Shetland Dragons Skate Hockey 22nd February 2003

MVP Cory Johnson, Chloe Garrick

Saturdays match was the first of the year played in as 3 twenty minute periods familiar to followers of ice hockey. Each team played two lines, substituting players on the fly. The whole atmosphere is more charged in this format as players need to concentrate for the full hour.

The first period opened with a flurry, whilst the Hurricanes tried to get their teams shape sorted out Antony Okill and Ben Davis went on the rampage for the Dragons. Antony scored an unassisted goal after just 3 minutes, Ben's shot on 7 minutes came back off the post and Antony flicked it high into the net. 2 minutes later Antony returned the favour, providing the pass for a simple tip in by Ben. The only repost came courtesy of an unassisted goal by Dan Ralf giving the Dragons a comfortable 3 - 1 lead at the interval.

There must have been some serious talking on the Hurricanes bench during the break as both lines came out with new energy. John McDiarmid scored from a melee of players in front of the Dragons goal, then Dan Ralf scored a pair of unassisted goals to give the Hurricanes a 4 - 3 lead. The second of these was during a double penalty to Jared Deeney and Magnus Laurenson for roughing. The Dragons second line then got in on the scoring. Alec Watt finishing off Magnus Johnson pass then providing the assist on an Amy Harper goal, 5 - 4 to the Dragons. Another penalty, this time against Alec Watt for delay of game gave the Hurricanes a power play and Danny Mullay made the most of his opportunity to equalise for the Hurricanes. Chloe Garrick came to the Hurricanes rescue on several occasions restricting Jared Deeney and Antony Okill to 1 shot on target between them. Ben Davis and Magnus Laurenson swapped goals late in the period which ended 6 - 6.

The Hurricanes second line continued to play strongly in the third period. Danny Mullay scored from a Kieran Smith pass and then provided the through ball for Daniel O'Connor to score. Cory Johnson, who had managed well enough in the first two periods, provided an impenetrable wall against the Dragons second line forwards, denying Joe O'Connor on numerous occasions and clearing two shots from Magnus Johnson off the line. The Hurricanes seemed unsure whether to defend their lead or go for broke and their indecision cost them dear as Ben Davis scored to bring the Dragons back within one. The decisive point in the match came moments later. Magnus Laurenson shrugged off a challenge from Antony Okill on the left wing and outran the defence, as a last resort Antony lunged forward with his stick which flew out of his hand. As well as earning Antony a two minute penalty for throwing a stick Magnus was awarded a penalty shot. For some reason, rather than a blast into the top of the net Magnus went for finesse and the ball came back off the post. Ben Davis added to the Hurricanes disappointment by scoring his fourth to level the scores at 8 each. The last three shifts were frantic. Chloe Garrick broke up a 2 on 1 as Antony Okill and Ben Davis raced towards goal and blocked a Jared Deeney shot. Kieran Smith and Danny Mullay for the Hurricanes had shots blocked off the goalkeepers and Cory Johnson continued to deny the Dragons second line any scoring chances. It was left to Ben Davis and Antony Okill to say the final word combining for their 7th goal and 11th point with less than a minute remaining on the clock.

Final Score Dragons 8 - 7 Hurricanes