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Blackburn 3 Shadows 3 22nd Jan 2012

After the last three games had ended with controversial and unexplained defeats, it was back on the road for Shadows and a trip to the home of the Black Bear Norks.

The sight of snow on the big hill over Woodhead justified my choice of several top layers, a big daft hat and thermal trousers. I just knew there’d be monkeys looking for welders outside the rink and I wasn’t wrong!

If that wasn’t bad enough, the news that the bus had sprung a radiator leak on the way over just topped things off. At least it gave Hank an excuse to keep leaving the rink for a warm!

The Shadows had gone to town on Blackburn in the home fixture, netting 17 against their stand-in netminder. It wouldn’t be the same story this time with Beatrice Fletcher back between the pipes!

The teams came out to ‘Set fire to the rain’, I wanted to set fire to something closer to my feet just to get some warmth back in them.

The first period was goalless but just how was beyond belief. Three times, Shadows players, Donna Chambers, Lauren Scruby and Hazel Wilson were clean through on goal, each one hauled back by Blackburn players without a penalty called until the third effort.

Now, you know Hank, I’m hyper-critical when it comes to poor refereeing, but only when it’s justified. There are refs I can get on with, and others who give badness a bad name. This guy had set his stall out early and it was going to be one of those days, I could tell.

Shadows PP line again showed their strength and created three good chances all denied by some outstanding work by the netminder. Blackburn appeared far better organized than the last time these two met, but Shadows, for me, just edged the period.

The ice cut left Blackburn arena looking more like Ponds Forge. Just why the ref allowed the game to start with it in that state amazes me. The puck just wouldn’t slide and the only way to get it forward was in the air. Unfortunately for Blackburn, the first time they did it, the puck flew over the boards into the penalty bench and they were rewarded with a delaying penalty.

The PP were limited to only two shots, mainly due to the puck getting caught up in the shallow end, and Blackburn returned to 5 skaters before taking the lead against the run of play. Potter was beaten at the five hole and Hank wondered if, after the last couple of games, the heads might drop.

Nothing could be further from reality. Shadows took the game by the scruff of the neck and the equalizer from Lauren Scruby was a goal of pure class, picking up the puck in the neutral zone and beating both defenders before cutting inside and planting it high with the back-hand.

A  minute later, Hazel Wilson equaled the feat with another quality goal. A superb pass from Emma Allender set Hazel on a run and she finished the job with a shot to the five-hole.

Another great chance went begging thanks to the whistle-happy ref. Steph Barker was away but called back for a dubious slashing call. Pity he hadn’t spotted the blatant trip on Steph just moments earlier. The PK line was again outstanding, outshooting Blackburn 2-0.

Lucy Lickman was then the recipient of a two-footed challenge that Balotelli would have been proud of. Any ref worth his salt would have punished it accordingly, but not Mr McKenzie.

A 5 on 3 penalty followed with Lucy binned for slashing and Emma Brown following for high sticks. Once again the PK held firm, with only 3 shots against.

PK tuned to PP and Hazel Wilson and Lauren Scruby both went close to increasing the lead for Shadows. The PP carried on into the third period.

Shadows kept Blackburn pinned in their own end but just couldn’t find a way past Fletcher. Potter was standing firm on the rare occasions she was troubled and the whole Shadows team seemed to have stepped up a gear after taking the lead.

They just needed that one bit of quality to put this game to bed, and it wasn’t long coming. Another spell of pressure followed and when Kirsten Grimes tried a long-range effort, Hazel Wilson picked up the puck behind the goal and fired in off the netminder for 1-3.

Emma Allender went close after a mazy run from the red line and deserved better for her efforts. It was back to Ponds Forge shortly after, but to the other pool. Katie Firth took a penalty for tripping, the ref conned by a dive worthy of an Olympic gold and the play-acting which followed deserved an Oscar nomination.

Once again the PK line showed what they’re made of and Potter only had one shot to save, but save she did when Blackburn should have scored from close-range.

Potter was beaten however a short time later, a low shot somehow squirming past for 2-3.

Lauren Scruby was the next to the bin, this time for a body check and the Sheffield following, (both of us), wondered whether the ref was going for a full house of calls, one of each against Shadows.

