Hi Hockey fans,
After a tough home game last week, the B-52's took the short
road trip to local rivals Basingstoke. The Cougars with 4 lines on the
bench were well ready for this one. The game started with some good
opening hockey from both teams. It was good to see the Bracknell team settling
into some good positional hockey very quickly. But it was to be the Cougars who
were to find the net in the 4th minute (Harris). The B-52's seemed unrattled and kept to
their tasks forechecking hard and getting back to help the defence. There was some good
breakout plays and Wakelin ,O'Donnell, and Laing were putting the cougars under constant
pressure. But hard work aside, it was the Cougars who found 2 more goals (Vertanen and Good)
and were sitting on a 3 goal lead after 16 minutes. Surely the tables will turn, as the efforts of the B-52's
went unrewarded. Again it was Andy Downs who was to find the net first with just 2 minutes left in the 1st
period well assisted by Harman. The period ending 3 - 1 to Cougars, a really competitive period of hockey from both
teams. Litwin and VanDelft both holding their own under pressure and Porter, Gibson, Hopkins and Draper all putting in
a great effort in defence.

The 2nd period showed no letting up with the Cougars still skating hard and moving the puck well for some quick breakout plays,
keeping Munson busy in the Bracknell goal. Bracknell still looking sharp and composed on the puck continued to hussle and move the
puck well and soon took control of the game with 3 unanswered goals (2 from Laing with 1 assist to Downs and the 3rd goal from Wakelin
assisted by O'Donnell.) Bracknell were now holding a valuable 4 - 3 lead after 27 minutes of play. A great effort to finally reap the benefits of
their team work. Basingstoke were not going to give up the chase either and showed they too can dig in when it matters and 8 minutes later
found an equalising goal to square the game up at 4 - 4 (Hare). This now had all the makings of a game that was going down to the wire. Shambrook
and Barringer both working hard all night couldn't find the final touch to get the goal they had worked so hard for. Two well matched sides not willing
to sit back and give away any shooting chances. Then with Wakelin in the penalty box for a minor penalty the Cougars crashed the net for another
well taken powerplay goal from Good to reclaim the lead 5 - 4. A blow for the B-52's who were in control of the game for most of the 2nd period.

The final period was full of tension as both teams were now feeling the pressure, with more tripping and checking penalties being called by the ref. With
only 20 seconds gone in the 3rd period the Cougars again found the net (Wynn) to take a 6 - 4 lead. The period was getting more physical with everyone going in harder for the challenge to get any loose puck .Eventually things boiled over and players from both teams finished the game in the penalty box.
Both teams were holding off the other and no goals were to be scored until the last seconds of the game when Hopkins found the net at 59.58
unassisted. The game finishing with a win for the Cougars 6 goals to 5.

A really good competitive game from both teams. Well done Cougars...
MOM Cougars …….goalie MOM B-52's……..#66 Jim Laing