Up In The Rafters:All Tricks No Treat

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS BRACKNELL BEES

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

27/10/18

PRE GAME

After seeing the home winning streak ended the weekend before by Swindon Wildcats the Streatham Redhawks came in to this game looking to bounce back. With a full roster compliment icing they would fancy their chances of bouncing back against a high flying Bee's team they had bested at the High Road just a few weeks prior.

Bracknell would hand a debut to new import signing Dan Millner. Josh Smith would sit out, while among the familiar faces of former Redhawks in the Bee's line up Ryan Watt would make his return to the High Road

1st Period

The Redhawks would win the opening face off, and immediately go on the offensive gaining zonal entry on the Bee's from the start. However the Bee's denied the Redhawks the center of the ice and so all attempts at offensive pushes were forced out wide and in to the corners. This offensive pressure would not last as the Bee's would take hold and keep the game trapped between their blue line and the Hawks defensive zone.

Josh Martin would get the first real shot of the opening phases of play, catching the Hawks on the break Martin would fire the puck in. It would bank goal wards off of a Hawks defenseman and Damien King before coming to a rest in the blue paint of Kings crease and was covered before a scrum could erupt

Going back the other way Rupert Quinney would get two shots in on Miltons net only to see both sail wide on both occasions. The puck would turn over and Martin and Antonov would take the puck up the ice in the opposite direction but King would make the glove save on Antonovs shot.

The Redhawks would get a chance to capitalize on their strengths on the power play as Alex Roberts would be hauled down by Shaun Thompson when breaking away with the puck off a feed from Ranson. However the Hawks usual powerplay dominance would desert them. The best chance would come when Wood, Soar and Webb would work together to get a shot off that forced a sprawling save from Milton

A turnover by Jamieson at the blue-line would unleash the Bee's deadliest break away specialist in Vanya Antonov, however Damien King would make the save to keep the scores level and help the Hawks to take the play back the other way where a Ben Russell point shot would squeeze by in the crease behind Milton but a waiting Carr just couldn't slide it by to put the Hawks on the board

Soon after killing that penalty the Bee's would find themselves back on the PK as Aidan Doughty would be called for charging. But this time the Bees PK would refuse to let the Hawks get set on the puck and a lot of aggressive active stick work combined with going after the puck carrier meant very little meaningful offence was generated before the kill ended

The penalty pendulum would swing the Bee's way at 15:48 after a high sticking call against Farn. However their powerplay was just as ineffective as the Redhawks had been. In total managing just 2 shots on net by Thompson and Antonov. As a result of the Redhawks keeping the Bee's to the outside on the kill

The first would end 0-0 and an even period with both teams enjoying periods of dominance, and both goalies already standing on their heads to keep their team in it.

2nd Period

The second period would begin with Cornish switching things up a bit line wise with Leigh Jamieson taking the place of Alex Roberts on the first line alongside Carr and Ranson. However the switch wouldn't really be effective as the Bee's would instantly begin applying pressure off the face off, and with the Hawks trapped in their defensive end and unable to clear the puck at 20:39 Watt found himself on the doorstep with the puck on his stick, however despite King foiling his attempts to go round, him the puck would come lose to Antonov who set up Roman Malnik who potted in to the gaping net to make it 1-0 to the Bee's

The Redhawks attempts to answer back continuously found themselves stalled at the Bee's blue line, as plays were broken up by active stick work or puck carriers found themselves being forced wide towards the boards. While going back the other way the Redhawks would win an edge defensively for a short while turning their own blue line in to a turn over zone. With the Bee's themselves unable to get anything past the waiting fore-checkers.

The game of mental and tactical chess was also showing the Bee's had scouted the Redhawks tactics well, and the Hawks were being denied the center lane. A favorite shooting and skating area of Alex Roberts when on the puck, he would find himself neutralized as a result of this. However despite this the odd forward charge would break the blockade and one saw Carr and Roberts in together with Milton at their mercy all Carr had to do was pull the trigger however he miscued the shot and Milton sprawled out from his crease to make the save and freeze the puck

Webb and Siagris would then attempt to get on the board, rushing in from the neutral zone getting right in front of Milton but with no result on the end of the play as again Milton made the save.
The best chance would fall to Adam Wood, after being forced to make a save off a shot by Beesley Milton wold deflect the puck to Wood who had a sitter and the goal at his mercy. However the back hand shot sailed wide continuing the frustration for the Redhawks

The Bee's would then try to add to the lead as Ryan Watt would dangle up ice with Malnik in support. His shot would go wide and bounce off the boards to the trailing Malnik but Damien King would make the save to keep the Bee's only 1 ahead

The period would end with the Bee's 1-0 up. With the Redhawks needing to find a way to dial in the sights on the long range shots and find someone to be in the right place at the right time to stiff home a rebound or one timer past Milton and make all the pressure they had enjoyed in the later part of the second pay off

3rd Period

The 3rd would start in strange fashion as turnovers by one team to the other were answered in kind by more turn overs. Trapping the puck in the neutral zone for the opening minute or so. The period was only 2 minutes old when Scott Spearing was called for Hooking.

The Redhawks powerplay had looked a shadow of itself earlier in the night. However this power play was a much improved performance. The Hawks would focus on blasting pucks from the point looking for a deflection or a bounce off the board to a circling Hawks forward. A broken would see Jamieson in with the puck and Milton at his mercy however the shot would wind up blasting in to the pads. The next phase of play would see Farn play it down from the point to the doorstep only for Carr to be unable to force it home. Last gasp attempts from Gregory and Jamieson again would be denied as the Bees killed the penalty

However the Bees would have long to rest, as Ryan Sutton would find himself called for an elbow. This would lead to the controversial moment, where it looked like the Hawks had finally broken Milton's shut out. Jordan Gregory would storm in from the point with the puck on his stick, his shots rebound would go lose and the rebound would find Tom Soar who would stuff the puck in to send the home fans in to raptures. Only for referee Hewitt to rule the goal disallowed as it had been brought to his attention a 6th Hawk was on the ice at the time. With too many men calls usually associated with the puck being by the bench on a line change and not down by the goal line this drew the ire of many in attendance. As did the subsequent too many men penalty called against the Redhawks

The Bees would look dangerous on the ensuing powerplay and almost made it 2-0 with chances from Antonov on the doorstep being forced wide by King. The Bee's were really stretching the Hawks PK as was evidenced by several open net back door chances to Bees found themselves gifted. However each time King or a Redhawks player was able to get in the way of the puck.

After this the Bees would go in to shut down mode, with King and Milton standing on their heads to keep their teams chances alive. Doug Shepperd opted to play shut down hockey and choke off any chance the Redhawks had at capitalizing on the stone wall performance King was putting in, while relying on Milton to keep doing just the same.

Ryan Webb would eventually find a way through the blockade off a neutral zone turn over, however he would blast this high and wide. The Bees would turn the play back the other way as  turnover from the Hawks would release Vanya Antonov in 1 on 1 with King. However King would make the save to deny the speeding sniper.

With the game entering its closing phases the Redhawks would keep pressing. Farn, Roberts and Gregory would all go close with a quick succession of chances. However Milton continued to maintain the shut out. With the Redhawks pressing Ryan Sutton would be forced to take a penalty in order to stop a scoring chance for Alex Roberts as he was called for slashing.

The Redhawks would press hard on the powerplay, Jamieson and Roberts would be a constant threat looking for a shooting lane. But would only find shot blockers or Miltons pads, or the back boards as their shots went wide. Jamieson, Carr and Roberts would work hard for chances in this power play but Milton and the defense was equal to everything being thrown their way.

Just as Suttons penalty would expire Brendan Baird would then take a tripping penalty felling Ryan Webb. The best chance of the powerplay would come when the puck would be worked across the center hash marks to a waiting Roberts, like so many times we had already seen this season. All he had to do was hit it and the score would be tied. However the stick and puck failed to connect and the puck sailed out the half boards.

The clock would run down and the Bees could celebrate a hard fought win, and a shut out for young Dan Milton. While the Redhawks would rue a close game, that had been lost by a moment of ill bench discipline and lack of clinical finishing and just like against Swindon bad luck.

POST GAME 

So once again another entertaining game at the High Road, the only frustration is the result. I know it seems odd, but I had my concerns over the teams scoring this night even before the game had begun. While the warm up is not always an indicator, Alex Roberts and a few others were really finding accuracy hard during drills. This spilled over in to the match itself and we could all see as the game wore on the confidence of the forwards was dropping as their luck deserted them.
Despite the result of the game, there are positives to take in. To limit the league leaders and one of the title favorites to one goal on our own ice is a strong performance defensively and the defense must be commended for this. Especially Damien King who was a wall in net and it was only an unlucky bounce that cost him his chance at a shut out. The offence however in this game needed to work on a plan B, it became apparent after the Bees begun denying the center ice line that a new tactic was needed and it didn't really come until late in the third when Milton was riding a wave of high confidence allowing him to stop anything. The bench minor that cost the game tieing goal is just one of those things, though I am sure Cornish will be asking why the 6th man was released like that, but in this case its magnified by the fact that it happened at such a crucial moment that could have changed the game.
The team will now need to rebuild and put in a strong performance against a Basingstoke Bison side who are proving me and a lot of others wrong with their early season form, especially on a wide open rink like Basinsgtokes. However having turned Swindon over in their barn there is nothing that says lightning couldn't strike for the Redhawks in Basingstoke. It will all depend on if the big guns get their sights dialed back in, before the return to Streatham in two weeks against the Raiders

Up In The Rafters:Splitting The Difference

SUNDAY OCTOBER 21ST

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS SWINDON WILDCATS

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

Having beaten the Wildcats the night before in Swindon, the Redhawks came in to the game riding a wave of momentum looking to claim a second scalp from one of the leagues title contenders. With a near full bench with Rupert Quiney making his return from injury and with the home ice sure to favour the Hawks style of play over the Wildcats this looked to be another possible upset in the making

1st Period

The game would start out with the Redhawks asserting control of the Wildcats zone, as Carr Roberts and Ranson saw a few early entry attempts get deep however repeatedly the Hawks found the play in to the corner repulsed and fired out. It was only a line change that lead to the pressure going the other way. This would see Jan Kostal shrug of Siagris to fire off the shot but it would be deflected wide. Taylor would then get a follow up but the play would end up going the other way. Where in a pinching Farn would get a slap shot off from the half boards

Roberts and Webb would then force a turn over and improvise a series of cross crease attempts to try and break the deadlock but Marr still kept them at bay. The active stick work of the Wildcats keeping anyone from getting a firm grasp on the rebounds. Going the other way Ben Nethersell would force King to flash the leather.

Josh Condren would then get another one of the best chances in the period on a break away after a turn over. With Wood in support Condren would opt to shoot but it was easily saved by Marr. This would be the end of Redhawks offensive pressure for a while as it saw the beginning of sustained Wildcats pressure with Rutkis, Taylor, Whitfield and Jones all going close.

Soon this pressure would be converted as Aaron Nell would find space in the slot, after a miscue from Farn passing to Warman  was turned over to Max Birbraer who would feed the waiting Nell who applied the finish to make it 1-0 Wildcats

Shortly after the Cats would make it 2-0. Sam Bullas gained possession of the puck as the Redhawks failed to clear their own zone, a pass from Birbraer once again found an open Nell on the door step who fired it home to make it 2-0 Wildcats. At this point in an effort to calm his team and get some semblance of order back to the teams play coach Cornish called a time out to go over tactics

Unfortunately despite this the Hawks couldn't make any offensive pressure stick, while they were winning face offs any attempts at taking the Wildcats zone were being repulsed at the blue line. When the Hawks did gain zone entry they couldn't get on target. When Andreas Siagris and Ryan Webb found a way through Tom Soar would fire wide.

After Chris Jones would be called for boarding Andreas Siagris the Redhawks would find a way to get on the board. Alex Roberts would take possession of the puck at the half boards and pass to Jamieson wide open at the point. Jamieson would wind up and fire through traffic, Ryan Webb would give it a tip on the way through to direct it straight in to the top corner of Marrs net to make it 2-1

Buoyed by getting on the board the Redhawks would begin to apply more pressure offensively. Tom Soar would win a battle at the half board and give it to Farn. He would go cross ice across the front of the crease to a waiting Andreas Siagris but he would fire high and wide.

The momentum would shift the way of the Wildcats again soon after, with Michael Farn taking a tripping call at 17:58 the Wildcats would go on the power play. But despite getting plenty of pucks in to the Hawks zone, the Cats would see these cleared repeatedly. The best chance would come when Birbraer and Nell would stretch the Hawks D out of position. Finding himself with an open net it was only a combination of Wood and King that denied Birbraer from making it 3-1

Andreas Siagris would force a turnover after the penalty was killed and streak away with puck, his first attempt would be saved, the Canadian would then force 2 more turnovers in the Cats zone to creates 2 more golden chances to tie the game only to be frustrated by Marr

2nd Period

The Second period would see the Wildcats get out of the gate early as they took zonal control away from the Redhawks, and Aaron Nell would immediately use this to fire in a snap shot that was saved by King. This was then followed up by Bebris, Harding and Kostal combining for an attempted house play. With the central area just outside the crease seemingly surrendered the Wildcats had found a tactic they would look to exploit during the rest of the game

At 21:22 King would make a save on a shot from Bebris, however the rebound would fall to a waiting Harding who would pot the puck to make it 3-1

Andreas Siagris would try to return fire almost immediately but again Marr stood strong in net. But soon after the Redhawks would in their attempts at zonal entry thwarted by the Wildcats D for a time. Eventually Andreas Siagris, would lead another charge with Condren and Webb. But their attempt at tic tac goal would sail wide.

The mountain for the Redhawks would grow taller after this. Once again a failure to clear the defensive zone after pressure caused by a missed interference call on Bailey would allow Edgars Bebris to fire off a shot that deflected off the iron. The rebound would again fall to Harding who just like before made no mistake potting puck to make it 4-1

Redhawks frustrations would boil over at 26 minutes. After a board battle in front of the Redhawks bench Adam Wood and Sam Jones would take exception to one another and the gloves would come off for what in the end amounted to a slight tussle and less of a fight. Each would end up with 2+2 for fighting.