The single shot of the Blackburn PP was ably dealt with by Potter, but as the penalty ran out, Blackburn equalized quite unbelievably.  Somehow their forward found herself with acres of space and time to pick her spot for 3-3 with five minutes on the clock.

It was going to be an interesting five minutes one thought, and one wasn’t disappointed with that prediction. What was disappointing, but not unexpected, was the final chapter in the woeful standards of the ref.

It started when Emma Brown was called for holding, when it was quite clear she had her stick held. It became 5 on 3 against Shadows again when Katie Firth was called for body checking. Then the final disgrace; after a melee in front of Potters’ goal, Stacey Hutchinson skated off with a cut lip, the result of a stick to the face. The result, a bench minor for misconduct as the bench, (and the Shadows Massive), let rip at the ref.

An excellent PK by Sheffield denied any scoring chances to Blackburn and Sheffield returned to 5 on 5 for a full 30 seconds before the ref decided it should be 5 on 4. He then denied Sheffield a chance after the puck was again lifted over the boards by Blackburn. How can it be delaying in the second period but not in the third was the question put to him, (though not quite in those terms).

It was even handed play for the last 46 seconds and Shadows threw everything at Blackburn in search of a deserved win, but it wasn’t to be.

Blackburn will have been far more satisfied with the 3-3 score line that Shadows were, and it was with heavy hearts that the girls skated off, knowing they’d been robbed of a victory.

Little did they know what was to follow as they opened the dressing room door to find their kit bags strewn over the floor, clothing and kit damaged, and money stolen from jackets.  A crap end to a crap day. At least the bus radiator held out on the long journey home.

‘til next time

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Telford 10 Shadows 7 15th Jan 2012

The return fixture against Telford was a chance for Shadows to avenge the close defeat on home ice just seven days earlier.

Hank couldn’t travel for this, so he’s having to rely on the game sheet, and the comments of team members to write this.

Just what went wrong is beyond comprehension.

Shadows usual strong start just wasn’t evident. Telford put out a much stronger team that they had for the trip to Sheffield, but Shadows should have been able to handle that.

A goal down after just 10 seconds isn’t our usual way of doing things, and to go 2 down within 2 minutes was something of a bombshell. Hazel Wilson halved the deficit on 2:49 but things went from bad to worse in the next 14 minutes as Shadows conceded another 5, including a PP and a short-handed as even the normally solid specialist lines capitulated. Emma Brown pulled it back to 7-2 just before the break, with what I’m told was a “sick” goal; (whatever that means!)

I’m told there was a certain amount of discord on the bench, and I’m not going to say anything about that, as I wasn’t there to witness it. It was clear however, that must have had a bad effect upon the performance.

The second was a much closer affair with both teams adding a further two goals, Shadow’s coming from Steph Barker and a second for Hazel. The damage had been done though and the scoreboard showing 9-4 can’t have done much for confidence going into the third.

Three more Shadows goals followed as they tried to reduce the gap in the time they had left, Lauren Scruby grabbed two of them, either side of Hazel’s hat-trick effort, and 9-7 looked a lot better, but still just a bit too much to pull back.

Telford grabbed a late one to leave the final score 10-7 and a huge disappointment for Shadows.

Hopefully, lessons have been learned. The atmosphere wasn’t right, the attitude amongst some was obviously wrong, and the team spirit had deserted the camp for a while.

The end result though was another two points dropped, a bitter blow for Shadows.

Let’s hope things are different at Blackburn, another chance to get back on track.

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Shadows 3 v Telford 4  14th Jan 2012

After the pantomime that was the away game at Kingston, it was back home for Shadows, and a cracker of a fixture against Telford.

Hank was again on the mic for this one and has no game sheet to work from, hence the shortened report.

The two teams were evenly matched and this was going to be a close one, that much was evident from the start. Ol’ Hank’s biggest disappointment was the appearance of the same ref who had spoiled the Kingston game, (but enough about that). Just a pity for him that he didn’t realise just who he was talking to, when making critical remarks about Shadows players before the face-off. Hope he can take some back ‘cos he’ll have to when THAT match report makes the web page!!!!!

