Oxford Rising Stars 7-6 Invicta Mustangs

Match Report by Ian Dibley

Oxford Rising Stars entered the game on the back of an unbeaten home record and looking to avenge an early season defeat in the reverse fixture in Kent. It was clear from the start that the game was going to be a tough physical encounter and so it proved to be.

The early exchanges were even, as both teams settled into the game. Penalties were to be a key factor in the game, and on Oxfords first powerplay they scored through Jacob Smith with Joe Edwards getting the assist, which turned out to be a pretty constant theme of the evening. Stars inability to consolidate after scoring was exposed again as first Aaron Ferris and Jake Stedman both scored within 17 seconds after Oxford taking the lead. Oxford steadied the ship and Ed Crotty equalised with just over a minute to go in the period. It looked as though it was heading for 2-2 at the interval. Stars James Eldridge had other ideas. Playing as a defenceman, since his return to the sport, he ventured forward, passed to Ciaran Wilson, who one timed it back to Eldridge and he finished on the full from close range. This goal was scored with 5 seconds left on the clock.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to pull it back at the start of the 2^nd period, 6 seconds in fact, as Invictas player of the match Luke Thirkettle levelled the score at 3-3. Stars were the more dominant as the period progressed, the hard-working Chris Beckett restoring the lead, with Edwards picking up another assist. Yet again, after scoring, Oxford looked susceptible and it came as no surprise when less than 2 minutes later it was all square again at 4-4, with Tom Dennis scoring for the visitors. There was then a very unusual penalty sequence as Mustangs netminder Keiran Wyatt took a 2-minute penalty for tripping, and whilst his penalty was being served, by another player, he picked up a further two-minute penalty for slashing, some 12 seconds into the first penalty. With just over 5 minutes remaining in the period Mustangs took the lead as Edward Gibson finished off good work by Samuel Oliver. Invicta then took another unusual penalty as Edward Stedman, picked up three two-minute penalties in the same call for slashing, elbows and unsportsmanlike conduct. On the resultant powerplay, Beckett netted his second marker and Wilson netted his first of the game, to restore the home teams lead at 40 minutes.

The 3^rd period was keenly contested. Invictas play was disrupted by further penalties, but they did draw level, just over half way through the period when Bradley Gutridge received a pass from Billy Woods. Both sides had shots clip the post as they went head-to-head. It was looking like we were going to sudden death overtime, when whilst Invicta were short handed Wilson netted with 35 seconds remaining, much to the delight of the Oxford crowd. Edwards was to finish with 5 assists and deservedly picked up the player of the match award.

Compared to the previous games, Stars managed to stay out of the penalty box. Indeed, they only took one two-minute penalty and were able to capitalise on the Invicta penalties, scoring 4 powerplay goals.