Match Report | 24th December 2006 » Sheffield Scimitars 3-0 Guildford Flames

Face Off: 3.00pm, Saturday 23rd December 2006

The Scimitars poured cold water on Guildford Flames expectations of beating them for the second time in a week by shutting them out instead with a 3-0 scoreline. This was the best Christmas present the Scimitars could have wished for as not only did it put them back on top of the table, but it was also the first time the Scimitars have beaten the Flames since moving up to the Premier League. The Scimitars had their three GB Bronze medallists and Steve Roberts back in the line-up but were missing Mark Stewart and Andrew Turner. Guildford had two GB players back but was still missing Kohut.

Sheffield was on the attack from the face-off despite having an early delay of game penalty to kill off after the first minute of play. Lloyd Gibson scored his first Scimitars goal from a pass by Ashton at 8.55, a lovely goal which also turned out to be classed as the game-winning goal. They cleared the zone well during an interference penalty at 12.53 with Towe managing to attack on a short-handed shot. The Scimitars then had some powerplay opportunities at the end of the first period as the Flames took some penalties. Their first came at 16.56 which was punished by a bottle-lifting shot by Dowd at 17.58 after some great passing by Towe (MOM) and Butterworth. Then Guildford gave away a two-man advantage in the last two minutes of the period, which extended into the start of the second, with the Scimitars up by 2-0.

The Scimitars were not able to capitalise on the powerplay after the break with Guildford pushing hard whilst shorthanded. Raitanen making some great saves which frustrated Guildford, and the Scimitars were then able to consolidate their lead by another powerplay goal from a powerful shot by Roberts on D, straight into the back of the net at 30.05, from good passing by Millie and Towe. The Scimitars pressured the Flames hard but shots on goal were fairly even at 13 to 15, despite Guildford having to kill 6 minutes of penalties to none for Sheffield.

Going into the third at 3-0 up, both sides were playing hard, with Raitanen making some brilliant saves to secure his team's win and a shutout on 14 shots, while Watkins also made a great glove save, and faced 5 shots. The Scimitars remained focussed and played great team hockey to put out the Flames' hope of going top of the table, and instead made sure the Scimitars had a 2 point lead over Christmas.

They face Guildford again on Saturday, 30th December in Guildford and are back at home to face Peterborough Phantoms on 6th January at 5pm.

Next Match Report: Guildford Flames 3-1 Sheffield Scimitars
4th January 2007
Previous Match Report: Guildford Flames 3-2 Sheffield Scimitars
19th December 2006

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