 |
| Islanders' James Pentecost (photo by Richard Davies / Chud Photography) |
From the drop of the first puck this seemed evident as the
Isles controlled the pace of the game. The Jets kept up strong pressure on the
puck throughout the period, but picked up a holding penalty early on and
allowed the Isles power play a chance to line up. It took just 11 seconds for
Nathan Pollard to capitalise on the opportunity and return the Jets to five
skaters. This made little difference as, 36 seconds later, Pollard netted his
second of the night.
The rest of the period continued with an onslaught of
Islanders pressure. Pentecost found Johnston out of position and slotted the
puck into the corner for the Isles third goal and his third point of the night.
Shaun Yardley and Conor Pollard also picked up two assists a piece for their
efforts.
The Islanders started the second period 3-0 up and found
themselves once again struggling to keep the same pace up. In contrast to the
first period, the game slowed down and complacency set in. The Isles registered
just 12 shots - less than half their first period tally. Fortunately, Dale
Jowett was able raise sprits when he chalked up his first goal of the year,
courtesy of an assist from Connor Stokes, a favour Jowett was able to return in
the third period.
The Isles had a chance to make it 5-0 just 5 minutes later,
but had the goal waved off by referee Will Hewitt who blew the whistle quickly
after he lost site of the puck. Unfortunately for the Islanders, the puck was
still uncovered just an inch off the line. They swept it in, but just a split second
too late.
This confusion caused some Islanders heads to go and they
lost all shape. The Jets Rob Johnston found himself free in front of an empty
net as the puck bobbled free and he took the chance to ruin what would have
otherwise been a clean sheet for Dan Lane.
With the second period tied at 1-1 the Islanders had a point
to prove in the third. They upped their game once more and added three more
goals to the scoreline. Stokes finished off Jowett’s set up, Cleves and
N.Pollard linked up to find Yardley back door on the power play and Bavin
combined with line mates Stokes and Jowett to close off the the scoring for the
evening.
The 7-1 victory keeps the streak alive for the Islanders,
but they will have to work on maintaining consistency throughout to challenge
for the league title. Rivals Chelmsford also won at the weekend, but seem a bit
off their game after very narrowly pulling off a come from behind victory over
the London Racers. If the Islanders keep their foot on the pedal it should be a
very exciting end to the season when the two face off twice in March.
The Islanders face Invicta away next weekend, but invite
them back to Peterborough on January 30th
