Up In The Rafters: A Haunting Nightmarr

Pre Game

The Redhawks came in to this game off the back of a roller coaster weekend. 4 points gained, after 2 dramatic shoot out comebacks. The Phantoms arrived having been undefeated for 13 games in all competitions, looking to extend that win streak.

1st Period

The Redhawks would take control of things off the opening face off, however a down ice lob would sacrifice possession and see the them trapped in their own zone by an icing call. This would give the Phantoms the chance to apply some early pressure with Billing and White getting chances in on King.

The Redhawks would then go agonizingly close early on, as Webb Roberts and Carr would generate a chance after a crash on the net. Marr would deflect the puck up in to the air and would see Roberts take a swing at batting it home but Marr made the save.

Goal scoring chances however were few and far between at this phase of the game. Both sides were executing a high forecheck at the blue line. Forcing their opponnent out wide to the boards, meaning no one could get a shot away. However eventually Padelek and Robson would  get through and force a save out of King. This would then be followed by Stepanek and Susters go close with a blast and follow up wrap around attempt

Going back the other way, the Redhawks would find themselves unable to gain any zone entry repeatedly being repelled at the blue line. Tom Soar would eventually find a way through out dangling everyone but his shot would be deflected by Marr who would save Farns attempt on the rebound.

The Redhawks would get an early chance to put its highly effective powerplay to use as Rob Ferrara would be called for tripping Alex Roberts who was steaming in from the point, seemingly destined to score. Farn and Quiney would pound the Phantoms net with shots from the point, while Roberts and Carr would try for tip ins. The best chance would be as the penalty was killed, Roberts would find himself in alone but the puck would be covered by Marr

The Phantoms would take the lead at 15:47 after Ben Russell took a slashing penalty. The Hawks would manage to keep the Phantoms at bay for about 40 seconds before James Ferrara would link up with Billing to supply Susters who would deliver the finishing touch to make it 1-0 Phantoms

The Phantoms would try to make it 2 as McEwen and Stepanek would move freely on the puck but King would make the save to keep the score down. Going the other way, Roberts then Russell would fire off shots, however a rebound would fall to Weldon who would break for a chance. His chance would be denied, and there would be some afters with Farn and Weldon which would see both sit for the rest of the period

2nd Period

The Redhawks would win the opening face off, and go on the early offensive with a shot by Warman bobbling off of Marr. Roberts would attempt to bury the lose puck but it flew wide. McEwen and Robson would try to create a play off the boards going the other way but the puck would be cleared.

Ziggy Beesley would find himself with a golden oppourtnity to level things up, after poke checking and out pacing James Ferrara. Breaking in alone on Marr he would fire the puck wide of the net. The game would enter a frantic phase with play going back and forth, with the Redhawks best chance coming from Farn attempting to squeeze the puck between Marrs pads and the post after Beesley had created chaos around the net. The puck seemed to be heading goal ward only to be cleared off the line at the last second. The Phantoms would take the play the other way and execute a perfect tic tac toe play as McEwen Pollard and Stepanek combined to make it 2-0 at 24:29

Ranson would attempt to pull the Redhawks back in the game in alone, however the Phantoms would continue to pile the pressure on as at 26:49 Corey McEwen would intercept the puck and race away catching the Redhawks off guard and race down wing. Angling a shot through the crease he would see it deflect in off the inside of Kings pad to make it 3-0

Following this, the Redhawks called a time out to try and steady the ship. Up till this point the Redhawks had been failing to get consistent offensive play going. At the beginning of the next shift the Redhawks began to play more aggressively putting the body in more.
However a neutral zone turn over would release Padelek. He would feed it in to a waiting Ferrara who set up a waiting Susters who would fire it home to make it 4-0

Nothing the Redhawks would try during all this would work. Every Redhawks forward push would be turned over or repelled at the blue line as the Phantoms parked the bus. However a cal against Susters for slashing at 30:34 would give them a window to try and get back in the game. However the power play would fail to get any offence on net, seeing cross crease attempt after cross crease attempt become turn overs to be defended. Off the kill Padelek and Susters would get a chance but King was able to make the save.

