Match Report: Dragons V Lions

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Date: 8th September 2024
Venue: The Den, Deeside Ice Arena
Faceoff: 17:15

Deeside Dragons Edge Nottingham Lions in Thrilling 4-3 Victory

The Aspray Chester Deeside Dragons secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory against the Nottingham Lions in a gripping contest at the Den on Sunday evening. In a game marked by high intensity and dramatic moments, it was the Dragons’ energy and relentless offensive pressure that ultimately saw them through to victory, with young star #75 Jayson Burgess earning the MVP honors.

First Period: A Cagey Start

The match began with a cautious and measured approach from both sides, resulting in a tightly contested first period. Both teams enjoyed spells of possession and created several half-chances, but the goalies – Deeside’s Jace Gledhill and Nottingham’s Luca Sheldon – stood tall, making crucial saves to keep the score level. The opening period ended scoreless, setting the stage for an explosive second period.

Second Period: Dragons Turn Up the Heat

The second period saw the Dragons ramp up their intensity, testing Sheldon time and again. The increased offensive pressure finally paid off at 22:30 when #5 James Parsons opened the scoring with a well-placed shot, assisted by #75 Jayson Burgess. However, Nottingham quickly responded with a goal of their own at 28:34, as #28 Kieran Gibbs finished off a smooth combination play with assists from #74 Luke Birchnall and #11 Jack Crowston.

Unfazed, the Dragons continued to press forward, and at 32:31, #12 Jakub Hájek found the net on the power play with a shot set up by #55 Ross Kennedy and #61 Jared Dickinson. Just a few minutes later, at 35:48, Dickinson added another goal for the Dragons, this time assisted by Kennedy and #13 Matthew Wainwright, giving the home side a two-goal cushion.

Despite conceding three goals, Sheldon remained resilient in the Lions’ net, making a staggering 19 saves in the period to keep his team within striking distance. The Lions managed to pull one back before the period ended, with #74 Luke Birchnall scoring a power-play goal at 38:00, assisted by #90 Scott Venus, bringing the score to 3-2.

Third Period: Lions Fight Back and Dragons’ Decisive Moment

The third period saw the Nottingham Lions frequently deploying a player between the red and blue lines to launch quick breaks. This tactic proved effective, with the Lions creating several scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off with a quick 3-on-2 breakaway, which resulted in a goal by #93 Ales Padelek that leveled the score at 3-3.

The highlight of the match, however, belonged to Deeside’s #75 Jayson Burgess. Burgess, who had already assisted on the Dragons’ opening goal, delivered a moment of brilliance in the final moments to score the game-winning goal. With a brilliant display of creativity and composure, Burgess hooked the puck around the post, surprising the Lions’ defense and securing a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Dragons. His performance earned him the MVP title for the Dragons.

Post-Game Reactions:

Following the match, the Dragons’ General Manager, Shaun Bebbington, praised the team’s resilience and pace. “As expected, the Nottingham Lions put up a good game and showed that they will give teams more problems this season than last. Knowing that the Lions have made some key signings for this season and seeing how well they worked together as a team, it was important for the Dragons to get through this game with a win.”

Statistics Recap:

Final Score: Deeside Dragons 4 – 3 Nottingham Lions
Dragons Goals:
- 1st Goal: #5 James Parsons (22:30) A: #75 Jayson Burgess
- 2nd Goal: #12 Jakub Hájek (32:31) A: #55 Ross Kennedy, #61 Jared Dickinson (Power Play
- 3rd Goal: #61 Jared Dickinson (35:48) A: #55 Ross Kennedy, #13 Matthew Wainwright
- 4th Goal: #75 Jayson Burgess (Game-Winning Goal) A: #61 Jared Dickinson
Lions Goals:
- 1st Goal: #28 Kieran Gibbs (28:34) A: #74 Luke Birchnall, #11 Jack Crowston
- 2nd Goal: #74 Luke Birchnall (38:00) A: #90 Scott Venus (Power Play)
Shots on Goal: Dragons 48 – Lions 29
Goalie Saves:
- Deeside Dragons (Jace Gledhill): P1: 12, P2: 7, P3: 7
- Nottingham Lions (Luca Sheldon): P1: 12, P2: 19, P3: 13

Conclusion:

The Dragons showcased their determination and adaptability, managing to fend off a strong and rejuvenated Nottingham Lions team. With young players like Jayson Burgess stepping up and making their mark, the Dragons can look forward to building on this momentum as the season progresses.

SUNDAY SCORES