Jet Blast 03-01-09

The Warriors sit in third place in the league, eight points behind the leaders Nottingham, but like ourselves, have games in hand.

The teams met 4 weeks ago, when a 22 strong Warriors team was too much for us to handle with just 13 players. We were outshot 34–16, and Warriors won convincingly 6-2.
Again, we had a two man referee system in use…again! And again, offside decisions played a part in frustrating both sides. However, we were beaten fairly & squarely. Six different Whitley scorers illustrated the strength in their squad. We’ll need to be at our very best to get the points tonight.

We come into tonights’ game off the back of two victories. On Sunday 21st December we met strong resistance from Newcastle. An early goal from Flo at 4:45 was the only impression we made in a tight first period. A further Flo goal at 30:11 was immediately answered by two Vipers goals in 2 minutes. 2-2 at the end of the second. A Wile slash was penalised on 57:24, and with just 40 seconds left, a well constructed powerplay was rewarded with the game winning goal. Craig scoring in great style with Ben Milhench grabbing his second assist. Richard Haggar made a welcome (& very impressive) return to the team, also grabbing an assist on the winner.

After the Christmas festivities, we travelled last Sunday to Billingham Bombers for a mid afternoon game. Out of form Bombers were clearly looking to this game to turn their fortune around, having lost ground with the league leaders recently. Adam, Dunny, Maughno & Barney were missing. Jets iced new ‘import’ signing, 19 year old defenceman Patrik Zgibor. Slovakian Patrik joins us from EPL team Sheffield Scimitars.

Bombers scored with a long range shot from Richie Thornton midway through the first, and shots were even at the break. However, a Bomber penalty at the start of the second period led to a well worked powerplay goal on 22:11 as Craig & Sayo assisted Patrik for his debut goal. A period of safe goaltending and some secure puck possession led to us getting a go-ahead second powerplay goal at 28:46, from Cobs. Bombers captain Windridge tied the game at 2:2.

As the third began, Ben Lowe was harshly adjudged a high-sticking minor. The Bombers tried everything, but time after time the Jets cleared their zone to kill off the penalty. This frustrated Bombers, and two minutes later, Ben Milhench scored a beauty after he headed half the length of the ice at breakneck speed to meet an inch-perfect pass from Flo, after good work on this line by Beachy. Yes…Milhench / breakneck speed! Just need to work on the stopping now Ben…he ended up in the boards!

There was no end to the drama, and as the home fans rallied their team for one last push, Bombers rewarded them with a Gibbon goal. 3-3 with ten minutes to play! Two minutes later, Craig grabbed his third assist as Jeffo fired the Jets into a 4-3 lead. After a stunned silence, the Bombers fans appeared to turn on their team (and their website forum has been lively ever since.) Jets added to the frustration with a sensible demonstration of solid puck possession, movement & passing. Nothing risky or cocky, just sensible possession. Bombers pulled the netminder Thurman in favour of an additional forward, but met with Jets forceful face-off strategies and good old ‘icing-the-puck!’

A marvellous road win for us, putting us right in there with a chance of a climb into a play-off spot. The secret here was our self belief and amazing discipline, just two penalty minutes in such a hostile rink.

Everyone played well. Stu stepped up onto a forward line, Karl was solid, and our debutant Patrik was assured and lively. He was fully deserving of his man of the match award. It was good to see how this performance lifted the dressing room, and we need to bring the same level of focus to the rink tonight.

Looking at the remaining games, and our chances of a real strong finish this year…

Billingham play in Blackburn, Newcastle (twice), Sheffield, Whitley and here.
They have home games with Blackburn, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield & Whitley (twice!)
I predict they will finish on 22 points.

Blackburn have to go to Coventry (twice), Whitley (twice), Sheffield & Billingham.
They will host us (twice), Sheffield, Whitley, Coventry & Billingham.
I predict they will finish on 18 points.

Coventry will play in Hull, Blackburn, Sheffield, Nottingham & Whitley.
They host us , Blackburn twice, Newcastle, Sheffield & Whitley.
I predict they will finish on 24 points.

We play in Blackburn (twice), in Whitley, and in Sheffield (a 4-pointer on 17th January at 4.30pm.)
We’ll host Whitley (twice including today), Nottingham (twice), Sheffield, Coventry & Billingham.
I predict we will finish on 23 points.

So, I reckon…

COVENTRY 24 (last play-off spot)
——————————
KINGSTON 23
BILLINGHAM 22
——————————
BLACKBURN 18 (relegation / promotion play-off spot)
==================
NEWCASTLE 10 (max) (relegated)

It will be very tight, and even to achieve safety will take a monumental effort…but that’s what we are about. As Andy constantly reminds the lads, we have a room full of talent. We can, if we use that talent, beat any team in this league. We are looking at a possible play-off finish here!

Enjoy this evenings’ game, and please join us afterwards in The Whittington & Cat.
Mine’s a lager…no sugar!

Cheers!
Slim-Clint.