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Rockets Important Win
6th Nov, 2007
Game with Sheffield Rapiers - Sheffield Ice
Sunday 04.11.07 FO 13.45 - 3x 15 minute Periods
The Rockets were full of confidence after outshooting Whitley Bay Tomahawks
two weeks ago.
Winning 8 -3 for the return game gives the Rockets 3 points from 2 games in
the race to the top with Nottingham and Sheffield.
Games played so far are already setting the scene for an exciting finish at
the end of April.
The Rockets travel up the M1 to visit the Sheffield Rapiers at Sheffield
Ice. This game they have to win to stand any chance of make the end of season
National play offs.
Nottingham has already laid down the gauntlet winning 4 games from 4
without conceding a goal.
The Rockets came out will both barrels blazing determined to hit the Rapiers
with an early goal.
The first shift penetrated deep into the Rapiers defence zone. A quick line
change after 60 seconds left the Rapiers flat footed and Andrew Whitehouse raced to the net and roofed the puck to make it one nil.
What a great start for the Rockets . It seamed to surprise the home team
and their officials on the bench - Something Sheffield are not used to!
The period continued with the Rapiers determined to make that equaliser. The
Rockets Defence were under pressure from repeated attacks and took a high stick call at 10.21. After 12 seconds into the power play the Rapiers scored their first goal - game on !!!
The Rockets team confidence was never dented and a great solo effort by Luke
Brittle within 7 seconds of the puck being dropped, put the Rockets back into the lead, ending the first period 2-1.
With the Rockets skating hard they had everything going their way until an interference call on the Rockets put them down to four players. Inevitably the Rapiers capitalised and scored a power play goal 54 second into the Rockets 2 minute penalty kill making it 2 all.
The Rockets would not lie down and after only 10 second from the whistle
Luke Brittle made it 3-2.
The Rapiers heads went down and the game was almost over. Another great goal
scored by Paul Rigby assisted by Luke Brittle and Mike Steventon ended the second period 4-2 to the Rockets.
The Rockets could now see light at the end of tunnel to make a memorable win
against one of the strongest teams in this division.
Not to disappoint Luke Brittle made his hat trick assisted by Mike Steventon after only 18 second from the start on the final period.
The Rockets now buckled down to some hard defensive play to see the game
out. Sheffield made a last great effort at 42.51 to make the score 5-3 In desperation the Rapiers pulled their goalie at 44.02 but to no avail
they could not make any difference to the outcome of the game.
A great win for the Rockets.
Next game - Manchester Phoenix at Telford - FO 15.15
Game Result Sheffield 3 Telford 5
Shots on goal Sheffield 14 Telford 30
Points
Luke Brittle 3 + 1
Andrew Whitehouse 1 + 0
Paul Rigby 1 + 0
Mike Steventon 0 + 2
SOG Dan Schutte
