SUNDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2024
RedHawks soar as Jets crash
Match Report by Chris Beal
Streatham kept up its winning form on home ice with a thrilling 4-2 win on home ice over the Slough Jets.
Fans on the high road have been treated to some great games as of late, and games between the Slough Jets and Streatham RedHawks have become must see in the last 2 seasons. And Sunday’s game did not disappoint in this regard.
The first period of the game saw a chess match as coaches Ben Paynter and Lukas Smital set their game plans against each other.
The opening phase of both sides trying to find a weakness in each other’s game plan. Soon gave way to what many would call controlled aggression as James Warman delivered a big hit that would see both sides trading hit for hit.
While the hits were being thrown both Brett Shepherd in the Streatham net and Nate Gregory in the Jets net, were putting on a goaltending battle. Making big save after big save to keep the score tied at 0-0.
The aggression and tension would all build to a series of hits that had both sets of fans demanding justice from referee Blaine Evans. At 1958 on the clock this would come as Miles would be called for Charging. Putting the Jets on the PK heading into the 2nd.
The goaltending duel with continue through the 2nd period till the halfway mark. Luke Brittle would give the Jets a powerplay after being called for a slash at 2948. About 28 seconds later at 3016, the Jets would break the deadlock. Jack Goodchild scoring the opener.
Streatham would go on the offensive immediately pushing for an equalizer but were unable to penetrate the seal on Gregory’s net. Meaning the 2nd would end Streatham 0-1 Slough.
Streatham would push for the equalizer from the start of the third coming close several times. But it would be the Jets who struck again at 4946. As Jacob Soper would score to make it 0-2 to the visitors.
With mountain that bit higher, Streatham showed now why they are the defending champs. First Roman Cathcart firing high over Gregory at 51 minutes to get them on the board, 1-2.
The equalizer would have a fraternal element as Jordan Gregory, the brother of Jets goalie Nate would intercept the puck at the blue line and bury the puck in the net at 54 minutes, tying the game 2-2.
A minute later, Jared Lane in on net would be hauled down. Referee Evans would order a penalty shot. Lane would convert giving the RedHawks the lead with 9 minutes to play.
Luke Brittle would wrap up the scoring at 57 minutes, intercepting a pass and rifling it by Gregory to seal the game for Streatham 4-2.
After the game, coach Paynter revealed he was never worried that the game plan wouldn’t work out, even at 2-0 down.
“I think we played a really good game, we did find ourselves 2-0 down. But we stuck to our game plan. Same old thing just stick to the game plan keep chugging away. And keep playing our game, and we know that when we play our game, we’re always going to put ourselves in a good position to win a hockey game.”
Streatham will next be in action on home ice on December 7th as they welcome the Cardiff Fire. Facing off at 1730. Before that it’s an away game double header as they travel to Romford on Saturday the 30th and Milton Keynes on the Sunday.