Monday, 11 April 2016

Deeside Dragons Win Laidler Conference Play Off Final At iceSheffield

Photo by Peter Sheffield - www.psd-images.com
The Dragons topped of their league title season over the weekend by making it a double celebration when they won the playoff tournament at iceSheffield.

The top four teams in the league competed for honours over two days of hard hitting hockey

Saturday saw Deeside take on Blackburn Eagles in the first semi final and both teams started slowly and the nerves were showing. The Dragons ran out eventual winners 9-5 to book a place in the final on Sunday against the winners of Nottingham v Widnes.

Widnes dispatched Nottingham in the second semi final to set up a mouthwatering final winner takes all game with two teams that have history of  explosive matches as the last game against these two teams ended up being abandoned due to fighting.

The Dragons took an early two goal lead to settle the nerves and seemed to be dominating the game but Widnes stepped it up a gear and two quick goals levelled the game at the end of the first period.

The Second period was a much closer affair with both teams have lots of shots on goal and both netminders pulled out some brilliant saves to keep the game close but it was the Dragons that took the initiative  and two goal from Adrian Palak  restored Deeside two goal advantage going into the last period.

Widnes came out flying in the last period and seemed to have the upper hand but failed to break the Dragons defence until late in the game when they pulled a goal back to make it 4-3 with three minutes left in the game

Widnes tried everything to level the game and force overtime and the Dragons were under pressure but did not buckle and with a minute left in the game Widnes pulled their netminder to gain an extra attacker to try and level it  but a shot at Deeside goal went wide and it was picked up by Adrian Palak who skated free and scored into an empty Widnes goal to put the game beyond them and the score finished 5-3 to the Dragons to make it a memorable league and cup wining double season.