Hi Hockey fans,

The Bracknell B52's took to the road (and ferry) for their
1st encounter with the Isle of Wight Dinosaurs. The guys arriving
with just the 2 lines seems to be a regular occurrence for an away game.
The game started with a quick pace and immediately the B52's were under pressure
from the fast skating dinos. The rink being smaller made stickhandling difficult and the
guys struggled to set up any passing. Lots of dump and chase hockey.

This led to many icing calls. The dinos were already peppering the Munson goal with shots and Paul
was equal to the task with some great saves. The B52's kept the pressure on with some good fore checking
but could not contain the Dinos. Paul Munson keeping the guys in the game with yet greater goaltending. Finally
the defence cracked and the dinos found the 1st goal of the game. The 1st period ending 1 - 0 to the dinos. (Dinos
with 20 shots on goal and the B52's only managing 3).

The 2nd period saw Bracknell beginning to look a bit more composed and adjusting to the tight space. More passes were
connecting with more shots on the dinos goal. A 2nd goal sneaked in off the goalies pads to make it 2 - 0. Bracknell still putting
in a good team effort stuck to the task and at last were rewarded when Aaron and Scott pulled together to set up Mark Hopkins
who let loose a good slap shot that found the roof of the dinos net, pulling back the score to 2 -1.

This was the lift the guys needed to let them know they were still in this game. Gibbo, Sasha, Neil and Chris all putting in a good team effort in defence even though the legs were tired and Mark (gibbo) Gibson was playing with an injured leg. Bracknell trying to move the puck with a bit more composure showed their desire to get back on level terms. But with more fresh legs the B52's struggled to hold off the barrage of shots and soon were 2 more goals behind with some good passing and quick breakout plays from the dinos to take the score to 4 - 1 at the end of the 2nd period.

Bracknell went into the third with a head of steam still fore-checking and trying to keep the dinos under pressure in their end. Some good fore-checking and containment from Pete Litwin Tony Nicholson and Scott Wakelin led to some good chances opening up for the team. Scott Wakelin working hard all night in the corners digging and chasing every loose puck.

His efforts were rewarded with a well taken shot from close range that found the back of the net, assisted by Nicholson. Score now 4 - 2. I felt the enthusiasm grow for Bracknell who were now chomping at the bit for another goal and could see some signs of the dinos slowing up as the
resilience of Bracknell shone through. The game got more aggressive as both teams were not letting up the pressure and tempers flared during
the game. Hostilities growing led to an incident which had Barringer sent off for 2 +2 and Scott Cunningham had his marching orders to
 the dressing room receiving a game misconduct penalty.

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