Sweet Victory At Last
A big thanks to the Solihull for making the long trip to Deeside, made harder by the M6 being shut. The game faced off on time with both sides a man short of 2 lines. The first period started with action at both ends of the ice until the Vikings slotted their first marker on 4 mins, followed by their second soon after when the puck was poked in after being left on the goal line. The Vipers finished the period with a third. The Phantoms started the second period in positive fashion and scored after good pressure from a face. Sam Hunt scrambled one in from close range. More good work from a face off set up Gavin Austin to send a missile into the Solihull net making it 3 - 2 although the Visitors came back and made it 4 - 2 after a breakaway. But up stepped Gavin to send another rocket into the net from the blue line and then Sam dekeing the goalie to tie the game up at 4 - 4, all in the space of 30 seconds. Game On! Phantoms were now playing with confidece, passing well and keeping the puck in the the Vipers zone giving Gavin space to slot a sweet wrist shot across goal onto the top shelf.
The start of the 3rd period saw the Vipers try to swamp the Deesiders zone but a breakaway goal from Gavin settled the teams nerves to make it 6 - 4. A quick response by the visitors made a narrow 1 goal lead again, and penalties for both sides close together jangled a few nerves. Sam scored on 48min to make it 7-5 then the Vipers made it 7 6 a minute later. The play was end to end but the Phantoms playing a controlled passing game resulted in Gavin bagging his 5th of the game and making the final score 8 - 6. Jamie Scarratt faced 62 shots and was awarded MVP for his efforts. A good win and great work by one and all!
Reporter: Lee Scarratt
Game Stats
by: Peter Coulton
added on: 25 June 2010 at 16:38