It was end to end stuff in this one though with both teams going all-out for the points. I can’t give any details about the scorers as I don’t have them to hand, but it ended 4-3 in the visitors’ favour.

Credit to Telford, they came with a game plan and it worked for them. The result though was a blow to Shadows league position and was another two points lost in the chase for the top spot. Maybe, just maybe things would be different after the return fixture next week.

‘til then

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Div 1 Kingston v Shadows 8 Jan 2012

The return fixture of the opening game, which had seen Shadows triumph 9-2 over the Diamonds at Ice Sheffield.

The festive season may be over, and we all know about Kingston having to cancel the Nativity when they couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin, but Pantomime season is still in full swing with two villains complete with stripey shirts to entertain us!

Now, regular readers of my columns will know I’ve had gripes with referees and rinks in the past; so much so that Ol’ Hank is still not welcomed in several rinks for some reason. Let’s add Kingston to that list shall we?

I didn’t think I’d ever see such incompetent standards again, (that is until I saw Chris Foy’s efforts in the Manchester Derby FA Cup match that night).

If it wasn’t bad enough that Kingston had decided to avenge the defeat in early season by playing an inordinate amount of GB and Premier players in their squad, we had to contend with two extra goons on the ice.

Shadows went into the game as league leaders but Kingston had a game in hand and were just 2 points behind, after an even start, Diamonds took the lead on 2:53.

Some hesitancy in the Shadows defence as they failed to clear the zone and Beth Davis punished them with the opener.

Shadows were not too put out by this and continued to hold Diamonds and create several good chances of their own before the Clowns were sent in and the penalties started. Donna Chambers was the first to be binned for a tripping call after a Diamonds attacker fell over quite close by, and the PK line were called into action for the first of many shifts. The PK saw 3 icing calls against Kingston and Shadows have two good chances through Emma Allender and Lauren Scruby. The highlight of the session was seeing Goon number one fall to his backside at a face-off. As the penalty finally ran down Millie Hooper pinged a shot off Potter’s right post when she should have done much better.

Back at full strength Shadows dominated for a good spell and again, might have had five or six, but for the efforts of Charlotte Cook in the Kinston cage. Kingston weathered the storm though and Shadows were called on to defend as the period closed. At the death, Lauren Scruby was sent away in centre ice and a clear run at the netminder was halted by the buzzer.

The second started with a right old scramble in front of both nets as both teams came out strongly. 4;08 into the period, and against the run of play, Kingston doubled their lead with a goal from Hannah Glen. A high, looping deflected puck fell to her stick and she squeezed it past Potter for 2-0.

A great forward surge from Hazel Wilson pulled an equally good save from Cook as Shadows pressed for a goal. Shadows were working well together and some strong defending coupled with effective attack deserved better.

A defining point in the period came on 23:58 when Lauren Scruby was called 2+10 for a check from behind. Another crazy decision from the goons, as the Kingston player actually turned her back as she attempted a check and bounced off, hitting the deck.

Lauren accepted the penalty with surprising good grace, but was as amazed as anyone else (with the exception of those from Kingston), that two Diamonds were not binned too; Surely it wasn’t only us that saw Nicole Jackson go face to face (instigation), and Natalie Davies throw a punch, right in front of the stripey!

Apparently it was only us, and again, the PK line were called on. The penalty kill is becoming something of a strong point in Shadows game and once again, Kingston didn’t get a shot in for the whole penalty. However the third goal wasn’t long coming, with the help of two of Kingston’s better players. Natalie Davies did the prep for Nicole Jackson to slide the puck into an unguarded net for 3-0

With less than a minute to play, Kingston made it 4-0 after good work behind the net led to a pass out front and Sarah Hutchinson was on hand to fire home.

The game had by now become a bit chippy with several personal battles playing out, but the best from the goon show was yet to come.

Shadows started the third much stronger and created several goal scoring chances. Kingston were forced to put the big guns out again to stem the flow of pressure and break up the Shadows dominance. Becky Meekel stopped Nat Davies in her tracks with a timely poke check and then Emma Allender was called for slashing, relieving the pressure on the beleaguered Kingston defence.  Another fantastic penalty kill for Shadows without a shot on goal for Potter to face, was followed by the most farcical penalty call of the afternoon, and possibly ever in the history of hockey as we know it.

