Tag: Lee Valley Park

Twelve Man Lions Stun Mustangs

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After an impressive victory against Chelmsford the previous week, and a challenge win against Wightlink Buccaneers. Lee Valley were looking to keep the momentum going against an Invicta side who had already beaten them twice this season.

Missing from the Lions’ line-up were Captain Nick Alley, Lee Hounslow, Chris Fox, Jordan Turner, James Gosling, Oskar Horter & Joe Weare. This left the Lions with 12 skaters and goalie James Andrew, whilst the Mustangs featured a full squad of players.

1st Period: Both sides were quick out of the blocks but the game lacked in clear cut chances early on. Lee Valley were first to find a rhythm but were unable to beat Matt Passmore in the Invicta net, Simon Geldart twice coming close with tips in front of net. The game turned in Invicta’s favour when Simon Jones was called for high sticks, then Matt Hepburn was penalised for cross-checking, giving the hosts a 5-on-3 advantage and Thomas Dennis (PP goal 8:57, assists Ferris, Terry) duly obliged to give Invicta the lead. Once back to even strength, Lee Valley went back on the offensive but, were unable to a tying goal.

2nd Period: Invicta were quick out of the blocks and doubled their lead 59 seconds in through Jake Luton (20:59, assist Holt). They maintained a constant threat for the first half of the period as Lions struggled to keep possession of the puck, even on the powerplay. As the period wore on, the Mustangs found a break from their blue line and James Laming ( 32:29, assist Holt) drove hard to the net to score. The result of the drive left James Andrew dazed and hurt, which gave Lee Valley a couple of minutes to recover and they began to find a way back into game, helped by some important saves from the netminder. Geldart continued to be a nuisance in front of goal and Sam Awoyemi went close with a drive to net but it wasn’t until late in the when James Hepburn (38:26, assists Sin-Hidge, Matt Hepburn) first fanned on a shot before received a pass from behind the net to get the Lions on the board. With the period winding down, Greg Hales was given a penalty for cross-checking and Lee Valley pounced immediately when Henry Aiken (PP goal 38:59, assist Hepburn) blasted a slap-shot past Passmore to bring the game within one goal going into the 3rd.

3rd Period: With renewed optimism, Lee Valley pressed ahead and began to keep constant pressure on Invicta. Their efforts bore fruit early into the period after hard work in front of net saw Simon Geldart (44:04, assist SIn-Hidge) bundle the puck in to tie the game. The Lions didn’t hold back, continuing to go forward, a turnover in the neutral zone seeing Invicta’s Lucy Gruber called for tripping. Despite the man advantage, the Lions struggled to get the puck out of their zone, but a pass from Henry Aiken saw Simon Geldart (PP goal 52:19, assists Aiken, Glover) race free and calmly slot the puck by Passmore to complete the comeback. Lee Valley then had to withstand an Invicta fight-back, James Andrew making more big saves and a small scrap in front of goal that saw Ollie Glover and Aaron Ferris thrown out for Roughing. Both teams called timeouts in the last two minutes, Invicta also pulling their goalie but Lee Valley stole the puck in the dying seconds to see out the win, their second in succession.

GAME STATS

Final Score: Invicta Mustangs 3-4 Lee Valley Lions

Period Scores: 1-0/2-2/0-2
Shots: Invicta 49-44 Lee Valley (17-16/21-12/11-16)
Penalties: Invicta 24-12 Lee Valley
Scorers: Lee Valley – Simon Geldart (2+0), James Hepburn & Henry Aiken (1+1), Ross Sin-Hidge (0+2), Oliver Glover & Matt Hepburn (0+1)
Invicta – Kwame Holt (0+2), Thomas Dennis, Jake Luton & James Laming (1+0), Aaron Ferris & Danny Terry (0+1)
Goaltenders: Lee Valley – James Andrew 49 shots/3 goals, 93.88%
Invicta – Matthew Passmore 44 shots/4 goals, 90.91%

Man of the Match: Lee Valley – Simon Geldart

Next Saturday (04/02) sees the fourth and final encounter between the two sides this season at Lee Valley Ice Centre.

