Wightlink Raiders 5,
Chelmsford Chieftains 4
A SUPERB goal just two minutes from the final buzzer earned Raiders a brilliant win over the current English National League Division 1 leaders, to end 2011 on a high.
Dominic Hopkins’ slapshot, while on the powerplay, capped a fine performance from the Islanders against the slick and experienced Chelmsford, to show the Essex outfit that the current holders weren’t out of the race just yet.
It had been a topsy-turvy game full of fast-paced action and grudge matches, with former Raider Tom Long revelling in scoring two goals against his former team.
Those goals, scored in the first period, had given Chelmsford a 2-1 advantage, coming from behind after the Raiders had taken a third-minute lead from the hard-working Conor Pollard.
He netted with a wraparound effort after help from scoring machines Richard Facey and Joe Rand.
But even after Chelmsford had responded with a quick-fire double to take the lead, the visitors never had an advantage of more than one, and never looked likely to thanks to the steady Raiders defence who never flustered under the pressure.
Raiders made it 2-2 just after the restart in the second period with a tremendous team goal, Alex Murray’s shot going over Chelmsford netminder Clements’s right shoulder, after great build-up play from Jeremy Cornish and Arran Strawson.
Chelmsford responded in kind at 34.11 to re-take the lead but the turning point came three minutes later when Raiders’ Liam McAlister made a tremendous save while one-on-one with a Chelmsford player who had broken away, while his side were shorthanded. Had the goal gone in, Chelmsford would have probably walked away with the points.
The third period was all about the Raiders, as they combined skill and physical presence to dominate the mainlanders. Even when Chelmsford made quick breaks, they were quickly foiled and Raiders got what they deserved when, after a great rush from Rand, the puck rebounded out to Damon Larter, who slapped it in from just inside the blue line.
Rand almost gave his side the lead moments later with the play of the game, as he evaded both Chelmsford defenders to go through on goal but was brought down and drew a penalty. Just as Chelmsford returned to five men, they took the lead again.
It was a soft goal to conceded but Raiders dusted themselves down and responded in kind, man of the match Rand netting on the backhand at 56.38, to send the festive crowd into raptures.
And with just 2.04 left in the game, Hopkins slammed in the winner, to give Raiders fans the best gift ever for Christmas.
Raiders have a two-week break but return on January 7, when they host Invicta Dynamos.