Hi Hockey fans,

Tonight the B-52's were hosts to the Swindon Panthers, we have
not crossed paths for a few years so fresh ground to tread for both
teams…………

The game started fast and the Panthers were to find the opening goal of the game in 3rd
minute.(McCoy) Good passing and positional play left the B-52's chasing the puck and not settling
into the game. The Panthers were playing at a fast pace and this in turn was giving the B-52's less
time to set up plays. Bob Hart in the net for Bracknell, was to have no rest tonight with shots raining
down on him the whole game. The Panthers were moving the puck and forechecking hard and found
themselves to many loose pucks first and making the B-52's dig deep to stay in the game. A lot of hard work
seemed to go unrewarded for the B-52's team with some good hustling from Barringer, Wakelin and Laing up
front but just couldn't finish off the chances. The Panthers pilling on the pressure found their 2nd goal in the 12th
minute (Lehmann). A 3rd goal 2 minutes later left the 1st period ending with a 3 goals to 0 lead for the visitors.

The 2nd period was again at a fast pace and the B-52's were still struggling to get composed on the puck and create some good
passing and positional plays. The panthers 4th goal came in the 22nd minute and the B-52's didn't seem to have a reply to their breakout
and attacking plays. Still, the B-52's showed no signs of giving up and continued to grind and chase and hustle the Panthers team still looking
for their 1st goal. Andy Downs was to find that goal for the team with a slap shot from the blueline. This helped boost the guys on the bench and
 again some good defensive work from Gibson, Draper and Hopkins helped to stabilze the game. But with some legs now slowing and the Panthers
still skating hard utilizing all their 3 + lines of players and with some good line changes kept them at full steam. They were to find 4 more goals and the
2nd period ended 7 - 1 .

The final period saw the B-52's still looking positive and with a good team spirit and great attitude on the bench from all the team, were unlucky not to have more goals for their relentless hard work and effort. The passing started to connect and there was no sign of a single player dropping their heads. Litwin
and Shambrook both out and putting in good efforts along with Ian Van Delft playing his 1st game for Bracknell put in a solid performance showing
confidence and good hockey skills. The B-52's were showing they will battle on and rise to the challenge and the 3rd period was a closer game with the
final 4 goals from the panthers not justifying the efforts of the Bracknell B-52's team. The 3rd period ended with a final score of 11 - 1 to the visitors. This was another big game for the B-52's who showed great desire, commitment and team spirit . The final score did not do justice to the hard work the
guys put in. I am sure the B52s will be keen to balance up the scoring on their next encounter…..

MOM Panthers…….#57 - Marc Blackwell MOM B52's……..#36 - Bob Hart