This wouldn't change the flow of momentum, while getting plenty of entry in to the Wildcats zone, the Redhawks best puck carriers were being squeezed out of the game. The gap control being executed by the Cats meant that every carrier would be forced wide with closing pockets of active sticks around him. Totally neutralising any trailing players taking advantage of the space this created

Despite this the Redhawks would soon find a way through. Leigh Jamieson would take the zone, pinching up from defensive duties and go by every one. With Bailey in tow he would pass it off, Baileys initial shot would be saved only to be stuffed home in close by Ryan Webb picking up the garbage.

On the very next play the Redhawks looked to try and get straight back in to things as Farn would try to feed a tip shot to Carr. But with too much power on it Carr could only deflect it up and over. In quick succession Farm, Carr, Quiney and Roberts would all try to create chances and get shots on net but Marr continued to frustrate the offence

It would be turn over trouble again though that lead to the Cats getting another at 33:18. Farn and Warman could not clear the puck out. Aaron Nell would intercept, feeding it to Sam Bulas who would feed Jan Kostal in turn who applied the finishing touch to make it 5-2 Wildcats

The Redhawks would try to return fire, but long stretch pass attempts up the ice, and most action in the neutral zone was being turned over to the Wildcats. However eventually Soar, Webb and Siagris would find a way through. Soar would find a waiting Webb with the net at his mercy but he would whiff on the shot.

The Redhawks would close out the period on the powerplay, as Beesley sped away off a face off he was hauled down by Godfrey attempting to feed a puck to Condren. However unlike the previous powerplay the Redhawks couldn't get settled on the puck. Roberst, Jaimeson and Farn would all get chances but the Cats active sticks meant no Redhawk could settle long enough to fire through the screen

3rd Period

With the game under their control the Wildcats began the third seeking to choke off passing and shooting lanes.

However it seemed with this happening, Cornish had opted for the same tactic he used in the Raiders game as the first foray of the 3rd ended with Ranson firing straight in to Marrs glove. Jamieson would get a couple of good chances off the next face off. The saved and therefore frozen pucks forcing more face offs.

In a change of fortunes the Wildcats would cough up a turn over to Rupert Quiney who would pinch in to create an opportunity for Roberts on the back door but Marr would stop him dead. The momentum would all shift back the Cats way though, as Damien King would be called for tripping Birbraer on a break away.

The Cats would convert on the power play. With Nell and Harding working the outside cycle on the puck. They would find Bebris open at the goal line, and he would bank it in off of the back of Kings pads to make it 6-2

Trying to fire back, Alex Roberts would finally get the space he had been denied all evening and use all his speed to crash Marrs net. But would only find the goalies padding. But speed would be the key to getting a goal on Marr. Beesley would break out from the neutral zone with Bailey in support. While others had opted to shoot earlier on Beesley waited for the Wildcats trying to block him had gone prone, before skating around them to the back of the net. Once there he fed the puck to Bailey who fired home to make it 6-3

With momentum back on their side the Hawks would go looking for more garbage goals around the net. Roberts and Carr would work together to create a goal mouth melee, with the puck loose everyone in the arena thought it might be about to be 6-4 but referee Stephenson blew the play dead because he had lost sight of the puck. Drawing multiple comments from those around me about how the puck hadn't been the only thing he couldn't see

The pressure would continue with Soar, Quiney and Webb all going close. With the game in a more free flow phase, Bebris and Harding would get in 2 on 1 and only just see the puck saved by King. But it would squirm loose and cause a round of hand bags as everyone was digging for it

At 51:08 the Hawks looked to have a way back, with Alex Roberts getting tripped in a goal mouth scramble by Chris Jones the Redhawks had another chance to use their secret weapon of the powerplay. Farn and Jaimeson bombarded Marr from the point, while down low in front Carr, Webb and Roberts circled like sharks, taking pot shots. Eventually Marr caved under the bombardment as Adam Carr would stuff home a loose puck after attempts by Jamieson and Webb

Sadly the comeback would not be completed this time. Despite a period of sustained Redhakws pressure, at 58:08 a turn over of the puck would see Adam Harding complete his hat trick to make it 7-4 on the night to the Wildcats

POST GAME

Well the streak is over, but in a weekend where we played the league title favourites in my opinion. 2 points is better than none over the 2 games. The Wildcats came in and delivered a response to a lack luster performance the night before. They noted every strength and weakness the Redhawks had and capitalised on exploiting and shutting them down.

The Redhawks continued a trend over the last few home games of allowing the away team to come in and dictate the game with a perfect road game plan. Which needs to change with Bracknell the visitors this coming weekend, as when this Redhawks team plays aggressively and dictates the play they are unbeatable on home ice. The team was also fighting the puck luck again all night, as bounces where going to random places and miscued passes and turn overs were plentiful. The drop off in officiating from Mr Stephenson in the second period also was not a help.
It was good to see the fight back in the third, and once again the power play and penalty kill looking strong as ever. Ziggy Beeseley stood out to me as a star performer on the night, every time he had the puck on his stick he looked to be able to create something and his set up for Baileys goal was so well timed and patient.

Ultimately despite my moaning there, this was another entertaining game, the family of first timers in front of me had a real good time(and if they happen to be reading this I am so sorry I got a little loud at times) hopefully they will be back, as winning may be goal one on the night, getting fans to come back is job 2.So even though the result wasn't what we wanted it was still a good game. Unfortunately some times the luck just doesn't bounce your way and you come up against a team with a good road game plan. With Bracknell coming up next week as the only game on Saturday the team will need to bounce back with a trip to Basingstoke the week after with no home game.

Up In The Rafters: 7th Webben

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS INVICTA DYNAMOS

SATURDAY 13/10/18

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME 

Saturday night action at the High Road saw the Redhawks welcome the Invicta Dynamos. This game was a tale of two teams, with two very different fortunes heading in to the night. The Redhawks were looking to continue a home ice win streak, while the Dyanmo's were looking for their first points of the season having gone 0 in 6 so far.

The Dynamos would need a huge change in their run of bad luck that had already seen the Bartlett brothers depart the club for Chelmsford after receiving job offers away fro hockey. The addition of a suspension for Harrison Lillis meant the team was down to 4 defense man. To remedy the short bench Kevin Parrish had signed former Redhawk Ryan Giles. However the loss of Ondrej Zosiak and Edmund Piacka leaving the team with no imports did make the game ahead seem a very steep hill to climb

For the Redhawks, on paper this game looked comparatively easier than the previous 3 home games. Without Rupert Quiney and Jordan Gregory the team would need to look to its utility players inAdam Wood and Leigh Jamieson to fill in on the back end for the night. Above all else they would need to avoid the banana skin of letting complacency get the best of them. The team you think will be easy pickings is often the one that can slip you up.

There were of course many story lines going in to this game with former Dynamo's and Hawks on both sides. Brandon Miles and Joe Allen trading Streatham for Invicta. And Damien King, Josh Condren and Bailey doing the opposite the other way.