Emma Allender had just skated back on when she collided with one of her own players in centre ice. Not even the Kingston faithful could fathom just how the goon considered it a slashing call against the Sheffield player, but he did, and Shadows were back on the PK. A shocking decision from a shocking pair of goons is about as polite as I can put it.

This time the Shadows PK went one better and out-shot Kingston, just where was the goal coming from though?

The answer came on 39:16 following some superb build-up work down the wings. Lucy Lickman and George Farman linked well and when the puck fell to Lauren Scruby, she picked out the stick of Emma Johnson. The puck seemed to take an eternity to cross the line, but it was nothing less than Shadows deserved.

Hazel Wilson was next to be called for a dubious tripping call, just as Sheffield had the bit between their teeth. The penalty just about ended any hope of Shadows mounting a come-back. Amazingly though, Kingston did find a player in the penalty bench after Nicole Jackson was finally called for slashing. Such was the confidence of the Kingston set-up that they wouldn’t have a penalty called, they had no one in the home penalty box to open the door!!!

The game fizzled out and the 4-1 score line will have pleased the home team as much as it angered and frustrated Shadows players and officials. Best draw a line under this one and prepare for the next few games, which now take on even more significance after being robbed of the points in this one.

Until next time

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Div 1  Billingham 6 v Shadows 7

The final road trip, indeed final game of 2011 for Div 1 and what was going to be a physical encounter as it always is against a strong Billingham team.

The two teams will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season as they are, in my opinion a bit like a netminders ears…….by that I mean there’s very little between them!

A chance for Shadows to cement there position at the top of the league ready for the Xmas and New Year break.

Again, Shadows needed to be off to a flying start, we’d scored within the first two minutes against Blackburn and Whitley, with the first going in in the Whitley game after an amazing 10 seconds.

Shadows didn’t disappoint on that level and were ahead after just 6 seconds, Hazel Wilson powering forward from the face-off to fire beneath the stand-in net minder Hammond.

If that wasn’t enough of a body blow for Billingham, they still hadn’t touched the puck when Shadows went 2 up after just 22 seconds! From the face off the puck fell to the stick of Steph Barker. Her pass sent Hazel off again and she placed the puck beyond the helpless minder.

It was a cracking start, and just what Shadows needed after a long, Xmas-themed journey up north. (I’m glad to report that player-coach Farman decided to leave her inappropriate headgear on the bus with the left-over pizza. I do however have photographic evidence of said headgear, and the negatives, so any offer of cash will be accepted to either show it or not!).

Sheffield had PP opportunities in the first as Billingham set their stall out for a feisty affair, but they went further ahead short-handed on 5:03 after Katie Firth had been sin-binned for a trip. Kirsten Grimes and Emma Brown were involved with assists on the goal, scored by Georgina Farman.

So three up inside five and a half minutes, and it was all going so well; just what happened next will take some explaining, as within a five minute spell the deficit was overturned!

At 8;02 the very impressive Hannah Maurice was sent on a run by Jenny Mehir and fired the puck home off both posts for 1-3. 12:32 saw an unassisted goal for Steph Box as the puck went straight through Potter in the Shadows net for 2-3.

The turn around was complete on 13:49 as Rachel Stockdale, picked up a fortunate rebound that appeared to have come off Potters’ helmet for an unassisted equalizer.

Farman’s second, a PP goal for Shadows (16:31), put the visitors back in front before the break with further assist recorded for Hazel Wilson and Steph Barker, but it was all square again within seconds, Box turning provider for Amy Campbell from close range.

A frantic first period finished 4-4,  but just how, I’ll never know.

The second was another close affair, with Shadows just edging it.

Georgina Farman completed a straight hat-trick on 27:53 to put Shadows ahead again, but Billingham took advantage of the PP, called against Lucy Lickman for tripping, to equalise on31:43.

