Lee Valley Lions

Solent Devils

Goals

Penalties

Lee Valley Lions

Solent Devils

Additional Comments:

There was a good turnout of fans at Lea Bridge Road for the Lions’ penultimate home game of the English National League season, eager to see if the team that played the last six minutes against Haringey would turn up. They were not to be disappointed.

The Lions were without influential captain, Scott Pollak, and drafted in U18 Chris Shrubsole as cover. The team were able to ice three full lines and back-up netminder Andrew Boot started between the pipes.

The previous game between Solent and Lee Valley had to be abandoned after two periods when one of the Devils’ players was hurt and had to be taken to hospital. The return encounter was therefore expected to be quite physical. This was true as the game was quite “chippy,” but the referee, Mr Szucs, took firm control early on and left the players in no doubt that he would not stand for any infractions and the penalty box saw a few early visitors.

The Lions asserted themselves in the first minute with Michael Ranby finding the net, assisted by Stas Prokofiev and Michael Jacobs. The fans then had to endure a break in play as a piece of plexi smashed when Nick Alley collided with it and a temporary repair made to the rink. Play resumed after about fifteen minutes and to make up for time the first period was completed using a running clock, only stopping for penalty calls.

Lee Valley continued to dominate the early play and scored two more quick goals, Nick Breigoos on the powerplay as he received a pass on his stick from Scott Beeson and an even-handed strike from Stas Prokofiev. Two more goals came from Michael Jacobs – one when the team was a man down, killing a penalty, which enabled the Lions to go into the first period break 5–0 up, and the fans wondered how many more goals they would see.

The second session opened as the first one finished, as the Lions’ domination continued. Jacobs came close as he managed to get a shot away after falling but the net was dislodged as the puck went towards it. It was to be nearly eight minutes before the home team could find the net again when Paul O’Neill scored his first of the season, followed by Nick Alley and Scott Beeson. In the Lions’ net Andrew Boot was not called on that often, facing just seven shots in the period, but he handled them all confidently, even gaining an assist on the seventh goal.

So at the second interval two questions remained unanswered: how many would the Lions put past the team from the South Coast and could the young netminder maintain his first ever shut-out? No goals were scored for over nine minutes in the final period, but it seemed as though every player thought he could get on the scoresheet as pressure intensified on the Devils’ goal. The only problem with this hunger from both forwards and defencemen alike is that sometimes this over-enthusiasm leaves holes at the back and the goalie exposed to breakaways. Although this was the case on a few occasions, the Lee Valley skaters mostly managed to get back in time and if they didn’t then the netminder stood firm.

Four more goals came in the last ten minutes, the first two coming courtesy of Rob Courtman and James Scott-Joseph. A pair of goals from Joe Berry, including a stunning blue-liner, sealed the 12–0 victory and a shut-out for Andrew Boot in the net (who also managed an assist on the Lions’ seventh goal).

Two milestones were reached in this game: this was the largest winning margin and the first-ever shut-out by a Lee Valley goalie since the reformation of the team in the 2005-06 season. To say the fans and players went home with a smile on their faces would be an understatement.Referee was Szucs, Linesmen were Tottman and Milton.

Thanks to Tony Boot for writing this match report.