At this point the Phantoms just seemed happy to retain the possession, and every Redhawks push would be easily defended. The frustrations of the game would set in for Michael Farn who would see himself ejected for butt ending a Phantoms player. With a 4 goal lead and a major penalty the Phantoms looked to be going through the motions with no real urgency to score. The period would close out 4 on 4 though as Padelek would take a hooking minor at 39:35

3rd Period

The Redhawks would look to put in some early pressure during the minute or so they had of 4 on 4 before reverting back to defending what remained of Farns major. Roberts and Jaimeson would look to capitalize on the little extra space 4 on 4 afforded, creating chaos around the net while Quinney tried to take Farns place as the lead howitzer at the point.

However the 4 on 4 would expire, which would see the Phantoms begin pushing the Hawks back again as they had the man advantage. Susters and Ferrara would look to score another on the doorstep. But King would make the pad save to deny them. This was followed by Susters and Norton trapping the Redhawks in their own end firing in repeated attempts

The Redhawks were being choked off by the Phantoms at this point. Still unable to get the puck up ice, they were totally trapped and unable to clear the puck. A failed clearance attempt at 45:49 would end up on the stick of Corey McEwen who would lay it up to Stepanek. He would make the final pass to Susters on the doorstep who would slot it home to make the score 5-0 Phantoms

The Redhawks would try to return fire still after this, an ice length pass would release Andreas Siagris who in with space and time on the puck would uncharacteristically fire wide. The inability to get past the neutral zone would see the Redhawks punished one more time by the Phantoms at 49:13 as a turnover would see them break up ice, and make a series of passing moves that made the Redhawks look like they were standing still as Long and McEwen set up Susters who would apply the finish to seal his hat-trick and make it 6-0

The Redhawks would continue to push, with 10 minute left though however unlikely the comeback could be it was still possible. Ranson would go looking to make this happen after harassing Norton for the puck and setting up Adam Wood who would be denied 3 times on rebounds by Marr. Siagris would then try to generate an opportunity yet despite bodies and chaos around the net no one can force it in

However the shut out would be broken with 41 seconds remaining. Siagris would skate in unopposed. Marr would go prone looking to cover the puck however Siagris would cross crease the puck the Carr who would pot the puck under Marr to salvage some pride for the Redhawks and make it 6-1

The game would wind down from there and end with a win to the visitors

Post Game

A night to forget for the Streatham Redhawks. Outplayed on their own ice by a well drilled and in form Phantoms team. The Phantoms came in and played the perfect road game, choking off all the ways the Redhawks like to play hockey on their own ice.Something that has to be applauded, and off the back of this performance they certainly could be about to make the title race a three way dance instead of a 2 horse race. For the Redhawks it was a night where nothing went right, and everything that could go wrong did, indicative of this was goal 3 when it banked in off the inside of Damien Kings leg. Losing the leadership and abilities of Michael Farn in the second half to what many in the arena felt was a questionable call after some of the antics let go by referee Stephenson hamstrung any chance of a comeback. Personally I didn't see the butt end so can't say if I thought it was or wasn't.
Jeremy Cornish will however be glad the team bounced back the next day against Invicta, hopefully this means we will see a bounce back performance on home ice this coming Sunday against the Bison. 

Up In The Rafters:Kings Of The Comeback Castle

PRE GAME

Going in to this game both sides had been through tough games the night before. The Raiders surprisingly had been run close by a rather under strength Invicta side in a 4-3 win. Meanwhile the Redhawks had gone to OT and shootout against the league leading Bracknell Bee's and after having come so close on their last visit to the hive finally came away with the points against the Bees.

However going in to this game the Redhawks found themselves without Josh Condren. So coach Jeremy Cornish would hand a roster spot to Leo Saoncella from the Streatham junior system to try and add some extra legs to a forward core that would already be tired from a long night before

The Raiders would ice two faces not seen on their last and thrilling visit in Blaho Novak and returning from his time in Holland Ashley Jackson. Both of whom would be expected to make an impact for the Raiders.

1st Period

The Raiders would not start their Stretahm talisman in Michael Gray but chose to start Ben Clements, while the Redhawks as always chose to start Damien King. Looking to spark the offence from the start Jeremy Cornish would give the lines a little shuffle that would see Adam Carr start with speedsters Andreas Siagris and Ryan Webb.

