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Result: 9th March 2008. M
With the season drawing to a close Storm faced one of their oldest rivals in the last home game of the season. Over the years this age group of players had often faced, and lost to, Guildford. There was a mood in the dressing room that today would be the day when roles would be reversed.
The opening minutes of the first period were tense and closely contested with both teams feeling their way. The pace of play was impressive with some high energy skating from Storm and good line changes to keep the momentum going. Tom Mboya took a penalty for roughing at 4.49 but the penalty kill team handled the Guilford attack with relative ease. As the first period went on Storm started to dominate possession and territory but the first goal eluded them. Ross Tippet was called for charging at 13.21 but again the power play was dealt with without too much threat on goal. At the end of the period the shot count told the story with 8 for Storm and 2 for Guildford.
Obviously both teams had a serious pep talk during the break because they came out with even more vigour. Some of the fore checking was well delivered and took a lot of steam out of the Guildford attack making sure they never gather any pace. Following a Guildford penalty for slashing Storm’s power play line took to the ice and after some careful build-up and pressure scored the first through Tom Mboya at 20.33. Nathan Carmichael passed to David Carson who in turn found Tom Mboya behind the net. Mboya shot from behind the goal and the puck hit the back of the net minder’s blocker and tipped over the line for the first score. As so often happens after scoring the team one up relaxes and this allowed Guildford to equalise at 21.02 with one of their few attacks. Determined to get ahead Storm then score two in quick succession with a goal from David Carson at 28.28. A deflected shot form Carmichael looped high in the air and landed a few inches from the goal line giving Carson an easy tap in. Tom Mboya then finished another good build up with a precise shot high into the right-hand corner after assists from Wilson and Tippet (29.42).
The period ended 3-1 to Storm.
The final period turned into a fierce physical battle- mostly within the rules- with both teams giving it their all. Guildford were called for interference at 32.38 and as they defended the penalty they picked up a second penalty for roughing giving Storm a 5 on 3 advantage. Storm maintained some good pressure and despite frantic defensive work Guildford could not stop Ben Russell scoring from near the blue line with a firmly struck shot (34.10). Storm kept good control of the game for the remaining 11 minutes. The highlights of the final minutes were a goal from Ross Tippet to reinforce the win (41.16) and some glorious defence from front to back that just did not allow Guildford any shooting chances. The shot count finished 6- 30 in Storms favour.
Overall a brilliant game with a well executed game plan played at high speed which never allowed Guildford a chance to get a shot in.
Spirit: Sophie Savill
MOM: Ben Russell