Lee Valley Lions -v- Haringey Greyhounds
03/09/05 (Lose 2-3)

Stefan Nubert (G)
Paul O'Neill
Tom Davis
Chris Goddard
Graham Bellamy
Ben Osborne
Richard Hodge
Nick Braithwaite (C)
Ian Courtney
Billy Witney
Jack Coyston
James Scott-Joseph
Daniel Sampson
Terry Abdullah
Darren Wakeling
Scott Beeson
Owen Murphy
Rich Gomes
Ben Shrubsole
George Alley (G)
Mark Swaine
Kevin Murphy

Additional Comments:

After a break of 10 years the Lee Valley Lions returned to British ice hockey on 3rd September 2005 with their first ED1 match against Haringey Greyhounds. It had been ten years, five months and eight days since the Lions last played (see the Logicom 3 on 3 page).

The game saw the Lions take an early lead at 03:13 with a goal from Kevin Murphy, assisted by Tom Davis. We hit the back of the net again at 15:25 with a shot from Scott Beeson, assisted by Darren Wakeling.

Winning 2-0 at the end of the first period the Lions easily outplayed their local rivals, despite being without non-British trained players to bolster the side. However, the second period saw the Haringey Greyhounds fired up and determined to put their mark on the game, while the Lions' performance indicated they were struggling to match the increased pace.

Non-British trained Craig Metcalf opened the scoring for the Greyhounds with a power play goal at 28:42, assisted by Adam Hyman. The Greyhounds' next goal came courtesy of their second non-British trained player, Eric Ojala, at 35:01 (assists by ex-Lion Gary Dodds and Adam Hyman). A further goal from Metcalf (assists by Tom Boney and Ricky Rutherford) established their lead only thirty seconds later.

The third period saw a more even level of play between the two sides, but despite several spirited attempts (and a time-out at 58:53) the Lions were denied the opportunity to put the puck in the back of the net. The Lions' defence held up well, however, preventing the Greyhounds from adding further to the scoreline. The game ended, therefore, with the Haringey Greyhounds the victors, winning by just one goal.

We may have lost, but it was our first game and we iced without any non-British trained players. The Greyhounds' foreign-trained players were responsible for all three of their goals, so for the Lions to lose by only one goal makes the score very respectable and something the team can feel proud of.

Lions' netminder Stefan Nubert faced no less than 45 shots on goal and was deservedly awarded the accolade of Man of the Match (chosen by me).

Referee was Szucs, Linesmen were Rafter and Lee.