A heavy home defeat for the Lions and a result which takes Oxford to second in the table, and with games in hand, looking favourites for promotion. Although the Lions didn’t generate much offense, they limited Oxford to few quality chances in the first period, conceding just twice, while Theo Abban came close on a breakaway.
Although the Lions began the second period well and Callum Heath and Abban again went close, Oxford regained their superiority by the mid way point, and scored five more by the end of the period.
The third period saw six more for Oxford, Scott Beeson hitting the post for Lions for the second time in the game, but chances were rare for Lee Valley who were unable to contend with the speed of the Stars.
Author: Reg Dunlop
Lions Update
PICS
The local Bristol newspaper published pictures from the game at Lee Valley last weekend, featuring Mallet, Fox, Peach, Gosling and others.
SCHEDULE
Our next matches are at home to Isle of Wight on Saturday the 2nd of February at 5.15 with the team travelling to Oxford the following day for a game at 6.15
TOP TEN
While still awaiting official confirmation, Following the game on Saturday, the Lions offensive leaders are:
Scott Beeson. Played 13 – 15+5 – 20 points
Richard Hodge. Played 12 – 6+6 – 12 points
Joe Berry. Played 9 – 4+6 – 10 points
Adam Peach. Played 14 – 4+6 – 10 points
Callum Heath. Played 7 – 2+2 – 4 points
Phil Carlson. Played 12 – 1+3 – 4 points
Michael Crosse. Played 9 – 1+3 -4 points
James Hatfull. Played 13 – 1+2 – 3 points
Theo Abban. Played 11 – 2+0 – 2 points
Harry Bishop. Played 11 – 1+1 – 2 points
TWITTER
You can follow the Lions on twitter @leevalleylions
Lee Valley Lions 5 Bristol Pitbulls 6
For the second game in a row, the Lions went down by a single goal, once again showing much improvement from early season form and at times playing some of the best hockey seen at the Ice Centre all season.
The Pitbulls came to Lee Valley looking for their fifth win on the trot and after a long scoreless spell, took the lead at 12.25. It was the only goal of the first period which saw the visitors take 17 shots to 11 from the Lions.
The second period opened with a fantastic stick save from Aaron Mallet before an equaliser from the Lions. Alan Go played the puck out to Harry Bishop who shot in from the left at 23.12. Scott Beeson put in the Lions ahead (asst. Richard Hodge and Joe Berry) just over a minute later but a 2+2 penalty on captain James Hatfull saw the Pitbulls level, and go ahead, with two goals 1.19 apart.
Josh Irish came close to levelling, before Chris Fox knocked in number three assisted by Michael Crosse. Berry (asst. Hodge and James Gosling) restored the lead, but it lasted only sixteen seconds before Bristol pulled a goal back at 35.22, and netted again to go in 5-4 up after two periods.
Berry forced a good save to start the third period, but a turnover allowed a Bristol breakout which they finished well to open up a two goal lead at 45.35.
But a Beeson breakaway, assisted by Hodge, short-handed, set up a big finish. Fox and Hodge both went close, but the Lions once again went down by the single goal to one of the form sides in the division.
Romford Fury 3 Lee Valley Lions 2
The Lions came within minutes of taking their first point of the season at the title-chasing Romford Fury, but a goal with just over three minutes remaining meant another tough loss for Lee Valley.
There was little to report in a tame first period where the Fury took the lead with one of the few moments of quality, the score-line kept low by the net-minding if Aaron Mallet.
The second period was another story, with great play from both sides and some of the best attacking we’ve seen from the Lions all season.
The Fury went further ahead before the Lions fight-back, but within seconds of the 2-0 goal, Lee Valley burst forward with Phil Carlson shooting and Adam Peach following in the rebound to make it 2-1.
The Lions then went on a lengthy spell of domination; Scott Beeson and Chris Fox both close and Carlson nearly netting after a Beeson shot was parried.
At 37.49 the Lions had a breakaway opportunity and Theo Abban showed great speed and strength to fire in the equaliser, and the Lions came close to taking the lead when Fox hit the outside of the post in the dying seconds of the period.
The Lions couldn’t maintain their pressure in the final session, but appeared to have done enough to have earned that first precious point when a rebound was poked in, just trickling across the goal-line in the 57th minute to give Romford the win that lifted them to second in the league.
So close, but another loss for LVL, but some positives to take into training ahead of next weeks meeting with Bristol – one place ahead of the Lions – at Lee Valley Ice Centre.
Forward lines used from 35 min – end of game
11-9-26
17-10-4
12-9-8 GOAL LVL
11-10-26
17-9-4
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11-10-26
17-9-4
12-10-8
11-9-26 pen 9
10-26 SH1
8-17 SH2
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17-9-4
12-10-8
11-9-26
17-10-4 GOAL RF
12-9-8
11-10-26
END
Lions 2 Invicta 14
The game was won and lost in the first period which saw the visitors build a 7-1 lead, not really a fair reflection of the play, but Invicta’s finishing allowing them to skate off with a big lead. The Lions goal in the first came from returning forward Calum Heath, assisted by Paul Myles and Adam Peach. The Lions once again had a far stronger second period with sixteen shots on Invicta but had no goals to show for their efforts, while Invicta had a 6 goal period with Ruth Cattell replacing starter Adam Mallet in goal. In a 1-1 final period, Richard Hodge netted from a Michael Crosse pass with Scott Beeson getting a further assist, but another tough loss for the Lions.
The team now have a four week break until their next match.
Lions scoring:
Calum Heath 1+0
Richard Hodge 1+0
Scott Beeson 0+1
Michael Crosse 0+1
Paul Myles 0+1
Adam Peach 0+1