Mixed fortunes defined the latest matchups for the Deeside Dragons in the ice hockey league. The team secured a dominant 5-0 victory against the Nottingham Lions before narrowly falling 5-3 to league leaders Blackburn Hawks. These contrasting results highlight the Dragons’ resilience and competitive spirit.
The Dragons faced the Nottingham Lions at the impressive National Ice Centre, which boasts a capacity of 7,500. Despite this daunting venue, Deeside demonstrated confidence early in the game. Goals from Colin Cromie and Ross Kennedy put the Dragons ahead with a two-goal lead by the end of the first period. Cromie added another goal in the second period, followed by contributions from Ethan Mayoh and top scorer Jake Witkowski to round out the scoring.
In goal, Tyler de la Bertouche and Jace Gledhill split duties, combining for a flawless performance that included a shut-out with just 24 shots faced. Dan Fadejevs received the title of Most Valuable Player for his outstanding contributions throughout the match.
The encounter against Blackburn Hawks presented a different challenge. Deeside entered the game with a short bench, missing several key players. The Hawks struck first, scoring at the 11-minute mark, and held a 1-0 lead at the first intermission. Just seconds into the second period, Blackburn doubled their advantage, but captain Jared Dickinson responded quickly, narrowing the gap moments later.
Blackburn restored their two-goal cushion through a power-play goal on the 28-minute mark, but Deeside’s Matty Barlow fought back, scoring again to make it 3-2. After the Hawks netted their fourth goal shortly before the end of the second period, Deeside found hope when Witkowski scored just 33 seconds into the final frame.
As the game neared its conclusion, Deeside called a timeout with less than two minutes remaining, opting to pull their goaltender for an extra attacker while trailing 4-3. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired, allowing Blackburn to score an empty-net goal and finalize the score at 5-3.
In other league results, Blackburn defeated Widnes 5-1, while Leeds lost to Billingham 8-4. The Dragons’ second team returned to Laidler Division action after a four-week hiatus, achieving a 6-4 victory against Nottingham Lions. The match marked the senior NIHL debut for Thomas Warburton, who has been a standout player in the Dragons’ U19s this season.
The game was tightly contested, as Deeside pulled away late, with goals from Cody Ogden, Charlie Spridgeon, and Rhys Howells, alongside a hat-trick from James Parsons in the third period.
In summary, the Deeside Dragons showcased their potential with a commanding win against Nottingham but faced tough obstacles against Blackburn, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the league. The recent performances reflect both the strengths and challenges the team must navigate as they continue their season.