1st Period

The Redhawks would win the opening face off and immediately Carr and Ranson would trap the Mo's in their own end as early attempts were gloved by Connor Morris as he was tested early on. Shortly after the Dynamos would force the play the other way as Leone was able to get a shot away but it was in to Kings chest and the goalie smothered the puck to force the face off.

The play would shift to the Redhawks defensive end for a bit with as Jake Allen would fire wide from  tight angle shot on King. Thomas Soar would begin the first of what would be an impressive evening of shifts from his line by firing the puck in hard from the point after an up iced rush. Ziggy Beesley would pounce on the rebound but Morris again stood strong to deny the Hawks

This would see the beginning of a sustained period of pressure as Wood and Farn would go close with point blasts. The plan of attack seemed to be to rattle the Dynamo's rookie net minder with shots at the point and rebound pounces around the net. Or the point shot house play as I call it. Soon after Warman and Roberts would go close in this fashion. With the Dynamo's failing to clear the crease, and any attempt at defensive clearances becoming turn overs the Dyanmos were trapped in their own defensive zone.

Eventually however the play would shift the other way. A bad clearance attempt by Warman around the boards would become a turn over pounced on by Susters who's shot would be saved by King. However Adam Wood, would find himself called for Hooking and the Dynamo's would go the power play as a result

The well drilled spacing and active sticks of the Redhawks PK unit would limit the Dynamos to being stuck on the outside of the play. Only Giles and Suster's would manage shots of any real threat but again the Hawks PK stood strong and the game stayed 0-0

Next it would be the Redhawks turn to go on the power play as at 9:04 Josh Condren, tried to squeeze by Joe Allen. The resulting collision which looked suspiciously like a knee on knee was called tripping by Mr Stephenson and Allen sat for 2 as a result. The Redhawks effective powerplay would go to work, and the play that saw them take a 1-0 lead would be set up from the point. A Michael Farn point pass down low to Alex Roberts would see the Canadian snipe wide on an open back door. The puck would be worked back round by Roberts to Jamieson who would out dangle Morris and slot it across the crease to a waiting Webb who simply had to put the puck in for 1-0 Redhawks

The Dynamo's would seek to answer back immediately as Matt Foord would break up ice and pick out a waiting Martin Susters but he would fire high and wide as he fell taking the shot. The pendulum would swing the other way as Jaimeson and Siagris would get in 2 on1 and attempt a cross crease play but despite two stabs at the puck Siagris couldn't put the puck home. Again Morris wold endure sustained pressure here, as the best chance would see Carr, Farn and Jamieson combine for a shot that would be gloved by Morris.

The sustained pressure would be made worse by a tripping call against Andy Munroe. The Mo's PK would do a good job stopping the Hawks capitalizing on any of the chances generated. But they were run ragged and tired out by a bombardment of shots and rebounds created by Farn and Jamieson at the point, while an Alex Roberts attempt forced a spectacular acrobatic save out of Morris. However just as the penaly expired, Ryan Webb would find himself wide open in front of net. A pinching Michael Farn would single out the stationary Webb who simply had to fire it past Morris to make it 2-0

A few minutes later the Hawks would make it 3-0. After a huge hit on Warman at center ice a turnover of the puck would see Josh Condren released with the puck. In 2 on 1 on the Mo's defense and with Ziggy Beesley trailing in support Condren would opt for the cross crease play. Morris couldn't move right to left quick enough and Beesley's shot found its way in to the net to make it 3-0 Redhawks

The last action of the period would see Susters in with a chance to get the Mo's on the board. After a break out pass by Munroe the Speedy sniper was in alone on King. However King was equal to the challenge and made the save with his pad to deny Susters. The period would end 3-0 Redhawks

2nd Period

The Redhawks would find themselves stuck in their own end to start the period. However a mix up at the Mo's blueline and a bobbling puck would allow Jacob Ranson to get in, but he failed to trouble Morris. Going back the other way Colvin and Best would feed the puck to a Leone, however he failed to trouble King with his shot. The Soar, Condren and Beesley line would again cause trouble for the Mo's as a failed clearance would allow Ziggy Beesley to squeeze a shot off.

Soon after this, Morris's night would come to a premature end. As a well worked play by Jamieson, Carr and Bailey would work the Mo's goalie around his crease. The cross crease pass by Carr would see Morris keep up with the puck, however in tracking it to save Baileys's shot he appeared to injure his leg.

With Morris having to be helped off the ice, Adam Long would take over the crease duties for the Dynamos. With the starter for the Mo's now in net the team seemed to discover a new confidence and began to creep forward on the puck. Prior to this the Dynamo's had been unable to set up for shots but during this phase of play Giles would provide the toughest test for King off a shot from the point. Joe Allen then crash the net, as the Mo's switched tactics to try and use their faster skaters to catch the Redhawks on the break.

The game would again become one of sustained offensive pressure in the Mo's end. Unable to get pucks past the neutral zone the Hawks would force turn overs and capitalize on broken plays. With the Dynamos unable to string passes together or break out the tired legs began to set it. First Jaimeson and Condren would come close before Alex Roberts would fire in a slap shot that Webb would try to back hand home only for Long to make a save on the play.

Unable to break the choke hold the Hawks were applying the closest the Mo's would get to any offense was when Louis Colvin would break out and get a shot away that King would snatch in to his glove. The resulting face off would see another good chance as Woods failed clearing attempt was intercepted Best who had a tight angle but tried his luck. Only to see the puck smothered by King.

The game would then see another shift in momentum as the lone bright spark of the Mo's offense came to the fore as Owen Dell began a series of up ice solo rushes. Attempting to make anything work for the Dynamos. But he would be forced wide or closed down at every attempt, any shots that were released either went wide or were gloved by King. The Hawks would see a little pressure on their net as Colvin and Best would try to generate a chance from the half boards. Then off a following face of Dell would feed Foord who attempted to exploit some space on the puck, a rebound chance is generated but ultimately its cleared.

 Joe Allen and Brendan Miles would then attempt a crash the net play again, that would see them attempt to stretch King out of place going cross crease, left to right. However King would stop this, and while Allen landed atop King the puck would travel to the opposite end of the ice. Hard work by Ryan Webb would see the puck end up on the stick of Siagris who would dangle out of the corner to roof it back hand to make it 4-0

Martins Susters would attempt to fire back for the Dynamo's first going around everyone and firing off the shot on net. He would collect the lose puck and attempt to go wrap around on the play. But King would see the attempt coming and stop it dead. As the puck would travel the opposite way up the ice it would become a Hawks power play. After Owen Dell high sicked Alex Roberts as the Canadian power forward was breaking in on net.

