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Chargers make history with 3rd straight win.
Tonight saw the Chargers take on a new squad of ex Under 19's the Milton Keynes Hurricanes. It was the first meeting of the two teams and both teams looked eager for a win. The Chargers more so as a win would mark a new record in team history of 3 consecutive wins.
The game opened with a minute silence in respect of Remembrance Day, then the puck was dropped and before the Hurricans had time to wake up the Chargers forwards were crashing the goal and pressurising the Defence. It was showing early that this game would be a tight physical game.
With line 2 out James, Mike and Darren were working well and soon broke through the Hurrican's defence for James to shoot home the opener for the night at 04.45. Lines changed players rotated and then play was end to end, with Alex Bradshaw and Tim Royle having their goalie skills tested with attempted Tip ins to Slap shots.
The scoreboard was quiet for 12 minutes till Darren Wakeling powered a slapshot from the red line whistling past the MK Goalie for an unassisted goal, but within a minute James Hollick was celebrating his 2nd of the night with a set play working from Darren Wakeling and Mike Ford.
The Chargers line 3 were out for a shift and it didn't take long for the Hurricane's Shaun Forres to put the pressure on and break the Chargers defence notching a goal at 18.51.
After a quick team talk it was the start of the 2nd, Chargers eager to keep hold of the lead kept the play defensive, but Paul 'Red Bull' Revill wants a gaol tonight and with the help of Ian Watts he scored with only 9 seconds on the clock, firing up the Hurricans no end.
Starting to get annoyed with themselves the penalties and tempers start to rise. But it was James Hollick who found his way through again with a nice pass from linemate Darren Wakeling got his Hat trick of the night.
The Hurricanes were pulling out all the stops to get back into this game within 26 seconds of James's goal it was the visitors Shaun Forres celebrating a 2nd of the night. Puck was being passed through a series of set plays by both teams, using the skills of the experienced players.
It was the Hurricans who got a breakaway down the ice burning the Chargers defence, but with a attempt to stop the player James Hollick received a penalty for throwing his stick and the Hurricans were awarded a Penalty shot. This is the first time in over a year the Chargers had been on the receiving end of a penalty shot and it tested Alex Bradshaw.
A sweet deke by the Hurricane player found a way past Alex's left skate and in, bringing the game to 5-3. The penalty shot was the first conceded in Bradshaw's career and seemed to un-nerve him a little.
The win was insight for the Hurricans and they were now fired up good and proper for a win. Both teams were racking up penalties as the new 'zero tolerance' ruling kicks in.
Now into the 3rd period and it was tense on both benches and neither coach wanted a loss. Players were tired and double shifts were needed as Chargers Defenceman Jenny Malyon was forced to retire from the game early in the 3rd after a clean hit. Minutes into the period Mk Hurricans had the red mist and 2 goals were scored on the chargers in 2 minutes coming from Gary Wilkins and Daniel Steadman.
The win was looking good for the Hurricanes and with frustration setting in on the Chargers bench penalties were coming thick and fast, With both Richard Webber and Andrew Malyon in the bin the Hurricanes took advantage of the play and took the lead at 48.49.
The scoreboard was counting down and the Chargers were rotating players and trying all different set plays to try and break down the Hurricanes defence to tie the game. This came at 55.39 from James Hollick being assisted by Paul Revill the Chargers bench exploded as the chance was back of the win.
The atmosphere was so tense on both benches and the players were watching the seconds tick down on the scoreboard, neither team was going to let this be a tied game.
It was James Hollick's pass to Paul Revill that set Darren Wakeling up to get the game winning goal at 57.37, to the cheers of the Chargers bench. But the game wasn't over and the Hurricans kept the pressure on till the dying seconds of the game. End Score 7-6 and a well fought game.
Top points scorers of the game
Chargers - J.Hollick 4+1, D.Wakeling 2+3.
Hurricanes - S.Forres 3+0, G.Wilkins 2+0.
Top penalty points
Chargers - R.Webber 2 mins, D.Wakeling 2 mins, A.Malyon 2 mins.
Hurricanes - A.Percival 8 mins
Man of the match
Chargers - Alex Bradshaw
Hurricanes - A.Percival
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