Winning the opening face off the Redhawks would trap the Raiders in their defensive zone. Clements would look unsettled and nervous early on as he would face early pressure from Webb Carr and Siagris. In fact making the mistake of playing the puck directly to Webb allowing the Hawks to sustain pressure.

However the Raiders would eventually turn the tide and take control of the game, beginning to repel the Redhawks attempts to gain zonal penetration. And even when the Redhawks did get in they began forcing the play out wide and clearing pucks.

However this would not last long. A turnover by the Raiders would be intercepted by Carr who would give it to Jaimeson. Jaimeson would pass it to Michael Farn who in the wide open space of the neutral zone. Skating in 1 on 3 Farn would go by all Raiders D men, and use them as a screen to open the scoring at 03:20 firing it by Clements to make it 1-0 Redhawks

The Raiders would try to fire back instantly with Blaho Novak and JJ Pitchley combining for 2 on 1 break in off the next face off, however King would make the save to deny the Raiders pair. However shortly after this Ashley Jackson would collect a stretch pass and break in off the boards. King would save the initial shot but Aaron Connolly would be unattended and able to reefed Jackson who had crashed in on net roofing it to make it 1-1

Raiders would instantly try to add more in the next phase, with Huska and Sylvester creating an oppourtunity but again King would save this. The Raiders would then have a chance to apply more pressure and try to take the lead as Adam Wood, would find himself sitting for a slashing penalty
As always the Redhawks would look to force the puck out wide using active stick work instead of body checks and physical play. The best chances would come from both John and Aaron Connolly, but the Redhawks would kill the penalty

Coming off the penalty kill the Redhawks would find themselves struggling for a time to string passes together and gain zonal entry. While going the opposite way the Raiders were in free flow generating chances. However going against the flow of play Ranson would get a breakaway but see his shot deflected up and over.

The Raiders would continue to repel zone entry attempts and force the play the other repeatedly. Generating a face off in the Redhawks defensive zone, the Raiders would win the face off. Liam Chongs pass back to Callum Wells would see the D man shoot. King would make the save only for Juraj Huska to pounce on the rebound and slot it by King to make it 2-1 Raiders

The Raiders would not have long to enjoy their lead however. Though the Raiders would seize the initiative off the face off the Redhawks would force the play the other way. Cycling the puck up from down low to Leigh Jamieson waiting at the point. Jaimeson would wind up and fire, Clements would make the save but the rebound would fall to a waiting Carr who did not miss and ties the game at 2-2

The Redhawks would now take control of the game for a while, Ziggy Beesley would work hard behind the net to set up a pinching Warman who would fire wide allowing the Raiders to take the puck up the other way. However the Redhawks D would cancel this out. The puck would go back the other and end up in the corner after a dump by Andreas Siagris. Ryan Webb would come up with the puck feeding it to Soar waiting on the door step and he would score to make it 3-2 Redhawks

Shortly after this Soar would go close again and ring one off the bar. However the game would take a shift when a clip or knee on Sean Barry was not called. Irked by the failure of Mr Matthews to call the penalty the Raiders began to play with a more aggressive edge.

At 17:04 Ryan Webb would take a holding penalty, that put the Redhawks back on the penalty kill. And it wouldn't be long before the Raiders punished the Redhawks for this, as Liam Chong would set up a play around the boards. Creating a chance for Aaron Connolly, but again the rebound fell to a waiting unchecked Raider this time Juraj Huska who roofed it to make the score 3-3

The Redhawks would try to take the lead back before the end of the period with a chance by Alex Roberts going by everyone only for Clements to pad it wide.

2nd Period

The Raiders would start the second by seizing the initiative and penning the Redhawks in their own end despite the Hawks having taken control of the puck off the opening face off. However the Redhawks would soon find a way to break out after a penalty was called against Pitchley. The best chance of this power play would see the puck worked cross crease to a waiting Tom Soar who only had to fire it home with an empty net at his mercy only for Clements to somehow make the save.Having almost tasted success with this play the Redhawks would try working the puck across the net looking for tips and to draw Clement out of place. But the Raiders goalie would be equal to these attempts

The game would enter a phase of back and forth after the penalty was killed, with the Raiders unsuccessfully using the hit and run tactic of quick up ice rushes with either a lone or 2 puck carriers firing of quick shots and then back checking to deal with the return attempt. As the Redhawks looked for tip attempts

