The Bracknell B52s welcomed local rivals Guildford Smoke to
the Hive. Over 5 months since their last clash and on that occasion
Bracknell came out dominant winners. Bracknell icing 3 strong lines
and feeling confident about the game. Guildford also with 3 lines went about
their warmup and looked focused on the job in hand. Tony lack in control of
proceedings dropped the puck to start the game at centre ice.

It wasn’t long until Guildford found some good shots on Munson in the B52s goal, Guildford skating
hard and taking control of the game. Bracknell slowly found some passing and shooting opportunities but
nothing to worry the Smoke netminder. Guildford didn’t look the same team as the last game, a lot of positive
hockey & good forechecking was not allowing Bracknell to set up in their own end and breakout. Lots of 50/50
pucks were being claimed by Guildford and this led to them creating plenty of shooting chances. The Smoke had not
kitted up just to go through the motions and hand the B52s a win. Bracknell struggling, started to give up penalties and
were now playing short handed which at one point had the B52s playing with 3 guys in the box. At 17:17 ( Robertson 63)
forcing the play took advantage of the loose puck and found the back of the Bracknell net from a tight angle to take the lead 1 – 0.
Then, just 47sec later, (Kent 51) found the second goal for Guildford, assisted by 19 Gallagher & 42 Parrish. A determined 1st period
from the Smoke producing the deserved 2-0 scoreline. Bracknell just not looking focused on the game ,or playing as a team. The B52s
coach clearly unhappy with the team performance was quick to vent his frustration on the players. It seemed the B52s thought they could
coast through this game without breaking a sweat.

With calm back on the bench the 2nd period started and again Guildford still full of energy were now playing the best hockey Bracknell had seen in
many a clash. Then at 24:01 (Ress 15) found the 3rd goal for Guildford assisted by (69 Ballard). No reply from Bracknell. Things went from bad to
worse as the B52s were not in this game by a long way and the frustration showed as more penalties went to Bracknell. Guildford enjoying more power play hockey. Carl Hastings created some good individual efforts for the B52s, but could not manage to get past the Smoke netminder who was proving a problem to beat. At 28:36 Guildford scored yet another goal (51 Kent ,assisted by 63 Robertson) as the B52s were being taught a lesson in hockey basics. 4 – 0 to the Smoke. In the last minute of the period Hastings was to chase for the puck only to receive a high stick which left him out of action for the rest of the game as he required stitches to his chin. With the 2nd period over and 4 – 0 down, Bracknell had to make a few changes, they went down to 5 d-men to allow Nicholson to play up front with Russ Harman also switching lines to balance up the team.

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