Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 4 - Flintshire Phantoms (Deeside) 7
Period Scores: 1-2, 1-3, 2-2
Penalties in Minutes: Raiders 16 – Phantoms 20
Match Officials: Chris Wells & Simon Anders
MVPs: Raiders - James Kelly / Phantoms - Anthony Hughes
Match Report by Paul Breeze
Photos by Andrew Shutt & Paul Breeze
The Widnes-based Riverside Raiders lost out 4-7 in a highly entertaining local derby clash with the Deeside-based Flintshire Phantoms in the Summer Classic Cup at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.
Because of the comparatively short distance (in ice hockey terms, at least ) and regular interchange of players between the two rinks, games between teams from Widnes and Deeside are always keenly contested affairs and this one was no exception.
The Raiders actually scored first with a Mike Parkin strike after just two minutes of the game and they held the lead until a short handed Phantoms equaliser from Ken Valyear some 6 minutes later.
The game was very even at this stage and looked as if the teams were going to end the first period on level terms but another shorthanded goal for the Phantoms – scored by Ondrej Liebelt in the 19th minute – gave the visitors the lead heading into the first break.
The Phantoms scored again just 2 minutes after the restart through Valyear again to open up a two goal lead but the Raiders pulled a goal back with a Jack Walker strike and the game remained on a knife-edge at the half way point.
With the Raiders pushing forward in an attempt to equalise, they left space open at the back and the Phantoms scored two quick fire goals that edged them further ahead. Strikes from Chris Clarke on 31 minutes and former Raiders player Anthony Hughes on 35 minutes gave the visitors a 2-5 lead at the end of the second period and left the home side with a lot to do in the final 20 minutes.
Hopes of a Raiders recovery were lifted with a goal from Matthew Lennox just 60 seconds into the third period but the Phantoms hit back again with goals from Hughes and Liebelt to lead 3-7 with 15 minutes left to play.
The period played on goal-less until James Kelly pulled a goal back for the Raiders with just 5 minutes left on the clock - but that was the last strike of the game and the match finished 4-7 to the Flintshire Phantoms
The result keeps the Phantoms on top of the Western Conference table with a 100% record of 6 wins from their 6 games, with the Raiders in third place with 1 win from 4.
The Raiders have an away game this Saturday 15th June against the Blackburn Buccaneers - also in the Summer Classic Cup. However, because of refurbishment works being done at the Blackburn rink, the game is being played at the Deeside rink in Queensferry, north Wales, which is, in fact, a lot closer and easier for the Raiders team and supporters to get to. The game faces off at 5pm this Saturday and admission is free.
The Raiders are next at home the following Sunday 23rd June when they take on the Shropshire Huskies in the cup at Planet Ice Widnes. The face off time for that game is 4.30pm and admission is also free.
Full Line Ups and Player Stats:
Riverside Raiders: Alex Hannah, Michael Filek, Rob Melvin (NM 60 mins), James Kelly (1+0), Matthew Lennox (1+0), Howard Hughes, Luke Williams, Ben Donkin, Jeff Chapman-Watson, Jack Walker (1+0), Eemeli Vuorihovi (0+2 2PIM), Daniel Trust, Stephen Harvey, Nicholas Jackson, Jordan Birtwistle, David Priestley (12 PIM), Michael Parkin (1+0 2PIM)
Flintshire Phantoms: Jakob Forster (NM), Chris Gorden (2PIM), Steven Furber, Gareth Jones (2PIM), Brett Hobson, Brian Chalmers, Chris Dallavalle (0+3 10PIM), George Perrett (4PIM), Jason McGee, Andrew Cooke (2PIM), Robin Spencer, Chris Clarke (1+0), Michael Rogers (NM - 60 mins), Oliver Meadows (0+1), Anthony Hughes (2+0), Stirling Steeves, Kenneth Valyear (2+0), Ondrej Liebelt (2+0)