Flintshire Freeze sizzle then fizzle out in 10 – 1 win.

Sunday night and once again the Freeze welcomed local rivals Lancashire Raptors to Deeside Ice Rink for another game sponsored by Specsavers.  They may only have brought a squad of 10 players and there were only 2 refs available but the crowd was boosted by new supporters from Freeze team sponsors Urenco and Specsavers and it was the biggest so far this season.

On 18 seconds Andy Chappell found himself in the sin bin for 2 mins for elbows, but this did not stop the Freeze piling on the pressure. They were soon scorching onto the scoreboard when Steve Fellows converted a pass from Gary Dixon at bang on 2 mins for a shorthanded first goal. Just over 4 mins later, a Mike Jones pass found Si Furnival in front of goal waiting to slot the puck straight through the middle of the Raptor’s crease to make it 2-0. Play briefly went to the Freeze net but Phil Crosby was in for a quiet night as the action was clearly at the other end. Fellows soon found Furnival once more goal hanging to lift in the Freeze’s 3^rd. Within 40 seconds of the restart James Parsons made his first appearance on the score sheet for the night when he nattily turned in a Marc Lovell shot to make it 4-0. Still not half way through the first period and Furnival got his hat trick when Chris Varney found him in a familiar spot again in front of the Raptor’s net. The Freeze really sizzled in this purple patch of the 1^st period – 4 goals in just over 3 mins – and shots went in thick and fast. Callum Ruddick hit the post and Lovell shot wide but then it seemed the Freeze forwards eased off the gas. Dixon got into a kerfuffle with the Raptor’s Paul Mercer on the boards and both were off for 2 mins for charging and roughing. With teams back to full strength, a Freeze shot slipped behind Phil Pearson between the posts for Raptors and bobbled tantalizingly close to the goal line but seconds later Aled Roberts made it actually count when he squeezed a slinky 6^th past the post just inside the last 2 mins of the period. Period score 6-0.SOG made Freeze – 34 Raptors – 3

The second period started and it was just like ‘For whom the bells toll’…  but don’t panic – it was just a false fire alarm. And another. And another. It could have been the bell for ‘seconds out…round 2!’ as the crowd, now swelled by bikers and boarders from the newly opened Extreme sports zone, saw Dixon in the bin for 2 mins for interference and swiftly joined by Furnival for an uncharacteristic case of unsportsmanlike conduct which saw him off ice for 10 mins. The fire alarm was still intermittently interfering with the game but in just under 6 mins Chappell ignored the distraction and got focus back on the ice with a jinky run to slide goal no 7 under the splayed legs of the Raptor’s minder. Parsons got sent off for 2 mins for charging but apart from a couple of saves from Crosby, all attention was again at the other net even when the Freeze were a man down. But when the Raptors go a man down for high sticks, Freeze take full advantage when a Gavin Austin pass gives Parsons the powerplay goal.

Period score 8-0.SOG made Freeze – 15 Raptors – 2.

Inside 4 minutes of the 3^rd period and Parsons got his hat trick and it was 9 -0. A minute later and Dixon decided to entertain the crowd by using his fists to dispute the Raptor’s only goal of the night which nevertheless broke Crosby’s hopes of a shut out for the game. The Freeze minder hotly disputed it, but 9-1 it was, and the ensuing disagreement meant Dixon found himself once more in the bin for 2 mins for charging and 4 for fighting alongside Raptor’s Mercer who got 4 mins for fighting. Once more, twice in two games now, the penalty calls after the goal saw the restart from in front of the Freeze goal and not the centre circle. Amongst all the confusion, Freeze Captain Lovell coolly slotted home goal number 10. Raptors went a man down for a tripping offence with less than 8 mins on the clock but Freeze could not capitulate. The game, which had started with such a bang, and had all the whistles and bells (curse those fire alarms!) seemed to fizzle out to a lacklustre end

Final score: 10-1. SOG made Freeze – 17 Raptors – 7

Total . SOG made Freeze – 66 Raptors – 12

Total penalties incurred: Freeze – 24 mins, Raptors – 10

MVP: Freeze – 10 Andy Chappell

Raptors – 10 Mike Vigelskas

Solway Sharks show their teeth in 1 – 11 showdown with Freeze

Solway Sharks, the runaway leaders at the top of the division, returned to Deeside Ice Arena for a second time for the teams second of four meetings this season. Freeze have greatly improved since their 1-16 loss at the start of the season, so the team (and the fans;-)) were keenly anticipating a matching improvement in performance and the score. The game on Sunday night duly delivered.