Face off is at 5:30pm

Ticket and travel information can be found in the Game Day section of our website.

You can follow the Lions on Facebook & Twitter with #LeeValleyLions for up to date news and live scores.

Lions Defeat Champions Chelmsford

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After starting 2017 with a disappointing loss to Bristol, Lee Valley welcomed Chelmsford Warriors to East London for the second time this season. The first game ended in a 7-3 win for the Champions.

Lions boasted a near full strength squad, only missing Robin Young, Joe Weare & Jordan Turner. Chelmsford featured former Lion TJ Fillery, former Chelmsford Chieftain Ross Brears & new addition Bailey Chittock from Lions’ co-tenants London Raiders.

1st Period: After a technical difficulty with the Zamboni, the game started without a resurface. Lee Valley took advantage early on as Henry Aiken (2:45, unassisted) shot from a turnover that was deflected past Billy Cook in the Warriors’ goal. The Lions kept the pressure on and were rewarded again for their hard work, an interception led to a 2-on-1 breakaway and Nick Alley found Ross Sin-Hidge (7:13, assist Alley) with a backhand pass. The momentum stayed with the Lions but Chelmsford were creating chances too. Lions tripled their lead through Chris Fox (14:24, assist Jay Hepburn), and from there the momentum swung in Chelmsford’s favour. The Warriors finished the period strongest and were rewarded when Sean Martin (19:39, assist Boolkah) saw his shot fool James Andrew, giving his side a foothold at the close of the period.

2nd Period: The Warriors had come out to play and began to create chance after chance early on, not helped by Ross Sin-Hidge being given a 10 minute penalty for illegal equipment. Chelmsford were forcing mistakes from the Lions and reduced the lead to one after Lee Valley failed to clear the zone, Thomas Wilson (26:43, unassisted) with the solo goal. Smelling blood, Chelmsford continued to pepper Andrew and a turnover in the neutral zone saw a goal from Gary Brown (29:56, assist Polston). Lions called a timeout and began to re-assert themselves into the game, drawing a penalty from Ethan Boolkah for Hooking. The resulting powerplay lasted only 22 seconds when Ross Sin-Hidge (PP goal 33:35, assists Alley, Aiken) fired a wrist shot past Cook from the blue line to give Lions the lead once more. Both teams went close again, Chelmsford hitting the post and Nick Alley having another powerplay goal disallowed for a player in the netminder’s crease. With 8 seconds left, a quick breakaway saw Nick Alley (39:52, assist Geldart) fan on a shot that trickled past Cook to restore the Lions’ two-goal lead going into the 3rd.

3rd Period: Chelmsford were determined to keep themselves in touching distance, and were back within one goal almost immediately, Gary Brown (41:34, assists Campbell, Fillery) the recipient of good play from the visitors. Chelmsford had the better of the possession but they were being reduced to mostly long-range efforts, although they came close on a couple of occasions. With the game finely poised, neither side was able to break through until very late in the game when Chris Fox (56:24, assists James Hepburn, Matt Hepburn) found the net. The resulting celebration saw James Andrew penalised for leaving the blue zone, giving a Chelmsford a powerplay but Lee Valley were able to kill it off. The Warriors then pulled their goalie to keep the man advantage but again, the Lions withstood the pressure to pick up their first win since October.

GAME STATS

Final Score: Lee Valley Lions 6-4 Chelmsford Warriors

Period Scores: 3-1/2-2/1-1
Shots: Lee Valley 32-41 Chelmsford (11-11/10-12/11-18)
Penalties: Lee Valley 14-14 Chelmsford
Scorers: Lee Valley – Nick Alley (1+2), Chris Fox & Ross Sin-Hidge (2+0), Henry Aiken(1+1), James Hepburn (0+2), Simon Geldart & Matt Hepburn (0+1)
Chelmsford – Gary Brown 2+0, Thomas Wilson & Sean Martin (1+0), Donald Campbell, TJ Fillery, Will Polston & Ethan Boolkah (0+1)
Goaltenders: Lee Valley – James Andrew 41 shots/4 goals, 90.24%
Chelmsford – Billy Cook 32 shots/6 goals, 81.25%

The Lions are back in action today against the Wightlink Buccaneers in a challenge match at Lee Valley Ice Centre.

