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STILL HOPE FOR LIGHTNING AFTER DRAGONS` BLAST

Friday, May 2, 2008
Sport/Ice hockey
Cardiff Dragons 7, IW Lightning 3
THE dream of promotion for the IW Lightning under-14s ice hockey team is still alive, even after an away defeat to rivals Cardiff.
Whoever won this crunch match would be crowned league champions and immediately promoted to the South Division 1 league.
However, for finishing second in the league the Lightning can now regroup for a crunch playoff match against either Slough or Basingstoke, for another shot at promotion.
In this title-deciding match in Wales, the Lightning started nervously and were two goals down within the first five minutes.
The second period was very similar to the first with another two early goals from Cardiff before Lightning pulled a goal back.
The Island side knew their whole season depended on the final 15-minute period and came out all guns blazing.
Managing to pull the score back to 4-3, the team played with exceptional skill and dedication.
But in the end, the larger ice pad and a short bench took its toll on the Lightning. Cardiff’s seven extra players played a major part in the outcome.
The season so far has been a tremendous success with a team which has relied heavily on under-12 players playing up an age group for the under-14s.
Team manager Geoff Doughty said: “The coaching staff and management thank all of the players and parents for their support this season and look forward to the play-off games in the near future.”