The Redhawks would go back on the powerplay at 24:53 as Huska was called for hooking. Farn and Quinney would generate chances on this powerplay however a turn over to Dan Scott would lead to the Raiders taking the lead. Connolly and Jackson would rush the puck up ice 2 on 1 with Farn who's attempt to shot block would fail and see him crushed in an ensuing pile up as other Redhawks back checked like crazy to try help out. All this did was leave King at the mercy of Jackson and Connolly and so Jackson would fire home to make it 3-4 Raiders

Shortly after this the Redhawks would get a 5 on 3. Adam Wood, would be hooked by Liam Chong as he skated in alone on the puck. But the 5 on 3 would prove fruitless and as the 5 on 3 was killed Huska would leave the box and prove a threat once again generating a break away that was fortunately saved by King

Huska would be directly responsible for the next goal though, driving the play the offesnive D man would move faster than the Redhawks D could react and deliver the puck to a waiting Jackson who would roof it to make the score 5-3 Raiders at 29:49.

The Raiders with a 2 goal lead would now begin to boss the game, the Redhawks seemed totally unable to generate offence. Zone entries would break down, pucks would go lose and bobble off sticks, passes would go errant in to space or become turn overs in the neutral zone.

Eventually the Hawks would break this and Andreas Siagris would fire the puck wide, after Ryan Webb had worked the puck to the front of the net. However the Redhawks were taking too long on the puck around the net, and were being forced in to this by Raider bodies blocking the lanes. Going back the other way an attempt at a blind no look pass from Siagris would release Pitchley in alone, however King would make the save to keep he Redhawks in the game.

The best chance for the Redhawks during all this would come when a Leigh Jamieson stretch pass intended for Roberts would seem to have been a bust only for Adam Wood to fire wide.

The period would wind down from there and end with the Raiders up 5-3, leaving it all to do for the Redhawks in the third

3rd Period

Unfortunately the Raiders had remembered the last time they entered a third period with the Redhawks up by a few goals. Determined not to see history repeat the Raiders set about applying heavy pressure off the opening face off. Though there weren't any noteworthy chances they were deny the Redhawks the puck.

Eventually the Redhawks were able to break the stranglehold. With ranged fire and shot accuracy at a premium due to the shooting lanes being choked off. The Redhawks looked to use redirection to get back in the game. Ryan Webb would fire one in from the half boards that would be redirected by Adam Carr only to see Clements equal to the shot.

Going back the other way Liam Chong would look to extend the lead, using a center lane drive to gain the zone. Utilizing the back checking Redhawks as a screen on King. But luckilly for the Hawks the puck failed to find net as King was un-sighted.

The game would take a slight shift in the Redhawks favor at 0000 as Aaron Connolly would sit 2 for hooking. The Redhawks would pepper the Raiders net, Farn would fire in a rather soft attempt that Quinney would try to tip through with no luck. Soar Wood and Webb would combine to create net front chaos but still the puck stayed clear.

The momentum would shift back to the Raiders, as once again off a face off on the powerplay after Scott Bailey took a 2 minute hooking penalty. The Raiders would convert on this chance, Callum Wells would win the face off and play it back to Felip Sedivy, who would fire in. King would make the save but his deflection would be padded right to a lurking Blaho Novak who netted it in to the open portion of the Redhawks net. 6-3 Raiders

The mood at the High Road became a despondent one, the drum circle did all they could to rally the cause. But it looked like there was no way back. But of course this is the Streatham Redhawks, I quit means nothing to them. And at 50:32 the fight back would begin, as Andreas Siagris would work the puck up to the point, the shot would sail wide and he would fight to recover it. Playing it back up to Adam Wood who would rip it home to make it 6-4

The comeback would continue as on the following play Siagris would set up the point shot that drew Ashley Jackson in to hooking a Redhawk. The power play that had looked lack luster all night worked the Raiders hard moving the puck around. But again no conversions even with a close tight angle Alex Roberts shot. But just as the Raiders killed the penalty Julian Smith would be called for a slash as Webb was steaming in with the puck heading for the net.

The power play would again look suspect, in fact a turn over from Fran and Jaimeson released a speeding Connolly and Huska in alon on a back checking Carr. However unlike earlier this time the back checker stayed on his feet and King was able to make the save.