Nothing would come of the power play and the period would close out 4-0 to the Redhawks. With the Hawks very much in control going in to the third

3rd Period

Despite winning the opening face off it would be the Dynamo's under pressure early on in the 3rd. As they looked to kill the remaining 48 seconds of the Owen Dell high sticking call. The Mo's were feeling the effects of being short benched all evening at this point and the PK was very passive from them. Just making sure the Redhawks were kept to the outside. Upon going back to full strength the Mo's would see Leonne blast one from the blue line but again it was not headed netward. Callum Best would try for the same only to see his effort also saved by King

The game plan of the Redhawks had been a combo of point shots and rebound chances all evening. Attempting the capitalize on the tight collapse approach being employed by the Mo's. Farn would see a quick succession of chances off this with a wide pint blast followed by the pinching D man going for a wrap around that was stopped by Long

The Redhawks would go back to the powerplay at 45:09 as Tom Soar would draw a hooking call off Ryan Giles after skating up ice and dangling through 1 on 2 against the defense. The first chance would see Carr, Roberts and Webb working together to create a close in goal off of around the net chaos. However Long wold smother the puck on this one.

Shortly after the puck would find its way back to Leigh Jaimeson at the point, courtesy of Michael Farn. His point blast would see Adam Long get a piece of it, but the puck would squeak through his 5 hole and end up resting on the goal line where Ryan Webb would simply have to poke it across the line to make it 5-0 Redhawks

Jeremy Cornish would take this chance to give back up Nathan Gregory some ice time as he was swapped in to the game for Damien King. His job of securing a personal shut out against his former club completed for the night. Owen Dell would be the first to test Gregory with snap shot off a face off but Gregory made the all important first save. This would then be followed by a snap shot attempt from Susters which was swatted aside with the blocker.

The game then turned in to a neutral zone game of turn over. With a 5 goal lead the Redhawks could sit back and defend. While the Dynamo's were desperate to break the goal drought they had been enduring now for nearly 3 games. But every attempt at a play by either side would be intercepted and broken up. On the part of the Redhawks this was due to Jeremy Cornish trying out some experimental lines.

Adam Carr would add to his total on the season at 51:03 after a goal mouth scramble. Adam Long believed he had the puck under him, however in a mimic of the Webb goal from earlier all Carr had to do was poke the puck across the line and it was now 6-0 Redhawks

In spite of the score line Adam Long was making saves, at one point a link up play from Siagris with Farn would see Ryan Webb looking to add to his account for the night on the door step, with the puck and net at his mercy Long dove across to glove the puck and make a spectacular save that had some thinking he had gloved it in to his own net

Tom Soars quest to get another goal on home ice had continued through out the night, coming close on several golden chances. Including one where he had James Warman pinching ahead as his screen. But it was a goal mouth scramble that saw Soar get another. At 57:28 skating in with Condren and Beesley, Condrens shot would be saved by Long however the puck would squeak loose allowing Soar to pot the rebound and seal the victory for the Redhawks with 3 to go on the clock

POST GAME

The Redhawks avoided the Banana skin of the Dynamo's. This was a game were one team put another that was struggling to the sword. With the short bench at 13 skaters it was hard not to envision a victory on the night for the Redhawks. I had seen it the season before when Invicta had been short benched by injury, player availability and suspensions. A passive fore check while the smart approach to avoid tiring Penalty kills is useless against an aggressive big team like the Redhawks.

By not challenging the Redhawks in any area of the ice, and gifting them the crease area and hash marks in open play the Dynamo's handed the game and the points over on a plate. There were flashes of brilliance from the likes of Matt Foord, Owen Dell and Martins Susters both looked dangerous but needed support, and seriously missed the outlet passes of Zosiak from the back end. It was even more rotten luck for a team who has now gone goalless in 3 hours of play that Connor Morris had to leave the game after such a spectacular save.

The Redhawks were ruthless and it was good to see the lower order of the forward core thriving in this environment. The extra space is the kind of environment that players like Beesley, Webb and Siagris thrive in and will punish you for. Ziggy Beesleys goal was poetry in motion and was a wonderful set up that showed great vision and awareness by Condren. Of course I must mention the forward who profited most from the extra space and that is Ryan Webb. Webb was a terror for the Dynamo's to deal with and seemed to be everywhere the puck was when he was on. Congratulations on your hat-trick Ryan you thoroughly deserved it for all the hard work this year and last you have put in.

Further congratulations must go to Damien King and Nathan Gregory for their shared shut out. Both made key saves at times, both to maintain the shut out and keep the momentum going the Hawks way. You can only beat what is in front of you and tonight was a truly great team display from the roster regardless of the quality of the Dynamos play tonight.

Tonight the team travels to Peterborough, not a happy hunting ground in the past for the Redhawks but with the team being relatively fresh after a not so strenuous game, and it being a new season, a new team and with a lot of momentum on their side there is no reason they can't exorcise the demons of past results in Peterborough.

Up In The Rafters: Repelling The Raid

SUNDAY 7^th OCTOBER 2018

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS LONDON RAIDERS

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

Coming in to this game, one of the main talking points was just what to call the Raiders, Romford or London? Of course the serious talking points were would the Raiders bounce back from a narrow defeat to Bracknell the night before. If they were to do so it would be without Blahoslav Novak, serving a suspension for a butt ending penalty the night before. There was plenty of talent across the roster though with energy forward Aaron Connolly, who can spark an offence in to life at any moment. And the leagues leading point scorer in Filip Sedivy, who has turned out to be quite a signing given he was a last minute replacement.

The Redhawks meanwhile were coming in to this game on a wave of momentum. Having swatted the Bracknell Bee’s last weekend the Redhawks had silenced the Thunder in a goal fest in MK that saw the team score 7 goals. Among them being Scott Bailey netting his first as a Redhawk, while Alex Roberts continued his points streak. The team would look to build off this momentum and try to chip away at the lead the Raiders had at the start of the night in the league table

1st Period

It would be a cagey start to the game, with the Hawks winning the opening face off. However shortly after, just as with the previous weeks games the Hawks would find themselves hemmed in to their own end. With Connolly and Huska, of the Raiders leading the charge. With the Hawks unable to clear the puck effectively the Hawks soon found themselves in penalty trouble as first James Warman and then Ben Russell were called for Hooking and then delay of game put the Raiders on a 5 on 3 early on

It looked as though the Raiders were going to convert early as a Dan Scott point shot found its way through, only Damien King prevented it finding the net. The ensuing rebound found its way to Scott who tried his luck again only for to sail wide. Matt Turner would find himself with an open net to put the puck in to but it would go wide some how in the melee around the net

However the Raiders fans wouldn’t have to wait long for the conversion, as an errant clearing attempt by Michael Farn would find a waiting Huska at the point, he in turn would get the puck to Scott who’s initial shot while saved would see Aaron Connolly pick up the rebound and fire it high in to the net to make it 1-0 Raiders

In an attempt to get back in the game the Redhawks would force the play the other way with Siagris and Webb looking for a tip shot on Gray but the keeper was equal to this. However this was an exceptional moment in a period of play which saw the Hawks unable to get past the neutral zone with the puck under any sort of control. The usual fluid passing game that had helped the Hawks pull out the wins against MK and Bracknell was not there.

However soon the Hawks would find a way through and the Raiders would find themselves trapped in their own end. At the mercy of the speed of Siagris and Webb again, however for the most part all this did was lead to battles in the corner. Any shots on net were being fired wide or high. Siagris would attempt to even the game on one of his patented up ice rushes. With the puck on his stick courtesy of Farn from the bottom corner the Canadian found himself in alone on Gray. However his attempt to go back hand sailed wide and the score stayed as it was.

