The Aspray Chester Deeside Dragons lost for the first time since September this weekend, falling 9-3 to local rivals the Blackburn Hawks.
RETURNING FACES
The Dragons were thrilled to welcome their Captain, James Parsons, back to the ice after a lengthy absence from an injury in the second game of the season. They also welcomed back Marc Lovell, who was absent last weekend when the Dragons faced Hull at home.
THE OPPONENTS
The Dragons knew going in this was going to be a tough fight, Blackburn has been in good form recently and has a strong roster. Going into the game, they had a record of 7-5-0 on the season.
THE GAME
It didn’t start as well as the Dragons wanted it to, as they conceded a goal on the first shot of the game from Hawks star player, Jacob Lutwyche. Another goal quickly followed, and at the end of the first period, the Dragons were down 3-0 on the back of a shorthanded goal, Lutwyche’s second of the game. Ross Kennedy finally broke the Hawks goalie in the second period, scoring from a goalmouth scramble, but the Hawks made it 4-1 five minutes later, restoring their three goal lead.
Jakub Hajek cut the deficit to 4-2 on a breakaway for his first goal as a Dragon, but the Dragons’ woes continued as they surrendered a power play goal less than a minute into the third period to make it 5-2. The Hawks would add two more goals to make it 7-2, whereupon goaltender Matt Croyle was replaced by Oliver Booth.
The Hawks added two more goals in the final 12 minutes, with Andy McKinney scoring to make it a 9-3 final.
Despite conceding, the penalty kill continues to be very strong for the Dragons, though going 0 for 7 on the power play was notable in the game.
MVP for the Dragons was Cade King, making his return to Blackburn for the first time since signing with the Dragons this summer.
NEXT UP
The Dragons return to action next weekend with an away game vs the Sheffield Scimitars, and a home game against the Blackburn Hawks, where they’ll try to get revenge for this weekend’s loss. Coach tickets for Sheffield and game tickets for Sunday’s home game are now on sale!
