Lee Valley Lions were left wanting late on again as Peterborough Islanders slipped away from East London with a late victory. After the previous week’s poor showing in Slough, the Lions were looking to bounce back immediately.
First Period: The visitors were first off the mark when Craig Lazenby went in unassisted (4:07), Romanas Fedotovas continued his scoring form (7:39, assist Berry) and from there the Lions began to pressure the visitors without much response, only sixteen seconds later, Fedotovas drew the Islanders’ defence away from net to feed James Hepburn (7:54) putting Lee Valley 2-1 up. Despite the barrage on Peterborough’s goal, the Lions couldn’t add to their tally and the score remained 2-1 at the close.
Second Period: Lee Valley have developed a bad habit of conceding early and that unfortunately continued when Steve Maile (21:53, assist Porter) to tie the game. The Lions were back in front again when Gennadi Yufit (26:15, assists Hatfull and Fedotovas) tipped in brilliantly from James Hatfull’s slap shot, ringing the puck in off the cross bar and post to leave Isles goalie Samuel James no chance. From thereon though the visitors settled down and took advantage of some poor Lions defending, first Maile (28:25, assist Mackintosh) equalised, then Alexander Cleves (29:58, unassisted) went in alone before Lazenby was put through by Pentecost (37:56) to make it 5-3 to Peterborough going into the third.
Third Period: Now chasing the game, Lee Valley began to up the ante on the Islanders who were beginning to tire. Joe Berry made it 5-4 (45:30, assist Scott-Joseph) before several chances hit the post or just went wide of James’ net. The Lions hadn’t given up yet, and it was a penalty to Maile that saw Lee Valley’s opening when James Hepburn was put in for his second of the evening (55:57, assist Yufit). Instead of settling for a hard earned point, the Lions decided to go for the win but when Ashlee Cave was sent to the box for tripping late on, it was Peterborough who laid the final blow. With Lee Valley attacking shorthanded, a clearance by the visitors was missed by the defenceman and James Pentecost (59:21, assist Turley and Porter) broke away unopposed on Aaron Mallet to seal the win. Ending the game Lions 5-6 Peterborough.
Period Scores: 2-1/1-4/2-1
Penalties: Lee Valley 20-30 Peterborough
Man of the Match for Lee Valley was Nick Alley
Our next match is on Saturday, November the 9th at home to league leaders Oxford City Stars. Face off at 5:15pm.