Note Romford Forfeit game 5-0 not enough players so was played as a challenge game

 

Romford came to MK as a bit of an unknown force after splitting from Slough very early in the season. Unfortunately though they came short handed and had to concede the game 5-0 so what was to follow was going to be all a bit irrelevant as far as the EIHA would be concerned. For the kids though they were oblivious to this and put in possibly their best performance of the season as they dominated throughout but it was the passing game that the elder and more experienced players on the first and second lines have been developing that was the highlight of the game. Unfortunately their finishing at times didn't stand up to quality of the build-up play as many opportunities failed to light the lamp otherwise the score-line really could have been enormous.

 

 

The younger and less experienced players played their part too though and were equally as dominant throughout and it was down to line three to start the scoring when Luke Goody pounced on some hesitancy from the Rascal's netminder to poke the puck home. But it was Henry who stole the show on that line as he was constantly involved in everything going on. He was rewarded for his efforts with a brace of goals and also got an assist. His tireless efforts won him the Man of the Match award for Storm. After the game was all but won, Alex got a chance up front and he too got on the scoresheet for the 'thirds' with a nicely taken strike. Meanwhile with Beatrice and Bryce making up the rest of the forward line (all players in rotation), despite not scoring, were constantly involved in the play and help ensure the play was mainly in attack. Behind them Sam R. mopped up any potential threat Romford offered.

 

 

But it was the first and second lines in particular that played the 'sexy' hockey as they gave Romford the run around. On the first line Lewis, Jake, Harry, Hallden and Jack continually passed tape to tape giving themselves plenty of time to measure the next move. Only inaccurate shooting stopped the scoreline being doubled as far too often they worked the scoring chance but either fired wide or straight at the netminder. Lewis, Harry and Hallden did score though and Hallden's especially was just reward for his excellent all round game.

 

 

The second line was responsible for the majority of the goals though as they blasted six past the forlorn netminder. John grabbed a hat-trick whilst Andrew deservedly scored two - including an excellent tip-in goal, whilst the other second line forward, Ashley, helped himself to a goal as well. At the back Sam and Edward performed solidly throughout and each of them got assists.

 

 

Meanwhile it was a long afternoon for Alex and Andrew, rotating in nets, as they were mainly spectators for the large part. With Andrew having to make the only real save of the game with a pad save on the near post whilst Alex just had to stop a couple of clearances from the Romford zone that may have trickled in. That won't worry these two though as they chalk up another shut-out!

 

John 3+1, Andrew 2+2, Henry 2+1, Hallden 1+2, Ashley 1+1, Alex 1+1, Lewis 1+0, Harry 1+0, Luke 1+0, Jack, Edward, Sam J, Sam, Beatrice, Bryce 0+1