News Report

Playoff Quarter Finals

Chieftains play their hearts out....

• admin
• 04 April 2023

At the beginning of the season, it felt like we only played Slough. Well, at the end of the season, it felt like we only played Invicta Dynamos!

After the loss last week in the Cup Final, could the Chieftains prove the stats wrong and make it through to the playoffs in Milton Keynes?

The first leg of the Playoff quarter finals was played at the Riverside. Compared to the prior week, there were not as many fans, but there were a lot more drums present to make up for it!

The puck dropped for the first period. The Chieftains were right on it from the start, the action was fast paced. In 90 seconds, Invictas Chard got a 2 minute penalty for tripping. The Chieftains were on the powerplay. Invicta defended hard, but with only 7 seconds left of the powerplay, Ethan Reid was able to get the first goal of the game, 1-0 to the Chieftains, and the crowd erupted. There were a few more penalties to come for both teams as the battle for control continued, but at 8:38, Huska was able to get one back for Invicta. It was now 1-1. More penalties ensued, and at 11.35 Huska was to get 2 minutes for tripping. The Chieftains were back on the powerplay and within 60 seconds, Matt Turner had scored to make it 2-1 to the Chieftains. The remainder of the period was more balanced, but the Chieftains had definitely maximised their powerplay advantages.

The second period started. Dan Hitchings soon got a 2 minute boarding penalty. This time, Invicta were able to take advantage, and Condren scored to make it 2-2. More penalties ensued for both teams, but Invicta had the most control. At 32:12, Springer Hughes got 2 minutes for tripping, but this time, Invicta were able to deny the Chieftains a powerplay advantage by securing a short-handed goal from Dell. During the second period, Luca pulled off some amazing saves, at times on his back, sprawling in every direction to deny Invicta any more goals. A great display of net minding! At the end of the period, Luca had faced 15 shots, whilst Rider had only faced 6. The second period ended 3-2 to Invicta.

The second period had taken a lot out of the Chieftains. They really had faced an onslaught but were by no means out of the game. The game was proving to be very physical. As per last week, Richie was doing a great job trying to keep Lascek in check, but with 8:55 remaining, Lascek was able to assist Dell, who scored on a 2 man break. It was 4-2 to Invicta. The home fans were really trying to get behind the team, the drums were loud, and the Chieftains gave it their all. They didn't stop until the final buzzer. The third period ended 4-2, with it all to play for back at Gillingham.

Unfortunately, we were unable to attend the second leg at Gillingham. So, like many other Chieftains fans, we were relying upon Julie Boyd to provide us with updates in the Black and Gold Army Facebook group (whilst Richard banged the drum evidently!). Not forgetting the Invicta Dynamo twitter feed, though Julie was much faster at providing updates!

Richard Harris set Invicta on their way with a slapshot at 7.59, making it 1-0. The first period sounded very physical and at 12:02, Oli Baldock and Dan Fay both got 2 minutes for boarding and roughing respectively. Invicta were able to take advantage of the powerplay. McAllan scored Invicta's second goal at 6.49, and just as the period was nearing its end, Soar scored for Invicta to make it 3-0 (7-2 on aggregate).

The task ahead was now even bigger for the Chieftains, with what seemed like an impossible mission for the second period. But, as we've seen of late, the Chieftains keep on going, right till the end. At 21.08, Grant Bartlett was able to get the Chieftains' first goal of the night. At 32.15, Matt Turner was able to score, the fight-back was happening! Turners' goal was shortly followed by a goal from James Pentecost (unassisted!) at 33.36, it was now 3-3 on the night (7-5 to Invicta on aggregate). The Chieftains were bringing the fight. Huska scored with just over 5 minutes of the second period remaining, closely followed by a goal from Oli Baldock just 15 seconds later, it really was end to end stuff. With only 41 seconds to go, Invicta were able to score again, this time courtesy of Harris. It was now 5-4 (9-6 on aggregate to Invicta). What an amazing second period of ice hockey!

The third period was always going to be a massive period of hockey, especially after a sensational second period. After a couple of minutes into the period, Casey Wilson was able to score an unassisted goal. It was level pegging once again, 5-5 (9-7 agg). Lascek received a 2 minute penalty for tripping. The Chieftains were back on the powerplay. Assisted by Matt Turner, Oli Baldock scored another goal for the Chieftains. It was now 5-6 (9-8 on agg). This was then followed by yet another goal from Sasha Maltsev, somehow it was now 5-7 (9-9 on agg). What an amazing comeback!

With 9 minutes to go, Lascek was able to take the Dynamos back in the lead. It was now 6-7 (10-9 on agg). It was really becoming nail biting stuff, the flurry of goals seemed to slow down. With just over 4 minutes to play, the Chieftains received a 2 minute penalty for too many men. The Chieftains defended hard and were able to kill the powerplay. With 1.20 remaining, Harris scored yet another for Invicta. It was now 7-7 (11-9 on agg), this was to be the final goal of what was a truly amazing weekend. Invicta had won, but the Chieftains had really shown their true grit and determination, their skill, and commitment.

It's been a long season, with many bumps in the road, but the last few months have really shown how far the Chieftains have come, becoming a force to be reckoned with once more. Well-done team! We're all so proud of what you've achieved!

If you'd like to see the stats for the first leg of the Playoff Quarter Final, just click here.

If you'd like to see the stats for the second leg of the Playoff Quarter Final, just click here.

#IsItSeptemberYet? #AlwaysProudToBeAChieftain #LetsGoChieftains