Game Report by Ian Dibley
Oxford Rising Stars vs Cardiff Canucks at Oxford Ice Rink 28/9/2024. Face Off 6.15pm
Oxford bolstered by the return of experienced players Joe Edwards and Mike Whillock looked to bounce back after two narrow defeats on the road. The visitors included the former Swindon Wildcats import Max Birbarer supported a mainly youthful line up.
The early exchanges were even as both sides settled into the game. The game sparked to life in the 15th minute when Stars Ross Hawken and the visitors Jack Whiting both taking penalties. Crucially Whiting was assessed an extra 2-minute penalty. On this powerplay Sam Arnold fired home from distance after good work from Josh Oliver and Whillock. Harry Thomas was the busier netminder in the period facing twice as many shots as Charlie Hanley in the Stars goal.
Early in the 2nd period, the fast-improving Calum Lynch took a 2-minute penalty for holding. Stars nearly held out but with just over 10 seconds remaining on the penalty Cardiff equalised through their Man of the Match Josh Poole, Birbarer with the assist. It was time for the Stars to show their mettle and they did, retaking the lead some 35 seconds after being pegged back. This time Whillock finding the back of Thomas’s net with Arnold adding the assist to his points tally. More was to come as the hosts extended their lead when the industrious Chris Beckett received a Griff Eden-Parish pass and beat Thomas from close range.
As the third period started, Stars were expecting Cardiff to come at them, and they did, as firstly Poole added his and his teams second. Once again Birbarer the suppler. Cardiff were then thwarted by their own indiscipline as they picked up a succession of minor penalties, with a number of them going to Whiting, much to Birbarers displeasure. However, it was Birbarer who, whilst his team were shorthanded, intercepted on his own blue line, skated down the ice and finished well past Hanley to tie the game up at 3 all.
By this time the crowd were involved in the game as the travelling fans found their voice. In the 57th minute they were quietened when Whillock scored the game winning goal, with assists going to Oliver and Edwards. Cardiff attempted to pull Thomas, but were unable to set up an offensive position in which to do this, until the final few seconds of the game.
The sounds of Sweet Caroline blasted out at the final buzzer as Stars won a very entertaining game.
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