Overworked Mayhem sledge netminder Darren Pomfrett – photo by @haganovaphoto
Saturday 1st July 2023 – British Para Ice Hockey League: Mayhem 0 – Sheffield Steelkings 16
Sunday 2nd July 2023 – British Para Ice Hockey League: Sheffield SteelStings 6 – Mayhem 0
The Mayhem sledge team endured a goal-less weekend with back to back defeats at the hand of Sheffield based opposition.
The home game on Saturday against the Steelkings was a bit one-sided as the Mayhem were low on numbers and missing several key players, while the Sheffield team had a fully staffed roster to rotate.
The visitors took the lead on 3 minutes, doubled the advantage 2 minutes later and were 0-3 up by the mid way point of the first period.
The Mayhem had their chances as well – but they were outshot 16 to 3 in the first 15 minute period and, by the time the first break came around, the score stood at 0-6 to the Steelkings.
The onslaught continued in the second period with the Mayhem being outshot 19 to 1 and conceding 6 more goals in the process. Lack of numbers meant that the home side got more tired as the game went on, whereas the visitors were able to keep their players fresh with regular line changes.
The third period played out in similar vein with a 14 to 1 shot count and 4 more goals for the visitors, meaning that the Steelkings and their vocal band of travelling fans were able to head back across the Pennines with a comprehensive 0-16 victory.
Mayhem netminder Darren Pomfrett received the MVP award after his hard work in goal, which saw him face an eye watering 48 shots - of which he saved 32.
A similarly depleted Mayhem team made the reverse journey on Sunday to take on Sheffield’s second team, the SteelStings, in the Steel City.
They fared slightly better on this occasion, only losing 6-0 to, again, numerically superior opposition.
The weekend results leave the Mayhem rock bottom of the league table with 6 losses from their 6 games to date and in danger of missing out on the end of season play offs.
They are next in action on Sunday 16th July when they take on the SteelStings at Planet Ice Widnes.