Match Report | 4th April 2007 » Sheffield Scimitars 2-3 Slough Jets

Face Off: 6.30pm, Sunday 1st April 2007

The Scimitars headed into this crucial weekend knowing they really needed to take 4 points, to be more certain to qualify for Coventry. This was going to be a tough challenge for the Scimitars who were already down on an import, plus missing two injured players, Duncombe and Ashton, and with the remaining import, Stewart, out through a match suspension.

Sunday's game against Slough started at a pace, though with Slough the more dominant team, with play mainly in Sheffield's zone and inital pressure on Raitanen in goal. An early Sheffield penalty halted a slight shift in play which had tested Slough's goalie into making two good saves. Both teams began picking up penalties as minor tussles broke out culminating in a ten minute misconduct for Ciccarello at 15.31. Neither team were able to take advantage on the powerplay, though Slough continued to look the more dangerous and the period ended 0-0.

Sheffield struggled to gain possession of the puck during a powerplay early in the second and any chances the Scimitars had on goal during the following two Slough penalties were saved. The Jets converted on the only Scimitars' penalty in this period, scoring at 29.45 by Redmond after several shots had been saved by Raitanen. Gibson received a long pass to break out but shot saved. Both teams upped the tempo with Sheffield finally converting on a powerplay, scored by Dowd, from Butterworth and Towe, at 37.32. The period ended 1-1 despite several more shots on target by the Scims. Sheffield had many powerplay chances in the second but failed to convert on all but one.

A penalty on Sheffield at 42.49 resulted in Slough going 2-1 up through a PP goal by Moria, who was unmarked on the back post to slot the puck in at 42.58 after an initial save. End to end hockey followed but with Slough looking the more comfortable with a one goal lead. This changed when Dowd received a long pass from Shudra to go through on goal, and despite being hooked enough to draw a penalty, still managed to beat the goalie with a backhanded goal at 55.16. Brittle was close to finding the game winner with 2.40 left after an interception and dangerous shot but saved, followed by a big save from Pasi just before whistle went. Both teams had pressed hard for the winning goal in regulation time but overtime was required to try to gain a result.

In overtime the Scimitars had the advantage of a powerplay for 1.53 minutes and got 3 shots on target without result. Slough gained possession and scored the game-winning goal (albeit a little controversial as to whether the puck had gone in) at 62.13 by Redmond. A tense game which now leaves the Scimitars with plenty of work to do next weekend. Mike Holland earned himself MOM before joining up with the GB U18s for their trip to Poland for World Championships (Div. 1, Group B).

Scoring Details: Sheffield: Dowd 2+0, Towe 0+2, Shudra 0+1. MOM: M. Holland. Slough: Redmond 2+1, Moria 1+1, Emersic, Bowman, Chinn & Kozic 0+1. MOM: T. Redmond.

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