Freeze In 3-3 Thiller Against Vipers
Freeze 3 Newcastle 3
Freeze scoring
1 36:55 Pete Founds PP
2 51:52 Steve Elliott Chris Jones ES
3 52:18 Marc Lovell ES
Vipers Scoring
1 01:06 Stuart Gibbon James McCabe ES
2 11:01 Micheal Elder Martyn Elder PP
3 16:58 James McCabe Ross Hanlon PP
Make no mistaking it, this was going to be the critical clash of the league. Flintshire start the match with two games in hand and breathing down the neck of Newcastle's Vipers who are clinging precariously onto the top of the league position.
Into the first period Newcastle took the game to Flintshire striking early with a goal shortly after the first player rotation. Marc Lovell stepping out onto the ice shortly afterward struck only to have his shot blocked, a missed opportunity from breakaway play. Nerves running high the play dictating the crowd response; atmosphere electric, silent as the battle for the puck continued.
Newcastle once again moved into attack, Flintshire's net minder Matty Compton lost his stick during a tussle and the Vipers seized the opportunity to score again. Play continued with cat and mouse exchanges for the puck from both sides. Into the final 3 minutes of the period Newcastle piled on the pressure to score again against a stretched Flintshire defence.
Starting the second period Flintshire started anew, straight onto attack. Marc Lovell breaks away once again, shot delivered on target blocked; rebound in by Peter Gazda also deflected. Freeze dominated play for the first ten minutes of the period forcing the Vipers into a defensive stance. The frustration getting to the home team lead to two members being penalised within a few minutes of each other changing the dynamic of play. Vipers seizing the opportunity moved into the offensive forcing Flintshire's remaining three players to defend as best they could, Freeze net minder Matty Compton making several excellent saves. Despite only having three players the Freeze even managed a couple of counter offensive moves holding the Vipers back until the penalised players returned. Three minutes left in the period Flintshire returned to full strength and score with a brilliant strike by Pete Founds, the remaining minutes dominated by Freeze attack.
Reinvigorated Flintshire stormed into the third period intent on bringing the battle for the top of the league within grasp. Bringing the playing area to the Viper's net Flintshire reign in the shots on target mounting pressure on the Newcastle defence. Flintshire's Chris Jones being penalised switched the balance briefly, Newcastle took up the offensive once more. Flintshire's resolve held, returning once again to full strength the Freeze scored shortly after with a welcome goal by Steve Elliott assisted by Chris Jones. The crowd went wild with Flintshire back in the game, the gap narrowed. Moments later some controversy as a late call by officials let Flintshire's second goal go disallowed.
This period belongs to the Freeze! Possession dominated by Flintshire the Vipers are left reeling and only able to stall the onslaught. Marc Lovell proving that third time is indeed lucky struck the jackpot with a cracking goal in the 52nd minute. The crowd erupt with a deafening roar, the pleasure was apparent as Marc embraced the moment with a celebration. Clearly shaken Newcastle immediately called a time out.
Returning to play the match took on a new sense of urgency, both sides went the extra mile digging into reserves trying to score once more in the few remaining minutes. Steve Elliot's shot striking Newcastle's net minder was quickly followed up by James Parsons taking another shot only to be pounced upon. The last minute upon us Pete Founds surged forward breaking away from Newcastle's defence to take a shot in the dying seconds only just being denied by a deflection. The Vipers immediately moved to the retaliation, twenty second left deep into Flintshire's defence one final shot on goal expertly blocked by Matty Compton. The match ended Flintshire Freeze 3, Newcastle Vipers 3.
Flintshire clinching a draw remain second in the league with two games in hand, the Vipers return home to Newcastle with an uneasy grasp on their league position.
Report by John Gibbons
