ICE HOCKEYWIGHTLINK Raiders came close to causing an upset in the English National League away to leaders Chelmsford Chieftains — but in the end the Essex side came through to take the points.
Last year’s champions let a 2-0 lead go on Sunday night, allowing Chelmsford to finish as 5-3 winners.
Goals from Stuart Tait and Conor Pollard in the first and second periods had put Raiders in the driving seat but Chelmsford showed their intent by netting four unanswered goals, despite losing two players to nasty facial injuries during the session.
Though Raiders pulled a goal back from Dominic Hopkins, Chelmsford held on and, in the final moments, capitalised on Raiders’ decision to take their netminder off the ice in favour of an extra attacker, scoring an empty net goal.
The night before, a ruthless Raiders powered their way past a shorthanded Oxford City Stars side in front of a disappointing crowd at Ryde Arena.
The 10-3 victory was not all plain sailing — Raiders having to come from behind in the first period and then losing their top netminder, Liam McAlister, to a baffling misconduct penalty.
Oxford took the lead in the fourth minute thanks to former Raider Josh Florey but an equaliser from Richard Facey, and a go-ahead goal from Joe Rand, gave Raiders the advantage.
The controversy came in the 15th minute when, after Martin Lee had made it 2-2 for Oxford, McAlister protested the goal, and was given a ten-minute misconduct.
Two minutes later, McAlister was given yet another misconduct, meaning he was ejected from the game. Second netminder Daniel Weller-Evans made his debut between the pipes and did not disappoint.
In the second period, Raiders pulled away with two goals from Rand to complete his hat-trick, and a strike from Alex Murray.
Two goals in the space of 30 seconds from Taylor and Jeremy Cornish made it 8-2, and although former Raiders’ player-coach Gareth Endicott netted for the Stars, it was Raiders who had the final say when Kieran Annis and newcomer Joe Denness — with his first senior goal — completed the rout.
Tomorrow (Saturday), Raiders entertain Slough Jets at Ryde Arena, face-off 6pm, before travelling to Cardiff ENL Devils on Sunday.