A tight first two periods showed promise but, failure to convert chances, and slick finishing from the visitors first line left Lee Valley on the receiving end of another loss to Wightlink Tigers.
The first period was a relatively quiet affair with the Lions having the best chance. Chris Fox roofing the puck after good work behind the net by himself, and Theo Abban. However, referee Blaine Evans ruled the goal out for a player being in the crease. Other than that, most of the period was played at neutral ice with neither team managing to create any clear cut chances. Leaving it 0-0 going into the break.
The second was equally slow to start with. Lee Valley not making the most of an early power play chance and not being able to follow up on the rebounds given up by young Tigers’ netminder, Aaron Craft. It was half way through the period when Lewis Tribble joined a breakaway to finish a neat pass from Andrew Robinson, giving the men from the Island the lead. Second assist going to Andrew Campbell. Aaron Mallet was called into action several times but no more chances materialised, ending the session 1-0 to Wightlink.
After a tedious wait to get water cleared from the café end, the third period finally started. Five minutes in and the Tigers were in for their second as Robinson took the pass from Tribble, with a second assist, again going to the former Basingstoke and Gosport import, Campbell. As the period wore on, the Tigers started making better chances with Campbell getting on the score sheet after a sloppy turnover, led to a 3-on-1. Assists going to Robinson and Tribble. Wightlink then hit both posts in quick succession as Lee Valley failed to clear their zone, pressure told for the last time as Campbell again scored from his line mates, Tribble and Robinson to close the game out. The final score ending 4-0.
Final Score Lee Valley 0-4 Wightlink
Period Scores: 0-0/0-1/0-3
Shots on Goal: 51 on Mallet (LV), 30 on Craft (WT) (18/10-18/14-25/4)Penalties in Minutes: LV4-16 WT
Top Points scorers: Andrew Campbell (2+2), Andrew Robinson and Lewis Tribble (1+3)
Man of the Match: #1 Aaron Mallet (LV) and #1 Aaron Craft (WT)