The Sharks were the first to take a bite out of the score sheet just inside a minute when a pass across the goal face from the night’s top point scorer Reynolds (4 goals 5 assists) allowed Hendersonto lift the puck over Freeze net minder Matty Compton’s stick. In reply, the Freeze forwards tried a few forays up front and the defence dug deep – Ainsley Keeler marking his return to the side with a very cool clearance in front of the Freeze posts. Si Furnival slapped a couple of shots wide and a Gavin Austin shot bounced off Shark’s keeper Russell’s pads as the Freeze kept the Sharks busy in defence for a while. But Reynolds linked up again with Hendersonto get his 2^nd of the night just inside 8 mins. Another familiar face returning to the Freeze fold, Gary Dixon, tried to make some headway up front but was held back and play was soon down the other end.Compton then saved only to see the rebound fall to Reynolds to get his first of the night. Eventually the ref saw an even more blatant hooking penalty by the Sharks and they went a man down. Unfortunately Freeze were left discombobulated that the ref actually called in their favour, and the circling Sharks took advantage with Reynolds grabbing a short handed goal to take it to 0-4. When the Sharks took a 10 mins (harsh!) illegal equipment (helmet) call, the Freeze forwards saw their chance and went for it hard this time. A frantic frenzy of goal mouth action had the fans on their feet until finally the puck settled softly and sweetly in the back of the Shark’s net. The home fans went crazy and so did the on ice action. When it was finally sorted (well.. sort of.). the goal was given to Peter Norgate and it was 1-4. Freeze then immediately had Norgate in the bin and Sharks had two in there for roughing with one a plus 10 mins for misconduct. Interestingly the refs decided to restart from the Sharks end and not from the centre spot as penalties were conceded after the goal and with the Freeze 5 on 4 as coincidental penalties had been called. Period score: 1-4. SOG made Freeze – 9 Solway – 15.  (Well done Matt!)

Second period – and the Sharks actually needed an extra minute to score this period with Reynolds getting their 5^th at 1 mins 56secs. Both teams came out keen, and Freeze showed they meant business playing some of their best hockey to keep the Sharks at bay. But when Steve Fellows had to sit out 2 mins for hooking after a desperate defensive move, a Solway charge in front of goal sees the puck bobble in to take it 1-6 on a power play. This stage of the game was action packed. In the Freeze goal, Compton is called on to make save after save, but it is a breakaway from top scorer James Parsons which incites the Sharks into an illegal check from behind and gets a rare penalty shot for the Freeze. It slices off the Shark’s net minder’s stick to the home crowd’s disappointment. As Shark’s Tonnar sat out 2mins for roughing, they took advantage of a disappointed Freeze and Reynolds grabbed his 4th goal of the night whilst they were shorthanded.Compton once again found himself in the middle of a goal mouth kerfuffle and then found himself off the ice for 5 plus match for slashing giving Phil Crosby time to face 9 shots between the posts for the Freeze. Period score: 1-7 SOG made Freeze – 5 Sharks – 20.

Third period and, back with a bang, the Sharks score again within a minute and soon follow it up with another after a rare loose pass behind the net from Marc Lovell and it is 1-9. In the meantime, Freeze’s Kenny Williams was dismissed from the ice for 5 plus match for a check to the head which appeared to be caused by an accidental flailing elbow. Once the blood is cleaned from the ice the Freeze, a man down, rely on some fine saves byCrosbyin the net as play is hardly out of the Freeze end. Just over halfway through the period, the Sharks change net minders. But it is the Freeze defence who worked hard to run down the 5 minute penalty keeping the Sharks forwards from scoring right up to just 24 seconds remained. Two seconds after Williams 5 min major had expired, the Sharks scored again to make the final score 1-11. Freeze found themselves with a man advantage for the last 2 minutes of the game but, despite some brave efforts just couldn’t find the back of the net. Final Score 1-11. SOG made this period Freeze-8 Sharks 26

Man of the Match: Sharks – 44 Reynolds, Freeze – 40Crosby

Total shots faced; Freeze Crompton- 26, Crosby -35: Sharks Russel-18. Rae – 4

Freeze share points with Hull Stingrays in thrilling draw

Hull Stingray’s first visit this season to Deeside Ice Rink on Sunday was a fast paced game which ended all square at 2-2. Hull turned up in blue shirts with ‘Jets’ written on them and were too late to take part in the warm up, but, this didn’t stop them taking on the Freeze for their closest game so far this season.

