Lee Valley hosted Basingstoke Buffalo at the den, looking to end the losing skid they were on. They had a full bench, only missing Kevin Lake and George Alley. Basingstoke have historically been a bogey team for Lee Valley, the Lions have only beaten the Buffalo once since they reformed in 2005.
First Period: Both sides kept the game close and both goalies made good saves, however it was the visitors who went on the scoreboard first when young prospect Danny Ingoldsby (17:36, unassisted) went in alone on Aaron Mallet to score the only goal of the period.
Second Period: Basingstoke were on the board again thanks to Francesco Tambellini (24:08, assist Leary) before a high-sticking penalty to James Hatfull put the Buffalo on the powerplay. The man advantage was quickly used as Ingoldsby (26:31, assist Sutton) was put through again to notch his second. Lee Valley finally got a goal from Bailey Wootton (28:25, assists Alley and Gerstein) but the visitors had their fourth only twenty-four seconds later through Matthew Lawday (28:49, assist Collins). Despite having the man advantage midway through the period, Lee Valley proceeded to concede two quick short-handed goals in consecutive powerplays when Ryan Sutton (29:42, assist Ingoldsby) was sent through by Ingoldsby before the pair exchanged pleasantries; Ingoldsby (33:37, assist Sutton) being assisted by Sutton for Basingstoke’s sixth.
Third Period: Lee Valley were quick to respond to their deficit, Gennadi Yufit (41:41, assists Wootton and Alley) adding the Lions’ second of the evening but the Buffalo added their seventh when Ingoldsby (42:21, assist Sutton) gave Lee Valley a case of deja vu. From there though, the Lions kicked on. First Adam Peach (44:35, assists Gosling and Hepburn) scored on a powerplay for the hosts before James Hepburn (45:37, assist Gerstein) was put through by Max Gerstein for Lee Valley’s fourth. The Lions were beginning to control the match at this point and brought the score within two thanks to Joe Berry (50:55, assists Yufit and Gerstein). The last ten minutes went back and forth until the closing stages when Lee Valley pressed and pressed but to no avail, and Basingstoke emerged from East London with a very tight victory.
Match Stats
Final Score: Lee Valley 5-7 Basingstoke
Period Scores: 0-1/1-5/4-1
Shots on Goal: 41 on Mallet (Lee Valley), 42 on Edwards (Basingstoke)
Penalties in Minutes: Lee Valley 20-28 Basingstoke
Scorers: Lee Valley – Max Gerstein (0+3), Bailey Wootton, James Hepburn & Gennadi Yufit (1+1), Nick Alley (0+2), Adam Peach & Joe Berry (1+0), James Gosling (0+1)
Basingstoke – Danny Ingoldsby (4+1), Ryan Sutton (1+3), Francesco Tambellini & Matthew Lawday (1+0), Neil Leary & David Collins (0+1).