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Under14's MK Storm v Bracknell
Summer was finally over, Summer, yes you remember that day we had back in July and the kids were itching to get back on the ice. The fixture gods had given us a tricky start, last seasons champions Bracknell. A good test none the less especially as this was the first time several players had played U14A hockey.
Well from the start Bracknell probably had more possession but didn’t do a lot with it. MK’s defence was solid Keegan and Thomas were letting nothing through and when Dan W and Robert took over, nothing changed. When the odd attacker did get a shot on goal Jordan was equal to it. Fraser picked up a pass in mid ice, slipped past one and moved in on goal his shot was saved and when Macca had another effort moments later, Bracknell knew they were in a game. Sam attacked well down the right and crossed into the middle, the puck was cleared, Jack did well to keep it in and the pressured continued. Bracknell upped the anti but great defending from Keegan stemmed the flow. Just after 11 minutes though the puck wasn’t cleared and Bracknell pounced 0-1. The response was excellent and MK tore into Bracknell, Jack attacked supported by Sam, his shot was saved but Jack picked it up found Dan B who nudged it onto Sam and Sam fired home, 1-1, just 45 seconds later. Jake, Jonathan and George all tried to make inroads after the MK goal but it was Bracknell who finished the period on top. It was good combined defending from Robert and Keegan near the end of the period that kept the scores level.
At the start of the second Jack was quickly on the attack and he found Dan B with a lovely pass, Dan’s effort was saved. The puck was cleared to the blue line where Fraser picked it and fired on goal but again the keeper was equal to it. Dan W stopped the next attack in its tracks and cleared up ice. Bracknell then picked up the first penalty of the game for hooking and MK had their first PowerPlay of the new season. Dan W seized the opportunity to break forward but saw his shot saved, then half way through the sides were evened as Keegan was adjudged harshly for roughing. 4 on 4 Bracknell looked on top and when that went to 5 on 4 more so. 15 seconds after the end of their advantage they took the lead, 1-2 and but for a great save from Jordan would have increased it. MK picked up another penalty with three minutes left of the second and with 8 seconds remaining on the PowerPlay Bracknell make it 1-3.
The final period started with a nice break from Sam slotting in Dan B but he was crowded out before he could get going. Keegan mopped up the next attack before Bracknell hit a spell of penalty trouble, 2 in 2 minutes leading to a 40 second spell of 5 on 3. Dan W went on a lovely charge up the left wing, round the net and fired into the area but no MK player could get on the end of it. Macca had a go as did Sam but Bracknell defended well and saw out both penalties. Then to add insult to injury they scored a 4th with 8 minutes to go and it needed an outstanding save down to his left from Jordan to keep it at four.
So the final score was 1-4 but I felt that was a little harsh, Bracknell did deserve to win but MK performed well. Both coach and manager were happy with the teams work and looked forward to the next game, which is next week away at Basingstoke on Sunday 14th.
Game Stats
11:05 0-1
11:50 1-1 Sam from Dan B from Jack
20:43 Pen Bracknell hooking
21:45 Pen Keegan roughing
24:09 1-2
27:03 Pen
28:55 1-3
32:10 Pen Bracknell X-Checking
33:27 Pen Bracknell delay of game
37:08 1-4
Shots on Jordan 26 on Bracknell 9
MOM: Macauley Gadsby
SOG: Dan Wilson