Both teams came out the 1^st period hitting hard and players on both sides took heavy checks as they tested each other out. Hull’s Beach was in the sin bin after just 1 minute for boarding – the first of four boarding penalties on the night – setting the scene for the tone of the game. Up front for the Freeze, sharp shooter James Parsons tried his best but nothing was getting past Brummitt in the Hull goal, who’s form on the night showed just why he is also Hull’s Elite team’s back up net minder. When Andy Chappell took 2 mins for boarding it was Matty Compton in the Freeze goal who was under pressure, pulling out all the stops with some great reflex saves. At one stage the puck did bobble over the line into the net but the goal was disallowed for high sticks. Hull kept up the pressure but Compton again saved and held onto the puck. From the restart, on fire forward Si Furnival picked up the puck and headed goalward only to see his shot clutter down off Brummitt’s chin guard to be safely held on his chest. The game continued at a frenetic pace up and down the ice until Hull were first on to the score sheet with a goal from Ward in just under 7 and half minutes.  Parsons tried to even the score shooting in a loose puck after Hull’s defence tried to pass across goal but to no avail. Lovell atried a shot wide and Parsons performed a spectacular dive to the ice when a low check up-ended him as he was speeding in for another shot. Another attack saw him bundled into the Hull net after being brought down again on another charge (lets hope there is a photo on the website!). At the other end a Hull shot pinged off the post but the period ended with a flurry of activity at the Hull goal – but it was the same story as the rest of the 1st…nothing would go in.

Period score 0-1.SOG made Freeze – 17 Stingrays – 15

A disagreement at the Hull net saw the 2^nd period start with Parsons and Ward in the sin bin for roughing inside 1 minute. Callum Ruddick joined them for cross checking and the Freeze were down a man for a while. Back to full strength the Freeze continued to pile on the pressure forcing Hull into some desperate defending.  Just after 6 mins, Hull’s frustration shows and they were down to 4 out players after another boarding call when Parson’s is slammed into the boards. Freeze took advantage by throwing more shots in, until a Hull interception found Ward, keeping his eye on the puck as it flashed across the crease. He failed to see Captain Marc Lovell coming in to defend. Their ensuing collision in front of the net resulted in Ward crashing hard … head first into the boards behind the net. This, to the crowd’s bewilderment, resulted in Lovell getting 2 mins for boarding (which by definition should surely happen on the boards?). The collision didn’t seem to impair the Hull player much as he had a hand in their second goal skilfully scored by Hackford from a shot whilst on his knees to take it to 0 – 2.  Less than 2 minutes later, Freeze make it onto the score sheet when a goal mouth scramble saw Parsons add to his points tally, ably assisted by Lovell, and it was 1-2. Compton continued his great work between the Freeze posts keeping the marauding Stingrays at bay. With just under 3 minutes left on the clock for this period, defender Mike Jones made a great pass down the ice to Parsons waiting on the blue line. He immediately set his sights on the Hull goal and a lovely pass to Chappell, speeding goalward in support, resulted in goal number 2 for the Freeze – much to the home crowd’s relief.

Period score 2 – 2.SOG made Freeze – 14 Stingrays – 12.

The third period started with Freeze a man down with Steve Fellows in the sin bin for an interference call at the end of the 2^nd.  But the Freeze held firm. Compton in goal made saves from left, right and centre …pushing them wide, lifting them over, and holding shots in a great display of goal keeping. Play was fast and furious, end to end, and both teams gave it their all. Furnival and Hull’s Ralph were sin binned for 2 mins for high sticking after they got up close and personal.  But Ben Simister’s 2 minutes looked far more personal when he got 2 mins for holding after lying on top of a Hull forward in front of the Freeze net (oh, please let there be some photos on the web!). Compton continued his sterling job in goal with more great saves and, up front, Simister tried a shot and attempted a wrap around for the rebound. The last 2 minutes of the game saw both teams throw everything into winning the game. Parsons tried a slap shop but Hull’s Beach picked up the loose puck and flew down the ice to go 1 on 1 with Compton. The Freeze net minder, of course, held firm and the game ended with both teams sharing opinions as to ‘who should have won’ in a kafuffle at the Freeze net. Compton had the last say with a doink on a Hull player’s helmet getting him 2 for high sticks.  A great game for the fans, … but will the Freeze regret this with such a close fight for play offs?

Period score 2 – 2. SOG made Freeze – 16 Stingrays – 11

Total penalties incurred: Freeze – 16 mins, Stingrays – 10

MVP: Freeze – 33 Matty Compton

Stingrays – 23 Dan Hackford

Total shots on goal: faced by Freeze: 47, by Stingrays: 38