Warriors 1 tame Ice Tigers A
On Saturday 8th February 2025 our Warriors 1 team welcomed Sheffield Ice Tigers A to Planet Ice, for their first game in the IHSC Cup.
This was our Warriors 1 team’s first game in the IHSC Cup (Ice Hockey Summer Classic) and their first meeting with the Ice Tigers since June 2024.
Dressed players
Lewis Pickering (NM), Joe Quinn (NM), Ivis Homuts, Niks Kamaldins, Niku Ghaemi, Andy Giles (A), Mitch White, Dylan Noonan, Sam Cromack (A), Dzintars Jonuss, Chris Scampton, Ollie Gannon, Simon Morrow, Will Gibbons, Chris Giles (C), Ellen Gallimore, Matthew Gatenby, Tyler Heming, Tom Mallon and Adam Gibbons.
1st period
The Warriors were determined to set the tone early, and just 2:26 into the game, Will Gibbons did exactly that. Seizing an opportunity, he fired the hosts ahead with a clinical finish, giving the team an early boost. The assist coming from his brother, Adam Gibbons. With the pressure lifted, they could now settle into their rhythm and focus on executing their game plan.
Both teams traded chances, but the Warriors had netminder Lewis Pickering to thank for keeping them ahead with a series of outstanding saves.
At 8:34, Mitch White doubled the Warriors lead, finishing off a well-worked play with an assist from Matthew Gatenby. Just over a minute later, at 9:37, White struck again — his second goal of the game — this time set up by line-mates Dylan Noonan and Andy Giles.
With a commanding 3-0 lead, the Warriors were in control. However, with so much time left, the game was far from settled. The next ten minutes saw both teams create, yet squander, several scoring opportunities in a tense back-and-forth battle.
Then, just before the intermission, the Ice Tigers found their breakthrough. At 19:21, they capitalised on a chance to cut the deficit to 3-1, ensuring they went into the break still in contention.
Warriors 3 Ice Tigers 1
2nd period
The Warriors knew the Ice Tigers would come out for the second period determined to strike early. With the score at 3-1, the next goal was pivotal — would the hosts restore their three-goal cushion, or would the visitors claw their way back into contention?
As expected, the Ice Tigers started fast, pressing hard in search of a breakthrough. But just when momentum seemed to be shifting, that guy White stepped up again. At 22:26, he completed his hat-trick, ensuring it was the Warriors who struck first. Set up beautifully by line-mates Noonan and A.Giles, White’s finish extended the lead to 4-1, keeping the hosts firmly in control.
The second period proved to be game-defining, as the Warriors took complete control, scoring four more unanswered goals to cap off a dominant 5-0 period and stretch their lead to 8-1.
Mitch White continued his red-hot form, netting his fourth of the night at 23:05, once again set up by line-mates Dylan Noonan and Andy Giles. Just 22 seconds later, Chris Giles made it 6-1, rifling a low slap shot from the point with an assist from Niks Kamaldins.
The Warriors kept pressing, and at 35:04, Niku Ghaemi delivered a brilliant solo effort to notch goal number seven. But there was still time for that man White to strike again. At 38:04, he bagged his fifth of the game, with Noonan and A.Giles providing the assists once more.
By the time the buzzer sounded, the Warriors were in complete control, leaving the Ice Tigers with a mountain to climb.
Warriors 8 Ice Tigers 1
3rd period
Despite holding a commanding lead, the Warriors were determined not to let their hard work go to waste in the final period. They knew the Ice Tigers would come out battling, eager to restore some pride after a punishing second period.
True to form, the visitors kept fighting and were rewarded at 43:04, scoring their second goal to cut the deficit to 8-2. Sensing an opportunity, they pushed forward, but Warriors’ netminder Lewis Pickering stood tall, making crucial saves to prevent any further damage. In what turned out to be a tightly contested period, both teams traded chances, but the Warriors were content to manage the game, frustrate their opponents, and run down the clock.
Yet there was still one final moment of brilliance left. At 56:25, who else but Mitch White put the finishing touch on a sensational night, scoring his sixth goal — a double hat-trick — to seal an emphatic 9-2 victory.
Final score:
Warriors 9 Ice Tigers 2
Points scorers :
Mitch White 6+0
Dylan Noonan 0+5
Andy Giles 0+5
Chris Giles 1+0
Will Gibbons 1+0
Adam Gibbons 0+1
Niks Kamaldins 0+1
Matthew Gatenby 0+1
Niks Kamaldins
Player of the game
Mitch White
Captain’s POTG
The Ice Tigers selected Niks Kamaldins as the Warriors' Player of the Game, recognising his impact on the ice. Meanwhile, the Captain’s helmet was awarded to Mitch White, who delivered an incredible performance with a staggering 6+0. Well done, guys!
A big thanks to the Ice Tigers for a great game of hockey. Despite the score-line, this was a much closer contest than it suggests. The visitors created plenty of quality chances, and if not for the heroics of netminder Lewis Pickering and the clinical finishing of Mitch White, this game could have taken a very different turn.
We would also like to thank our game-day sponsor, Hockey Moose.
Check out some HM products using this link: Hockey Moose.
Our Warriors 1 team play their next IHSC Cup game in a month’s time, against Don Valley Vikings B.
See the full details below:
IHSC Cup:
Saturday 8th March 2025
Warriors v Don Valley Vikings B
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
Face-off : 22:30
All Warriors 1 fixtures can be found here : Fixtures and Results
But before that, our Warriors 2 team are also playing in their IHSC Cup division.
See the details below:
IHSC Cup
Saturday 15th February 2025
Warriors v Leeds Lightning B
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
Face-off : 21:45
All Warriors 2 fixtures can be found here : Fixtures and Results
