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Result: 8th December 2007.
As predicted this was Storm's biggest test to date against the team that on current form appear to be the U10's main challenge for a spot in the national finals along with the Bracknell Buzzers.
With the guys upbeat before the face-off the question was asked whether Alex and Andrew could come up with their fourth shut-out on the trot. However after just 7 seconds that idea was put to bed as the Cherokees Oliver Baldock intercepted a pass and broke free on goal and scored. That seemed to shell shock the youngsters and the first few shift were quite laboured with very few scoring chances made, though they did have the territorial advantage made more through individual play than by playing as a team.
As the game wore on though Storm did start to play better but it was a decisive Storm PP at 12:49 that seemed a turning point as firstly some nice build up play saw Lewiss shot just edge wide. Harry chased the puck and fired it across the front of the crease where Jake's first timer just crept past the other post. From the clearance up ice Jack took his time and delivered a sweet pass to Lewis centre ice, a first-timer to Harry on the left, who immediately picked out Hallden skating through the centre. The play deserved a goal but unfortunately the shot hammered against the crossbar.
Those three good chances seemed to lift the heads of all players and from then they all moved up a gear.
As on the next shift the second line made their first real scoring chance. With John being the playmaker whilst Andrew P playing high the breakaway was always on the cards and so it proved as the two combined but Andrew's shot was well saved by the Cherokee netminder.
Even the third line started to get some reward for their effort too when the industrious Henry chasing down the puck which provided Luke with a good opportunity. This was followed moments later when Edward tried his luck but to no avail.
Just as it seemed a matter of time before Storm would equalise though the main danger for the Cherokees again showed how delicate the game was balanced as Baldock once again found himself one on one with Alex but this time it was Storm's NM who came out on top with a fine pad save. At the other end Hallden again joined the attack to pick up the puck on the left of the goal. With the NM committed Hallden laid off a pass to Jake which was agonisingly just out of reach as the open net beckoned.
End of First Storm 0 - 1 Chelmsford
SOG MK 4 - Chelmsford 15
PiMs MK 1 min Chelmsford 3 mins
The second period started with the second line taking the first shift and it recorded Storms equaliser as John cleared the puck from his zone to be received by Andrew P on left of the centre line with just one Cherokee player to beat. He skated forward and seemed to lose control as he took it over the blueline, but one handed he dragged it towards the net as his speed took him past the last defender. Now free on goal he skated in on the NM and lifted it above his glove into the net.
The Cherokees didnt sit down though (or that should be Baldock didnt) as he scored his second after another breakaway on his first shift of the period. But Storm replied on the next shift with a powerplay goal from John who shot high on the blocker side into the net.
Meanwhile as with all U10s matches the game within games continued as the third lines pitted wits against each other and it was Storm who came out top of the class in this tussle as they were camped throughout in the Cherokees zone. The points, Sam and Alex in particular, were bullish in refusing to let the puck leave the zone making timely moves into the zone to retrieve the puck, or reading the play to position them self well to intercept it. Meanwhile in attack Henry, Luke Edward & Bryce all made chances but unfortunately they just didnt have the strength to hit the puck at speed past the competent NM.
The first line game though was a tale of one against five as the continuing threat from the Cherokees #10 once again gave them the lead as, a touch fortunately, Hallden fired the puck from the blue line towards the crease but it hit Baldock and bounced over the blue-line only for him to retrieve it and skate free one-on-one. His finishing was excellent and didnt give Alex any chance as he faked one way then moved the puck to the far side to slot home.
Again though the equaliser came on the next shift, when Ashley slotted home a pass from Andrew, after he had beaten his defender but with a tight angle decided against shooting and laid off the puck. Less than half a minute later and for the first time Storm took the lead when John got off a shot from in front of the crease that the netminder seemed to have saved between his legs but as he fell backwards the puck trickled into the net. A touch fortunate but no more than John (and Storm) deserved!
With just three shifts remaining it was still anybodys game, first up was the third line and like previously it was all Storm but again they failed to score despite dominating. Next up was the first line and this saw the Storms fifth goal After Jake had chased the puck behind the Chelmsford net he looked up and played it to Harry, who had skated into the slot, Harry was in acres of space and took his time to lift the puck gloveside and light the lamp. The second line completed the game and John scored their fifth goal of the game with a shot form the crease that deflected of a defenders stick and looped over the unfortunate netminder and nestled in the goal.
Final
MK Storm 6 - 3 Chelmsford Chieftains
SOG MK 11 Chelmsford 24
PiMs MK 3 Mins Chelmsford 5 Mins
Spirit of Game: Hallden
Man of the Match: John
Overall this was a cracking game that had the crowd really on edge for much of it - especially late in the second period.
Despite the threat of Chelmsford's Oliver Baldock, who was the best player on show by a military mile, Hallden played a really good game as the last line of defence and stopped him on many occasions no mean task. Lewis also played a very good two-way game. John on the second line was everywhere and was the safety net for Daniel and Sam in defence who did a good job. Alex was the pick of the third line, but this game could also have been lost had it not been for Alex and Andrew between the pipes who came up with some big saves.