Siagris again would then be key in the creation of a chance for Webb. As the two broke in at speed together he would center the puck looking for Webb but again the puck would sail wide as the Redhawks continued to struggle in front of the net. Alex Roberts would then draw a penalty from Liam Chong as he was hooked attempting to get a shot in.

However the resulting power play would yield nothing. With the Hawks kept to the outside and the best chance being a Leigh Jamiesons point blast that would sail just over Grays head. The period would close out 1-0 to the Raiders with the Hawks looking to find someway to spark their offence going in to the second

2nd Period

The Hawks would start the second trapped in their own end again, after a wayward pass off the opening face off saw them called for icing. This would be the catalyst to the Raiders running away with the period. As Farns failed clearance was intercepted by Chong who would feed Huska who would find a waiting Connolly ready to tap it home close range. 2-0 Raiders

The Raiders were now in possession of the worst lead in hockey, at first they decided to sit back. But after this allowed Scott Bailey to go cross crease and cause chaos for shot, with neither Webb or Siagris able to syiff in the rebound the Raiders opted to go all out offensively.

This would pay off at 21:37 as another defensive turnover off a clearing attempt would see the puck intercepted at the point by Sylvester. Sedivy would pass it across to Matt Turner who’s shot would squeak through the screen and under the arm of Damien King to make it 3-0 Raiders.

With a 3 goal lead the Raiders would now let the Hawks in a bit, confident in both the defense and goalie to deal with any threat the Hawks could throw at them. But not even a 5 on 3 power-play with attempts from Jamieson and Roberts could break the force field that seemed to be surrounding Grays net.

In fact the puck luck seemed to have deserted the Red Hawks completely as players fanned on shots, misplaced the puck, experienced puck bounces they weren’t expecting or blew edges while on scoring opportunities. It was one such fanned shot that saw Brandon Aylife release 1 on 1 with King however King was able to pad and cover the puck. Another intercepted clearance then lead to Aaron Connolly getting a good opportunity but again he was denied by King.

The Raiders by this point had parked the bus defensively and were forcing the Redhawks to play dump and chase. 

In an attempt to play through this the Hawks attempted an up and over out of their own defensive end. However the puck was intercepted by Jake Sylvester. He would get the puck out to the boards to Liam Chong. Chong would then feed it to a breaking John Connolly who would make it 4-0 Raiders.

With a 4 goal lead the Raiders went in to an ultra defensive phase of play. Happy to just catch the Hawks on the break. It lead to a period of play were no one could get purchase on the puck through the neutral zone as pass after pass was intercepted.

It seemed the writing could be on the wall at 37:13 after Jamieson was called for boarding and given 2 plus 10. Down a utility player, and about to kill a penalty the Redhawks fans could be forgiven for throwing in the towel at this point. However then something happened that turned the whole game on its head

At around 37:36 Adam Carr attempted to clear the puck up ice on the penalty kill. John Connolly would attempt to intercept the puck at the point only to lose a puck battle with Alex Roberts. The big Canadian would move with speed that was matched by Andreas Siagris as the two broke in 2 on 0 on Gray. Roberts would take aim and snipe the water bottle to make it 4-1 on the night. The shut out was broken and hope was kindled among the fans at the High Road

The period would end 4-1 to the Raiders. But with all the momentum going the Redhawks way as they had spent the final two minutes on the offensive. In my early season review I had talked about turning the High Road in to a fortress. Well at this point the Raiders were in the keep. It was time for the Redhawks to regroup and come up with a plan to take back the fortress.

3rd Period

The opening of the third period would set the tone of the game plan Jermy Cornish had come up with. Now Gray was beatable all that was needed was to get in close. With the neutral zone Raider territory this meant shoot on sight, even if it was from before the blue line. The idea was simple but effective force Gray to make saves and freeze the puck to get face offs. The key factor in all this would be winning those face offs.

Off the first test of the plan the puck would work its way back to Ben Russell who’s blast would be saved by Gray. Keeping the Redhawks in the Raiders end, leading to a sustained period of Hawks pressure. It did look at this point as if the Raiders had shut off, being 4-0 up they seemed to have lost the edge that had put them 4-0 up as they barely made it past the red line at centre ice.

The best chances of this phase of play would see Condren work the puck out of the corner to a waiting Soar in the crease area. However he couldn’t dangle his way past Gray to get that elusive first home goal. Webb Carr and Roberts would then attempt to go tick tack goal from the wing but again the puck was easily sighted by Gray. Condren, Beesley and Soar would try the same, but again Gray would be equal to the challenge.

However the plan seemed to be working, the Hawks now had the Raiders penned in and were generating offense. Not only this but they were getting the bounces they needed with one noteable exception.  But it would finally come when it looked like the curse on the team had struck again. Shooting in Farn found himself having to quickly recover the puck. He would play a hail mary down in to the corner for a waiting Roberts who would sneak it past Gray to a waiting Carr who simply had to tap it home and it was 4-2

With a 2 goal lead the Raiders came back to life, realising they had to go on the attack to restore the lead. In quick succession Aylife, Sedivy and Pitchley would all test King but King said no more on each shot attempt.

The Hawks continued with their game plan of controlling the play through forcing offensive zone face offs. And at 49:15 Julian Smith would end up taking a needless cross checking penalty on Webb. The 5 on 4 would becoe a 5 on 3 seconds later, as Alex Roberts was tripped by a prone Barry as the power forward attempted to out dangle the Raider

The powerplay would go to work using the cycle. Farn would pinch down to the half boards before laying it off to Jamieson. Closing on the net Jamieson would release only to see the puck rebond out, Jamieson would get a second crack at the goal but again Gray seemed to glove the puck. However it came lose and Alex Roberts was on the doorstep to send the Hawks fans in to raptures making it 4-3

Still with Barrys penalty to serve the Hawks powerplay went back to work. This time working the puck down in to Gretzkys office behind the net. Ryan Webb would win a battle in the corner that would see the speedster pass behind the net to a waiting Carr. Carr would then feed the puck back up the boards to Jamieson at the point. Instead of shooting Jamieson goes point to point to Soar who blasts the puck in to the net to tie the game at 4-4

The Raiders instantly looked to respond, once again trapping the Hawks in their own end. And with the pendulum of momentum going the Hawks way, a delay of game penalty against Leaigh Jamieson after he cleared the puck over the glass would see the momentum go back to the Raiders.

However it was the Redhawks, not the Raiders who would capitalize on this oppourtnity. For at least a minute the Redhawks PK frustrated the Raiders power play, clearing pucks and keeping the play to the outside. And then at 54:04 the game changed. With the Raiders unable to gain zonal control Andreas Siagris would intercept the puck at the point and break in alone on Gray. Just as with earlier he would go to his back hand. But this time he was on target sending the puck low past the keepers pad to make it 5-4 Redhawks

Shortly after it looked like the hockey gods were looking to torment the Redhawks further as Jacob Ranson was called for slashing after a heavy hit by Filip Sedivy. However again the Redhawks well drilled penalty kill would keep the puck to the outside lanes. And when shots did get released often they found a body blocking them.

