By Chris Giles

Warriors IHC entered two teams into the 2 day RAFIHOC tournament, which was hosted at Planet Ice, Leeds.

The tournament was split into a checking and a non-checking division. Warriors entered a team into each division.

Each division had 5 teams competing and each game was 20 minutes running clock.

Day 1 - Checking division

Game 1 - Tyneside Jesters

The Warriors opening game was against the Tyneside Jesters.

The boys went 0-1 down but fought hard and brought home a 2-1 victory with goals from Andy Giles and Niks Kamaldins.

The latter also picked up the Captain’s Player of the Game award. 2 points in the bag and a great start for the Warriors.

Game 2 - Blackburn Falcons

The Warriors next game was against Blackburn Falcons. A team we had previously played in the recent Kingston tournament. As expected, this was a tough 20 minutes and unfortunately, we lost 1-0 to a late breakaway goal. Player of the Game was Paddy Horner who put in a valiant shift in D.

Game 3 - RAF Aces

Next up, the RAF Aces. Having missed the first two games of the day, forward Raivis Voitans joined us for this one and put in a great performance. Raivis also picked up the Player of the Game award, having lead us to a convincing 5-1 victory. Another 2 points in the bag, giving us 4 points from 3 games.

Game 4 - Newcastle Predators

The final round-robin game of the day for the Warriors was against the Newcastle Predators. Based on the day’s results, this looked like the Warriors biggest test yet.

Unfortunately, that proved to be the case as the Preds ran out 3-1 winners. Our Player of the Game was goalie, Ben Briggs, who kept the Warriors in the game for long periods.

Day 1 summary

With 2 wins and 2 narrow defeats, this wasn’t a bad day at the office for the Warriors, who were unlucky against Blackburn Falcons and should have done better against the Predators. Due to a disciplinary issue at the end of the Predators game, the Preds were deducted a point, which meant the Warriors sat 2nd in the table going into Day 2.

Day 2 - Checking division

Game 5 - Newcastle Predators

Warriors first game on day two was against previous opponents, Newcastle Predators. This was 2nd versus 3rd in the table and victory would mean a spot in the final. Having lost that previous game, the Warriors were highly motivated to get the W and progress.

The Warriors put in a far better performance second time around, in a hard fought battle. The game ended 2-2 which was a fair reflection of how the game went.

Having tied the game, it went to a penalty shoot-out. 3 shots each.

Unfortunately, the Predators shooters were very clinical with their penalty shots, giving goalie Ben Briggs no chance, as they came out as the winners.

Player of the Game was Ben Briggs, who pulled off some crucial saves.

Game 6 - RAF Aces

Having lost the previous game, the best position the Warriors could hope for was 3rd. In order to achieve this, they needed to beat RAF Aces again - and Blackburn Falcons.

Fortunately, the game against the RAF Aces was quite comfortable, as the Warriors bagged a couple of early goals to take the pressure off.

The final result was 5-1, which was a repeat of the score from the previous game between the two teams.

Player of the Game went to goalie, Lewis Pickering.

Game 7 - Blackburn Falcons

Having won the previous game, the Warriors now had a chance to finish 3rd. But standing in their way was Blackburn Falcons, who beat the Warriors 1-0 on the first day.

We had been without forward Mitch White for all of the tournament up to this point, but Mitch was now available to play, having driven over 2 hours to make it for the game.

The Warriors put in a great performance and were 2-1 up going into the final minute. But, unfortunately, the Falcons were able to swoop onto a rebounded loose puck in front of the net and slotted home an equaliser at the death.

It ended 2-2 and another penalty shoot-out beckoned.

Despite Sam Cromack netting his penalty shot brilliantly, the Falcons shooters were on fire and scored 2 out of 2 penalty shots which was enough to give them the W.

Player of the game was Mitch White.

Tournament summary

As much as the team were disappointed not to win the tournament or take one of the top 3 positions - on reflection, there are some big positives to take from the weekend’s hockey.

In the 7 games played, the Warriors only lost 2 in regulation time.
The Warriors beat the eventual winners - Tyneside Jesters.
On day 2, the Warriors drew with teams they had previously lost to on day 1.

It was our second ever tournament together and we made an impact. A lot of those games could have gone either way on another day and there’s no shame in losing in a shoot-out.

Well done Warriors checking team.

Day 1 - Non-Checking Division

Game 1

The Warriors non-checking team played the Nottingham North Stars in their opening game. The North Stars have some skilled players on their roster so this was a big test for the team.

Unfortunately, the guys went down 2-0 but this was a good performance against a good team. The Player of the Game went to Stu Shepherd for some great defensive work.

Game 2

Next up for the Warriors were the RAF Saints.

This was a very close game where either side could have nicked the win. Unfortunately for our guys, the solitary goal of the game went to the Saints who picked up the 1-0 W.

Player of the Game for Warriors was Howard Barwick.

Game 3

The Warriors third game of the day was against Coventry Snipers. Again, a very skilled team. A team which consisted of many experienced Slovakian players.

The Warriors managed to get their first goals of the tournament through Captain Ellen Gallimore and Lewis Astill, but despite that, they went down 4-2.

A great effort considering the opposition. A positive reflection of how the team were growing into the tournament and getting used to their line mates.

Player of the game was Alternate Captain, Will Gibbons.

Game 4

The Warriors final round-robin game was against local rivals Leeds Lightning.

Unfortunately, the Lightning came away with a 3-1 victory.

Player of the game was goalie Vadims Nazarenko.

Day 2 - Non-Checking Division

Game 5

For their first game on day two, the Warriors were up against the RAF Saints again. On day one they had narrowly lost 1-0 to the Saints.

This time around, they pushed them harder and took the game to a penalty shoot-out. But sadly, they couldn’t win the 3 shots each competition.

Player of the game was goalie, Vadims Nazarenko.

Game 6

The Warriors final game of the tournament was against Leeds Lightning.

Unfortunately, the Lightning were too strong for our guys on the night and came away with a convincing 5-1 victory.

Warriors player of the game was Alternate Captain, Niku Ghaemi.

Tournament summary (non-checking)

Whilst our non-checking team didn’t pick up a W in their 6 games, they played brilliantly throughout - and against some top teams which are at the higher end of recreational ice hockey. The whole team should be proud of themselves for the account they gave of themselves. Some of the team were also putting in shifts for the checking team and made a significant difference.

Winners - checking division

Tyneside Jesters

Congratulations to the Tyneside Jesters on their RAFIHOC tournament victory!

Runners up - checking division

Blackburn Falcons

Well done to Blackburn Falcons for reaching the final. Great effort. We had a couple of good battles with you over the course of the weekend!

Thank you

Finally, thank you for the RAF for putting on this tournament. Both our teams had a great weekend.

Chris Giles