Shadows again took the lead in this ding-dong game on 34:59 when Hazel Wilson completed her hat-trick, firing home after a good run. Assists went to Steph Barker and Emma Allender.

The second finished 6-5 in Shadows favour, and it really was anyone’s game going into the third.

Just 27 seconds from the face-off it was 6-6 and squeaky bum time again. Fiona Hennessy was lucky to be still on the ice after a body check on Lauren Scruby in the opening period had been called as interference. It was Hennessy however, who tied it up after a pass from Samantha Emmerson had caught Shadows off-guard from the face off.

It was all hands on deck for both teams now and they both went hell for leather to get the winner. An injury to Emma Allender following a heavy check into the boards caused some concern for Shadows and the lines were temporarily shuffled as she received treatment.

It really was end to end stuff and Sheffield were handed a lifeline on 49:06 when Maurice did herself and her team no favours by taking a 10 minute misconduct penalty for a bit of un-Christmassy chat with the ref.

Shadows edged ahead again on 55:18 when Hazel Wilson grabbed her fourth and Sheffield’s 7th, the assists going to Lucy Lickman and Katie Firth.

Billingham threw everything at Sheffield in the closing stages, but just didn’t have that bit a quality until Maurice returned to the ice with 35 seconds left. She was closest to getting the draw, but was denied by Potter at the death.

The relief was evident for all to see as far as Shadows were concerned as the hooter signaled the end of one of the better games I’ve seen in a few years. But two points is two points, however we get them in the end.

So, Shadows go into the year-end break sitting on top of the pile, albeit Hull having a game in hand on them. A cracking end to the year, and plenty to look forward to in 2012.

Merry Xmas!

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Div 1 Shadows v Blackburn

The final result of 17-1 tells the tale of the game, total domination by shadows from the first face-off.

Hank was on the sides for this one, providing the entertainment off-ice, (mixing it well as Steph said, whatever that means).

I didn’t have the luxury of a game sheet to work from for this report, but quite frankly it didn’t need one.

Just how Blackburn managed the one is beyond comprehension. But at least they turned up and gave it a go, you can’t fault a team for that. Should the season go down to goal difference, games like this will prove crucial.

(As this goes to print, Sheffield top the league by two points, but Kingston have a game in hand; that opening fixture win against Kingston might well prove to be the result of the season.

GD shows Shadows scored 40 conceded 9 with Kingston scored 40 and conceded 15.

See what I mean about goal difference?)

The great pity was that this was by no means a spectacle to watch, and Shadows can count themselves unlucky not to have scored more. Maybe after the first two periods, Shadows could be accused of taking the foot off the gas somewhat, let’s just hope it doesn’t come back to bite us on the bum later!

The lines seemed to work very well and are now settling down to working well with each other, which is good to see.

Draw a line under this one and bring on two difficult away fixtures!

Hank

Look out for the next match report

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Div One News 19 Nov 2011

Whitley bay Squaws v Shadows

Game three for the Div One girls and a road trip to boot, it just HAD to be Whitley didn?t it?

Not my favourite rink by any means, but then again, not the worst in the league,(Blackburn and Bradford take note, Hank?s on the way!) An early start for the trip and time to watch the girls warming up didn?t help the fact that Icouldn?t get warm wherever I went.

Problems were evident early on inside the rink with heavy condensation on the inside of the plexi preventing any view of the ice surface,(who?d be a goal judge?). From my vantage point up high in the stands so I could see over the plexi, it was difficult tosee the ice markings too, (who?d be a stripey?).

A strong line up for the hosts suggested it would be a tough game for Shadows and they?d need to be up for this from the first puckdrop and what a start it was for Shadows. Hazel Wilson won the face off, took two paces forward and pinged one off the keepers? left post, Emma Allender was at the other postand lit the lamp for 0-1 before Whitley had touched the puck!

That set the tone for the remainder of the game and it was end-to end stuff from that point.3:21 in and it was all square after Ashleigh Holland squeezed the puck past Potter. This was gonna be a close one. Shadows deservedly took the lead again on 4:41 with a goal of pure quality from HazelWilson, Picking the puck up mid-ice, she weaved through the Squaws defence andplanted it beyond a helpless netminder for 1-2.

