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Photo: Pitbulls' Tom Asprey receives the
South 2 Play Off Trophy at Slough
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The two-legged playoff final took place on the weekend of 25th/26th
April 2015 and saw the winners of the league’s western and eastern conferences
meet for the first time this season. After a difficult start to the season,
Bristol went into the weekend unbeaten in all competitions since the New Year,
while Slough had only lost once all season and had already claimed the NIHL
South Division 2 Cup title in March.
Bristol won the first leg 4-0 in their nominated home venue of Swindon
due to the absence of an ice rink in their own city. After an early goal by
Olly Shone in the second minute, a strong defensive performance saw Bristol
absorb heavy pressure by Slough throughout the second period. Man of the Match,
Bristol netminder John Dibble saved all 47 shots to record his fourth shut-out
of the season and keep Bristol in contention before third period goals by
Jordan Smith and two from Steve Osman gave Bristol a commanding lead going into
the second leg. Player/coach, Rich Hargreaves's assist on Osman’s first goal
made him only the first player in team history to record 200 assists.
The following night in Slough Ice Arena, Slough finally scored past
John Dibble in the sixth minute as they maintained long periods of sustained
pressure in the Bristol zone. However, a goal from Rich Hargreaves, making him
the first player to score 300 points for the club, and one from Jordan Smith
put Bristol back in control. Jordan Smith scored again in the second before
Mike Hargreaves and Tom Egerton made the tie safe in the third period. Slough,
desperate to at least win the game if not the title, were able to hit Bristol
with two late goals but found themselves unable to avoid a 5-4 defeat on the
night.
Bristol’s coach Rich Hargreaves said: “I’m very proud of what this club
has achieved through our tough times. We stuck together and we came to battle
both days. I think that the emotion from the fans and players said it all. I
couldn’t ask for a better a bunch of guys."
Report by Graham Goodman, Bristol Pitbulls
Media Officer
Photo by Flyfifer Photography. www.flyfifer.co.uk
