Billingham Bombers 27-9-08

Last Saturday saw the Jets travel to Newcastle for an 11.30 AM face-off! The lads were up for this one and were keen to get their first points on the board against a side which lost 10-0 to arch rivals Whitley Bay in mid-week. The jets fought hard and travelled back with a much deserved 6-4 win. Jeffo was again amongst the goals, in a win which saw 6 different goal scorers.

Sunday saw us back on home ice for the first ENL Cup game of the new season after last seasons semi-final appearance. The boys were really up for this and keen to see a repeat of last season’s quite phenomenal achievement. However, it just wasn’t to be. The boys hustled and hustled and grabbed 4 goals in under 10 minutes late on but it wasn’t enough and the much experienced Barons held on for an 8-6 win.

Other games around the league and cup saw Billingham run out 6-1 victors over Newcastle at The Forum, Nottingham won 4-3 at Blackburn and early title favourites Whitley drew 1-1 with Coventry at Hillheads.

Another interesting result from around the country saw last seasons Cup semi-final opponents Peterborough Islanders lose 6-3 at home to Oxford. The Islanders went all of last year’s regular season undefeated but after 3 games the Southern Champions are still looking for their first win.

This is the first of four meetings with the Bombers this season and if it’s anything like last seasons bouts fasten your seatbelts!

Last season’s home game saw the Bombers arrive in Hull wary of our ‘never say die’ attitude, and this was proved to be right as we came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.

The away game saw just ten skaters make the trip to the Forum, to face a full strength Bombers team in front of a noisy crowd. Period scores of 1-1 & 2-1 saw us enter the last period behind 3-2. And when Ward scored at 46-17 with Craig Elliott in the penalty box, Bombers knew it was too early to start their celebrations. Jeffcock scored 3 minutes later for 4-3. Cooper assisted on a Florence goal at 55-09, and Jets were in with a chance. Bombers pushed hard and when a lucky bounce off Coopers’ stick flashed across the crease, Moutrey was there to skilfully convert the waist high puck to win the game 5-4.

The Bombers supporters were very appreciative of this display from the Jets team which finished the game with just 9 skaters. Anything like that display at full strength tonight will create a real spectacle.

Go Jets!

Clint.

Ps… we’re in Solihull tomorrow night for our second cup game of the season and back here to face Coventry Blaze a week tomorrow. Face-off is at 5pm.