The Redhawks would attempt a few more breaks, most noteably Ranson and Roberts repectively but the game had now become a defensive one for the Redhawks, as they hoped to hold the 1 goal lead. With 41 seconds left on the clock the Raiders pulled Gray for an extra skater

The best chance would come from Aaron Connolly cutting to the inside off a board battle and firing the puck straight in to Kings glove. This was then followed by another point blast by Scott however with 14 seconds left the Redhawks froze the puck by the boards and killed time. As the buzzer sounded the come back was complete and fortress High Road had been retaken.

POST GAME

I don’t know about everyone else, but part of me wishes this team would stop doing this to us. And the other part absolutely loves the drama we have had on the ice these past 3 home games. The opening 2 periods I will not sugar coat, were a nightmare, The Redhawks allowed the Raiders to come in and dictate the play from the start. The Raiders came in with a road game plan and executed it perfectly for 2 periods. As he always seems to do at the High Road Michael Gray stood on his head and was the difference for large parts of the game as he soaked up the barrage being thrown at him. Aaron Connolly and Dan Scott were a constant threat all evening and along with Huska always looked like they could scupper the come back at any moment. This game was there for the taking and instead of working for the win the Raiders went to sleep in the third and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

For the Redhawks it was a tale of 2 games in 1 tonight. The first two periods aside from Andres Siagris ,the efforts of Ziggy Beesley and Damien King doing all he could to keep the team in it, there wasn’t a whole lot to be cheerful about, Michael Farn in particular seemed to be having a difficult game which was in stark contrast to his man of the match performance the night before. The Redhawks didn't look like a team who had been playing together for a month, players were tripping over each other and not anticipating where team mates would be. What also didn't help in the first 2 periods was the desertion of the teams puck luck as it seemed everything that could go wrong when on the puck did go wrong for Streatham players. 

However the fight back in the Third was an incredible piece of on ice drama, inspired by the efforts of Siagris, Roberts Jamieson and turning it all around Michael Farn. I feel Scott Bailey,Ryan Webb and Josh Condren deserve a mention for their hard work in the third as well. It was also great to see Tom Soar break his scoring duck on home ice, he's been so close in recent weeks so it was good to see his hard work pay off at home.While the others did not get on the score sheet they were constantly generating face offs to allow success of Jeremy Cornishes master plan in the third period. But all in all a 4 point weekend means its a successful weekend. The boys now will have a week to work on things ahead of the visit of Invicta next Saturday. 

Up In The Rafters:Un-BEElievable

SUNDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2018

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS BRACKNELL BEES

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

One of the pre-season favorites, rolled in to Streatham Sunday night riding a wave of momentum. Having been undefeated in their opening 4 games the Bracknell Bee's would fancy their chances against a Streatham side that had just narrowly lost out to the Bee's just the week before. That being said it had been a close encounter and only won in the closing minutes of the game. Having seen the ghost of Frankie Bakrlik exercised the night before against Invicta the Bees would hand a debut to new import signing Niko Suoraniemi.

The Redhawks would look to jump start their season after 2 loses in a row on the road. And would see a full bench take to the ice. The key to beating the Bee's would be to play a physical and aggressive style that would choke off the speed and movement of the Bee's team.

1st PERIOD

Dean Skinns and Damien King would be handed the starts in net while in the face off circle Shaun Thompson would renew acquaintances with Adam Carr. In a shuffling of the lines Jacob Ranson would join the first line to provide energy and tenacity on one wing to match Alex Roberts speed and size down the other.

The opening phases of ply would see the Bee's assert themselves on the game, pinning the Hawks in to their own defensive end, unable to clear as Vanya Antonov and Thompson stick handled the puck around Hawks defense men. However the pressure would be removed when referee Blaine Evans called the Bees for a hand pass, that drew the ire of the Bee's travelling fan base. The Bees had all the offense in the opening phase of the game but were left frustrated by an inability to score a goal.

The disallowed goal served as a catalyst in the game giving the Hawks a way back in as chaos in the neutral zone saw Bailey, Webb and Siagris combine to create a break in, which was only denied by Dean Skinns making the save for the Bees. This would then be followed by Alex Roberts finding a way through, closing on net with a waiting Michael Farn the Canadian opted to shoot but it was fired in to a waiting Skinn's

The Roberts Carr Ranson line would get the fans on their feet in quick succession after this as Carr would feed a speeding Ranson through the neutral zone, cutting in to the net, with everyone beaten including Skinns all Ranson had to do was back hand it home. But carrying to much speed Ranson couldn't react quick enough and the puck sailed wide.

The game then descended in to a neutral zone war, as the active stick work of both turned the neutral zone in to poke check city. Turn over after turn over with no team able to create any cohesive offence. Eventually it would be the Hawks who would take advantage of this chaos to create some offence. First Ranson would go close again, before Webb Condren and Siagris would outwork the Bee's D to get a decent chance that Siagris fired high and wide. It seemed just like against the Thunder and Raiders the targeting sensors were just off the mark

The assault on Skinns net would continue as off a face off win in the Bee's end, Beesley would work hard to feed the puck out from behind the net to a waiting Wood. Who would exploit the space and time given to him by the Bees defense to beat everyone but the bar as his shot rang up and in to the wrong netting.

The Hawks would exploit space in the hash marks as the Bees D surrendered the middle of the ice, allowing Siagris and Roberts to test Skinns. Josh Bailey would have the best chance of this period of play as it rang off the post on a one timer off a Siagris pass. At this point the physical play of the Hawks and the speed of Siagris, Ranson and Webb was proving a nightmare for the Bee's to deal with.

However as the Bees looked to move the play back to the other end of the ice, an elbow by Rupert Quiney would see a crowd gather, however while there was no call on the play it would shift momentum the other way. Ringing a shot off the post before Shaun Thompson would think he had scored the go ahead goal, only for it to be washed out by referee Blaine Evans for a high stick.

This would shift the momentum back the Hawks way, and further to that a bench minor penalty to the Bee's would see them on the PK at 12:43 It would take 8 seconds of that power play for the Hawks to capitalize, off a face off win the puck would be passed from point to point between  Jamieson and Farn. Jamieson would fire the canon and Adam Carr would tip it in front of the net to deflect the puck up and over Dean Skinns to make it 1-0

The Bee's would almost instantly regroup and capitalize on trapping the Hawks in their own end. As Vanya Antanov and Shaun Thomoson ran the Hawks defense ragged. All the chaos around the net would pay dividends at 13:45 Aidan Doughty and Zack Milton would move the puck around the net and find Roman Malnik who would fire it home to tie the game at 1-1

The period would close out 1-1 with both sides going close to adding one more. Tom Soar came close to opening his account on home ice with a good effort at one end, before Thompson would use Smith as a mobile screen to squeeze in a shot that only just got padded away by King.

2nd PERIOD

The second would start with the Hawks forcing the momentum in to their favor. Once again the Neutral zone would turn in to turn over central as Beesley,Roberts and Webb would generate scoring chances off turnovers in the middle third.

