Additional Comments:

The team from Kent were looking to avenge the defeat inflicted on them on their home ice near the end of 2008, when the Lions ran out deserved winners. As is usual, for this game the Lions were short-benched, icing just 11 skaters compared to the 18 that the Mustangs had lining up.

Normally when this is the case, Lee Valley seem to draw on inner strength and frequently surprise the opposition, often coming out on top. However, this was not to be the case on this occasion. The Lions looked poor from the start, the defence lacked co-ordination, passes were going astray on a regular basis and turnovers abounded. It could also be said that the luck was not with the Lions as chances went begging but the puck just wouldn’t find the Mustangs’ net.

The first session started with Lee Valley gaining two power play advantages, but it seemed the writing was on the wall early as they failed to get a single shot off during either one. The Lions held Invicta until the tenth minute when a shot was tipped past Andrew Boot in the Lions’ goal. Under a minute later and Lee Valley coughed the puck up behind their goal, a simple pass out in front to an unmarked forward and it was 0–2. The third goal came from a mistake by new forward Nathan Higgins, who lost the puck in the Lions’ zone, creating an easy opportunity for the Mustangs star import Michal Mikel to bag his first of six goals.

The Mustangs totally dominated the second period, and although the Lions’ netminder pulled off some good saves, Invicta put six goals past him. Marking was a big problem as turnovers caused the defence problem after problem, often leaving the netminder exposed. One highlight was a shorthanded goal by Ashley Curtin to bring the scoreline to 1–4, but before Lee Valley had got their breath back, Mikel had collected the puck in his own zone and was allowed to skate coast to coast and deke Boot to bring back a 4-goal margin. On top of two power play goals the Kentish team also scored two shorthanded goals to further embarrass the Lions.

Daniel Artis replaced Boot for the third period and was called on to make five saves in the first minute. There was a small window of hope created that Lee Valley might get back in the game when they scored two quick goals. Nick Alley netted from Stas Prokofiev and then Ashley Curtin was handed the puck in the Mustangs’ zone and put his second away through their goalie’s five-hole. All hope soon faded as Invicta then netted five unanswered goals, two on the powerplay when James Hatfull was called for a total of six minutes of penalties in retaliation for an offence that the referee missed.

One highlight from a dire evening was Terry Howlet, a young guy who has come through the Lee Valley junior system. Despite the circumstances he never gave up and showed real commitment in defence.

Referee was Meekison, Linesmen were Tottman and Solovjovs.