JUNIOR ICE HOCKEY
Under-14s: IW Lightning 8, Gosport 4
IN LIGHTNING’S penultimate home game of the season, they overcame local rivals Gosport.
Both teams have had a steady season and even though neither are pushing for a play-off spot it is always a game which brings out the intense local rivalry in all the players.
Gosport brought several new players with impressive statistics but the strength in depth of the Island side would prove too much.
The young islanders got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring after two minutes with an unassisted goal from Brandon Wright.
The rest of the period was very even and it was in fact Gosport who scored the next goal but this was cancelled quickly by Alexander Trendall. A further quick fire goal was added by Rory Julian for a 3-1 lead.
Three goals in four minutes gave Gosport a second period lead but Trendall scored his second to level affairs.
The final period began with man of the match Julian restoring Lightning’s lead with two quick fire goals. They added to their tally with goals from Jordan Jacobs and Dylan Ronald.
Oliver Bennett was spirit of the game.
Under-16s: IW Thunder 11, Gosport 1
THUNDER hit double figures in this match with local rivals Gosport.
After a good run of results, Thunder were in confident mood but after a slow start it was Gosport who took an early lead, scoring after five minutes.
However, Thunder responded immediately through Luke Bontoft and never looked back. After peppering the Gosport goaltender for the remainder of the period, the sides were 1-1 at the break.
By then, Thunder were firing on all cylinders, with man of the match Aidan Doughty scoring four goals, all featuring assists from Bontoft and Archie Bicknell.
In the third period, Thunder stepped up a gear, Doughty scoring four more goals for a personal tally of eight, with Bontoft scoring his second and Bicknell adding the 11th.
Overall, the team played some good solid hockey and continue to improve and gel as a team all the time.
Spirit of the game was Dylan Ronald.