The Hawks had shifted to a more physical style of play here, and were now working hard in the corners of the Bee's end. Ranson would come up with the puck from one such battle feeding it back to Farn at the point who's shot looked to be heading goalward till Dean Skinns gloved it.

Going back the other way Ryan Sutton would break 2 on 1 with Spearing in support. Sutton would get the shot off but the save would see Spearing digging around under King for a lose puck till the whistle blew. This was then followed by a close attempt by Thompson cutting in close across the crease area, but King would make the save.

The Bees would go on the power play soon after this as at 26:17 Andreas Siagris was called for hooking. However the Bees would not be able to convert on the resulting power play. The best chance coming when Antonov and Malnik combined for a point shot that went high and wide. But the Bees power play was kept mostly to the outside, as the Hawks well drilled PK once again went to work.

The Power play would be converted to even strength however at 28:52 as Scott Spearing decided to board Ben Russell behind the Hawks net and give up a penalty. The Redhawks would then go on the power play as Siagris returned to the ice, and looked to go ahead as Michael Farn blasted from the point to seemingly beat Dean Skinns. However once again Blaine Evans ruled no goal, this time for a foot in the crease.

This would shift the momentum in the Bee's favor, and at 30:20 they would build on it as a turnover at the Bees blue line by Farn would release Roman Malnik 1 on 1 with Damien King. Malnik would fire it by King to make it 2-1 Bees with a shorthanded marker.

But the Bees lead would not last long, as the puck was moved around the Bees net, in all the chaos at 30:58 after a chance by Russell was denied the puck would find its way to a waiting Siagris. This time Siagris would make no mistake as he roofed the puck by Dean Skinns to make it 2-2

The Bees would then get another chance to try and score on the advantage, as Leigh Jamieson would be called for charging after an awkward hit on Vanya Antanov as he was battling for the puck with Beesley. However despite the Bees working the puck round quick and looking for tip shots, and creating garbage around the net none could find a way through and the Hawks would keep clearing the puck.

Once off the Penalty kill the Hawks would once again see themselves in control of the game, after a hit from James Warman laid out Scott Spearing, Andreas Siagris and Scott Bailey would find themselves with Skinns at their mercy only for the puck to be deflected wide and then saved by a sprawling Skinns

However off the next face off, the Hawks would take the lead in spectacular fashion as Carr's face off win would find Alex Roberts waiting in the face off circle. Roberts with all the space, all the time and a clear line of sight would release the puck with such power that as it sailed goalward it connected with the tip of Dean Skinns stick knocking it clean out of the goalies hands and in to the back of the net at 38:06

The Bees would try to answer back as Harvey Stead, Josh Smith and Vanya Antonov but a forced turn over would release Webb, leaving the speedster in off a stretch pass from the Hawks end in 1 on 1 with Skinns only to fire it wide.

The Bee's would close out the period trying to create garbage goals with close in net crashes and chaos but no matter what they tried the Hawks kept taking out the trash and clearing the crease. The buzzer would sound and see the period end with the Hawks up 3-2

3rd PERIOD

The third period would begin the way the first had, with the Hawks being trapped in their defensive end. With Vanya Antonov and Shaun Thompson once again creating chaos moving the puck around. Sutton would also cause problems linking up with Galazzi on a drop pass attempt but once again King would deny the Bees, furthering the frustration after Shaun Thompson would go around everyone before a lay off to the point only to see the resulting shot sail in to Kings glove.

Going back the other way Jamiesons outlet pass would find Siagris, stick handling by every Bees player on the ice with Webb in support. Siagris would release from the face off circle, Skinns would make the initial save but Webb pounced on the rebound lifting it over Skinns to make the score 4-2 Hawks at 44:11

And so the Redhawks found themselves with the hardest lead to defend in hockey. The 2 goal lead, this present Jeremy Cornish with 2 choices, attempt to play defensive shut down hockey or go all out to get a 5th goal and seal things up. The problem being either would open the team up to allowing the Bees more offensive pressure.

The Hawks opted to park the bus and soak up the pressure, this would be complicated further by Adam Wood taking a boarding penalty at 48:49 however the power play would again not last long as after some successful defensive work by the Hawks, Shaun Thompson would hook a breaking Andreas Siagris.

The next face off would see the Bees get another shot at pulling one back as Josh Martin found himself free breaking at speed with the puck however again Damien King was equal to what the Bees forward could throw at him. The Bees would look to use speed on the puck to their advantage working the puck round quickly in the Hawks defensive zone. Using this approach Vanya Antonov would find a waiting Ben Paynter but Paynters release would find only Kings glove.

Once again after this the game would become pendulum like as the neutral zone shifted control from one side to the other, as turn over was repaid with turn over. Bees attempts at drop passes and centering passes were routinely intercepted, while Redhawks attempts at off the board plays were intercepted.

But the Redhawks had decided at this point to kill off the game, switching to a game of dump and chase. Opting to try and catch the Bees on the break and soaking up the pressure by parking the bus at the blue line. This would see a hit on Webb near the Hawks blue line release Bailey and Jamieson. Bailey would find himself in with Skinns at his mercy, but this time Skinns would make the save on both the initial shot at Ryan Webb's rebound attempt

With 51 seconds left on the clock Dough Sheppard would call a time out for the Bees. And with a face off far from his own net would decide to pull Dean Skinns for the extra attacker. Again Antonov and Thompson would cause chaos around the Hawks net as they had done all night, and with seconds to go both would ring shots off the posts. But it was not enough, and the buzzer sounded to end the game 4-2 to the Streatham Redhawks

POST GAME

A much needed win for the Streatham Redhawks here, after 2 consecutive defeats this will have been a huge confidence boost to the team. This was another incredible game to witness first hand, and will have hopefully hooked in any new fans we had in attendance. I happened to notice several new fans who had been enjoying the game up in the top block with us checking the fixtures banner as I left the arena.

I said at the start of this article the Hawks needed to play a physical aggressive small rink style game, and that was exactly what they did. They exploited what I think is Doug Sheppard's weakness, physical small rink games. All the years I spent in Basingstoke the one thing I noticed was if the Bison tried to match teams like Guildford or Telford who play in the corners, on a small ice pad they often lost. And just as I predicted tonight, his team tried to beat the Redhawks in the corners and lost out.

Not to discredit the Bees of course they played an incredible game, and hung in there to the end. Vanya Antonov and Shaun Thompson were well worth the entry fee alone making things happen and running the Hawks D ragged. However the Hawks did a good job of closing off their passing options and ways out of the corner when they were forced wide. But Thompson was well deserving of his man of the match beers, as he was a constant source of offensive creation all evening.

Looking up and down the roster tonight there wasn't anyone on the Hawks roster I felt wasn't deserving of the man of the match beers. Andreas Siagris was well deserving of them, he was an offensive thorn in the side of the Bees all night and took his goal well. Alex Roberts, Ryan Webb, Scott Bailey and James Warman to me all had stand out nights that deserving of man of the match too. Its good to see the goal scoring spreading around now, as in the early games it was worrying that certain players were struggling to get on target. Things are most certainly starting to take shape well for the Redhawks, hopefully they can now build on this and put a run together.