On a brisk evening at Deeside Ice Arena, the Deeside Dragons exacted sweet revenge against the Blackburn Hawks, overcoming an early season loss with a decisive 5-3 win. The game was a showcase of resilience and strategic prowess, marked by several key moments that thrilled the attending fans.
First Period: The game started with both teams displaying strong, aggressive play, but it was the Dragons who managed to seize the early advantage. Jake Witkowski, demonstrating his scoring acumen, rocketed a shot past the Hawks’ goalkeeper in the 10th minute to electrify the home crowd. The response from the Hawks was swift, with their #96 slipping a puck past Dragons’ netminder Matt Croyle just four minutes later, restoring parity. The period ended 1-1, but not without its controversies. Both Jake Witkowski and the Hawks’ #96 were ejected from the game after a contentious play, leaving both teams down a key player.
Second Period: Despite the absence of key players, the Dragons showcased their depth and tactical intelligence. ‘Snipper’ stepped up, finding the net twice (31st and 34th minutes) to push Deeside ahead 3-1. The team’s offensive dominance was evident as they outshot the Hawks 19-8 during the period, demonstrating their determination and focus.
Third Period: The final period began with the Hawks mounting a comeback, quickly scoring two goals to level the score at 3-3 within the first three minutes. Amidst the excitement, Hawks fans began mimicking the Dragons’ goal celebration song, “Whoomp! There It Is,” after equalizing. However, their jubilation was short-lived. Alex Parry and Will Harper quickly responded with goals in the 52nd and 54th minutes, triggering Deeside’s own celebratory song and reminding everyone that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—but it’s always sweeter when your idols are the ones celebrating.
Looking Ahead: The Dragons’ victory sets a positive tone as they prepare for their next outing against the Solihull Barons on the 20th of October. Fans can look forward to traveling with the team, with travel and ticket information available on DragonsIHC.com/Merch. The team will be back to defend their home ice on the 27th of October against the Whitley Warriors, promising another intense matchup at the Den.
