I have uploaded some cracking shots from last week’s Legends game, courtesy of Pat Ayling, featuring the likes of Jim Graves, Glen Moorhouse, Eddie Joseph, Tari Suwari, Simon Wren and Ali Rodger. You can see them via the Photos page, here.
Category: Photos
First photos from Legends game
Last night Lions of the past, present and future came together for the Lee Valley Legends game. It was a close-fought contest with the current team nipping ahead to become the 7-5 victors. It was great to see so many familiar old faces yesterday and a massive thank-you must go to George Alley, who masterminded the whole thing – not forgetting, of course, all the players who took part and everyone off-ice whose work and dedication went into organising such a great evening’s entertainment.
It felt strange for me, coming back to the Den without a camera in my hand for the first time in many years. My successor, Pat Ayling, took lots of great photos last night, the first of which is a photos of the teams together, which can be seen here. In the meantime, I’ve posted a few shots taken by Lola Cook (a member of the Cook family who played such a big part in helping out the original Lions – Mike, Ena, Peter and Julie) and used with kind permission. You can see them here.
Photos from home leg of Richards Cup
Last weekend the Lions played their North London rivals, Haringey Racers, in the inaugural Richards Cup. The Cup, played at both teams’ rinks, was in aid of the British Heart Foundation and in memory of Dave Richards Snr. The Racers were the winning team, the scores being 5-2 at Lee Valley and 3-2 at Ally Pally. Pat Ayling kindly took some photos from the home leg and they’re available on the Photos page here.
Photos from Wightlink game
Those following the Lions via Facebook and Twitter will already be aware that Nicky Craft has posted some great photos from last weekend’s not-so-great away game against Wightlink Tigers, on Flickr. For everyone else who’s not already seen them, they’re here.
Lions off the Mark After Devilishly Close Draw
Lee Valley travelled to the Welsh capital looking pick up their first win of the season, coming within a whisker of victory. Missing Nick Alley and any juniors playing up, the Lions were looking to get a result against a side who has historically been a bogey team.
First Period: An energetic Cardiff side caused problems early on, constant movement from the Devils’ forwards had the Lions caught heavy footed. It was the men from across the Severn who were first to score, when Zak Shanahan slotted in from close range (2:22, assists Monaghan and Latchford). The hosts continued to create chances and their speed was keeping the Lions at bay, the period ended 1-0.
Second Period: Having been spurred on from the team talk, Lee Valley came out much more focused, taking neutral ice turnovers and making their own chances. It wasn’t long before they were on level terms. Romanas Fedotovas fed a waiting Joe berry (27:44) in the slot, snapping a one timer into the bottom corner of Ross Miller’s net, to tie the game. Despite the pressure mounting on the Devils’ net, it was they who scored next, with the Lions failing to capitalise on a penalty to Jack Randall. A turnover in their own zone left Matthew Downward to skate in unopposed, reclaiming the lead. As momentum started to swing towards Lee Valley, more chances came the way of the visitors. They finally got a deserved second when Theo Abban (36:10, assist Hodge) crashed to the Cardiff net to again equalise, the Lions going close but unable to expand on their score.
Third Period: Despite the high shot count against them, and an injury to Max Gerstein, it was the visitors who made the better chances in front of net as Cardiff were reduced to limited breakaway’s, instead of building the play. A solo effort from Joe Berry saw him set up Ben Osbourne who could only send his shot over the bar but, chances like this were becoming more frequent for the Lions. As the game began to draw to a close, both teams went agonisingly close to finding a game winner. Aaron Mallet saving low on a 2-on-1 and Miller in the Cardiff net snaring the Lions on an open net. It seemed fitting that such an end to end game should end a draw however, the Pride of East London will take a lift from the game, their first point since February of 2012 when they defeated Invicta Mustangs.
The Lions look to kick on next week as the Wightlink (Isle of Wight) Tigers come to the den. Lee Valley will take heart from a disciplined performance and hopefully claim their first win of the campaign.
Period Scores: Cardiff 1-0/1-2/0-0 Lee Valley
Shots on Goal: On Miller (Cardiff) 31, on Mallet (LVL) 41
Penalties in Minutes Cardiff 8-4 Lee Valley
MoM: Theo Abban (LVL) Cardiff Unknown
Photos from the game are available here.