The power play may not have done the damage in the goal column. But it had done plenty of damage to the Raiders energy levels. And the Redhawks would take this chance to continue the comeback, off a face off win by Tom Soar the puck would be played back to Farn who would tee it up for Leigh Jamieson who's blast would find a deflection on the way through from Andreas Siagris to bring the Redhawks within 1 goal and make it 6-5

With the Raiders tired from repeated penalty kills, the Redhawks would pull level after a face off win in the neutral zone allowed Ziggy Beesley to break in at speed. With the Raiders defense beaten the forward was able to slot a cross crease pass to a trailing Leigh Jamieson who would fire it by Clements to tie the game at 6-6

Shortly after this the Redhawks would call a timeout after getting caught in their own end. The rest was well timed as it killed any momentum the Raiders were trying to build. But at this point both teams were playing for OT as it became a game of dump and chase vs dump and chase. But in the dying seconds the Redhawks would get one final chance as Webb, Siagris and Ranson created a goal mouth scramble but the puck would sail wide.

Overtime

Overtime would start with Scott, Connolly and Jackson going up against Carr, Roberts and Farn. Farn and Carr would get the earliest chance however taking too long to get a shot in would lead to the Raiders taking it the other way.

Connolly would see rebound after rebound played back to him as the Redhawks would fail to clear. And Connolly would get 3 chances. Leigh Jamieson would collect the puck and go end to end the other way, however shooting wide. Sedivy and Novak would work a dangerous chance the other way but King would save.

Farn would then make an attempt to lay the puck up to Webb, however it would be intercepted by Sylvester. He wold fire high and wide however, Dan Scott would then get a point shot chance off the ensuing face off. The play would flow the other way, and see Webb and Roberts join forces for a tip attempt.

Sedivy, Novak and Connolly would create some sustained pressure and go close. But again King would deny the Raiders. The Redhawks seemed to have won it as Jamieson fired low under Clement. The goalie was beaten but it pinged off the inside of the post on the line.

The Raiders would seize on the puck and take it the other way, as Connolly would go for a buzzer beater. But with the game tied at 6-6 we would go to a shoot out.

Shootout 

Streatham would shoot first, Carr would step up and use speed going glove side but would miss. Sedivy would be up next, but he would out dangle himself and lose control of the puck. Alex Roberts would be up next, and would fire hard but it would be deflected high and wide. Huska would be up next, he would try to dangle the puck and shoot low but King would smother the puck with his body.
Siagris was up next, with many hoping he could repeat the heroics of the night before. But he would see his shot hit Clement and bobble away. Connolly would be next for the Raiders, and try to dangle King on the right but King would dive on the puck to make the save. Farn would be next however he would go for power, only to fire it wide. Novak would continue the trend of Raiders trying to out dangle the goalie, but again King would make the save. Leigh Jamieson would be up next, with the game tying goal heroics to his name it was fitting that Jamieson would go straight down the middle, gun it and fire it straight by Clements to put the Redhawks on the board. It came down to Ashley Jackson to keep the Raiders in the game, going down the middle lane Jackson would fire it straight in to Kings leg pad. Sending the home crowd in to raptures as the Redhawks sealed the win 7-6

Post Game

After the heroics in Bracknell the night before, the team will have been exhausted so to pull out the kind of performance this team did shows how much character the team has in it.
Being a Redhawks fan right now, is becoming less like going to hockey and more like riding a thrill ride at a theme park(maybe the team needs to consider approaching Thorpe Park for a sponsorship deal)  This game was a pendulum, with both teams enacting perfect game plans to outdo one another. The second period slump almost gave the whole game to the Raiders. As once again the Redhawks allowed a team to come in to the building and dictate the play at times. Something I feel a more aggressive approach would have negated. Damien King had a night to forget in spots, but came up big in the end to help the team turn the tide as he has done every comeback. Leigh Jamieson was of course the hero of the hour with some huge assists and goals. Ziggy Beesley deserves a special mention again as he was a constant creative threat to the Raiders. And showed great poise to lay up that pass to Jamieson for the equalizer.
Up next its the only really undefeated team in the league in Peterborough. The Phantoms are already a team the Redhawks have met and taken to the wire this season, and encounters between the two were close here in Streatham last season, based on the way the team is playing we have to expect a close game.