The Deeside Dragons sent a powerful message on the opening night of the 2025–26 season, cruising to a commanding 10–0 victory over the Sheffield Scimitars in front of a subdued home crowd at iceSheffield.
From the moment the puck dropped, the Dragons controlled the pace, dictated the possession, and outclassed their opponents in every department. Calm, structured, and unrelenting, Deeside’s performance was as ruthless as it was composed. They scored three goals in each of the first and third periods, with a four-goal middle frame sandwiched between to complete the rout.
Despite the large rink and flat home atmosphere, a travelling group of over 40 Dragons supporters made their presence felt and were rewarded with one of the most complete performances the team has produced in recent memory.
Daniels Fadejevs opened the scoring just over six minutes in, finishing off a smart pass from Matty Barlow. That early goal set the tone, and Deeside didn’t look back. Barlow and Rhys Edwards followed up with goals of their own before the first interval. In the second period, Jake Witkowski struck twice—one of them a clinical breakaway—while Edwards and Barlow added to their tallies.
📷 Images Credit Paule Mayoh
By the time the third period began, the outcome was all but settled. Fadejevs added his second of the night, Ross Kennedy got on the board, and Witkowski completed his hat-trick with a sharp finish in the closing minutes.
At the other end, Dragons netminder Tyler de la Bertouche turned away all 20 shots he faced, recording a shutout in style. His standout moment came in the second period when, after losing his stick during a scramble in front of goal, he managed two incredible saves in quick succession to preserve the clean sheet. It was a moment that summed up the Dragons’ night—focused, fearless, and unshakeable.
While Deeside stayed composed and clinical, it was a difficult evening for Sheffield. Brief spells of pressure came in the second and third periods—mostly during power play opportunities—but they couldn’t find a way past the Dragons’ defence. As the game wore on, the frustration became evident, with penalty minutes piling up and two players receiving game misconducts.
The Dragons, in contrast, played with complete control. Ethan Mayoh quietly orchestrated play through the middle, notching two assists, while Fadejevs earned plaudits for his relentless energy and two goals. Every player in a Dragons jersey stood up and delivered.
It was a performance of intent from Deeside—disciplined, dominant, and thoroughly professional. They’ll return home on Sunday to face Sheffield once again, this time on their own ice, before travelling to Cardiff next weekend for the opening leg of the Welsh Cup.
If Saturday night is anything to go by, the Dragons are ready to make a serious statement this season.
Match Stats
Final Score:
Sheffield Scimitars 0
Deeside Dragons 10
Period Scores:
1st: 0–3
2nd: 0–4
3rd: 0–3
Goal Scorers:
1st Period:
06:23 – Fadejevs (Barlow)
09:35 – Barlow (Edwards)
11:51 – Edwards (Dickinson, Barlow)
2nd Period:
21:54 – Witkowski (Dickinson, Wainwright)
26:11 – Edwards (Barlow, Mayoh)
28:08 – Barlow (Mayoh)
39:51 – Witkowski (Kennedy)
3rd Period:
45:45 – Fadejevs (Thompson)
49:27 – Kennedy (Witkowski, Cromie)
58:36 – Witkowski (Kennedy, Cromie)
Shots on Goal:
Sheffield – 20
Deeside – 51
Penalty Minutes:
Sheffield – 47
Deeside – 14
