Home of the Lee Valley Lions Ice Hockey Team
Our trials for next season begin at the Den on Tuesday 2 July and continue every week until Tuesday 30th. The cost for the session is £10 per player and it runs from 8:15pm until 9:30pm.
For any more information, please contact Eddie Joseph on 07958-743680.
The pride of East London took another blow as a Lions’ side, missing Scott Beeson and Joe Berry were hammered 12-0 by an in form Oxford City Stars at Oxpens Road, last night.
Perhaps still feeling the effects of the previous nights match, Lee Valley were down in 31 seconds as a resurgent Stars side (looking to bounce back from an 18-1 hammering by Romford Raiders the previous evening), scored through long time stalwart Darren Elliot, assists coming from Alan Green and Nick Oliver. Only two minutes later, the Stars were 2-0 up from Oliver’s younger brother Josh, assist to Jonathan Bayliss. The score stayed the same throughout the period with both teams receiving coincidental minors at 5:25 (too many men and high sticking respectively).
Needing to score next to get back in the game, Lions were left kicking themselves as their misfiring Power Play continued to struggle. Warren Jones going in unassisted for a Short Handed effort halfway through the period. It wasn’t long before Oxford started to get into their stride, with Darren Elliot scoring twice in quick succession first from another Oliver (Joe) and Andy Cox before netminder Ruth Cattell was pulled for Aaron Mallet. Then again two minutes later, again from Joe Oliver with a second assist going to Nick… Oliver. The period ending with Oxford 5-0 ahead.
Despite the scoreline, Lee Valley can’t have predicted the onslaught that was ahead of them as the Stars pumped a further 7 goals in to heap the misery on the Lions,. Nick Oliver, James Clarke, Darren Elliot (his fourth of the night) and Josh Oliver scored four in five minutes to put the game beyond doubt. Before Jones and Green (twice) got back on the score sheet to end the night with an emphatic dozen for other men in green.
With the Stars coming back to the den in two weeks time (16th of February) for the return match. Lee Valley will expect another tough night but, hopefully a more exciting game will in prospect.
Final Score: Oxford Stars 12-0 Lee Valley
Period Scores: 2-0/3-0/7-0
Shots on Goal: 14 on Young (OX), 23 on Cattell and 34 on Mallet (both LV) (9-11/4-12/4-25)
Penalties in Minutes: OX 16-4 LV
Top scorers: Darren Elliot (4+1), Alan Green (2+3) and Nick Oliver (1+3) (All Oxford)
A tight first two periods showed promise but, failure to convert chances, and slick finishing from the visitors first line left Lee Valley on the receiving end of another loss to Wightlink Tigers.
The first period was a relatively quiet affair with the Lions having the best chance. Chris Fox roofing the puck after good work behind the net by himself, and Theo Abban. However, referee Blaine Evans ruled the goal out for a player being in the crease. Other than that, most of the period was played at neutral ice with neither team managing to create any clear cut chances. Leaving it 0-0 going into the break.
The second was equally slow to start with. Lee Valley not making the most of an early power play chance and not being able to follow up on the rebounds given up by young Tigers’ netminder, Aaron Craft. It was half way through the period when Lewis Tribble joined a breakaway to finish a neat pass from Andrew Robinson, giving the men from the Island the lead. Second assist going to Andrew Campbell. Aaron Mallet was called into action several times but no more chances materialised, ending the session 1-0 to Wightlink.
After a tedious wait to get water cleared from the café end, the third period finally started. Five minutes in and the Tigers were in for their second as Robinson took the pass from Tribble, with a second assist, again going to the former Basingstoke and Gosport import, Campbell. As the period wore on, the Tigers started making better chances with Campbell getting on the score sheet after a sloppy turnover, led to a 3-on-1. Assists going to Robinson and Tribble. Wightlink then hit both posts in quick succession as Lee Valley failed to clear their zone, pressure told for the last time as Campbell again scored from his line mates, Tribble and Robinson to close the game out. The final score ending 4-0.
Final Score Lee Valley 0-4 Wightlink
Period Scores: 0-0/0-1/0-3
Shots on Goal: 51 on Mallet (LV), 30 on Craft (WT) (18/10-18/14-25/4)Penalties in Minutes: LV4-16 WT
Top Points scorers: Andrew Campbell (2+2), Andrew Robinson and Lewis Tribble (1+3)
Man of the Match: #1 Aaron Mallet (LV) and #1 Aaron Craft (WT)
Bristol Pitbulls snuck out of Lee Valley with a 6-5 victory. A slow first period, followed by a mad second session of 8 goals led to a tense finish at the den, Scott Beeson fanning a rebound in the dying seconds, giving Bristol the win.
Period Scores: 0-1/4-4/1-1
Shots on Goal LV 38-55 Bristol
Penalty minutes LV 14-20 Bristol
Full Match from Reg Dunlop coming shortly.
A goal each for Theo Abban and Adam Peach were not enough for Lee Valley as they came up short to local rivals, Romford Fury. A slow start was followed by an end-to-end 2nd period were the Lions drew level. However, Romford’s pressure told in the 3rd period and they took the vital two points. Dragging Lee Valley’s horrible start to the season through into the new year.
Full Match report from Reg Dunlop to follow.