The result sees Storm extend their lead at the top of the league to four points although Bracknell has two games in hand.
With the guys upbeat before the face-off the question was asked whether Alex and Andrew could come up with their fourth shut-out on the trot. However after just 7 seconds that idea was put to bed as the Cherokees Oliver Baldock intercepted a pass and broke free on goal and scored. That seemed to shell shock the youngsters and the first few shift were quite laboured with very few scoring chances made, though they did have the territorial advantage made more through individual play than by playing as a team.
As the game wore on though Storm did start to play better but it was a decisive Storm PP at 12:49 that seemed a turning point as firstly some nice build up play saw Lewiss shot just edge wide. Harry chased the puck and fired it across the front of the crease where Jake's first timer just crept past the other post. From the clearance up ice Jack took his time and delivered a sweet pass to Lewis centre ice, a first-timer to Harry on the left, who immediately picked out Hallden skating through the centre. The play deserved a goal but unfortunately the shot hammered against the crossbar.
Those three good chances seemed to lift the heads of all players and from then they all moved up a gear.
As on the next shift the second line made their first real scoring chance. With John being the playmaker whilst Andrew P playing high the breakaway was always on the cards and so it proved as the two combined but Andrew's shot was well saved by the Cherokee netminder.
Even the third line started to get some reward for their effort too when the industrious Henry chasing down the puck which provided Luke with a good opportunity. This was followed moments later when Edward tried his luck but to no avail.
Just as it seemed a matter of time before Storm would equalise though the main danger for the Cherokees again showed how delicate the game was balanced as Baldock once again found himself one on one with Alex but this time it was Storm's NM who came out on top with a fine pad save. At the other end Hallden again joined the attack to pick up the puck on the left of the goal. With the NM committed Hallden laid off a pass to Jake which was agonisingly just out of reach as the open net beckoned.
End of First Storm 0 - 1 Chelmsford
SOG MK 4 - Chelmsford 15
PiMs MK 1 min Chelmsford 3 mins
The second period started with the second line taking the first shift and it recorded Storms equaliser as John cleared the puck from his zone to be received by Andrew P on left of the centre line with just one Cherokee player to beat. He skated forward and seemed to lose control as he took it over the blueline, but one handed he dragged it towards the net as his speed took him past the last defender. Now free on goal he skated in on the NM and lifted it above his glove into the net.
The Cherokees didnt sit down though (or that should be Baldock didnt) as he scored his second after another breakaway on his first shift of the period. But Storm replied on the next shift with a powerplay goal from John who shot high on the blocker side into the net.
Meanwhile as with all U10s matches the game within games continued as the third lines pitted wits against each other and it was Storm who came out top of the class in this tussle as they were camped throughout in the Cherokees zone. The points, Sam and Alex in particular, were bullish in refusing to let the puck leave the zone making timely moves into the zone to retrieve the puck, or reading the play to position them self well to intercept it. Meanwhile in attack Henry, Luke Edward & Bryce all made chances but unfortunately they just didnt have the strength to hit the puck at speed past the competent NM.
The first line game though was a tale of one against five as the continuing threat from the Cherokees #10 once again gave them the lead as, a touch fortunately, Hallden fired the puck from the blue line towards the crease but it hit Baldock and bounced over the blue-line only for him to retrieve it and skate free one-on-one. His finishing was excellent and didnt give Alex any chance as he faked one way then moved the puck to the far side to slot home.
Again though the equaliser came on the next shift, when Ashley slotted home a pass from Andrew, after he had beaten his defender but with a tight angle decided against shooting and laid off the puck. Less than half a minute later and for the first time Storm took the lead when John got off a shot from in front of the crease that the netminder seemed to have saved between his legs but as he fell backwards the puck trickled into the net. A touch fortunate but no more than John (and Storm) deserved!
With just three shifts remaining it was still anybodys game, first up was the third line and like previously it was all Storm but again they failed to score despite dominating. Next up was the first line and this saw the Storms fifth goal After Jake had chased the puck behind the Chelmsford net he looked up and played it to Harry, who had skated into the slot, Harry was in acres of space and took his time to lift the puck gloveside and light the lamp. The second line completed the game and John scored their fifth goal of the game with a shot form the crease that deflected of a defenders stick and looped over the unfortunate netminder and nestled in the goal.
Final
MK Storm 6 - 3 Chelmsford Chieftains
SOG MK 11 Chelmsford 24
PiMs MK 3 Mins Chelmsford 5 Mins
Spirit of Game: Hallden
Man of the Match: John
Overall this was a cracking game that had the crowd really on edge for much of it - especially late in the second period.
Despite the threat of Chelmsford's Oliver Baldock, who was the best player on show by a military mile, Hallden played a really good game as the last line of defence and stopped him on many occasions no mean task. Lewis also played a very good two-way game. John on the second line was everywhere and was the safety net for Daniel and Sam in defence who did a good job. Alex was the pick of the third line, but this game could also have been lost had it not been for Alex and Andrew between the pipes who came up with some big saves.
The result sees Storm extend their lead at the top of the league to four points although Bracknell has two games in hand.