The away support were outnumbered by a ratio of 92:4; (by that I mean there were 23 ofthem and me!!!).

Back came Whitley and on 6:15 it was 2-2 with a role reversal goal, Ashleigh Holland found Kate Ord in space and despite Potters best efforts, the black biscuit hit the onion bag 2 Minutes later the visitors fell behind to a contraversial goal here was more than a hint of offside as Claire Milburn crossed the blue line but she played on and fired home for a 3-2 lead. Relentless pressure from Shadows deserved reward and it came on 13:36 from a now familiar scoring line. Emma Johnson started the move deep in her own D zone and found Emma Brown in centre ice, Lauren Scruby had found space on left wing and a peach of apass found her, the one-timer flew through the netminder?s 5 hole for the equaliser.

Shadows finished the period short-handed and might have grabbed the lead as Squaws failed to capitalise on the advantage.

A humdinger of a period which left the crowd begging for more. After a very short break, considering the periods were only fifteen minutes, there was barely time to grab breath before the 2nd started.

On 17:23 the Shads were back in front, Emma Allender came out from a scrap on the boards with the puck and found player-coach Georgina Farman in space, She showed great stick-handling skills and composure before slotting home number 4 and restoring the slender lead. 18:50 saw the scores level again, Shadows failed to clear the zone effectively and after a real scramble in front of Potter?s crease, Ashleigh Holland poked home another equaliser.

It was a very even game and apparent that one goal was going to settle this one, Shadows kept pushing forward, but gaps were appearing and Potter was called on to keep the score level on several occasions.

On 21:19 Whitley went ahead again, Once again Shadows weren?t able to clear the zone and Kate Ord was on hand to score from close range for 5-4.

Shadows were not finished by any means and created several good chances as the periodran down. The Whitley netminder was riding her luck and just how the puck stayed out on 25:30 beggars belief, a long-range shot squeezed under the pads and trickled towards the corner somehow stopping just short of the goal line.

Shadows ended the second as they had the first, short-handed, but had 3 good chances to nick a goal. Lauren Scruby shot just high and wide, Emma Allender only just failed to connect with the goal at her mercy and Georgina Farman made a great move from back to front but was denied the goal the move deserved.

There was all to play for in the third. Sheffield had just about edged it for me and had created by far the better chances, but the finishing had let them down a little. The defence needed to keep an eye on the high-man tactics Squaws had adopted and theforwards needed to drop back a little quicker to defend the break-out. Shadows first power play came on 35:09 and they needed to make it pay dividends as they had been under a great deal of pressure from the start of the third. It was a poor PP with passes going a stray and players out of position when it counted. They would have to find another way through, but time was running out.Another PP came and it was kitchen sink time for Shadows. No goals to show for the player advantage but they were much stronger on this one, chances were created and the netminder had luck on her side.With 1:33 left, Georgina called a time-out with the whistle blowing in the offensive zone. The last chance for Shadows to grab the goal their efforts were worthy of, they kept the pressure on and Potter was pulled with just 17 seconds left, Shadows just couldn?t find that all-important goal though and the game ended 5-4 in the favour of Whitley.

So we returned empty-handed from the North-East, but with many positives to take from the performance and a return game to savour.

Until next time

Hank x x x

Look out for the next match report

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)

Premier Division

Division 1 North

Premier Player Stats

Division 1 Player Stats

More Stats On Malcom Preens web site

Shadows 6 v Peterborough 0
By Hank Marvin

Game two for the Div One girls and a second home game. After seeing off Hull in the
opener, the visitors were the Peterborough Penguins, a team Hank’s only seen once
before, in their own barn a couple or three years ago. Not a memorable day for the result;
more for a certain member of the Shadows forgetting a pretty important bit of left-handed
kit and the all too familiar cry of “Daaadddyyyy!”

No such drama this time around and shortish benches for both teams meant this was
going to be a long game!

I watched the team train Friday night and they seemed up for it. Nice to see a team gel so
quickly and enjoy themselves.

I have to make mention of the other visitor to Ice Sheffield for this fixture; birthday boy
Blaine Evans was reffing. Now, I know many in the game have a few choice words for this
guy, but I like him! We go back a long way and always have a bit of banter on match day.
This game needs characters, and Blaine’s certainly one of them!

