News Report

Chieftains vs Solent Devils

A game affected by suspensions and a devilish netminder!

• admin
• 06 February 2024

As we all know, there's a large number of teams fighting for second place in the league. With the exception of Streatham, both Chelmsford Chieftains and Solent Devils had only lost seven games prior to this weekend's fixtures. This was a chance for either team to extend their lead over their rivals.

The home crowd was pleased to see Ethan Reid back in the lineup after injury, but with the recent suspensions, there were also noticeable players missing.

The puck dropped, and the Chieftains usual line-up was completely different than normal. Right from the start, you could tell something wasn't quite right. The players were having to adjust, and passes weren't connecting. The Solent Devils, however, were able to string passes together and looked the more dominant side. The play was end-to-end, and at times, Jordan Lawday was pulling off great saves, keeping Solent out! Both of last week's games were heavily influenced by the referee and the decisions made, but this week was definitely an improvement. There were few penalties in the first, and the game was able to flow much better. As the period continued, the Chieftains were starting to look like scoring, and at 17:58, what appeared to be from nowhere, Damon Porter (assisted by Grant Bartlett and Leigh Jamieson) pulled off one of his now 'trademark' tight-angled shots. The puck went in, and the Riverside roared. The Chieftains looked to be in a great position at the end of the period. However, Solent had other ideas. Just as the final minute was ticking down, they made a charge on the Chieftains goal. There was a scramble in front of the net, the puck went up high in the air, and somehow it managed to find its way in the back of the Chieftains net on the way down. It was timed at 19:22, and Liam Coleman was awarded the goal. The first period ended 1-1, Lawday faced 9 shots, while Solent faced 10.

The first period had been a very even affair, all was to play for as the puck dropped for the second period. But, as per the first period, the Chieftains were struggling with their lines. Passes were being missed, and at times, when individual players moved forward, there wasn't anybody to support them. They really were misfiring. Solent were able to jump on this and started to apply pressure. At 23:29, Steve Osman from Solent was able to score to make it 1-2. Further charges were made on the Chieftains defence, and Lawday was playing a massive part in keeping the Chieftains in the game. At one point, he was 1 on 1 with Solent and confidently saved the shot, receiving huge applause and appreciation from the home crowd. The Chieftains tried to build momentum, but they were taking shots from a distance, and the Solent netminder was having a great game too. Nothing seemed to be getting past him. Solent continued to apply pressure on the Chieftains, and at 31:02, Steve Osman was able to score the second of his night to make it 1-3. This was then followed a few minutes later with another goal from Steve Osman at 33:06. It was now 1-4, and the game felt like it was slipping away from the Chieftains. The Chieftains attempted to mount a comeback, but the misfiring continued, and the period ended 1-4. Lawday faced 15 shots, while Solent faced 17.

The third period seemed like it was going to be too much of a hill to climb, but in credit to the Chieftains they came out fighting. Things felt really different. The passes started to hook up more, and more charges were made on the Solent netminder. The tide was turning, and the Chieftains were pulling themselves back into the game. At this point, I personally think the Solent netminder started to let himself down. He'd had two great periods, but fans could see he kept kicking the net off during various attacks made by the Chieftains. The home crowd was becoming frustrated and, at times, was chanting "Cheat, Cheat, Cheat!". At 46:49, it appeared the referee had seen enough, he warned the netminder, and he also gave a two-minute penalty for delay of game. The Chieftains were now 5 on 3 due to a previous penalty, surely the Chieftains had to score! At 48:26, assisted by Hallden Barnes-Garner and Leigh Jamieson, Damon Porter was able to score the second of his night to make it 4-2. The fightback had started. The game became more physical as Solent were losing control, and at one point, Jay King was floored from behind. He was lying flat out on the ice as Jemma was rushed over to him. The referee and linesmen were talking to each other, and Cliff could be heard shouting at them from the bench. However, no penalties were given, and Jay King left the ice. The team and home fans were not happy. The play continued with the Chieftains in control. As each charge was made on the Solent net, the home crowd was watching the Solent netminder like a hawk just in case he kicked the net off again, but no goals came. Just after the 55-minute mark, Jay King appeared back on the ice. He knocked a Solent player flying and got a 5-minute penalty for boarding. We assumed this was against his assailant, who'd done the same to him. The Chieftains were now on the power kill. Shortly after, Perella-Fox from Solent got a 2-minute penalty for holding. Cliff pulled Jordan Lawday from the net, and the Chieftains attempted to mount a charge on goal. A pass was missed, and Solent was able to get the puck. They progressed towards the empty net. They took a shot and missed! The puck was loose, and a second shot was made. This time, the puck went in, timed at 58:30 (It was now 2–5). The Chieftains went straight on a blistering attack, and at 58:55, assisted by Dan Hitchings and Dan Fay, Grant Bartlett scored a cracker of a goal to make it 3-5. The remaining seconds ticked down on the clock, and the third period finished 3-5. Lawday faced 6 shots, and Solent faced 13.

Dan Fay was awarded man of the match for the Chieftains. Well done, Dan!

We go again this weekend in the Britton Cup. We can't wait to see you back at the Riverside very soon!

If you'd like to see the stats for the game, just click here.

#LetsGoChieftains