Wightlink Raiders 2, Chelmsford Chieftains 2
CHIEFTAINS went into this ENL1 South Play-off semi-final brimming with confidence from last weekend’s demolition of Cardiff ENL Devils and early indications showed that this weekend wasn't going to be any different.
The smaller ice surface on the Island meant that the home side can play their preferred style of ice hockey - rough and in your face.
However, it was the Chieftains who had the first real chance of the game, but were denied by a big save from Raiders netminder Toby Cooley.
At 1:59 the Raiders managed to nick a quick goal, while a Chieftains player was lying prone on the ice. Kevin Tanner netted with a backhanded effort from in front of Ben Clements in the Chieftains goal to put the home side 1-0 up. The travelling Chieftains fans, which numbered about 60, were in fine voice and their support was rewarded less than two minutes later as a shot from Blaho Novak, just back from international duty with Slovakia U-17s, bounced off Cooley and went in to tie the game up.
The second period wasn't 30 seconds old and the Raiders netted again from Tanner and the Chieftains were on the back foot again. Novak was playing his usual style and getting under the skin of Raiders player coach Jeremy Cornish and the pair tangled away from the puck and referee Rene Ross sent both to the box for roughing.
This seemed to set off a procession of players going to the box with mainly visiting players on the receiving end of Ross's ire.
Returning to the line up was Ross Brears in an unexpected return and his energy lifted the Chieftains and helped to generate many attacks from nearly impossible situations. His vision to see Richard Whiting in space down the wing, allowed him to make a pass and skate through into the gap between the Wightlink defence and a lovely pass from Whiting to the youngster was rewarded by Brears tying the game up in the final minute of the period.
The third period was a mixed affair with both sides creating and having chances, but both netminders were outstanding and made some big saves. Controversy was to unfold in the final minute though as a minor tap from behind by Jerry Pavlus on a Raiders defenceman who ended up in the boards, resulted in a 2+10minute penalty for the Slovak star.
The final few moments of the game saw the Raiders throw everything bar the kitchen sink at the Chieftains, but a solid defence backed up by an in-form netminder saw the teams play out a 2-2 draw, leaving everything to play for on Sunday night.
After the game Chieftains head coach Dean Birrell said "We're half way there now. We need to avoid defeat and then we're into the final next weekend. We're going to need all the fans getting behind us on Sunday night as it really is 'winner takes all' between the Chieftains and Raiders".
In the night's other game, Invicta Dynamos went down 5-2 at Bracknell Hornets, to allow the Berkshire side to qualify for the final against either the Chieftains or the Raiders over the weekend of the 17/18th April.
The Chieftains management are expected a crowd of around 600 into the Riverside on Sunday night and have asked fans to get there early and take advantage of the cheaper parking from 5pm.
Chelmsford Chieftains V Wightlink Raiders
Sunday 11/04/10 @ 6.30pm
Riverside ice rink, Chelmsford
Tickets: Adults £7:50, Kids £3:50, Students £5, Families £19.