Match Report: Connah’s Quay Cobras 6 – Newcastle Predators 7 (PS) – Summer Classic Cup

Connah's Quay Cobras and Newcastle Predators played out a thrilling draw in the Summer Classic Cup (Photo by James New / @snapshotdev)

Sunday 5th May 2024 – Summer Classic Cup: Connah’s Quay Cobras 6 – Newcastle Predators 7 (PS)

The Connah’s Quay Cobras played out a highly entertaining 6-6 draw before losing out in a dramatic penalty shoot out to the Newcastle Predators in the Summer Classic Cup at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The Cobras had been unbeaten in the competition so far and the Predators arrived from the North East with a similar record, so this was always going to be an extremely close game.

The visitors were quickest out of the blocks and opened the scoring just 90 seconds into the game. They were 0-2 up by the time former Deeside Dragons NIHL player Chris Keating found the back of the net for the Cobras but then two more goals late in the period saw the Predators leading 1-4 at the first interval.

A fifth goal in the 24th minute looked to have put the Newcastle team well in control but a second goal from Keating shortly after that and a strike from Martin Rybka on 26 minutes narrowed the deficit.  Despite numerous chances for both teams, the rest of the second period played out goal-less and the score stood at a tantalisingly close 3-5 with 20 minutes left to play.

The Predators scored again early in the third period to make the score 3-6 but the Cobras were far from finished and began to fight back.  A hat-trick goal from Keating just 59 seconds later narrowed the gap and three minutes after that he scored his fourth goal of the game to cut the Newcastle lead down to just 1 goal.

Former Deeside Dragon Chris Keating
scored 4 goals against the Predators
(photo by James New / @snapshotdev) 

The Cobras put the Predators goal under immense pressure in the closing stages  – outshooting them by 15–4 in the period – and they were rewarded with an equalising powerplay goal from Rybka with just 86 seconds left.   Had the game gone on for another 5 minutes, Connah’s Quay might have gone on to snatch a late winner but time ran out and the match finished as a 6-6 draw.

The result was then decided by a tense penalty shoot out, which went the way of the visitors.  That means that the Predators take the two points for the win while the Cobras get one point for an Overtime Loss.

The Cobras are in action again this Saturday 11th May then they take on the Shropshire Huskies in a challenge match at Deeside Leisure Centre, 4.30m face off.

The game will have guests from the charity Conwy Connect, who help promote the rights of people with a learning disability living in North Wales. 

Admission is free for all spectators.