Face off is at 5:30pm and entrance to the game is free.

Ticket and travel information can be found in the Game Day section of our website.

You can follow the Lions on Facebook & Twitter with #LeeValleyLions for up to date news and live scores.

Lions Fall to Third Derby Defeat

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After two weekends off from game action, Lee Valley were looking to end their poor run of form against local rivals Haringey, who had taken the previous two meetings by one goal.

Lions were missing Joe Weare, Robin Young & Ben Gillingham but otherwise had a bigger squad than recent games.

Haringey arrived at Lea Bridge Road with new additions Josh Abbot and former Lion Aaron Mallet in goal.

1st Period: Both teams started off the pace, but a slower Lions side allowed the Racers clearer opportunities in the early stages of the period. James Andrew saved eleven shots but Haringey also hit the post a couple of times. Lions grew into the period after Tomas Gilheany too a penalty for interference but were unable to capitalise on the man advantage. The Lions continued to press, with a Sam Awoyemi’s effort almost reaping reward but the period ended scoreless

2nd Period: Lions again started the period slowly and a lack of awareness early on allowed Stuart Appleby (21:58, assists Whittleston, Gilheany) to score almost unnoticed by the Lions’ defence. This woke the Lions up and when Josh Abbott was penalised for Holding the Stick, they began to control the puck better and create more chances in Haringey’s zone, it was however a speculative long range shot from Simon Jones (PP goal, 25:45, unassisted) that tied the game after Mallet failed to control it. The game was very tight with both teams unable to assert themselves but then Nick Alley (32:02, assists Jones, Sin-Hidge) tipped Simon Jones’ shot from the blue line to give the Lions the lead. Ryan Payne then took a Slashing penalty but whilst trying to set up on the Racers’ blue line, the Lions’ defence turned the puck over and Josh Abbott (SH goal, 33:58, assist Minhinnick) pounced on the break to score from a 2-on-1, leaving the game finely poised at 2-2 heading into the third.

3rd Period: For the third period in a row, Lee Valley were unable to get out of the blocks quickly. First Sam Park (43:47, assists Minhinnick, Payne) gave Haringey the go-ahead goal, before their lead was doubled through Josh Abbott (47:25, assists Veares, Park) on the break. Lions began to create chances but couldn’t maintain possession and soon Haringey had their fifth when Ryan Payne (50:30, assists Abbott, Voslinsky) fired home. Lee Valley began to chase the game and reduced the lead when Oskar Horter (54:44, assist James Hepburn), but couldn’t keep control of the puck long enough to sustain pressure on the Racers’ net. In the end, it was Haringey who again left with the spoils.

GAME STATS

Final Score: Lee Valley Lions 3-5 Haringey Racers

Period Scores: Lee Valley 0-0/2-2/1-3 Haringey
Shots on goal: Lee Valley 33-41 Haringey (9-11/14-9/10-21)
Penalties: Lee Valley 6-8 Haringey
Scorers: Lee Valley – Simon Jones (1+1), Nick Alley & Oskar Horter (1+0), James Hepburn & Ross Sin-Hidge (0+1)
Haringey – Josh Abbott (2+1), Ryan Payne & Sam Park (1+1), Nick Minhinnick (0+2), Stuart Appleby (1+0), Robert Whittleston, Robert Veares, Mark Voslinsky & Tomas Gilheany (0+1)
Goaltenders: Lee Valley – James Andrew: 41 Shots/5 goals 87.80%
Haringey – Aaron Mallet: 33 shots/3 goals 90.91%

Lee Valley are scheduled to face Slough on Saturday 26th, before league leading Peterborough Islanders make their first visit to Lea Bridge Road on Sunday 27th.

Face-off in Slough will be at 6:30pm, whilst face-off against Peterborough at Lee Valley is at 5:30pm.

Ticket and travel information can be found in the Game Day section of our website.

You can follow the Lions on Facebook & Twitter with #LeeValleyLions for up to date news and live scores.

Early Mustangs Blitz too Much for Lions

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After picking up their first win of the season the day before in Slough, Lee Valley were looking to keep a streak going against a resurgent Invicta Mustangs.

Lions welcomed back Joe Weare & Chris Fox. Missing were Robin Young, Ben Gillingham & Ben Duffy.

Invicta travelled to East London featuring former Dynamo Jamie Smith, returning goalie Matthew Passmore.

1st Period: The Lions couldn’t have had a worse start to the game. After a poor turnover on the Invicta blue line, Jake Luton (0:29, assists Ferris, Dennis) raced down the left wing and fired a quick shot through the legs of a defence-man and past James Andrew to take the lead. The Mustangs continued to press aggressively but Andrew held the fort well, before the Lions began to gain a bit of momentum. Lee Valley maintained possession but weren’t getting enough shots on Passmore, and the not following up on the rebounds proved fatal again as Jake Stedman (16:38, assists Holt, Smith) to double the Mustangs lead ending the period.

2nd Period: Despite starting the period on the Power-play, the Lions weren’t able to take advantage, they were starting to get more shots on Passmore but Invicta were also creating opportunities. More aggressive pressure on the Lions defence saw a hit on James Gosling go un-punished, and the resulting turnover allowed Tom Dennis (27:17, assist Luton) to make it 3-0. Shortly after Ollie Glover was penalised for Holding the Stick and Invicta capitalised on the power-play through Danny Terry (PPG 31:16, assists Stokes, Dennis). Lions continued to probe but Passmore was holding them at bay and the period closed at 4-0 to the Mustangs.

3rd Period: With the odds heavily stacked against them, Lee Valley finally broke Passmore’s resistence through Nick Alley (42:31, assists Horter, Jones), but Invicta added another goal, again through Danny Terry (45:57, assists Ferris, Stokes). Invicta took a Too Many Men penalty and the Lions were able to score through Matt Hepburn (PPG 50:31, assists Geldart, James Hepburn). Lee Valley started to up the ante and were finally keeping consistent pressure on the Invicta goal but weren’t breaking through. Finally Chris Fox (57:17, assist Geldart) blasted a slap shot to bring the game within two goals, which made for a tense finish but Invicta held out for their second win of the season, leaving the Lions still winless at home.

GAME STATS

Final Score: Lee Valley Lions 3-5 Invicta Mustangs
Period Scores: 0-2/0-2/3-1
Shots on Goal: Lee Valley 34-37 Invicta (8-8/12-17/14-12)
Penalties: Lee Valley 4-12 Invicta
Scorers: Lee Valley – Simon Geldart (0+2), Nick Alley, Matthew Hepburn & Chris Fox (1+0), Oskar Horter, Simon Jones & James Hepburn (0+1)
Invicta – Tom Dennis (1+2), Danny Terry (2+0), Jake Luton (1+1), Michael Stokes & Aaron Ferris (0+2), Kwame Holt & Jamie Smith (0+1)
Galtending: Lee Valley – James Andrew 37 shots/5 goals, 86.49%
Invicta – Matthew Passmore 34 shots/3 goals 91.18%

Lee Valley now have two weekends off before a local rivals Haringey Racers come to Lea Bridge Road on Sunday 13th of November.

Face off at Lee Valley is at 5:30pm. Ticket and travel information can be found in the ‘Game Day’ section of our website.

You can follow the Lions on Facebook & Twitter with #LeeValleyLions for up to date news and live scores.

Lions Earn First Win in Slough Battle

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Almost 30 years on from the first meeting between the two sides. That game in 1986 resulted in a 10-8 win for the Lions in the old British Division 1, this time Lee Valley were looking to kick-start their season in NIHL 2 South East with a first win. The Lions travelled along the M4 to face the Jets in what would temporarily be the last game at the their Absolutely Ice home.

