Match Report: Connah's Quay Cobras 8 - Birmingham Rockets 7 (PS) - Challenge Match

Emma Dutton was the Cobras'
MVP against Birmingham 
(Photo by Beth Jones)

Sunday 15th February 2026 – Challenge Match: Connah’s Quay Cobras 8 – Birmingham Rockets 7 (PS)

The Connah’s Quay Cobras played out a closely fought and highly entertaining challenge match against the Birmingham Rockets at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday, finishing all square at 7-7 before going on to win on penalty shots .

The start was delayed after a panel of plexi glass got broken during the warm up and had to be replaced, but once the game finally got underway, it was quite eventful.

In the very first minute, the referee signalled a delayed penalty call and – in some confusion - both teams thought that the call was in their favour.

Both netminders rushed off the ice in favour of an extra attacker, leaving both goals undefended  and the Cobras – who were, in fact, the beneficiaries of the decision - managed to take an early lead as Ken Valyear fired in the empty net goal.

The rest of the game played out in a more regular fashion and it remained goal-less until the 16th minute when Birmingham equalised.  The Cobras retook the lead just 50 seconds later with a goal from Mike Filek but the Rockets equalised again with 48 seconds left in the period to leave the game standing at 2-2 at the first period break.

The second period continued in similar vein as Filek put the Cobras ahead again on 24 minutes, with Birmingham levelling again 2 minutes later.

Martin Solicny edged Connah’s Quay ahead once more on 30 minutes and the Rockets countered again 5 minutes after that.   Just as it looked as if the sides would remain level at the second interval, Stolicny scored again with 36 seconds left on the clock to give the Cobras a narrow 5-4 lead with one period left to play.

Birmingham were quickest out of the blocks for the third period and two quick goals within 90 seconds of each other put them in the lead for the first time in the game. 

Sam Plant equalised for the Cobras on 51 minutes but the Rockets edged ahead again just 49 seconds after that.

A Slava Sykora goal on 55 minute drew Connah’s Quay level once more to set up a nail-biting last 5 minutes.

With no more scoring in the game, it had to be decided by a penalty shoot out and Mike Jones secured the victory for the Cobras with the winning shot.

The MVPs for the game went to Tom Hooper for Birmingham Rockets and Emma Dutton for Connah’s Quay Cobras.