Saturday, May 17, 2008
Skip Navigation LinksHome / Sport / Ice Hockey

DISAPPOINTMENT AS CHIEFTAINS PIP RAIDERS

By Clare Wall - Monday, February 25, 2008
WIGHTLINK Raiders tried to take another team, this time Chelmsford Chieftains, to overtime at Planet Ice but it was to no avail, as they lost 5-4.
The home side, minus Steve Gannaway and Will Francis, were always playing catch-up with the Essex side, who themselves needed to win to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Play was end-to-end in the first period, although Chelmsford seemed to be making a better effort at finishing their set pieces, but Toby Cooley was still showing sizzling form and kept them out for most of the session.
The Raiders’ goal line was breached with five minutes left on the first when Mark Stewart scored a breathtaking goal to put the visitors in the lead.
Play was suspended for several minutes, seconds after the goal, when Chelmsford’s Shaun Yardley was injured in a challenge with Chad Reekie, and he was taken to hospital. It is understood he sprained his foot.
Early in the second period, a powerplay was fruitful for Chelmsford as they extended their lead through Andy Hannah and, ten minutes later, the Chieftains were 3-0 with possibly one of the fastest and hardest slapshots ever seen at Ryde by Mike Marostega.
Just 16 seconds after Marostega’s bullet, Raiders pulled one back, Robert Franc scoring from a lovely pass by man of the match Rusic. Raiders were then handed a real lifeline when Chelmsford’s Nathaniel Williams was given a five-plus--game penalty for trying to incite a fight with Franc.
But the Raiders made a terrible start to their five-minute advantage when Darren Cotton scored shorthanded, from a mistake by Gareth Endicott.
Endicott made up for his misdemeanour at 37 minutes with a goal, assisted by Nicky Watt, to make it 4-2 going into the final period.
Raiders came out fighting in the final session, with Rusic pouncing at 45.30 while on a delayed penalty to make it 4-3. However, less than a minute later, Chelmsford restored their two-goal advantage through Scott McKenzie.
As the minutes ticked away, Raiders continued to press and Rusic scored their fourth goal in sublime style, picking up the puck from his own zone, pirouetting to avoid his opposing players and scoring from mid-range to send the crowd into raptures.
Sadly, though, his effort was in vain, as the home side were unable to get the vital fifth goal, despite pulling Cooley — who faced 67 shots — off the ice in the final minute.
On Saturday, Raiders travel to Telford for a crunch match, which they need to win to have any hope of lifting themselves from the foot of the table, before returning to the Island for a game on Sunday against Swindon Wildcats. Face-off is 5.30pm.
• Click here for Raiders fixtures and results