Making his debut for the Lions was former junior Ronnie O’Connor, with Robin Young returning after missing the last game through illness.
Missing from the line up were Chris Fox, Ben Duffy, Joe Weare & Ben Gillingham.

Since the previous meeting with, the Jets had added former Lion Mark Saunders and Nathan Darmanin to their side.

1st Period: The game got off to a scrappy start, with three penalties called in the first two minutes. Two of them fell to the Lions, but they were able to kill off the 4-on-3, then 5-on-3 advantage. However they struggled to clear the puck from their own zone and this resulted in Slough’s first goal when a scramble in front of net allowed Ashley West (7:11, assist Chandler) to poke the puck past James Andrew. Lee Valley needed to respond quickly and they did when Nick Alley (10:50, unassisted) raced clear on a break-away to tie the game. The pressure on the Jets continued and forty one seconds later, the Lions had the lead through James Hepburn (11:31, assists Young, Matt Hepburn) after good work in the Slough zone. The game continued back and forth but Lee Valley held out until the end of the period.

2nd Period: Lions were out of the blocks quickly this period and piled the pressure on Slough. After a period of possession in the Jets’ zone, in his first shift of the game Simon Geldart (24:31, unassisted) pick-pocketed a Slough defender and found the net, this having only arrived at the rink at the end of the first period. Lions then trebled their lead through Matt Hepburn (25:56, assists Alley, Young) after continued pressure. Slough pulled Robert Warrington and replaced him with Chris Douglas. This spurred the Jets into a strong response, and they scored soon-after through Kirkland Rhys-Evans (28:47, assist Saunders). Lions’ discipline started to fail them as Slough continued to crash the net, a penalty to Robin Young gave the Jets the advantage they needed and Luke Martin-Digby (PPG 31:32, assist Dobbins) reduced the lead to one. George Alley then called a time-out to try and stem the flow of Slough’s attack. The breather seemed to settle the Lions and when Christopher Hocquigny was penalised for slashing, Lee Valley made short use of the power-play and broke up the ice quickly and Ross Sin-Hidge (35:35, assist Aiken) rifled a wrist shot past Douglas for his first Lions’ goal, giving the Lions a two goal cushion going into the third.

3rd Period: Lee Valley needed to hold their nerve and did so in a composed fashion that had been absent in crucial moments in games so far. The Lions reduced Slough to only 7 shots and with the Jets sitting a string of penalties early on in the period, Lee Valley maintained good control and continued to rain shots in on Douglas. A strong penalty kill from the Lions, sent them back on the offensive but they couldn’t find a way past the veteran goalie. A late tripping call on Robin Young saw Slough call a timeout, but they couldn’t convert the resulting power-play and Lee Valley closed out the game for their first win of the season.

GAME STATS – (Please note, our stats differ slightly from the official game sheet)

Final Score: Slough Jets 3-5 Lee Valley Lions
Period Scores: 1-2/2-3/0-0
Shots on Goal: Slough 32-66 Lee Valley (12-12/13-17/7-33)
Penalties: Slough 20-18 Lee Valley
Scorers: Lee Valley – Nick Alley & Matt Hepburn (1+1),Robin Young (0+2), Simon Geldart, James Hepburn & Ross Sin-Hidge) (1+0), Henry Aiken (0+1)
Slough – Luke Martin-Digby, Kirkland Rhys-Evans & Ashley West (1+0), Mark Saunders, Charlie Dobbins & Jamie Chandler)
Goaltending: Lee Valley – James Andrew 32 shots/3 goals, 90.63%
Slough – Robert Warrington 18 shots/4 goals, 77.78%, Chris Douglas 44 shots/1 goal, 97.93%

Man of the match: Simon Jones

The Lions take on Invicta Mustangs today in our second match of the weekend.
Face off against the Mustangs is at 5:30pm.

Ticket and travel information can be found in the ‘Game Day’section of our website.

You can follow the Lions on Facebook & Twitter with #LeeValleyLions for up to date news and live scores.