The game started with an explosive exchange of hands on the face off, eventually being won by the Huskies. Matt Coleman immediately chased down the puck gaining Phantoms first touch of play, though shortly after possession was taken back due to an intercepted pass. This was immediately followed by Tyler Christopher regaining possession and planting a lovely shot in the top of the net within the first two minutes of the game. The rest of the first period was fought ferociously from both teams with a few shots on net from both sides, the Huskies making the Phantoms work to maintain their lead, yet between the keepers and defenders neither was able to score. Some heavy tackles left both teams bruised, yet once again proving their worth, both teams were back on the ice for the second period with an enthusiasm matched only by the crowd
The second period started with another lightning fast exchange of hands for the face off, the Huskies winning the face off and attacking immediately, at which point Scott Turner scored a precise shot in the top right of the net for the Huskies with an almost identical equalizer. A little over a minute later Coleman came charging in and scored a beauty to take back the lead. The referee was introduced personally to the ice by the Phantoms Callum Shakespear. The Huskies won the following face off, yet Coleman proved his worth once more to steal the puck immediately and within less than a minute of his previous goal managed to assist Christopher scoring his second of the game. Christopher couldn’t leave it at two though, he went for the hat-trick just over a minute later with an immediate attack from face off, scoring another powerful shot into the top of the net. With the Huskies fighting hard for a goal the next few minutes were spent fighting to prevent them from scoring, they pushed hard but when an attack was stopped by the Phantoms defense and a counterattack launched by Darren Brown, taken into the neutral zone yet no further, Brown taking a snap shot from several feet over the blue from out on the boards launching it high into the top left of the Huskies net with the keeper well beaten & furthering the Phantoms lead. Ten minutes of hard play and even harder shots from both sides left the score as it was, yet the players somewhat the more bruised for it.
The third period started, if anything, with an even faster exchange of sticks at face off, this time being won by the Phantoms. A penalty given against Christopher gave the Huskies the powerplay, which was immediately taken advantage of with a beautiful shot, once again top right of the net, from Alex Weaver with the assist from Paul Furber. Christopher came straight out of the penalty to score another powerful shot, again into the top of the net from the Phantoms own powerplay from a penalty given against Jason Solamon for a T-bone. After five more minutes of intense play, in which time many a hard tackle and pass took place, the Huskies scored a lovely goal, this time from Furber with the assist from Turner. At the face off the Huskies took the puck, but Coleman once again stole it and, unassisted once again, scored a lovely goal in return within the minute. The Phantoms took the next face off and immediately went on the offensive and, a little over thirty seconds later, within the last minute Kieran O’ Meara scored a lovely chip shot in the top of the net, assisted by Coleman. Another face off taken by the Huskies was immediately stolen by Kieran O’ Meara, which was quickly passed for an assist to Christopher who scored his forth goal in the last thirty seconds of the game, leading to a final score of 9 - 3 to the Phantoms.
Playing without either the blocker or catcher both net-minders proved their worth here, especially since both were only covering for their teams main net-minder, and performed some brilliant saves worthy of many an experienced keeper. Although many deserved the awards, MVP awards were given to David O’ Meara for the Phantoms and Tim James for the Huskies, both well earned in their respective roles. A great game with some great performances on both sides, and some great support from the crowds too.
