ICE HOCKEY
Solent & Gosport Devils 1, Wightlink Raiders 10
WIGHTLINK Raiders got off to a storming start in the new National Ice Hockey League South, reaching double figures and showing the potential to score much more.
With a rebuilt side, featuring some old names and several new ones, player-coach Jeremy Cornish will be able to take many positives from the match, ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) first home game against Invicta Dynamos.
Though returning goalkeeper Matt Colclough had the least to do, he still rose to the occasion when needed, while import Jiri Hanzal had a solid debut featuring a goal and two assists.
Nick Compton, though seeming small for a defenceman, looked a class act while another returnee from the 2010-11 season, Robbie Brown, was well worth his man of the match prize for his hat-trick.
In all, the Raiders notched up an incredible 101 shots, testament to the Solent goalkeeper, Cole, who did exceptionally well to keep his save average to 90 per cent.
He almost single-handedly kept the score at 2-0 at the end of the first period, Alex Murray and Brown getting the goals.
In the second period, goals from Richard Facey — just before the two plus two penalty that gained Solent a powerplay goal — Damon Larter, Niall Bound and Hanzal, put real space between the sides.
Brown netted a double in the with other goals from Cornish, and Craig Tribe putting the Islanders into double figures.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk