Raiders Extend 100% Record in Puckstop.com Summer Classic

Photo by James Birtwistle

Saturday 13^th May 2017 – Puckstop.com Summer Classic
Grimsby Stormers 8 – Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 10
Period Scores: 3-3, 3-4, 2-3
Penalties In Minutes: Grimsby 8 – Raiders 12

Raiders  Scoring:

Tom Yates 3+1, Owen Tennant, Elizabeth Wright & Geraint Lewis all 2+0, Sam Plant 1+1, David Thurnaby and Jack Warwick both 0+2,  Stephen  Harvey 0+1

The Widnes based Riverside Raiders maintained their impressive 100% start to the Puckstop.com Summer Classic competition with an entertaining 8-10 win away at Grimsby Stormers.

The Grimsby rink is under threat of closure and it was only due to the facility being granted a six month reprieve while alternative funding options are being explored that this game was able to go ahead at all.  It was originally expected that all of the Stormers’ games would have to be played away for double points.

As it was, the home team were quickest out of the blocks and raced to a 3-0 lead by the 15^th minute. A powerplay goal from the Raiders’ Elizabeth Wright almost dead on 18 minute gave the Widnes side hope of an early comeback and then two quick goals in the last minute of the period -    from Owen Tennant and Sam Plant – tied the scores going into the first break.

The second period was as entertaining as the first with plenty of shots on both goals and an early goal from Thomas Yates edged the Raiders into a 3-4 lead. That lead lasted barely five minutes before the Stormers levelled the score but then goals from Wright, Tennant and Yates again put the visitors in a commanding position. However, a strike in between from the Stormers and another in the dying seconds of the period pulled the score back to 6-7 - with plenty still to play for in the remaining 20 minutes.

Two goals within seconds of each other around the 45 minute mark – scored by Yates and Geraint Evans - put the Raiders comfortably in front again but two quick goals back for Grimsby put Widnes hearts in mouths as a late fightback still looked distinctly possible.

However a shorthanded goal from Captain Lewis rounded off the scoring for the game and the Raiders came away with an important 8-10 victory.

The Raiders remain top of the Pucktop.com Summer Classic league table with 6 points from their opening three games with Geraint Lewis topping the scoring charts with 7+1.

The Riverside Raiders are back at home next Sunday 21^st May when they play the return fixture against Grimsby Stormers at Silver Blades Widnes.  Face off is at 4.30pm and admission is free.