Match Report - Hornets v Devils

Saturday 17th November NIHL (2) Wilkinson

The Hornets welcomed last years runners-up and play off winners Solent Devils to the nest, in what proved to be as difficult a game as all expected.

After early chances from Facey & player coach Murray it was a high sticks call on Jordan just under 5mins in that showed this was going to be a humdinger with the penalty resulting in Ealey-Newman & Pitts going at it and both receiving 2+2 for their troubles (Also allowing Mr.Evans the chance to stamp his authority early). The Devils dominated the first 50 secs of the PP allowing Facey to find Hocquigny in space and the forward had time to pick his spot putting the visitors one up. Although the Devils were already showing why they finished as well as they did last year it was the home side who scored next with Stead carrying well through the zones to find Fisher who cleverly moved the puck quickly for Fojtik to poke home. For the home fans the remainder of the period was one to forget as the Devils switched it on and dominated with two more goals over the next 5 minutes through Pitts & Facey giving them a 2 goal lead, as the period closed Mr Evans had the notebook out as Tarczycki & Lock came together after a late hit from Hutchinson and a pile of bodies surrounding them at the buzzer, the score board read 1-3.

The second started with Mr.Evans issuing his penalties seeing the home captain take a 2+10 for a check from behind the away forward 2+10 for a check to the head and Mitch Murray taking a 5+ match for an obscene gesture. With Fojtik sitting out for a previous hooking call it took the Devils just 28 seconds to extend the lead further after Lackey found a way past MOTM Sanderson who had been non stop throughout. It was Lackey involved again but this time taking a slashing call allowing Fisher took grab one back less than 30 secs into it. This sparked a good spell for the Hornets (who in all honesty played pretty damn well the entire game) when more good work and puck control from Stead allowed Josh Ealey-Newman to skate through with pace and lay it off perfectly for Hughes to power in another Slap shot to light the lamp bring the score to 3-4. The away team really were something else with their possession and puck movement and have found a way of pushing longer on the bigger ice pads and this certainly showed as they found another gear and got the 2 goal lead back through Trendall at the half way mark but them almost immediately undone his hard work by taking a slashing penalty. This allowed Tarczycki and Hughes to combine and find Graham locked and loaded to send a rocket through the traffic past Cole (4-5) . As they had every single time the Devils changed lines quickly and just 4 seconds before the 40 minute buzzer got their 2 goal advantage back with Campbell getting in on the act with Murray and Facey involved in the build up (4-6).

The next goal was vital for both sides but the break favoured the Devils as just under a minute in, the same line moved the puck cleanly with the player coach able to find a tight angle and and all but finish the tie @ 4-7. The frustration showed when Tarczycki was shown the door with a 5+ game for a check to the head, but even with the captain no longer able to Ice the home side managed to rally and battle which paid off when the Ealey-Newman’s used their pace giving Fojtik the chance to keep it interesting on 54 mins (5-7). The last 5 was certainly squeaky bum time when the brothers linked up well again with Josh being able to bring the game within 1 just 3 mins later (6-7) the Hornets continued to push and went forward at every chance, however a loose pass was picked off by Campbell who easily found MOTM Trendall in space to near end the game 6-8 with a minute or so to go.

It was certainly a tough, close game and the boys battled well throughout but it must be said the Solent were impressive and have improved since the summer in all areas and Murray really has done superbly. We move on to another tough game against the Jets of which I’m sure will be another fantastic game & advert for the league.

Stats: Tarczycki 0+1, Stead 0+2, Fisher 1+1, Hughes 1+1, J.Ealey-Newman 1+2, B.Ealey-Newman 0+2, Graham 1+0, Fojtik 2+0.

NMs: Sanderson 40(8) 80.00% (BH) & Cole 47(6) 86.96% (SD)

MOTM: Sanderson (BH) &Trendall (SD)