Additional Comments:

A depressing weekend for fans of the Lions started with a loss to the league-leaders from Chelmsford. It was probably not an unexpected result, but after recent form visitors to Lea Bridge Road were hoping for a better performance. However, if you take into account that the Chieftains had 3 ½ lines of skaters compared to the Lions’ two, you can appreciate the problems encountered with fatigue. Lee Valley had recently lost forwards Michael Jacobs and Scott Beeson to other teams and Luke Kirkland to a season-ending injury. Also missing for the weekend was defenceman Romanas Fedotovas, plus forwards Chris Wilson and Freddie Trimble.

The game statistics demonstrate that the Lions started out well, with the Chieftains having only a one-goal advantage at the end of the first period and shots on goal were 15 to 10 in their favour. Sadly, as the game continued the fresh legs of the opposition took their toll on the Lions and they lost the second and third sessions by 4 goals. They were also outshot by the visitors from Essex 20 to 7 and 15 to 2 respectively.

The first session had no penalties and was fast flowing. Chelmsford got an early marker when the puck got under Andrew Boot in the Lions’ goal, who looked to have it covered. Four minutes later and the Lions were level, Stas Prokofiev with a slapshot. Hopes were raised when fans witnessed one of the best goals seen at the rink: Ruslanas Jegorovas took the puck down the left wing and Stas Prokofiev bagged his second as he beat his marker to the near post to tip the pass over the Chelmsford goalie.

However it only took a minute for the Chieftains to square the game when a well-worked move found a lone forward unmarked at the far post.  The Lions’ goalie was called on to make some good saves, but a shot which was screened from him by three players found the net in the 15th minute. Nick Alley had a chance to equalise when on a breakaway, but his shot went straight at the Chelmsford netminder.

The second and third periods were dominated by the Chieftains. They scored four unanswered goals in the second (one unfortunate one bouncing off a Lions’ player) and won the third by four goals as well. Michael Ranby scored a consolation goal just over halfway through this session before Chelmsford took the score to 10–3. At this point the Lions rested netminder Andrew Boot and gave Daniel Artis his first taste of senior hockey. Chelmsford scored two more goals to run out 12–3 winners.

No-one could fault the effort of Lee Valley, but mistakes caused by long shifts and little recovery time cost the Lions dearly. One comment heard during the third period summed it up… “It’s like the parting of the Red Sea” as the Lions’ defence had allowed Chelmsford forwards a clean path to their net on more than one occasion.

The bottom line is the Lions need more bodies on the ice. Despite the commitment of the regular guys who turn out every week, there will always be mistakes and turnovers due to the lack of numbers. The goalies are going to be exposed and will be facing many more shots than in an average game, further adding to the overall pressure.

Referee was Szucs and Linesmen were Tottman and Poplumar.