Anyway, on to the game and a first period totally dominated by Shadows. The first action
came on 2:35 when Lauren Scruby was sent to sit for a minor interference call. It was hard
to see what difference it made to be honest as Shadows kept the visitors locked in their
own half on the PK. The most frustrating thing about the period was that Shadows just
couldn’t find a way past the visitors minder. Time and time again plays were set up, the
forwards were sent on their way but either went wide to the wings or lost control at the
crucial moment in front of goal. It wasn’t until the final minute that the deadlock was
broken, but it was worth the wait! Emma Brown worked well on the boards and her pass
sent Lauren Scruby on a run on goal. Her finish was spectacular, the backhand shot
nestling in the top corner with the netminder foundering and just 35 secs left on the
period.

It was just the tonic the Shadows needed and a flying start to the second period saw more
good pressure on the Penguins. 2:23 into the period and Emma Brown did her stuff again,
emerging from the corner with the puck, her pass found Emma Johnson in space and she
in turn put the puck on to the stick of Lauren Scruby. Before anyone knew anything about
it, the puck was in the back of the net again, the first time Lauren had scored a double.
59 seconds later, and on the same shift, the duo struck again, Emma Brown set Lauren
Scruby free and the hat-trick came, her shot beating the keeper low to the left. A straight
hat-trick in four minutes, quite an achievement.

A double penalty for Ally Ronksley was the next on the game sheet. 2 for holding and a
second minor for Charging gave Penguins an advantage, halved by a coincidental to
Aimee Smith for a cross check.

Shadows continued to dominate but seemed to have taken the foot off the gas a little.
Penguins had their moments, including a three on one break, but Potter was having none
of it. She smelled a shut-out was on the cards. No further goals in the second as it ended
3-0 in Shadows favour.

To be honest, it appeared game over before the period started. I just couldn’t see a way
back for the visitors who had been totally out-played for the previous 40 minutes. 37
seconds in and a further PP to the visitors, Hazel Wilson receiving a minor for slashing and
some serious words from her clan gathered behind the penalty bench, (or naughty step as
we’ll now call it !!)

A bit of a mix up gifted Penguins another PP for too many men, but once again, Shadows
played the clock down with ease. Potter hadn’t had too much to do, but was on her toes
when she needed to be to prevent a shock score.

Back to full strength, Shadows again dominated and the fourth goal came on 49:04. Emma
Allender was involved early on finding Hazel Wilson with a decent pass. Donna Chambers
made the move on goal and slid the puck home for 4-0.

A further PP opportunity came for Penguins on 52:04. Lauren Scruby in the thick of it
again, called for high sticks. Again Penguins were unable to capitalise and it was one-way
traffic. The final penalty call of the game went against Shadows as Emma Allender sat a
10 minute abuse call, you just shouldn’t upset Blaine on his birthday Emma!

With 4 minutes left, goal five came for the hosts from the stick of Ceri Wilkinson. Another
well worked goal with assists to Hazel Wilson and Potter, who celebrated in some style
when that was announced. Having assisted on the previous two goals, it was fitting that
Hazel Wilson should grab number 6. It came on 58:48 and was nothing less than the line
deserved after working so hard. Assists went to Ally Ronksley and Ceri Wilkinson.

So a 6-0 victory against a very ordinary Peterborough team. It could and probably should
have been double that and on another day probably would have been. That said, another
solid team performance, a shut-out, a hat-trick, some great entertainment, who could ask
for more.

Only one more thing to add really, and that’s well done to two of the girls, Emma Brown for
playing through what sounds like a nasty infection, and Lauren Scruby who found out
she’d been playing and training with Medial Ligament damage.

Get well soon you two, plenty of recovery time before the next game.

Finally, I’d like to add my congratulations to the Prem girls for their performance in Latvia.
From the accounts I’ve heard, you did Sheffield and GB proud against some pretty
formidable opponents.

Until next time

Hank x x x

Look out for the next match report

Hank

Hank Marvin (Sheffield Shadows Reporter)