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Ducks MVP Jace Gledhill (Photo by Maxine Roscoe)
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Sunday 16th February 2025 – NIHL Laidler Division: Deeside Ducks 1 – Coventry Blaze 0
The
Deeside Ducks picked up their second win in a row with a close and hard-fought
1-0 victory over Coventry NIHL Blaze at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday.
Following
on from last week’s win over Nottingham and having only lost out by a single goal
to Coventry on the Blaze’s previous visit, the Ducks were especially keyed up for
this game, knowing that a win would maintain their mathematical chance of qualifying
for the end of season play offs.
The
early stages of the game were littered with niggly penalties for both sides and,
despite numerous chances at both ends, the first period played out goal-less.
The
second period was also goal-less as the Ducks battled hard against the team 6 places
- and 36 points - above them in the league table, and the score stood at a
tantalisingly balanced 0-0 heading into the final 20 minutes.
The
breakthrough finally came on 52.45 when former Dragons player Andrew Chappell
fired in the only goal of the game, assisted by Dalton Thompson.
Despite
late pressure from Coventry, the solid Ducks defence held out to secure the win
– backed up by a superb overall display from netminder Jace Gledhill, who
registered a 40 shot shut-out and was deservedly named MVP for Deeside.
The
Ducks now have a game-free weekend and are next in action on Saturday 1st
March when they take on Billingham Buccaneers at Deeside Leisure Centre, 5pm
face off.
