Finn Ogden was the D2 Dragons' MVP against Nottingham (Photo by Paul Breeze)
Saturday 13th
December 2025 – NIHL Laidler Division: Deeside D2 Dragons 6 –
Nottingham Lions 4
The Deeside D2 Dragons rounded off their fixtures for 2025 with a highly
entertaining 6-4 win over Nottingham Lions at Deeside Leisure Centre on
Saturday.
In keeping with the D2 team’s policy of encouraging new talent, the game
saw senior debuts for Deeside Under 19 players Tom Arrowsmith and Teddy
Sterio-Foster and a place on the bench for Miles Radford as back up netminder.
Deeside had the chance to take the lead on 16 minutes when they were awarded
a penalty shot after a Nottingham defender had frozen the puck in the Lions’
goal mouth during a frantic scramble – but, unfortunately, the resulting shot
was saved.
The Dragons finally opened the scoring with 48 seconds left in the first
period when Charlie Spridgeon fired in a delayed penalty goal punishing a
hi-sticking call.
Nottingham equalised 90 seconds into the second period but Deeside edged
back into the lead with Spridgeon’s second goal of the game on 25 minutes.
Nottingham levelled again on 30 minutes and then took the lead themselves
two minutes later, but the Dragons fought back and goals from James Shaw and
Noah Percival saw them leading 4-3 at the second interval.
Two more goals in the third period – from James Parsons and Cody Ogden –
finally put some daylight between the two teams but Nottingham pulled one back
on 56 minutes to ensure a nervy finish to the game.
As it turned out, there was no more scoring and the Dragons were able to
celebrate their 5th win of the season.
This was the D2 Dragons’ last game of 2025. They have four away games in a row in the new
year – in Sheffield on 4th January, Coventry on 10th, Altrincham
on 11th and Nottingham on 8th February - and they are next at home
on Saturday 14th February when they take on Coventry Blaze at
Deeside Leisure Centre.
*****
D2 Dragons defenceman Cameron Kushnirenko missed the win over Nottingham
after being handed a three game suspension by the governing body’s Department
Of Player Safety.
It came following an incident at the end of the home game against Sheffield
the previous week that involved a number of players and saw Kushnirenko penalised
for physical abuse of officials.
Cameron will also miss the D2 Dragons’ next two games – away to Sheffield
on 4th January and Coventry on 10th January – but he will
be available for selection for the away trip to Altrincham Aces on 11th
January.
