Match Report

by Ian Dibley

Oxford Rising Stars engaged with their South coast rivals, looking to bounce back from the previous home game defeat at the hands of Peterborough Phantoms. This was to be a close game with a couple of pivotal points involving penalty shots.

The first period was dominated by the home side as they out shot their visitors by 2:1 with Rory Martin-Edwards in the visitors’ net making the saves. Stars also rattled the frame of the goal twice in that initial stanza, but the period ended 0-0. Both sides had picked up 3 minor penalties, these being the other thing to trouble the match scorer.

Solent came out strong at the start of the 2^nd period and took the lead when the impressive Charlie Wedge fired past Charlie Hanley in the Oxford goal. Oxford responded and within 4 minutes were in the lead as Josh Oliver finished off some good work by Huw Eden-Parish and Caden Hughes gave the hosts the lead with Ciaran Wilson and Ed Crotty picking up the assists. Devils Charlie Ottowell picked up a 10-minute misconduct and 8 seconds later the first turning point of the game came as veteran defenceman Andy Cox was adjudged to have hooked a Solent player. This was much to Coxs indignation especially when a penalty shot was awarded. This penalty shot was not converted as it pinged off the outside of the post with Hanley beaten. Solent then took the lead as Wedge netted his 2^nd goal. The visitors then two 2-minute penalties with Aston Lacey and Henry Smart both sitting in the penalty box. They negotiated the penalties despite the Oxford pressure, but soon after returning to full strength, Stars took the lead again with Crotty scoring after an exquisite passing move involving Cox and Wilson. There was just time for Ottowell to pick up a further 2-minute penalty as the period ended with the home side leading by 1 goal.

Seven seconds in to the final period and despite being a man short Solent equalised when Sam Brooks scored, with Wedge the provider. One minute and 17 seconds later and worse was to come for the Stars. Solent, still with only 4 out ice skaters, due to Ottowells penalty scored their 2^nd short handed goal, as Lacey planted the puck past Hanley. Oxford needed to change the tempo of the game, Wilson picked up a 2-minute penalty for charging and Solent doubled their lead when Ottowell scored on the powerplay.

So, with 8 minutes remaining, Stars trailed by 2, but, as many times this season, there was plenty of action to come in the final few minutes of the game. Firstly, Crotty pulled one back for the hosts and then Chris Beckett tied the game at 5-5. Into the final 4 minutes and a dubious penalty was called on Stars defenceman James Eldridge for throwing the stick as he dived full length to poke check the puck away from danger. Enter referees Arnold and Evans and they awarded the 2^nd penalty shot of the game. Up stepped Wedge, looking for his hat trick goal. He fired his shot and the fast-catching glove of Hanley swept from low to high as he plucked the goal bound shot out of the air to preserve parity. With just over a minute remaining on the game Mike Whillock netted the game winning goal, with Oliver getting the assist. Solent pulled Martin-Edwards, in favour of the extra forward, but they were unable to beat a resilient Oxford defensive action. There was just time for Hughes to score an empty net goal with 1 second left on the clock. Final score 7-5.